On Tuesday, April 9th, the Somerton Civic Association met to discuss the threat of bow hunting in their neighborhood. Peter Sussenbach, the Director of the Southeast Region of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, told the concerned citizens that it did not matter what the tax-paying citizens wanted; he had decided that the best use of the 17 acres of public land in Summerton was to legalize bow hunting.
In a direct answer to Philadelphia Hall Monitor’s questions, Director Sussenbach told the neighbors there had not been enough time to get neighborhood input before making a decision, that he was unwilling to postpone the implementation of the bow hunting to allow for neighborhood participation, and that it didn’t matter what the neighborhood wanted; he had already decided what was best for the area.
According to the Somerton Civic Association, the 17 acres in question had been owned by the developer Westrum. As part of Westrum’s zoning package to develop the former Byberry Hospital grounds, Westrum agreed to an open land easement on the 17 acres that spanned the residential neighborhood.
Westrum granted it to the Game Commission instead of granting the land to its development, the City’s Parks, the State Parks, or even the Civic Group itself. Once Game Land took possession of the land, Director Sussenbach stated on the record that the Commission did not have time to meet with neighborhood groups to find a “best use” for the open land. Instead, the Director and the Commission decided how to use the land.
Speaker after speaker voiced concerns about the Commission’s decision and the lack of community input.
Director Sussenbach told the 150 or so people in attendance that their concerns were misplaced. Bow Hunting is the safest form of hunting, and there are Game Wardens to ensure it is safe and legal. There would be no issues for the neighbors of the land.
Missing from Director Sassenach’s responses were several facts: How few Game Warden there are per acre, how the deer entrails are left in the open to rot and/or attract vermin, how the state of Wisconsin’s Study found Bow Hunting to be less safe than other types of hunting, that there was no record of any neighbor calling the Game Commission to complain about deer in the Somerton neighborhood; there is no legal requirement limiting the amount of time the Game Commission can take before deciding on the best use of land.
In response to Hall Monitor’s questions, the Game Commission stated it patrols just under 3 million acres of land with 234 full-time game wardens. Dividing, each Warden is responsible for 12,820 acres. If the math is continued, it means that every day, the Warden would be responsible for patrolling 50 acres, or 2.5 hours a week for the Summerton land.
Hunters who “harvest deer” are allowed to “field dress” the animals, leaving the entrails on the ground. Vermin will be drawn into the area.
When there are no entrails for the vermin, they attack trash and may attempt to enter homes.
According to the Game Land’s press agent, Director Sussenbach was inaccurate when he said there wasn’t time to talk to neighbors before deciding the best use of the land was for bow hunting. According to the spokesperson, there was enough time to conduct a thorough study. “Once we take ownership, we go through an exhaustive Comprehensive Planning process, which includes input from the Regional forestry, biology, and land management teams, under the direction of the Regional Director and guided by the Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Management in Harrisburg. ”
No time restriction required the Commission to decide on the bow hunting quickly.
The conscious decision was to ignore the community, rely on others, and then tell the community there wasn’t time to hear from it.
Game Land’s spokesperson did not answer whether there is an appeal process.
He did state that the community could always “send their thoughts and opinions to the staff and the Commissioners.” But as Director Sussenbach has already said, it doesn’t matter what the people who live in the area want; he has already decided that it may not be worth the cost of an
State Senator Jimmy Dillon’s Chief of Staff, Matt Darragh, spoke with Hall Monitor. He stated, “Late last week, our staffer attended the Somerton Civic Association Meeting. She conveyed to us that there are community concerns. We are investigating the state Game Lands commissions plan and what actions, if any, the Senator would need to take.”
At the next meeting of the Somerton Civic Association, the Group may plan future actions.
Our reporters sit through hours of city council meetings, dig through piles of documents, and ask tough questions other media overlook. Because we’re committed to addressing Philadelphia’s poverty crisis — and challenging those who sustain it. If you think this work is important too, please support our journalism.
We’re counting on readers like you.
