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Maybe a number doesn’t do them justice.
But that’s how our State Game Lands are known, by a number.
It’s been that way ever since 1920 when the Pennsylvania Game Commission began purchasing property in order to protect wildlife habitat and provide recreational opportunities. And it’s worked well, allowing hunters to easily identify their favorite game lands with little confusion.
Locally, for example, just about everyone knows that SGL 57 is a vast, wild place (approximately 45,000 acres) in Luzerne and Wyoming counties. SGL 187 is a popular place because it borders Nescopeck State Park and provides a large, relatively unbroken expanse of land with plenty of access.
The number system certainly works, but perhaps there could be exceptions to the rule that would make the game lands more identifiable.
Instead of a number, why not attach a name to each game lands.
Name SGLs for people, land features
I’m not talking about selling the naming rights to game lands, like what is done with arenas and stadiums.
After all, spending the day hunting on property named after a bank or a large corporation just doesn’t sound that appealing.
No, our game lands shouldn’t be commercialized, but they can be named after a person or a land feature that would give them character.
A name that reflects a natural feature of the place is something that is common with new housing developments. Neighborhoods and streets are often named after trees and wildlife that were prevalent in the area before it was paved over.
Doing the same thing with game lands would represent a more suitable use of this practice. It makes sense, considering that it’s these natural features that are being preserved solely because they are located on game lands.
The PGC has already altered the name of one game lands to reflect a significant event. State Game Lands 93 in Somerset County was named in honor of those who perished on Flight 93 near Shanksville on Sept. 11, 2001. The previous SGL 93 was a 4,876-acre tract in Clearfield County that was renamed SGL 331.
The PGC can do something similar on SGL 249 in Adams County. That’s where Wildlife Conservation Officer David Grove was shot and killed in the line of duty on Nov. 11, 2010.
While naming SGL 93 was a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives in a horrific act of terrorism, renaming SGL 249 is a suitable way to honor a person who gave his life for wildlife conservation.
PGC board president Ron Weaner, who resides in Adams County, said he likes the uniqueness of having the game lands designated with a number and didn’t know if it was feasible to rename them after a person.
But if that person is WCO Grove, then Weaner said the idea is plausible.
“I’m all in favor of honoring WCO David Grove,” Weaner said. “He was a good friend and an excellent wildlife conservation officer.”
Weaner raised a good point when he questioned what the parameters would be for renaming game lands.
“Where do you stop and where do you start?” he asked.
I can answer the latter: WCO David L. Grove Game Lands, Adams County.