A bill that would reorganize the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners has cleared the state House Game and Fisheries Committee and will move to the full House for consideration.

If approved, House Bill 2381, introduced by State Rep. Mike Hanna (D-Clinton/Centre), would prohibit former Game Commission employees from serving on the agency's board.

Eight residents from different parts of the state who have "knowledge of wildlife conservation and restoration" would be appointed to the board by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate.

Furthermore, the board would be required to "take into account the possible social, economic and recreational impact of its decisions."

"The current board does not consider the impact of their decisions on social and economic factors in the community," said Rep. Hanna in a prepared statement. "Sportsmen and women have grown increasingly disappointed ..."

The Game Commission claims its decisions are based on the interests of the wildlife it is charged to manage and health of its habitat.

Gun ruling doesn't affect hunters

The recent landmark Supreme Court gun decision conclusively confirms, for the first time in U.S. history, that Americans who are not members of militias have the right to keep guns for self-defense.

But legal analysts say the ruling is expected to have marginal practical impact on hunters, target shooters, gun collectors and the ownership of sporting arms.

The 5-4 ruling struck down the District of Columbia's 32-year ban on handgun possession and local requirements on the storage of other firearms -- one of the most restrictive handgun laws in the country.

While the decision confirms "the right of the people to keep and bear arms" regardless of their status in a "well regulated militia," analysts said it will probably leave intact most federal firearms restrictions, especially those affecting sportsmen.

The National Rifle Association and other pro-gun lobbying groups are expected to use the ruling to challenge other restrictive urban handgun laws.

Brookies on the list

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission last week added the eastern brook trout, the official state fish, to the Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan.

The plan outlines goals and objectives for managing animal species. Brook trout are doing well in Pennsylvania with ample reproduction in tributaries and headwaters, but their habitat continues to be impacted by pollution sources including acidic rain and sedimentation often caused by land-use decisions.

"This amendment specifically identifies goals and objectives to improve our understanding of the status of wild eastern brook trout and approaches for protection, management, and restoration," said Austen in a prepared statement.

Being added to the plan does not prohibit the catch-and-release or harvesting of brook trout.