No vote on measure to be taken at January meeting.

A proposal that would restrict hikers' use of state game lands, and require anyone without a hunting or furtaker license to obtain a free permit to use game lands, has been placed on hold.

The Executive Board of the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners, through board President Robert W. Schlemmer, yesterday announced the entirety of an agenda item proposing creation of a state game lands user permit is being deleted from the board's Jan. 27 meeting agenda.

In addition to creating the free permit, the proposal called for adding hiking to the list of activities that can occur only on Sundays during the height of hunting seasons.

Schlemmer said the board received hundreds of public comments about the proposal and wants to allow more time to properly consult with hunters, conservation partners and elected officials about it.

The rest of the board's agenda, which is posted on the Game Commission's website, remains intact.

The board will consider agenda items Jan. 27, the third day of a three-day meeting that begins Sunday, Jan. 25.

The board at the Jan. 25 meeting will hear public comments on topics including the 2015-16 hunting and furtaking seasons. The meeting begins at 1 p.m. and individuals interested in offering public testimony - limited to five minutes - may register beginning at noon on a first-come, first-to-speak basis.

On Monday, Jan. 26, the board will gather any additional public comments and hear Game Commission staff reports beginning at 8:30 a.m. Doors open at 7:45 a.m. Registration for those interested in offering public testimony - limited to five minutes - also will begin at that time.

On Tuesday, Jan. 27, beginning at 8:30 a.m., the board will take up its prepared agenda to give preliminary approval to hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for 2015-16, and establish other meeting dates for the coming year, among other things. Doors open at 7:45 a.m.

The agenda for the January meeting is available at the Game Commission's website, www.pgc.state.pa.us. From the "Quick Clicks" box running down the right side of the homepage, select "Meetings of the Board & Other Special Events." A link to the agenda is provided on the page that opens.