Last September, the Pennsylvania Game Commission came up with an idea to charge non-hunters a $30 permit to use state game lands — and promptly shot it down before it had a chance to fly. The plan, which arose from a long-running debate on how to protect wildlife habitats from snowmobilers, mountain bikers and horseback riders, encountered stiff resistance from the public as well as some commissioners and staffers.

Now, that idea is back, with two twists. One would require non-hunters to obtain a free permit to go on the state game lands. Another would ban non-hunters from game lands during hunting seasons, excluding them for more than one-third of the year, including the fall foliage season. The ban would include hikers, birders, photographers and others leaving light “footprints.” Users on horseback, snowmobiles and bikes are already banned during hunting seasons.

Before anyone cries “no fair,” it’s important to point out that state game lands, unlike state forests, state parks and “Rails to Trails,” were acquired largely from fees and taxes on hunters. They’re intended for primary use by hunters and trappers, who pay annual license fees, and to maintain wildlife habitat.

Secondary users enjoy these lands for free, and they should be allowed to continue to do so. At least the ones who don’t tear them up.

The Game Commission has a problem on its hands — damage caused by non-hunting users who wear out trails or create their own. Policing all 1.5 million acres is a daunting task.

Part of the rationale behind a permitting program is to collect information about these users, to see how they might be better managed.

Requiring everyone to get a permit seems like overkill. Even worse is the proposal to ban non-hunters during hunting seasons — late September to late January and mid-April to late May. Hiking would still be allowed on Sundays, when hunting is banned, yet legislative efforts to allow Sunday hunting seem to gain momentum with each session.

If the Game Commission has problems with damage caused by biking, horseback riding and snowmobiling, it should address them directly. Experienced hikers say they know when to stay away from game lands, especially deer season, and wear fluorescent orange clothing when they venture forth.