Barraged by outraged hikers, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is backing off plans to require free permits and bar trekking during hunting seasons at least for now.

Game commission executive board President Robert W. Schlemmer said Thursday that the agenda item proposing the permit and hiking restrictions is being deleted from the board's Jan. 27 meeting agenda.The permit would have been free, and required of those who do not have hunting or fur-taking licenses.Hiking would have been limited to Sundays only during spring and fall hunting seasons. Pennsylvania does not allow hunting on Sundays.The proposals drew ire from local hikers who enjoy trekking the game lands trails, including the popular Glen Onoko falls in Carbon County.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 postponement drew praise from area hiking groups."Closing down Glen Onoko and other popular hiking trails on state game lands during hunting seasons simply does not make sense. I am glad to see that the game commission has recognized the issues raised by the public and impacted communities, and has chosen to table the proposed hiking restrictions and permit requirements," said Mark Zakutansky, the Appalachian Mountain Club's Mid-Atlantic policy manager.Zakutansky said the commission should outline their concerns and the rationale for proposing a seasonal ban on hiking, so that clubs can offer reasonable solutions."We have not seen any justification for the proposed hiking ban to date," he said."Hikers and the non-hunting community continue to oppose the free permit system as proposed, as it would only be obtainable in-person at one of seven game commission offices. For visitors and tourists, looking for a day hike or memorable experience in the outdoors, it will not be easy to obtain a permit for hiking, unless it is available from a self-service kiosk at game commission parking lots and trail heads," he said.The club is hoping the game commission will establish an advisory committee with representatives of non-hunting user groups.The board will meet for three days, from Sunday through Tuesday, at its offices in Harrisburg.The agenda is available by visiting the commission's website,

www.pgc.state.pa.us, and clicking on "Meetings of the board and other special events" on the right side of the home page.