ALLEGHENY COUNTY SPORTSMEN’S LEAGUE, INC.
Minutes April 10, 2008
Jack Walters, First Vice President, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance and Conservation Pledge were given in unison.
The following agencies and clubs were present:
Bakerstown Beagle Logans Ferry Penn Hills
Bethel Park Sportsmen McKeesporst Pitcairn Monroeville
Dormont Mt. Lebanon Mt. Nebo Renton R & G
Forest Grove NSSA TCWA
Homestead PSLC West Deer
Member at Large – H.T. Lewellen
PFBC – Bob Wheeler PGC – Beth Fife
The March minutes were approved as mailed.
Guest Judy Brown, Second Amendment Sisters PA Coordinator and Candidate for Alternate Delegate, RNC Convention, District 18. Judy joined the ACSL as a Member at Large and will be sworn in May 8, 2008.
Treasurer Joe Mallino gave his monthy report. Motion made and seconded (Bagaley,Pritchard) to accept the report. Motion carried
Joe Mallino’s mailing address is ACSL P.O. Box 14338, Pittsburgh, PA 15239
Joe also reported Imperial Beagle Club submitted their 2008 dues of $37.50
Clubs still in arrears are Elizabeth, Millvale, Sewickley and Springdale.
PGC – WCO Beth Fife reporting on bear and deer statistics. 727# bear taken in Pike County.
DMAP applications are available until July 1 and are available on the Commission’s website at www.pgc.state.pa.us.
The state’s one-day youth spring gobbler season is April 19; the general season is April 26 to May 26 and includes Monday of the Memorial Day holiday to afford those hunters who have off work. In both seasons, shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until noon.
The next commission meeting is April 21, 22 in Harrisburg.
Seedlings are available – if you would like some you can e-mail Beth at bfife@state.pa.us.
PFBC – WCO Bob Wheeler offered the season stocking schedule, gave tips on cold water safety: water temps are in the 40’s so wear a PFD; senior lifetime license holders, fish with a friend.
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PFBC continued – Commission meeting is April 21, 22; discussions on boating infrastructure grants ($1.35 million); Land acquisition along Crooked Creek, Erie; proposed rule making on long bow and cross bow to take catfish.
Application deadline for state wildlife grant funding is May 5. Info is on the website at
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT: Mike Christeson reporting the success of the April 7 gun-owners rally to celebrate the “Right to Bear Arms”.
Philadelphia Council and Mayor passed and signed into law Illegal Gun Control Bills on April 10; in ‘violation” of Pennsylvania law.
1. limit handgun purchases to one a month
2. require reporting within 24 hours lost or stolen firearms
3. forbid individuals under protection from abuse orders from possessing guns if ordered by the court
4. allow removal (by a judge) of firearms from persons posing a risk of personal injury to themselves or others
5. outlaw the possession and sale of certain assault weapons
The real issue here is the committing of criminal acts that carry a punishment of misdemeanor 1 level. Once again it is up to the gun owners of PA to step forward and fight. Full report of the Legislative Committee is at http://www.acslpa.org.
CONSERVATION – Jack Walters reported Grants of $5.3 million to control and combat West Nile Virus proposed by Gov. Rendell. Citizens can play a major role by helping to eliminate breeding grounds for insects. Dump it if it has water in it; Drain it if it can be drained; Treat it if it has standing water. Standing water becomes mosquito breeding ground after just a few days.
Pres. Bush’s “clear skies initiative” in 2002 proposed reductions in three pollutants emitted from coal-fired power plants: sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen oxide and Mercury. EPA in 2005 issued the Clean Air Mercury Rule to cap and reduce mercury emissions, making the U.S. the first country in the world to regulate mercury from utilities. CAIR will cap emissions of SO2 and NOx. CAIR achieves.
The DCNR has acquired a 45 acre tract adjoining French Creek State Park. Acreage now totaling 7,526 ranks French Creek S.P. ninth in size among the 117 state parks. For info. on FCSP, call 1.888.PAParks or visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us.
Applications for Youth Bass Anglers Conservation School, between ages 14 and 17, are available until April 30, 2008. Location is Huntingdon County, held in July 13-17.
Registration for Penn State Conservation Leadership School is June 6 through June 20.
Contact the ACSL, Jack Walters @www.acslpa.org – The ACSL will pay one half the fees
for both if a completion certificate is submitted.
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GAME – Mike Christeson reported the following:
HR642 Levdansky Resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct an evaluation and study of the PGC current deer management program and practices (initiates audit of the deer management program). Adopted. Vote 201-0 4.7.08
Game Commission announces 2008-09 license year will not include point-of-sale electronic license system. Antlerless deer license process to be similar for 2008-09.
Change in orange requirement takes effect – hunters participating in the upcoming spring gobbler season will no longer be required to wear fluorescent orange.
Game Commission Rule may impact field trials, training in PA: by John Yates of American Sporting Dog Alliance. Proposed rulemaking: “unless otherwise provided in this section of the act, it is unlawful for a person to import, possess, sell, offer for sale or release within this Commonwealth, the following wild animals or wild birds or the eggs of the birds or a crossbreed or hybrid of the wild animals or wild birds, which are similar in appearance”
Pheasant are considered to be an exotic species because they are not native to America. They originally came from China. Chukars and Hungarian Partridge also would fit in the exotic category as they originated in Europe. The rulemaking is somewhat confusing, as it refers both to wild animals, and also to game and wildlife held in captivity or captive-bred. Game farm quail stem originally from stocks of captured wild birds, and thus would appear to be included in this rulemaking.
The ASDA is urging hunters, field trainers and people who participate in hunt tests to make formal written comments expressing your opinion about the proposal to:
Director, Information and Education, Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Ave.
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797. Deadline is April 18, 2008.
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance reported the Rocky Mountain gray wolf was officially removed from the federal endangered species list by the USF&WS March 28.
Fish & Clean Streams – Mike Christeson reminded those present the serious results of pharmaceuticals lurking in our drinking water. Extensive research and treatment is a must.
Allegheny County is holding hazardous material disposal sites in May. Check your local newspaper for times and places.
Public Relations – Dave Bagaley reminded clubs of the Safety Poster Contest, age 9-15; entries will be judged and prizes awarded at YouthDay July 19. Gifts include $100,$50 and $25 certificates. Delegates need to publicize this.
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Youthday – July 19, 2008 ACSL Youthday will be held at Pitcairn Monroeville Sportsmen’s Club. 40 applications have been completed and returned as of April 10. Flyers and information are on the acslyouthday2008@yahoo.com website. Please contact Ron Bachy at 412.824.6467 after 4 pm. First organizational meeting will take place Sunday, May 18 at noon at Pitcairn-Monroeville Sportsmen’s Club, 505 Mosside Blvd. Lunch will be served. Please note date change.
Unfinished Business – Delegate Lee Brown questioned the league’s decision in supporting either candidate (Robert Schlemmer or Randy Santucci) for PGC commissioner. Discussion followed and opinions were heard and noted from those present. Further discussion will take place at the May 8, 2008 ACSL meeting at Collier Sportsmen’s Club.
New Business – Judy Brown announced that Nelson Lund, speaker on the 2nd Amendment, will be at the Rivers’ Club on June 10 and 17. More information to follow.
SB1290 is a bill to be carefully considered.
Motion made and seconded (Brown/Hoffman) to support the PSFD Special Day for Special Kids activity with a donation of $200.00. MOTION CARRIED with 1 nay (M.Christeson)
Senator Arlen Specter will be holding open meetings with sportsmen at the Crown Plaza on April 19 at 9:15 a.m.
Women in the Outdoors Seminar will be held on April 20th at the North Side Sportsmen’s Association, 325 Mt. Pleasant Road, Warrendale, PA 15086. Call Cathy Schmid @412.766.7687 or Kim Lehnhardt @ 4122.867.1937.
Central Beagle Club will host the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and members of the Sporting Dog Defense Coalition. APRIL 19, 2008 AT 1 P.M. Directions: Exit 4
Turnpike (Butler Valley) Rt. 8 North – Bakerstown/Red Belt east 4 miles – left on to Rittman Rd. (6139 Rittman Rd Gibsonia)
Doorprize winner was Audrey Pritchard, Delegate of PHRGC.
Meeting adjourned at 10 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Sara Barnett
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ACSL MEETING/MAY 8, 2008-7:30 P.M. (no director’s meeting)
COLLIER SPORTSMEN’S ASSOCIATION, 77 Walkers Mill Rd. Oakdale – call Dan Ragaller 412.352.0166 for directions.
July meeting Courthouse
AUGUST 14, CLAIRTON SPORTSMEN’S CLUB