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August 11, 2005 MINUTES ALLEGHENY COUNTY SPORTSMEN’S LEAGUE, INC.
The monthly meeting of the ACSL was held at the Millvale Sportsmen’s Club, Inc. due to renovations of the Gold Room at the Courthouse, President Maranche presiding. The following clubs and agencies were present: Bakerstown Beagle-Bucek Dormont/Mt.Leb.-Lewellen McKeesport-Christeson Bethel Park S.-Walters Forest Grove – Cersosimo Millvale – Fitzgerald Bull Creek – Wilczynski Homestead – Caldwell Pitcairn/Mnrvl-Hoffman Clairton – Maranche LFSC - Liberto Renton – Girdich Collier Twp. – Ragaller McDonald – Stolfer TCWA – Connors W PA Taxidermy – Fundy PFBC – Furlong PGC – Fife
The July minutes were approved as mailed. A note was received from Meri Beth Furlong in appreciation of the donation of knives for the Grable Internship Program at PHIPPS.
TREASURER Joe Connors gave his oral report. A question as to YouthDay insurance will be addressed to Frank Sparrow at the September 8, 2005 meeting. Joe’s report was accepted without further question.
President Maranche announced the appointment to the Board of Directors of Harry T. Lewellen and Kim Stolfer; filling the two vacancies until election in October.
PA GAME COMMISSION – WCO Beth Fife reporting the $625 million bond issue, of which the PGC will receive $20 million over six years, covers infrastructure repairs, wet-lands, educational facilities, parking areas etc. Social Security numbers on licenses is a major concern because some issuing agents are leaving their books exposed; the PGC has notified agents that license info. is to be recorded by the agent, not the person purchasing the license. An ID number to be used in place of the social is available; in addition, you can X-out the social number legally, on your license. Antlerless applications 8/1; non-res. 8/15. availability on PGC website. Second round unsold licenses 8/22; third round 9/12. Dove and early goose 9/1; 1st season 9/1-10/24; 2nd season 10/29-ll/06; 3rd season 12/26-1/04. Hunt in areas where geese problems exist such as golf courses. Sandcastle Water Park is allowing hunting by permission after park closes; bag limit 8 daily. Youth waterfowl day 9/24 Jr. license 12-15; adult can assist in calling and identifying. Taxidermy exams 9/19; last day to apply 8/29/05. License increase is likely. Write letters (Logan and Capelli) protesting social security number requirement and to PGC Law Enforcement Division. PAGE 2
PFBC - WCO Larry Furlong reporting change Heritage Trout Angling Program and Delayed Harvest Flyfishing Only Program to Catch and Release Flyfishing Only Program. Erie creel limit walleye, 6/ 15” daily. Yellow perch no minimum, daily creel 30. Growing Greener funds for infrastructure. Grants to Sharpsburg $150 thousand for two-lane launch and parking lot; Penn Hills $90 thousand along Allegheny River; funding for land and rail crossing. Bassmasters tournament brought $54 million to Pittsburgh; competitive atmosphere.
LEGISLATION – Chairman Kim Stolfer presented his written reports to delegates present. State Sen. Sean Logan stated he plans to introduce legislation that would ban the PGC from requiring hunters and furtakers to provide their Social Security numbers to obtain a hunting license. Logan said the requirement is a response to a federal dictate aimed at tracking and penalizing “deadbeat parents”. The ACSL Legislative Committee has been in contact with Senator Logan’s chief of staff, Ken Varhola, to express our concerns about the possibility of abuse of security of SS numbers.
A list of FIREARMS LEGISLATION and HUNTING LEGISLATION is available, as well as the GUN MANUFACTURER PROTECTION BILL which passed the U.S. Senate. Amendments to this Bill are (1) the mandatory sale of the trigger lock and (2) a study to be done on ammunition performance against bullet-proof vests. The Legislative Committee will oppose these amendments and attempt to get the House to pass a clean bill (HR800).
Current PA law requires the Sheriff or chief law enforcement officer to send out Concealed Carry Permit renewal notices 60 days prior to expiration. Numerous Sheriffs are violating PA law by refusing to send out these notices. $1.50 is charged the applicant to cover the cost of this renewal notice. This places the average citizen in a situation that could result in criminal charges for having an expired CCW permit.
The Gateway publication, Plum Advance Leader, recently ran a newspaper article that insinuated that the future of the PA Gun Collectors Show should hinge on the incident of the accidental discharge of a firearm and the occurrence, or lack thereof, any in the future. The ACSL Legislative Committee has responded to this editorial with a response in support of the PA Gun Collectors that will appear in print next week. At this time, Kim Stolfer asked for authorization on letters concerning the Social Security numbers and working with Sean Logan; testimony on eminent domain in September; letters on S397 Congressional delegation; and concealed carry to Sheriff DeFazio. A motion was made and seconded (Liberto/Christeson) to give this authorization. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. PAGE 3
CONSERVATION – Chairman Jack Walters gave his written report and emphasized the following: individual state action on mercury emissions that is basically a national and even global problem. The DEP is urged by several counties, to reconsider its intentions to craft a PA –specific mercury emission rule as this could place Pennsylvania businesses and consumers at a severe competitive disadvantage; three human cases of West Nile virus in PA. Mosquito pools in Allegheny and Beaver Counties tested positive; Growing Greener Project in Erie County just completed a permeable pavement parking lot at a cost of $150,000; this project will significantly cut back on urban-related pollution to streams etc; A colony of zebra mussels, ordinarily found in the great lakes, have been found in Conewango Creek; these small clam-like animals disrupt the food chain that support the existence of native mussels and fish. Prevention is possible if boaters, anglers, canoeists remove plants and animals visible before leaving any water body.
GAME – Mike Maranche stated d-map coupons available to hunt the Raystown area. Vern Ross delivered to the Senate and House Game and Fisheries the theory that according to the Consumer Price Index, the cost of a hunting license in 1999 at $19 should today cost $23.19. License fees account for $39 million of total revenues; Pittman-Robinson program amounts between $7 and $9 million annually; timber revenues $14.9 million. The increased cost of doing business and contract salary increases are beyond managers’control. “Unless a license fee increase occurs soon, the long-term effect will be a leaner 2006-07, 2007-08; requiring additional spending cuts that will further impact PGC ability to deliver programs and services to the public” Ross said. The Wildlife for Everyone Foundation would be able to raise, receive, acquire and distribute funds and other property for education, improve habitat and to promote hunting and trapping heritage in Pennsylvania. In addition, a PA-version of the Pittman-Robertson program could establish an inflationary indexed fee increase that would automatically adjust on an annual basis. In closing, the statement was made, by Representative Bruce Smith, that $5 million could be saved if the agencies were combined into one.
BANQUET COMMITTEE – Chairman Joe Cersosimo requested a meeting for Tuesday, September 13, 2005 for discussion of location etc. MEETING WILL BE 7:00 P.M. – Sally Barnett’s home. If you would like to be part of this committee, plan to attend. NOMINATING COMMITTEE – those appointed were Joe Cersosimo, Jim Liberto and Mike Christeson. BY LAW COMMITTEE – third reading of the proposed change to Article VI Officers. “The President shall serve for not more than two (2) consecutive years, unless by consent of two thirds (2/3) of members present. Motion made to accept (Liberto/Christeson). MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. PAGE 4
NEW BUSINESS – Authorization given the secretary to send the Legislative Committee Report to those delegates and officers who were not present. If you have an e-mail address, please get it to the secretary (salbarnett@earthlink.net) Or Kim Stolfer (activist@fyi.net) Newly installed President of the National Rifle Association is Sandra S. Froman. PA has one quarter million members.
Concern brought up as to why Bassmasters ignored the ACSL. Possible explanation from Frank Sparrow at the September meeting.
DOORPRIZE was won by Joe Bucek, Bakerstown Beagle Club.
Adjournment was called for at 9:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Sara M. Barnett, Secretary
ATTENTION!
THANK YOU! JOHN FITZGERALD AND MSCI FOR HOSTING THE AUGUST MEETING!
*****ACSL SEPTEMBER MEETING***** THURSDAY, SEPT. 8-7:30 P.M. PITCAIRN/MONROEVILLE SPORTSMEN’S CLUB 505 MOSSIDE BLVD – 412-824-3790
OCTOBER 13 ACSL MEETING GOLD ROOM – COURTHOUSE
FOAC REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 21, 2005 10 A.M. WHITEHALL BOROUGH BLDG. (off Route 51)
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