ALLEGHENY COUNTY SPORTSMEN’S LEAGUE, INC.

Minutes December 13, 2007

 

President Maranche called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance and Conservation Pledge were given in unison.

A moment of silence was offered for our troops who aren’t able to be home for Christmas.

 

The November meeting minutes were approved as mailed.

 

Two gentlemen were sworn in as Members at Large of the ACSL. Harry T. Lewellen and William Fluharty took the oath administered by President Maranche.

 

The following agencies and clubs were present:

 

Bakerstown Beagle                    Frazier Sportsmen                 Pitcairn/Monroeville

Bethel Park Outdoorsmen          Homestead                             “                Youth

Braddock District                Logans Ferry                        Renton R & G

Bull Creek R & G                   McDonald Sportsmen          Richland Sportsmen

Clairton Sportsmen                 McKeesport Sportsmen          SAFE

Collier Sportsmen                 Mt. Nebo Sportsmen                 SAFE Youth

Dormont/Mt. Lebanon          Northside Sportsmen          Turtle Creek T.C.

Forest Grove                            Penn Hills R & G                 TCWA

                                                                                                West Deer

                                                                                                W PA Taxidermy

Membership At Large Reps. Harry T. Lewellen, Bill Fluharty

          PFBC – Larry Furlong               PGC – Beth Fife/Doug Dunkerley

 

Treasurer’s Report – given by Joe Connors and accepted as read.

Communications – U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance confirmation of ACSL membership.

 

PGC – WCO Beth Fife reporting preliminary bear harvest 2366, extended season 291. Porcupine quills found in skunks and raccoons indicate rabies. Hunting and trapping opportunities for winter; hunting in 2B until Jan 26.

35 elk taken. Mentor means taking child under 12; mentors must be licensed

take 1 child. Mentor carrys gun until youth ready to hunt. Tag must be made up, not mentor’s tag.

 

WCO Dunkerely announced the award given Beth from the National Wild Turkey Federation as Conservation officer of the year for PA. Beth will be eligible for a chance at the NWTF national award in February, 2008.

 

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PFBC – WCO Larry Furlong reporting a grant for k-12 grades for 2008,09 for $2500.00. Teachers can apply for this grant for fishing and aquatic education programs.

 

Legislative Committee – Kim Stolfer reporting Gov. Rendell has declared war on gun ownership. The ACSL Legislative Committee has made every effort to keep gun owners aware of the developments as they occur and to provide them with the means with which to get involved and to contact legislators.

The United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments on the Washington, DC gun ban and whether or not it violates the second amendment.

 

The Castle Doctrine Legislation, HB641, was to be heard this week. The pleas of tens of thousands of PA citizens fell on deaf ears of Democratic Judiciary Committee chairman Tom Caltagirone and the Legislative Black Caucus. The Legislative Black Caucus, chaired by Rep. Dwight Evans, is reported to have threatened political repercussions IF this legislation was voted on and out of committee. Rep. Caltagirone caved into this bullying tactic leaving gun owners and Rep. Cappelli to seek other methods. The session is still going strong and it is possible to have this acted on and the ACSL is working to see this through.

 

HR1022 was recently introduced in Congress by rabid anti-gunners McCarthy and Kennedy to ‘reauthorize the assault weapons ban and other purposes. HR1022 has only one purpose – eliminate the availability of entire classes of popular, legal firearms. The debate is growing more intense every day. If you would like to read the entire bill for yourself, go to www.thomas.loc.gov, type in H.R.1022 – you will be shocked by the scope of this gun grab proposal.

 

Authorities have seized more than 540 guns in recent months as part of a statewide crackdown on convicted felons and others banned from owning firearms in California.  Be sure to read this full report as well as Omaha’s mall shooting in a gun-free zone on the www.acslpa.org

HB1744 – (brief description) further providing for grading of theft offenses and for sale or transfer of firearms; providing for limits on lending or transferring handgun, for a study by the Joint State Government Commission for additional authority for the Office of Attorney General; and making and appropriation.  Motion made and seconded to officially oppose HB1744/Christenson/Stolfer. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

 

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Game – Mike Maranche reporting SB1150 further providing for cruelty to animals(bans pigeon shoots). Another bill to remedy a non-problem; a stepping stone legislation on the wish list of animal rights activists; dog training, dove hunting, and all bird hunting, elimination of hunting dogs is on a corollary list.

 

HB1657, Mike Hanna - Rockview Penitentiary is turning over land (1800 acres) to the state; a chunk of land not seen for about a hundred years. HB1657 turns this pristine land over to Penn State and a township nearby.   PGC offered to pay $1800 per acre for this land.  Spring Creek Canyon Alliance, consisting of The PA Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, United Bowhunters, Trout Unlimited, Wild Turkey Federation of Pa and other groups,

opposes this legislation and supports ceding the land to the PGC. 

Motion made and seconded (Fischer/Walton) to support the Spring Creek Canyon Alliance. Motion Carried

Pittsburgh City officials are upset about hunting on city property.

 

Public Relations – Dave Bagaley – Dr. Ronald Schultz has begun vaccine research studies in veterinary medicine to determine the long-term duration of immunity of the canine rabies vaccine. This study will hopefully demon- strate that rabies vaccines can provide a minimum of 7 years immunity.

 

Sports Show – (2-13-17) Joe Cersosimo reported a lottery for the remainder of the jerky booths, which took place at the meeting. Some booths are still available Volunteers are needed for setting up Monday (2-11,12) and tearing down Sunday (2-17) Passes will be given to clubs who are manning booths. Give either Joe Cersosimo (412.331.3412) or Jack Walters (412.884.2148) the info. Attend the January meeting to pick up the passes.

Kid’s program is Thursday 10-1 p.m. for middle school children.

 

Banquet – (March 8, Futule’s Harmar House), Cheswick - Mike Maranche is heading the Banquet Committee following the resignation of Ron Bachy.

Tickets will be distributed at the meetings. Contact Mike at 412.714.0395

e-mail mmaranche@acslpa.org. Meeting Jan.8, 7 p.m., Sally’s home. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Membership Chairman – Dan Ragaller presented names of clubs in arrears and presented a form for the Members at Large.

 

Audit Committee – Joe Cersosimo and Frank Girdich examined the books of the Treasurer, Joe Connors.  The audit results showed the books to be in order.

 

Call for adjournment 9:50 p.m.

The door prize was won by Frank Girdich, delegate of Renton Rod & Gun Club

 

Respectfully submitted, Sara Barnett

(The secretary Thanks Audrey Pritchard and Joe Connors for their assistance in taping the minutes in her absence)

 

Allegheny County Sportsmen’s League, Inc.

 

Next meeting

 

Thursday, January 10, 2008

 

6:30 p.m. Officers & Directors

7:30 p.m. agencies and delegates

 

SEE YOU THERE!

 

 

ATTENTION CLUBS!

BANQUET HONOREES NAMES

SHOULD BE TURNED IN

BEFORE February 8, 2008

 

RETURN FORM TO

 

Sara Barnett

1028 Hulton Road

Verona, PA 15147

Phone: 412.793.4437

e-mail: salbarnett@verizon.net