The monthly meeting of the ACSL was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by

President Mike Maranche. The Pledge of Allegiance and Conservation Pledge

were recited in unison.

The following clubs and agencies were present:

Bakerstown Beagle - Bucek E.Monongahela - Satterfield North Boros - Baker

Bethel Park O. - Lijewski Forest Grove - Cersosimo Penns Waters - Davidson

Bethel Park S. - Walters Gr. Pgh. Gun Club - Sutton Pgh.Sportsmen's LC -

Brown Braddock Sportsmen - Mazik Homestead S.C.- Caldwell Pitcairn/Monroeville-

Hoffman Carrick Sportsmen - Slavonic Logans Ferry - Liberto Police R & G - Felice

Clairton Sportsmen - Maranche McKeesport - Christeson TCWA - Connors

Elizabeth - Collura Millvale - Sparrow W.Deer - Bagaley

Mt.Nebo - Fischer WPA Taxidermists - Fundy

PFBC - Mackey, Pate PGC - Fife

Guest Mark Harley, Esquire of Congresswoman Melissa Hart's office was

introduced to those present.

Mark shared that Congresswoman Hart is establishing an "Sportsmen's Advisory

Board", first meeting to be held at the Northside Sportsmen's Association,

325 Mt. Pleasant Road, Warrendale on Monday, March 21, at 7 p.m. Ms. Hart

is looking for a representative from each club in her District (4) to

Treasurer Joe Connors gave his report. Motion was made and seconded

(Hoffman/Regaller) to accept the report. MOTION CARRIED.

GUEST Joe Mallino, league financial advisor, was introduced. Joe was invited

Notice of upcoming Senator Jane Orie Sportsmen's Expo April

9, PGC news releases, thank you note from the Cersosimos, Women in the

Outdoors /National Wild Turkey Federation state event April 1-3 in Somerset

WCO Martha Mackey - advises caution of ice fishing, be sure 4 inches

of ice exists; WCO Ken Pate was acknowledged; boating course Sunday, March

6, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. an 8 hour course will be offered at the Harrison Twp

Municipal Bldg; hands-on courses are always better; more information on

boating education is available at www.fish.state.pa.us, or phone at

(814)443-9841. Early trout stocking January and February. PFBC is reaching

out with a new grant program for county and municipal govt.

for boating facilities such as accesses, boat ramps, parking areas,

WCO Beth Fife - stating that the Commissioners meeting passed

preliminary proposals, the deer antler restrictions seem to be acceptable to

most hunters; the harvest figures will not be final until March.

Hunters Education updates and meetings with clubs are forthcoming. Beth

suggests feedback from sportsmen should be called (877-877-7137) or e-mailed

Mike Slavonic included a brief tribute to Neal Knox.

Bills introduced in PA General Assembly as of February:

HB41 - raise the fee for a license to carry from $19 to $25. Five dollars of

the fee collected shall be deposited into the Firearm Safety Education Fund.

These moneys shall be distributed by the PGC on Crime and Delinquency.

HB77 - prohibit any person adjudicated as incompetent, or voluntarily

enrolled in or involuntarily committed to a mental institution under Article

II or section 302, 302, 304 known as the Mental Health Procedures Act.

The above Bills, along with HB78, 161 and 170 are available on the State's

website for your information. http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/bills/topindex.cfm

PFA discussion - Mike Slavonic made the motion to send the e-mail to Rod

Corey, Chief Attorney for the Republican Majority/ Harrisburg stating that

if they (the legislative leadership) agree to all of the changes to Amend 18

that are contained in the PSA proposals labeled (5) AND (5d), and no other

changes are made without ACSL approval, the ACSL will not oppose the

resulting legislation. Motion seconded by Jim Liberto. Motion carried,with

Jack Walters stated that the DEP has secured $25,000 for

ongoing cleanup of the landslide in Allegheny County (River Hill Road,

Forward Township) On January 25 a slab of coal fly ash collapsed from the

hillside, temporarily damming a tributary to the Monongahela River. This was

a quick and effective response.

Drilling costs are reduced by research and development initiatives.

"Microhole" technologies also reduce the environmental impacts of drilling

America's oil and gas wells. Such efforts hold promise for recovering a

sizeable portion of oil resources in the U.S. Recovering just 10 percent

would mean a volume equivalent to 10 years of OPEC oil imports at current

Mike Maranche stated the commissioners met and set bag limits, also

approving the use of cable restraints(snares).

Growing Greener II - (Republican Version is Green PA - does not include

funding for the Game and Fish Commission. Rep. Levdansky is planning to

introduce a floor amendment that would add 75 cents to tipping fees, with

money being dedicated to a conservation fund used by the PGC & PFBC and

their infrastructure needs.

HB2 would put the question on the ballot stating the following: "Do you

favor the incurring of indebtedness by the Commonwealth of up to

$800,000,000 in annual payments not to exceed $115 million, for the

maintenance and protection of the environment, open space preservation,

watershed protection, abandoned mine reclamation, acid mine drainage

remediation and other environmental initiatives with debt service on the

bonds being paid with existing waste disposal fees"?

"It looks like a knock down, drag out fight between the Republicans and

Democrats" President Maranche stated. The deadline on this issue is March 15,

 so it can be put on the ballot.

The Unified Sportsmen of PA has announced their intent to sue the PGC for

their current deer management policies. The USP is suing to stop the deer

eradication program and attain the science behind the PGC decision to

continue this program. Only a Letter of Intent to Sue has been declared. Go

to the USP website at www.unifiedsportsmenpa,org and review the legal

document. Those who are unhappy with the PGC policies are invited to join this suit. You can attach your

name to this suit as an individual. It is suspected that the PGC attorneys

will try to have the actual suit dismissed for reasons of standing.

February 1 the House Game and Fisheries Committee held a public hearing for

the PGC to present its Annual Report to the Committee. Vern Ross, Executive

Director, opened the presentation with an overview of accomplishments and

also remarked on the strained relationship between sportsmen and the

Commission in regards to deer season. He stated that he is committed to

improving that relationship.

House Game and Fisheries Committee Chairman Bruce Smith remarked that he

would not be reintroducing his legislation from last session that would have

increased the antlerless deer license fee. He noted that this is not a good

time due to issues associated with deer season this year.

President Maranche has notified Rep. Daryl Metcalf that the ACSL has

withdrawn it support for point of sale doe license increase

The meeting of the House Game and Fisheries to discuss deer management has

been scheduled for April 14th.

A meeting with State Senator John Pippy gave President Maranche opportunity

to present him with the ACSL legislation to stagger the terms of game

commissioners. Senator Pippy's response was "good idea" handing it to one of

his staff members and requesting he pursue it. In addition, Pippy was

advised that the ACSL does not support point of sale licenses.

Clairton Sportsmen's Club has gone from undecided to in favor of Sunday

 Dave Bagaley supplied posters to be taken

back to the clubs giving information about the annual sportsmen's banquet.

The clubs need to publicize this event for their benefit as well as the

Henry Hoffman offered parking

passes to those working at the show; clubs may distribute their literature

at the league booth; kid's Day is Thursday the 17th, 9-12 a.m. Help is

needed for the kid's casting program 5-8 p.m. weekdays and 12-3 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday. Two winners each day; will be able to compete next

year at the Harrisburg Show in a state cast-off. This is sponsored by the

Bass Federation. WCO Martha Mackey requests assistance for the kid's program

Sunday, March 6, 4 p.m. - Chairman Cersosimo reviewed the plans;

rooms at the Radisson are available for $69.00; clubs can donate prizes;

advertisements are being sold for the banquet program; contact Frank Sparrow

at 724-444-6569 or Audrey Pritchard at 412-793-5076. A business card size ad

will cost $10.00 - deadline is Tues. 2/23. Ticket monies or extra tickets

can be turned in at the league booth at the sports show.

An In-line rifle or cash equivalent will be offered at $5.00 a ticket; a

50/50 raffle will be held; National Wild Turkey Federation and Steeler

Saturday, July 23 - Millvale Sportsmen's Club; more information

The league is looking for a secretary and a treasurer.

The four drawer gun locker has been purchased for the guard shack and is in

use.

A motion was made and seconded (Liberto/Christeson) to oppose House Bill 2

/Green PA.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Letters will be written to state

Applications are being accepted at Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth

Camp, P.O. Box 71, Boiling Springs, PA 17007-0071; contact Mike Klimkos -

717-243-3056; klimkos@epix,net

Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited's Award-Winning Youth Fishing Camp

June 19-24, 2005; purpose of the camp is to educate students in the

importance of coldwater conservation 32 students will be selected upon receipt of an essay on why he or she

wishes to attend.

The ACSL will pay half of the $275.00 fee. APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY

MARCH 15

"Friends of the NRA" banquet will be Saturday, February 12 at Stratigos, N.

Huntingdon.

The ACSL has purchased a package consisting of three tickets for $50.00 on a

gun, 20 tickets for the Chinese Auction, underwriting a gift; and table of

10 people.

The February door prize was won by Dave Bagaley, delegate of West Deer

Sportsmen's Club.

Meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Sara M. Barnett, Secretary

A REMINDER TO ALL OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS - MEETING AT THE EXPOMART DURING

THE SPORTS SHOW - 2 P.M. UPPERLEVEL OF THE EXHIBIT HALL - ROOM 288 WEST

PLEASE NOTE - if you have an E-mail address - and would like the minutes sent to your E-mail, send it to Mike Slavonic at acsl@nauticom.net. or Sara Barnett at  salbarnett@nb.net 

ALLEGHENY COUNTY SPORTSMEN'S LEAGUE, INC.

next meeting

Thursday, March 10, 2005

7:30 p.m.

Gold Room, Courthouse

see you there! !

ACSL on the Internet  http://www/acslpa.org

ACSL SPORTSMEN of the YEAR 2005 BANQUET

RADISSON HOTEL, GREENTREE--SUNDAY, MARCH 6

CLUBS - send name of your nominee that you wish to honor

to S.Barnett, 1028 Hulton Rd., Verona, PA 15147

club representative plus honoree must be present at banquet.

League will provide 1st plaque, club to provide additional plaques

deadline February 1, 2005