The following agencies and organizations were in attendance at the monthly

meeting.

Bakerstown Beagle - Bucek East Monongahela - Bragano Pitcairn/Mnrvl Hoffman

Bethel Park S. - Walters Elizabeth Twp. - Collura Police R & G - Felice Braddock - Mazik Forest Grove - Cersosimo Renton R & G - Girdich Carrick - Slavonic Logans Ferry - Barnett TCWA-Connors

Clairton - Maranche Mt. Nebo - Fischer Tri County - Sparrow Dormont-Mt. Leb - Bloss North Boros - Baker W Deer - Bagaley W PA Taxidermy - Fundy Yough River Bass - Quallich

PFBC - Martha Mackey PGC - Beth Fife, Doug Dunkerley

President Mike Maranche called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. The Pledge

of Allegiance and the Conservation Pledge were given in unison.

Guests included Jerrold Males and friend, from the Township of South Fayette

Parks & Recreation Dept.

Mr. Males spoke on behalf of the Disabled Sportsmen and their concerns

regarding their annual deer hunt.

Their requests to the PGC are as follows: consider moving the season to

earlier in the month by two weeks; consider making the disabled season its

own season apart from the junior and senior hunters. Following a lengthy

explanation of the issues by Mr. Males, and a question/answer time, motion

was made and seconded (Collura/Walters) that the ACSL support the changes

requested by letter to the PGC. Motion carried. Applications are available

for the 2004 hunt. Contact the secretary.

Joe Connors presented his account of finances. Motion

was made and seconded (Hoffman/Collura) to accept the treasurer's report.

l

WCO Martha Mackey stated Deer Lakes was to be drawn down for minor repairs, but was postponed by all the rainfall. It will be rescheduled. Reintroduction of paddle fish program going well. The PFBC website has much

info on this program. North Carolina trout are being purchased and stocked in Fayette County, Westmoreland County, North Park Lake and a few other areas. Boat show the last weekend of January. On the27 and 28th, 6 to 10

p.m. free safe boat courses will be offered. Just show up fifteen minutes early, both nights, present a photo i.d. and take the test; passes will be given to the boat show.

PFBC continued - the commission needs money. No license increase since 1996, no trout stamp nor boat registration increase since 1991. A junior license, ages 12-15, $2. Hatcheries are in need of repair also.

Concerns with the merger are - restrict duties of WCO's; they would be strictly law enforcement-no club meetings, stocking, boat safety courses. Dennis Guise is asking that we contact our legislators opposing the merger.

WCO Doug Dunkerley suggested the Disabled Sportsmen attend the Commission meeting of January 25 and present their issue when at that time, seasons and bag limits will be discussed. WCO Beth Fife noted that there

are areas being specifically designed for handicapped hunters. An attempt is being made to get unused farmland back into hunting areas. If possible, ask the landowner for permission to hunt; posted land does not necessarily

Mike Slavonic reporting we are still awaiting

response from the PA Supreme Court on rendering a decision in our case.

HB2046 (deleting social security number from a license to carry) has been

referred to appropriation committee. HB234 (tax credit to any person who

takes a firearms training course) the ACSL amendment would specify the types

of courses instead of the PSP developing the courses. Contact your PA Reps.

asking they vote yes on HB2046 and yes on HB234 only if the ACSL/Metcalf

amendment is approved.

Your PA Reps names are available at www.acslpa.org.

Chair Jack Walters stated an additional case of W Nile virus

in PA. Developed in Dec.2003, total cases 245 with eight deaths. PA ENERGY

HARVEST grants requested by 139 applicants to finance clean energy

technologies such as solar and wind power to improve air quality.

Commonwealth agencies are encouraged, through its Green Power program, to

meet 10 percent of their energy needs through renewable energy sources,

Mike Maranche called to attention the articles in the January Game

News, page 27, (ACSL testimony on the merger), and page 43 (Game Commission

calls merger report incomplete). Copies are available from the secretary.

Representative Marc Gergely will hold a regional hearing on the proposed

merger of the Fish and Game Commissions at the Homestead Carnegie Library -

date to be announced.

PGC Executive Director Vern Ross will be guest speaker at the March 11 ACSL

regular monthly meeting. This is an open meeting so bring your questions and

comments.

January 6, 2004 Audubon Over-abundant Deer Conference, Harrisburg - attended

by Mike Maranche and Mike Slavonic. PANEL OF SPEAKERS:

Larry Schweiger - W PA Conservancy Roxane Palone - PGC Gary Alt - PGC

Bryon Shissler - Natural Resources Consultant Gary Hoffman - Hwy.

Administration Secy.

Michael DiBerardinis - Secy. DCNR Dennis Wolff - Dept. Agriculture

SUMMARY: The deer are destroying the forest - the herd must be aggressively

reduced. Traditional deer management for hunters wanting to see deer in the

woods will end. Deer will be managed for their habitat.

DMAP (small management units taken down to a township) will be the key

management tool. When Mike requested the science that this is based on, he

was told to look it up in the library. There is no science available. A

preliminary vote will take place in January and a final vote in the April

Dave Bagaley reminded the delegates of the binders

available to insert info. to take back to their clubs. A portable bulletin

board will be available at each league meeting for posting club events,

location etc. Posters and flyers were made available announcing the banquet.

Delegates are encouraged to publicize league events to their clubs,

encouraging them to attend in support of the league.

Dave is requesting a club a month to give a synopsis of their activities to

inform other clubs of their events. Give Dave a call at 724-443-0764, e-mail

dbagaley@connecttime.net. Included with the minutes is an expose' for

updated info. - please return it to the secretary.

ALLEGHENY SPORT, TRAVEL and OUTDOOR SHOW (Feb. 18-22) - Henry Hoffman said

the show is 95% full. Parking passes etc. will be mailed to those working in

the show. Sunday, the 15th of Feb. is set-up day. ALL directors are

BANQUET - (3-20-04) Chairman Joe Cersosimo stated 30 rooms are blocked in

the ACSL name at the Radisson/PGH-GREENTREE, where the banquet is held at

$69.00 A Remington bronze rodeo statue will be displayed at the league

booth; tickets will be sold at the Sport Show and Banquet. Drawn on the

Sunday March 21 lottery, proceeds going to YouthDay expenses. The banquet

committee will be meeting Tues.Feb.10, 7:30 p.m. at Sara's home. Thanks to

Dave Collura announced there is a vacancy on the Allegheny

County Conservation District's Board of Directors for a farmer/director. If

you know of someone who may be interested, contact Dave at 412-384-0823.

DOORPRIZE was won by Bob Mazik, Braddock District Sportsmen's Club.

Adjournment was called for at 9:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Sara Barnett, Secretary

Allegheny County Sportsmen's League, Inc.

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 

Thursday, February 12, 2004

Gold Room - Courthouse

7:30 p.m.

GOLD ROOM-4TH FLOOR COURTHOUSE

FOAC NEXT MEETING 02/08/04 www.foac-pac.org.

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