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

of Allegiance and Conservation Pledge were given in unison.

The following clubs and agencies were in attendance:

Bakerstown Beagle,  Forest Grove,  Pitcairn/Monroeville

Bethel Park Outdoors,  Homestead,  Police Rod & Gun

Bethel Park Sportsmen,  Logans Ferry,  Renton Rod & Gun

Carrick,  McKeesport,  Ross, Clairton,  Millvale,  TCWA

Collier,  Mt. Nebo,  West Deer, Dormont-Mt. Lebanon,  North Boros,  W PA Taxidermists

E Monongahela,  Penn Hills

 PFBC - WCO Bob Wheeler PGC - Gary Fujak

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

Flyers announcing Clairton/Whitetails Unlimited banquet

1/29 and Friends of NRA banquet 2/12. Senator Jane Orie will be sponsoring

the annual Sportsmen's Day on April 9, 2005. An underwriter is being sought at the present time.

Minutes of December's meeting were accepted with one addition and one

clarification.

Addition: Henry Hoffman announced his decision to step down as coordinator

of the Allegheny Sport, Travel and Outdoor Show; the 2005 Show, February

16-20 will be Henry's completion of twenty years representing the ACSL. His

successor will be Mike Christensen, delegate of McKeesport Sportsmen's Club

and a league director.

CLARIFICATION: "the SKS rifle wasn't banned under the Federal Assault

Weapons Ban that expired Sept. 13; it should be banned for civilian use" was

a quote by the Brady Campaign, not the opinion of the Allegheny County

Sportsmen's League, Inc. The entire report can be read on the website -

WCO Bob Wheeler - reporting the Fish Commission meeting same dates as

Game in Harrisburg. One issue being addressed will be increasing the age of

operating personal watercraft to16. Comments will be taken to the 23rd. Ice

fishing clinic at Pymatuning 2/5,6.

Information is on the website www.fish.state.pa.us.

Opening day of trout is April 16; walleye,pike May 7; bass June 8. Pgh.

Boating Show 1/21-22/, 28/30; Sport Show at Washington Town Center 2/3-6;

late winter stocking starts in February.

WCO Gary Fujak - reporting the Commission will be meeting January

22-25 in Harrisburg. Preliminary changes will be voted on - final vote in

April. Public comments will be taken the 23rd. Dr. Ault is retiring from

the PGC. GameNews has a new look - color prints inside. Deer harvest data

won't be known until March. Handouts on doe survival, hunting pressures etc.

were given delegates.

Gary presented some good reading materials that are available, such as "In

Mike Slavonic reported Atty. John Pushinsky will be

running for judge. Not asking for an endorsement but he will be using the

league name as an organization who used his attorney services.

The ACSL Legislative Committee will introduce legislation to overturn the

Supreme Court ruling narrowly upholding the right of the PSP to continue to

maintain its' database of law-abiding gun owners.

Reciprocity Legislation offered by Rep. Scott Hutchinson, Venango County, to

remove from the license to carry the display of the Social Security Number

was supported by the House; amended in the Judiciary Committee but died with

the end of the session. The ACSL has reached an agreement with Rep.

Hutchinson to have the bill re-introduced in the House this session, using

the language adopted by the Senate Judiciary, with minor modifications that

would insure that the State Police does not maintain a registry of persons

with concealed carry licenses. Motion made and seconded (Ragaller/Fischer)

to support the Legislative Committee in their actions and expenses for this

work. Motion carried.

Jack Walters reporting Clean Energy standards - in 15 years,

18 percent of all the energy generated in PA will come from clean, efficient

sources.

The chances of Growing Greener II being voted onto the spring ballot remain

good.

Gamesa Corp.the Spanish wind-energy company, agreed to base its

U.S.headquarters in Phila.

CONSERVATION cont'd - DEP Secretary Kathleen McGinty urges Pennsylvanians to

test their homes for RADON. Information is available by calling

MIKE MARANCHE - provided hand-outs on "The Case for Sunday Hunting"

The PGC dismisses as urban legend claims that insurance companies and

wildlife agencies release coyotes in hopes of reducing deer-car collision

claims. It is absurd.

An Animal Protection Litigation section was created in the wake of the

merger of the Humane Society and the Fund for Animals. The animal rights

movement sees the courts as the easiest way to realize its anti-hunting

agenda. Known as the Humane Society of the U.S. it has stated that the

abolition of hunting and trapping will be priority issues.

The Start'Em Young campaign is being funded by the National Shooting Sports

Foundation

National Wild Turkey Federation and the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance. It's

ultimate goal it to make it possible for youngsters to try hunting early on.

PA may be a test site.

One week after the state Supreme Court (New Jersey) halted the six-day bear

season, the Animal Protection Political Action Committee hopes to craft a

network of more than 50,000 voters to oppose pro-hunting legislation and

candidates.

PGCNEWS@state.pa.us Release #2 contains the game commission response to the

report sponsored by the Audubon Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Habitat

Alliance. "This report's claim is that deer management can be better handled

by a merged agency that includes the PGC, the PFBC and the DCNR, states PGC

President Russell Schleiden. The idea that a larger agency would serve the

public and wildlife resources interests better is questionable at best.

Since when has a larger bureaucracy ever been more efficient, effective or

Frank Sparrow reported that upon his attending a

meeting of the County Council/TIF, he feels the Deer Creek Mall project will

 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

ASTOS - FEB. 16-20, 2005 - MONDAY, NOON, SET UP OF LEAGUE

BOOTH. Henry Hoffman reporting there are a few booths left; the kid's

casting program handled by "Fun, Fish & Boating", will take place Wed ,

Thurs. Fri. Sat. evenings - two winners from each day Sunday doing a final

cast-off; Bass National will handle the prizes for this. Kid's trout pond

fishing will be on Thurs. the 17th. Volunteers are needed to assist the

MARCH 6, 2005 - Joe Cersosimo reporting March 6, Radisson, Greentree. Dicks

Sporting Goods are offering $10.00 gift certificates for banquet attendees.

There will be a 50/50 raffle and a gun raffle with cash equivalent THE

BANQUET COMMITTEE WILL MEET AT 7:30-

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25 AT SALLY BARNETT'S HOME. CLUBS-GET YOUR

Frank Sparrow stated that the President of Bass Masters

and ESPN are being contacted; hopefully for publicity and an appearance at

Refund for the Conservation Stamps has been received.

Gun lockers - Bob Barker Company has been contacted to discuss the cost to

purchase one 4-gun locker for the Guard office - cost would be $175.00 plus freight

charges.

 Motion made and seconded (Fischer/Ragaller) to purchase this item

Motion was made and seconded (Fischer/Ragaller) to purchase 8 tickets to the

News was brought to the league of the grave illness of Neal

Knox. Neal died this morning, January 17, 2005. He was one of the greatest pro-gun

leaders of our time. Memorial plans are not complete but they will be posted

at www.nealknox.com

Word of Harry Lewellen's illness was shared with those present. Harry is in

St. Clair Hospital with pneumonia.

Harry Miller, with the PA Sportsmen for the Disabled, has had surgery and

will be confined to bed for three months.

The ACSL sends their best wishes for a good recovery to these gentlemen.

WCO Gary Fujak shared that the PGC will have a gamelands tour in Elk County,

centered around deer exposure and the effect deer have on habitat. An

invitation was extended to officers, directors and delegates of the league

to take this tour. Gary will work on the logistics and keep us advised.

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

Sportsmen's Club.

Meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.

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 next meeting

Thursday, March 10 - 7:30 p.m.

Gold Room -Courthouse

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