Allegheny County Sportsmen’s League, Inc

JANUARY 12, 2006

MINUTES

 

The Gold Room, Allegheny County Courthouse, the ACSL held their first meeting of 2006.  President Mike Maranche called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Conservation Pledge given in unison.

 

The following agencies and clubs were present:

 

BAKERSTOWN BEAGLE       FOREST GROVE          PITCAIRN/MNRVL

BRADDOCK DISTRICT         HOMESTEAD                POLICE ROD & GUN

BULL CREEK                         LOGANS FERRY          RENTON ROD & GUN

CLAIRTON                                       MCDONALD                 SEWICKLEY

COLLIER TWP.                      MCKEESPORT             TCWA

DORMONT/MT. LEBANON   MSCI                             TRI COUNTY TROUT

ELIZABETH                            MT. NEBO                     W DEER SPORTSMEN

                                                PENN HILLS R & G      W PA TAXIDERMISTS

                             PFBC – Martha Mackey           PGC – Gary Fujak         

 

Minutes of the December meeting were approved as mailed.

TREASURER’S REPORT – was given by Joe Connors, Treasurer. A motion was made and seconded (Hoffman/Pritchard) to accept the report as read.

 

COMMUNICATIONS – letter from Congresswoman Melissa Hart regarding her Sportsmen’s Council event; Friends of NRA/ information for banquet; note from Sam Hossler, past President ACSL promoting his book.

 

NEW CLUB – SHOOTERS ACTIVE in FIREARMS EDUCATION (SAFE), Clinton, PA, was presented for membership. Following a unanimous vote of acceptance into the ACSL, a brief swearing-in ceremony took place.

 

REPORT OF DISTRICT GAME PROTECTOR – Gary Fujak announced this is the third year of wildlife mgmt; that there is a small triangle in the western tip of Allegheny County starting at Robinson Town Center, through Beaver County to the WV line that is 2A, not 2 B, which means that the late season after Christmas anyone caught in there with a 2B license can possibly be fined $800.00.  South of the airport on 60 or North on 22 you are in 2A.

Mentored Youth Hunting Program - HB1690 was passed and signed into law 12/22

Specifics will not be finalized until the June PGC meeting.  A youth 12 yrs and under and a mentor 21 yrs and older will likely be the age limits but information will follow the summer meeting. HB1690 also included baiting of coyotes is legal/effective 2/22/06. Enforcement of trespassing (SB539) was passed. Effective 2/22/06, must be violating another Title 34 Game Law Violation.

 

 

 

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PGC meeting January 22, 23, 24 – public comments on bag limits etc. at the PGC website www.pgc.state.pa.us. Agenda will not be handed out.

Second spring gobbler tag is available at $21.00. Hunter violations - untagged deer,

safety zones, wrong management units.        

 

REPORT DISTRICT WATERWAYS OFFICER -Martha Mackey reporting stocking is in progress. North Park Lake trout are biting on mealworms; DVD available on the BASSMASTER Tournament. Grant monies have been given for boating access construction and repair. Shows – Boat Show 1-27, 2-3 at the Convention Center; Cabin Fever 3-5 at Four Points in Cranberry. Website accessible www.pfbc.state.pa.us.

 

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE – Kim Stolfer, Mike Christeson reporting that the results of their working with Rep. Metcalf and Senator Pippy on HB2231 will be introduced at a press conference to be held Tuesday, March 14th on the Capitol steps, focusing on the 2nd Amendment and Article 21 issues as well as self defense issues embodied in HB2231. Many citizens are needed to enforce this effort in destroying ALL records of law abiding citizens firearms ownership and the need to hold government accountable. Motion was made and seconded (Liberto/Collura) to authorize this trip. Motion carried unanimously. Efforts to charter buses for this one-day trip are being under-written by the ACSL, a small fee per person will likely be requested.  Details to follow.  Delegates should encourage their club members to set this day aside to show support.

Ban on carrying a firearm in state and county parks even with a concealed carry permit is another issue within HB2231.

 

CONSERVATION – Chairman Jack Walters’ report can be seen on the ACSL

Website at www.acslpa.org.

 

GAME – SB868 passed 49-1 increasing the annual fixed charge “in-lieu-of” county, township and school taxes paid to each entity where state owned forests are located. This bill would triple the fixed charge the PGC pays on SGL, representing about $5.00 per hunting license.  This will apply to DCNR and likely to PFBC. This represents a mandated expenditure upon a cash-strapped agency without new revenue to support it.  A motion was made and seconded (Liberto/Ragaller) to generate a letter to our legislators opposing this legislation. MOTION CARRIED.

 

PA House HR461 (Bruce Smith and 97 co-sponsors) “Memorializing the President and Congress of the United States to revise the requirement that applicants for hunting and fishing licenses provide their Social Security numbers”.

USHouse HR4144“To eliminate the requirement that States collect Social Security numbers from applicants for recreational licenses.” English(PA):Hart(PA),Holden(PA), Platts(PA) co-sponsors

No action or addition of co-sponsors will happen until after the State of the Union Address.

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Executive Director Austin assures the PFBC will not require SS numbers on fishing licenses.

Hunter Safety Training – special pilot program (PGC) Feb. 11, 2006 Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show – home study portion prior to hands-on skills training with firearms and hunting-related equipment (live-fire exercises, bolt-action .22 rifles, inert firearms, video stimulation.

 

ASTOS(Allegheny Sport, Travel and Outdoor Show) February 15-19, 2006

Henry Hoffman reporting some booths still available; Sportsmen’s Warehouse is in the Show. Show set-up will be Mon. the 13th. 8 a.m. – help is needed.

Kid’s program will be Thursday, the 16th, those helping with the kid’s program should be in the ExpoMart at 8 a.m..

SPORTSMEN OF THE YEAR BANQUET – March 11, Futule’s Harmar House

(map will be available at February meeting) photos will be taken of awardees and presenters; your nominee must be submitted to Sally Barnett by February 2 and ads must be submitted to Audrey Pritchard by February 9. For additional info. contact Joe 412-331-3412 or Sally 412-793-4437. Committee meeting Feb. 6, 7 p.m. Sally’s home.

 

BY-LAW COMMITTEE – The third reading of Articles III-V:

Article III – Power of Authority; Section C – To promote the protection and restoration of waterways, forests, aquatic life, wildlife and all pertinent natural resources essential to afford a perfect balance in nature.

Article IV – Agenda, Section 9.D, Nominating Committee (chosen by ACSL President at August meeting to submit nominations at September meeting)

Article V – Section 4 – Upon the election of membership; Section 5 – Club dues shall be paid by 1 January of each year. If dues are paid later than 31 March of the year in which they are due, the club shall be considered delinquent and shall be placed on the Inactive Roster. Inactive member clubs are ineligible to vote. After three (3) years on the Inactive Roster

for nonpayment of dues, the club shall be expelled from the ACSL and shall release all rights and privileges. If a club decides to renew its membership within the three (3) year delinquent period it may do so by paying the next year’s dues. If a club wishes to re-affiliate with the ACSL, after expulsion for nonpayment of dues, such club must pay an administration fee in addition to the dues that are owed for the current year.

Motion made and seconded (Christeson/Ragaller) to accept changes. MOTION CARRIED

 

NEW BUSINESS

Legislative Chairman Kim Stolfer presented a request of financial aid from Mike Stollenwerk, plaintiff in a lawsuit against the PSP and County Sheriff’s unlawful demands for gun owner SSN on gun transfer and LTCF’s applications.  A motion was made and seconded (Fischer/Liberto) to honor this request with a donation of $750.00 from the ACSL. Motion carried with 11 yeas and 7 nays. Suggestion was given that the ACSL member clubs assist the league, if possible, in recouping the $750.00. An amount of $15.00 or $20.00 from each club would restore the initial donation and clubs would have the option to give an additional amount if they so choose.

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New Business continued:

 

The league will purchase a package offered by the NRA 1st Friends to attend their fund-raising banquet Saturday, February 11, 2006 at Stratigos Banquet Hall, RTS. 30/48

 

DRAWING – was won by Vic Wilczynski, delegate of Bull Creek Rod and Gun Club.

CLUB NEWS – Mt. Nebo Sportsmen will hold a dance MARCH 25 at the

                             Buffalo Inn, South Park. Tickets $30.00

                             Contact Leon Fischer – 412-969-3128

 

                             SPORTSMAN’S indoor FLEA MARKET

                             SUNDAY, APRIL 30, 9 A.M. – 5 P.M.                       

Pitcairn Monroeville Sportsmen’s Club (412-466-0398)

                             (412-373-8983)   (412-461-4342)

3-D SHOOT – Pitcairn Monroeville Sportsmen’s Club

May 21                  June 11

July 9                    July 23                  (412-673-1028)

August 6               August 20              (412-829-2386)

September 10        September 24

                             Breakfast 7-10 a.m. $3.00          Lunch 12 P.M.

         

FOR YOUR INFORMATION!!

 

FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 11 A.M.

PITCAIRN MONROEVILLE

SPORTSMEN’S CLUB

YOUTH MENTORING PROGRAM

GOVERNOR RENDELL

 

BANQUET COMMITTEE MEETING

FEBRUARY 6, 7 P.M.

SALLY BARNETT’S HOME

 

ACSL MONTHLY MEETING

FEBRUARY 9, 2006

7:30 P.M.

GOLD ROOM, COURTHOUSE

 

We are sorry to hear of Henry Burkhart’s illness!

We send our best wishes to you Henry!