ALLEGHENY COUNTY SPORTSMEN’S LEAGUE
JULY 14, 2005
MINUTES
President Mike Maranche called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m., thanking the members of the Pitcairn/Monroeville Sportsmen’s Club for the opportunity to hold the ACSL monthly meeting at their facilities.Guest Dale Emerick of PA’s 1st Friends of the NRA was welcomed
and introduced; Dale informed those present of the following facts:
Friends of the NRA is the fund-raising arm of the NRA Foundation. Half of the money the 1st Friends raise goes into the NRA Foundation Endowment so that the NRA can use the interest and cannot touch the principal; the other half of the money goes back to the states for grants to programs such as youth shooting events, hunter education, range improvement, safety programs etc. Last year (2004) the Friends gave away $450,000 in PA; to sportsmen’s organizations, high school shooting teams, things like that. Grant applications were made available; no grants are turned away. Money is available to clubs, applications must be turned in by the end of August. The NRA website NRAHQ.org., NRA Foundation page, Foundation information – grants can be downloaded. Dale encourages everyone to support their Banquet which will be Feb. 11, 2006 at Stratigos on Rt. 30. Dale can be reached at 724-863-4651.
President of P/M, Ron Bachy, welcomed everyone to the club and extended an invitation to the league to return anytime.
The June minutes were approved as mailed.
TREASURER’S REPORT – Joe Connor’s report was accepted without question.
Joe reminds all clubs that membership cards will be ordered; if there is a change in the
quantity you usually order, call Joe immediately at 412-795-3154
President Maranche welcomed into league membership the McDonald Sportsmen’s Association located in Midway, PA. Kim Stolfer will be the ACSL delegate and alternate delegate will be McDonald President John Notte. Club member, Paul Fedorka, who will be running the gun-safety program with Kim at YouthDay was present also. A swearing-in ceremony followed.
PGC – WCO Gary Fujak reported the 2005 antlerless licenses will be available August 1. Gary recommends you mail your application in the yellow envelope to Harrisburg by July 30.
Three antlerless licenses will be available in the Commonwealth. The June Gamelands 44 tour was well-attended. Everyone had a good time, the food was great,and much was learned.
The Audubon magazine mentions hunting is a good thing and controls the deer population.
An article is forthcoming in the Game News about the tour.
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PFBC – WCO Martha Mackey reminded those present that there are enrollment applications available for WCO’s. 3000 Paddlefish were stocked in the PGH pool last week. The Bassmasters Classic is happening July 29, 30, 31. Numerous violations, mostly due to lack of safety equipment – flotation devices, fire extinguishers etc. have been cited. A reminder to jet ski’ers, you must carry your safety certificate at all times.
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE – V-chair Mike Christeson reported HB117 (PFA Legislation) passed the House 199-1; an article from Mike is included at the close of these minutes. President Maranche requested the status of Kim Stolfer’s relationship to several legislators; to which Kim replied favorably. At this time, Kim was asked to fill the vacancy of Chairman of the Legislative Committee. A motion was made and seconded to approve this appointment. (Ragaller/Pritchard) MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
GAME – Chairman Mike Maranche reported an ammo recall from Winchester – Supreme 7 mm Remington magnum 150 Grain Ballistic silvertip; lot nos. VL82, VL92 and VM10.
For questions call toll-free 866-423-5224.
Website pheasantspa.org. is dedicated to building unity in PA hunters to get a pheasant stamp passed or convince the PGC to restore the stocking of pheasants. Brian Hanna is the contact.
Two commissioners to PGC appointed by Gov. Rendell – H. Daniel Hill, III – to June, 2006;
He is an attorney in Erie; member of Trout Unlimited, the WPA Conservancy and founding member of the PA Flyfishing Museum, fulfilling the unexpired term of Robert J. Gilford.
David W. Schreffler to June, 2013 (a full 8 year term) a retired educator who manages agricultural and forestry activities on the family farm and speaks favorably of agricultural preservation in PA. Bob Schlemmer of the Governor’s Sportsmen’s Advisory Council stated that the choices were good.
HB313 further deterrent elk fences passed the house; HB1435 unlawful use of computers which makes computer-assisted remote harvesting of animals a third degree misdemeanor passed 194-0; HB603 defining enforcement officers to include PGC officers to have and exercise the same law enforcement powers as PGC officers. This does not apply to deputy officers. Passed 186-8.
Growing Greener II monies: $230 million – DEP; $217.5 million DCNR; $80 million Agriculture; $50 million Community and Economic Development; $27.5 million to PFBC and $20 million PGC for capital improvements. WCO Fujak reminded the body that $7 million was cut from the budget this year. HB1766 increases the waste tipping fee from $4.00 to $4.50 per ton.HB904 – does not advocate Sunday hunting but would grant the PGC the authority to make game management decisions defining when and where hunters may hunt. 53% of responding hunters favored some form of Sunday hunting; farmers and other landowners were overwhelmingly opposed.
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GAME – continued - Vernon Ross, Executive Director of the PGC is retiring Dec. 31, 2005
ACSL Director Jim Liberto reported briefly on the “Deer Study Site Visit”, stating the purpose of the trip was to observe and gather info about deer population imbalance.
(1) Protecting or further limiting the harvest of Doe: Effect: Over population of heard results in under weight deer and fawns resulting in death or disease; (2) Food plots planted: are little help for deer need wood fiber type plants and trees for their diets. Deer require 5-7 lbs of berries, wild flowers, birch, sassafras, aspen, oaks and woody grasses per day to survive.
Summary: The herd declines when its’ food source is limited. The antler spread and thickness is directly impacted by diet. Population is up in special regulation counties. The South West Division of PA has exhibited the best deer harvests in the state.
FISH & CLEAN STREAMS - The response from BassMasters has been futile It is suggested volunteers go to the Convention Center Thursday the 28th) where tickets will be available. Friday and Saturday events are free at the arena.
PUBLIC RELATIONS – Dave Bagaley reporting on the American Kennel Club support of PAWS (Pet Animal Welfare Statute of 2005) PAWS offers a reasonable balance between addressing a changing marketplace where dogs are sold over the Internet and imported from foreign countries, and protecting breeders from excessive regulation. This bill, introduced in May of 2005 by Senator Rick Santorum, needs watching at this time.
ASTOS – February 15-19, 2006 Henry Hoffman reporting exhibitors of hunting equipment are needed; if you know of an interested dealer, contact Henry at 412-829-2386.
YOUTHDAY – Chairman Frank Sparrow reported approximately 180 youth enrolled; volunteers are needed at several stations including registration, food preparation etc. Please give Frank a call at 724-444-6569. The Braddock District Sportsmen’s Club gave a generous donation of $100.00 to YouthDay. Clairton Sportsmen gave a generous donation of $100.00.
to YouthDay. We thank you! Donations are always welcome at any time.
OLD BUSINESS – Dave Bagaley, Chair of the By-Law Committee, requested comments on the suggested changes to Articles III, IV and V that had been handed out at the June meeting. Since no comments were received, this will again be brought up at the August meeting. Dave received a proposal from Jim Liberto in that “in all elections, ballot must be cast by qualified delegates for each position; the nominee must receive 51% or greater of the votes cast for each position; no affirmation is permitted; vacancies can be filled by presidential appointments”. Dave stated that written suggestions are appreciated. Jack Walters and Dave Bagaley will be joined by Mike Christeson, Jim Liberto and Joe Connors on the committee.
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS – Second reading of proposed change to Article VI Officers:
Previous wording: The President shall serve for not more than two (2) consecutive years, unless by unanimous consent of the League.
Proposed change: The President shall serve for not more than two (2) consecutive years, unless by consent of two thirds (2/3) of members present.
NEW BUSINESS – Buddy Savage reported “good news tonight”; Judge O’Reilly, hearing the case of the PGCA/ExPoMart, offered a reasonable settlement. The PGCA will remain at the ExPoMart through September, 2006. Most likely, mandatory ties will be on everything in the near future.
Clubs are cautioned of the eminent domain issue. What is needed is all clubs to make the effort to protect their properties. Sportsmen are not active enough; Kim Stolfer has offered to put together a database of club members for league member clubs, that can be used to wield as a tool against matters of legislation. This database can be used for club publicity as well. John Maher is coming up with legislation to prevent agencies from taking whatever land they want, using eminent domain. Senator John Pippy is leading the battle against this issue also. The National Shooting Sports Foundation, of which Lee Brown is a member, has an arm called The National Association of Shooting Ranges that assist clubs in various situations.
Motion made and seconded (Ragaller/Sparrow) to give permission to the Legislative Committee to pursue the eminent domain abuse. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Frank Sparrow announced that his club, Millvale, is holding a Blue Gill Tournament for kids 12 and under on Saturday, July 30, 9-12 noon.
GOOD OF THE ORGANIZATION – Henry Hoffman announced that a member of his club, Pitcairn/Monroeville, Paul Messineo, has been nominated to the Pennsylvania State’s Hall of Fame. Congratulations Paul.
The following clubs and agencies attended this meeting:
Bakerstown Beagle, Braddock District, Clairton, Collier Twp., Forest Grove, Homestead, Logans Ferry, McKeesport, Millvale, PGCA, Pgh. Sportsmen’s Luncheon Club, Penn Hills, Pitcairn/Monroeville, Renton, TCWA, Tri County Trout, W PA Taxidermy, West Deer
PGC – Gary Fujak, PFBC – Martha Mackey
The July door prize was won by Harry Haerr, member of Renton Rod & Gun Club.
Respectfully submitted, Sara Barnett, Secretary
FYI
THE AUGUST 11, 2005 MEETING (7:30 P.M.) OF THE ACSL WILL BE HELD AT THE MILLVALE SPORTSMEN’S CLUB GROUNDS
170 SUNNYHILL RD – PHONE 724-935-9963
CALL FRANK SPARROW 724-444-6569 FOR DIRECTIONS
(NRA State Liason John Hohenwarter will be present)
Reminder to get your membership card info. to Joe Connors
THE GOLD ROOM OF THE COURTHOUSE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE SEPTEMBER 8 MEETING.
FOAC MEETING August 14, 10 a.m. at Whitehall Borough Building (off Rt. 51)
Mr. President, members of the board and club delegates:
One of the most important functions of the Allegheny County Sportsmen’s League is to provide a legislative voice for the sportsmen of Allegheny and surrounding counties.
Each ACSL member club usually does not have the extra personnel, resources or the time to read or interact with our elected representatives on a constant basis concerning pending legislation that affects their club members. The ACSL chairman of the Legislative Committee performs that function, with the help of the appointed member clubs delegates, by forwarding or alerting pending legislation, negative or positive, aspects to their respective clubs, so that the members of the individual clubs can be made aware of and get involved in helping to stop proposed detrimental legislation or pass proposed legislation that benefits our sports.
That’s why the chairmanship of the legislative committee is such an important job to the ACSL and all member clubs.
There is an old saying that goes “lead, follow or get out of the way” and it applies to the position of the ACSL Chairman of the Legislative Committee in dealing with proposed laws that affect all of us.
The positive legislative interaction is probably one of the most important functions that the ACSL provides to all member clubs; a loud, united voice that can be heard clearly by our elected officials
concerning our sports. I personally do not have the ability or experience required to function in the capacity as chairman of the Legislative Committee and I hope the president of the ACSL can find and appoint someone from one of the member clubs that has those abilities. It would be an honor to work with and assist in any way possible in my present position as vice chairman of the Legislative Committee to a new qualified individual in protecting and defending the Pennsylvania sportsmen’s constitutional rights. Sincerely,
Mike Christeson, ViceChairman
ACSL Legislative Committee