JULY 13, 2006
The Allegheny County Sportsmen’s League, Inc. met in the Gold Room of the Courthouse at 7:30 p.m. The following clubs and agencies were present:
Bakerstown Beagle – Bucek Forest Grove – Cersosimo PLC - Brown
Bethel Park O. – Turnquist LFSC – Barnett PMSC - Hoffman
Bethel Park S. – Walters McDonald – Stolfer Police - Felice
Central Beagle – Dayton McKeesport – Christeson Renton - Girdich
Clairton – Maranche Millvale – Sparrow Richland - Zang
Collier – Ragaller Mt. Nebo – Fischer SAFE - Fedorka
Dormont-Mt.Lebanon – Yanchak NWTF – Shick Sprgdale - Mooney
EMSC – Saterfield PHRG – Pritchard TriCounty -Tutolo
Elizabeth - Collura Pgh.Downrigg - Coutu WDeer - Bagaley
WPA Taxi- Fundy
PFBC –Bob Wheeler PGC – Executive Director Carl G. Roe
Club guests included: Harry Lewellen-Dormont-Mt.Leb., Nick Tutolo – Tri County Trout, Jim Emerick- Dormont-Mt.Leb., Mike Ceyelski – Forest Grove, Tom Fisher – Elizabeth, Tom Terza – McKeesport, Bob Schlemmer – Governor’s Office,
PGC personnel: Dunkerley, Fife, Fujak, Henkemeyer
The Pledge of Allegiance and Conservation Pledge were given in unison.
President Maranche introduced the evening’s guest, PGC Director Carl G. Roe.
At this time, Mr. Roe spoke to the delegates and guests present. Looking to the future, a different approach to society needs to be taken in recruitment – hunter/trapper education; habitat 1.4 million acres of land belongs to the PGC; education – 465 different species of wildlife. Fiscal situation – PA license cost to hunt 24/7 very reasonable compared to neighboring states of Ohio and New Jersey whose licenses cost $100-$140. PGC is an independent agency – relying on license revenues, timbering.
Dan Ragaller, Collier Sportsmen – At present bow hunters cannot carry a concealed weapon while hunting. Kim Stolfer offered information that HB2563 (carrying a concealed weapon while hunting) passed the House by a margin of 189-8. The next move is on to the Senate Game and Fish Committee.
Kim Stolfer, McDonald Sportsmen – Mr. Roe stated that the PGC provides services to the entire Commonwealth. Kim’s concern is the secondary use of Gamelands, and damage by outside groups, is there a way to control this?
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Mr. Roe’s reply: Regulations are there. Some people aren’t aware of the difference between State parks, State forests, and State gamelands, therefore, crossing from one to another is likely. The PGC is doing whatever necessary to enforce regulations.
Discussion of PGC’s financial situation, adult license fee, Social Security requirement for licenses without being challenged by the PGC, handicap considerations, Sunday hunting, point of sale system, hunter safety courses, antler restrictions, data base followed. The ACSL provided the opportunity to hear both sides of the concerns facing the agency and hunters.
The President and those in attendance thanked Executive Director Roe for accepting the invitation to attend the league meeting.
Motion was made and seconded to accept the June meeting minutes as mailed.
TREASURER’S REPORT - In the absence of the Treasurer, Sara Barnett presented Joe’s written report. Motion was made and seconded (Fischer/Walters) to accept the report. Motion carried. Reminder to the following clubs of their late dues: Allegheny Country Rifle, Culmerville District Sportsmen, National Wild Turkey Fed/AV Chapter, and Tri Community Anglers.
COMMUNICATIONS - schedule of Youth Field Days, total of 5 in Allegheny County.
a thank you letter for the donation to the PA Sportsmen for Disabled, letter from City of McKeesport Recreation Committee requesting sponsorship for their program booklet.
Motion made and seconded(Fischer/Bagaley) to buy a ¼ page ad for $50.00 Motion
Carried .
PFBC – Waterways Protection Officer Bob Wheeler reporting the Commission meeting approved the use of Growing Greener II funds for critical infrastructure upgrades at five hatcheries; authorization to move forward with Legislation for the Youth Fishing License,
Rule making personal flotation devices mandatory 10/1 to 5/31; 80% of boating fatalities could be prevented if the victim had been wearing a Coast Guard approved life jacket; catch and release Muskie, Pike and Pickeral 4/1 – 5/31; discussion of regional opening day trout 2 weeks earlier, March 28 in the Southeast; assessment of damage to fish population from recent train derailment and toxic spill in McKean County, thousands of gallons of sodium hydroxide (lye) was dumped into Sinnemahoning and Portage Creeks.
COMMITTEES
LEGISLATIVE – Kim Stolfer and Mike Christeson reporting the Philadelphia caucus, made up of primarily anti-gun representatives, has been threatening the legislature to
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Legislative continued --
amend every Title 18 crimes code bill with some form of gun control. This has resulted in House Leadership giving in to these tactics and authorizing a special day of ‘gun control debate’ called the “Committee of the Whole”where they will be allowed to discuss gun control for a full day. This will take place Tuesday, September 26 in Harrisburg. It is projected what will be seen is the mandatory use of trigger locks, gun registration, waiting periods, assault weapon ban up to and including Remington 1100 shotguns and Marlin Model 62. The FOAC will contact every sportsmen’s club, every gun dealer in the state. PLEASE TRY TO JOIN THE ACSL IN HARRISBURG ON THIS DAY IF IT IS IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE.
CLUBS MUST GET INVOLVED! !
Motion made and seconded (Fedorka/Pritchard) to approve expenses for Kim and Mike to travel to Harrisburg on September 26. Motion carried unanimously.
CONSERVATION – Jack Walters reporting the Senate passed SB1201 that would reduce mercury emissions from power plants by 86 percent by 2018. This demonstrates the Senate’s commitment to protect the public’s health.
New components that can withstand brutal heat in ultra-deep gas wells have been developed by the Department of Energy research program. To meet the Nation’s growing gas demand, tackling deep gas resources is important. Finding and producing these resources entails encountering temperatures that can top 400 F and pressures that can exceed 10,000 psi. Honeywell is designing four components to withstand the heat.
“Stay Out/Stay Alive”, the DEP’s web page has been designed to increase awareness about the dangers of trespassing on abandoned and active mines and quarries in Pennsylvania.
www.depweb.state.pa.us keyword “Stay Out Stay Alive” gives more information on this.
GAME – Chairman Mike Maranche called attention to SB868 to increase to $3.60 per acre on acquired lands in-lieu-of county, township and school taxes; it has been amended in the House to pay the fixed charge increase from the State Gaming Fund and Net Slot Machine Revenue. Passed 176-19 – returned to Senate for concurrence with Senate Bill.
The National Wildlife Federation claims in their poling data of 306 Pennsylvania sportsmen, that 82% of sportsmen are adversely affected by global warming in their hunting and fishing and desire legislators to implement laws on emissions. Delegates should discuss this with your clubs.
YouthDay – Saturday, July 22, 2006, Frank Sparrow reports 165 registrants. Help is needed. $180.00 in donations has been received so far. A $50.00 Savings Bond will be given in memory of Larry LaSpada to a youth. The National Wild Turkey Federation gave a donation of $350.00 to the ACSL YouthDay.
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Good of the Organization – The ACSL will be setting up a Website Bulletin Board to publish club events and information. Clubs can give information to Jack at jack.walters@verizon.net. Ron Bachy, alternate delegate of Pitcairn-Monroeville Sportsmen commended Jack Walters for designing the Bulletin Board and stated they have already gotten results from the advertising. More clubs should visit the website; it is a very inexpensive way to advertise. 20,000 hits on the website to date.
Drawing – Meeting Doorprize was won by Mike Maranche.
A nominating committee will be appointed at the August meeting.
Adjournment was called for at 10:05 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, Sara Barnett
Pitcairn-Monroeville 3-D Dates for 2006
July 23
August 6
August 20
September 10
September 24
Pitcairn-Monroeville Sportsmen: 1st Sunday of month All-You-Can-Eat-Breakfast
8 a.m. $3.00 CMP and IPSC (Practical Pistol) 9 a.m.
For information call: John McArdle at 412-673-1028 or Club at 412-829-2386
PGC WOMEN IN THE OUTDOORS
CHECK THE WEBSITE (www.pgc.state.pa.us)
Remember! !
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2006
ACSL DIRECTOR MEETING 6:30 P.M. COURTHOUSE, 4TH FLOOR
REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING 7:30 P.M. COURTHOUSE, 4TH FLOOR
REMINDER FROM JOE CONNORS
MEMBERSHIP CARDS WILL BE ORDERED NOW;
IF THERE IS A CHANGE IN THE QUANTITY YOU USUALLY ORDER, CALL JOE IMMEDIATELY AT 412-795-3154!