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.

CLUBS AND AGENCIES IN ATTENDANCE:

Bakerstown-Bucek,Helch

EMSC-Brangano Northside-Andreas

BETHEL PARK  Sportsmen-Walters

Forest Grove-Cersosimo

Nat.Wild Turkey-Shick

Braddock-Mazik

Goodwill Hill-Beatty

Pitcairn/Monroeville-Hoffman

Carrick-Slavonic

Homestead-Caldwell

Renton-Girdich

Central Beagle-Dayton

LFSC-Liberto

Sewickley-Fluharty

Clairton-Maranche

Millvale-Sparrow

TCWA-Connors

Collier-Regaller

Mt.Nebo-Fischer

W Deer - Bagaley

Dormont-Mt.Leb.-Bloss

N.Boros-Baker

WPA Taxidermy-Fundy

PFBC - WCO Larry Furlong PGC - WCO's Beth Fife, Justin Klugh

President Maranche introduced Joe Neville and Executive Director Vern Ross

of the PA Game Commission. The opportunity was given for open dialogue

between the delegates of twenty four sportsmen's clubs, the league and the

commission. Mr. Ross commended the President, Mike Maranche, on Mike's

openness to legislators as he presented the ACSL viewpoint concerning the

merger of the agencies.

Mr. Ross spoke the following:

Merging agencies will limit WCO's to law enforcement only; hunter safety,

school programs, youthdays wildlife management functions will be excluded.

Many WCO's have masters degrees in biology, forestry, wildlife habitat.

This is a funding issue. The PGC has increased their budget -0- in the past

three years. Employees were asked by Mr. Ross to show him ways of saving

money and increasing income to the PGC, he received 675 ideas, some 250 have

been instituted. Rather than increasing license fees, which loses hunters,

alternative funding is being considered. The PGC website gets 35 million

hits a year; advertising on the website is a possibility. A foundation

established for big game hunter's investments would provide interest monies

for funding the agency.

Over-regulation chases people away because it confuses them Education

programs rather than orange regulations for turkey season is one such

instance.

Delegate input: Sunday hunting - last research showed 54% of hunters are

opposed

Two under-funded agencies becomes one under-funded agency

If merger goes through, what's to prevent gamelands from being

sold.

Hunter safety - children can't have hands-on training with guns.

Sliding scale on mistaken-kill fines

Too many hawks have eliminated small game.

Mr. Ross addressed these concerns individually and assured those present

further discussions are important

Minutes of the February meeting were approved as mailed. Moved and seconded

(Bloss/Hoffman)

Joe Connors presented his financial report which was

Mike Maranche reported that the Pittsburgh Sportsmen's Luncheon

Club (120 members) will be sworn in to the league at the April meeting.

Notification from the Millvale Sportsmen's Club Inc. that Frank Sparrow will

represent them as delegate.

WCO Larry Furlong stated that you can temporarily renew your boat

registration for thirty days. A $2.00 convenience fee is added to the

regular registration fee. Check out the PFBC website at

www.fish.state.pa.us. for this information and to contact Larry if you would

like him to speak at a club meeting. Larry commended the ACSL website for

WCO Justin Klugh reported that the 2.4 million acres of farm, game and

safety zone land, are being mapped for the hunters.

Hunter Education Instructor's Update is scheduled for April 10, 8:30 a.m.

Mike Slavonic's report included that we are still

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

case against the PA State Police.

S1805 was defeated when Senator Larry Craig asked members of the Senate to

vote against the bill because of all of the anti-gun amendments added to the

bill. CNN's site, http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALL POLITICS/03/02/SENATE.GUNS/INDEX.HTML.

Jack Walters information on 2004 Conservation Schools:

Penn State: Session 1 June 27- July 3, 2004 Session 2 July 11 - 17, 2004

Cost $450.00

Ages 15-18 and must have completed 9th grade

McKeever Center: July 11-16, 2004 Entering grade 6-9 Cost $240.00

The ACSL will reimburse half of fee for either school when a completion

certificate is presented.

Great Pennsylvania Cleanup in conjunction with Earth Day to remove litter

and trash from the state's roadways, parks, river banks and open spaces

April 24. All cleanup supplies will be provided. visit DEP's Web site at

www.dep.state.pa.us - Great PA Cleanup or call toll-free 1-888-548-8372.

The Coldwater Heritage Partnership announced $42,400 in grants to local

organizations to protect and conserve PA's coldwater stream habitats.

Forbes Trail Chapter of Trout Unlimited - $3,700 to assess and create a

conservation plan for Mill Creek, Westmoreland County is one of the

Mike Maranche, Chair, reported his contact with John Pippy to update

him on sportsmen's issues and the merger, since he is now on the Game and

Fisheries Committee.

The Game Committee is going to keep on the legislators to make sure nothing

gets to the Governor's desk to tempt him to act in favor of the merger.

Mike gave testimony before the Democratic Policy Committee on House

Resolution 15 in Homestead prior to the ACSL meeting Thursday, March 11.

Mike's testimony included:

"It is a poorly kept secret that those who have been most vigorously

promoting a Fish and Game merger, actually desire a merger into DCNR. This

super agency idea has been the political ambition, of a select few, for a

while. This ill-conceived plan must be firmly rejected. The

explicit purpose of having independent agencies is to minimize political

control of the agencies and the resource."

This very thought had been brought up in discussion by the delegates during

Vern Ross' info. session.

A break-down of the cost of the merger was available to those present,

showing $11 million initial implementation for the merger and $5 million a

year after that. Marc Gergely, host of the committee and a member of the Sportsmen's Caucus,

announced his introduction of a bill for Sunday hunting in the special

Frank Sparrow reported the Deer Creek Mall appeal

is dropped by Orix-Woodmont. Public hearings will be held.

Motion was made and seconded (Sparrow/Bucek) that the league opposes the

proposed delayed harvest changes; allowing bait fishermen to utilize those

waters during the harvest period of June 15 through Labor Day. A letter will

be sent to the PFBC. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

BassMaster Classic 2005 - Frank Sparrow spoke with Denny Tubbs, PFBC; $35

million will potentially be brought to Pittsburgh. Volunteers will be

needed. Frank will keep the league informed. A motion was made and seconded

(Fischer/Regaller) that the league support this event. A letter will be

written to Denny Tubbs. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Mike Maranche reported in Henry's absence that 80,000 people

attended the show.

FamilyTies virtual fishing machine will be with the 2005 show. Joe Connors

Chairman Joe Cersosimo suggested to those honoring their

sportsmen to be prepared with a 2 or 3 minute comment when their honoree is

called to the stage. It appears the banquet will be smaller this year - if

you receive any input as to why there is a lack of interest, please make

note and bring their comments to the ACSL meeting. Neal Knox will not be

present due to illness. John Bodner is the speaker; prizes and a 50/50

raffle will be part of the evening; the bronze rodeo casting raffle tickets

YouthDay - July 24, 2004 - Millvale Sportsmen's Club - Frank Sparrow

reported helpers are needed from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the grounds and

committee volunteers would be appreciated. A flyer is included with the

March minutes. Please display it or distribute copies where you think it

will be seen.

Old Business - Samples of ACSL shirts that will be available to be purchased

were shown and discussed. Orders will taken beginning in April.

The unsold Conservation stamps have been returned to the PGC. These were

purchased on consignment but did not sell. Refund is approximately $2900.00.

The Pennsylvania Sportsmen for the Disabled, Inc. has

requested a donation for their "Special Day for Special Kids" program held

the last Saturday of June at Keystone State Park. Physically and mentally

challenged children 21 years of age and younger, and their families can

attend. Attendance has averaged almost 300 people per year, including

volunteers. A motion was made and seconded (Baker/Regaller) to donate

$200.00 to this program. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Joe Mallino, financial advisor for the ACSL will be present at the April

meeting to answer questions and discuss league financial matters.

Joe Mallino, financial advisor for the ACSL will be present at the April

meeting to answer questions and discuss league financial matters.

DOORPRIZE was won by Tressel Fundy, delegate of the WPA Taxidermists.

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 

next meeting

THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2004

7:30 P.M.

COURTHOUSE

SEE YOU THERE!

GOLD ROOM-4TH FLOOR COURTHOUSE

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

March 21, 8-2 p.m. East Monongahela 3D archery, 3/20 highpower clinics -

call 724-483-5063

March 27, 10-3:30 p.m. Carnegie Museum, Pgh. "Boy Scout Day" fly tying etc.

with Tri Cty.Trout

April 8-17 10days/10 guns raffle, Logans Ferry Sportsmen, based on PA

lottery 7 p.m. only

April 10 8-12 p.m. Deer Creek stream cleanup, shrub planting, meet at

Emmerling Park

April 14 5-8 p.m. all you can eat spaghetti dinner, $5 - Pitcairn

Monroeville Sportsmen's Club

April 24, May 23 Collier Sportsmen, 77 Walkers Mill Rd, Oakdale, assault

rifle shoot 412-352-0166

April 24, Northside Sportsmen, Warrendale range management seminar,Kip

Andreas 724-934-4843

May 29 and June 5 "Fish for Free" days.