The monthly meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Pledges of Allegiance

and Conservation were led by President Mike Maranche. The following

agencies and clubs were in attendance:

Bakerstown - Bucek Forest Grove - Cersosimo PGCA - Savage

Bethel Park - Walters LFSC - Liberto Pitcairn/Mnrvl - Hoffman

Braddock - Mazik McKeesport - Christeson Police R & G - Felice

Carrick - Slavonic Millvale - Sparrow Renton - Girdich/Barchak

Central Beagle - Dayton Mt. Nebo - Fischer Richland - Knechtel

Clairton - Maranche NWTF - Shick TCWA - Connors

Dormont-Mt.Leb-Lewellen/Bloss Northside - Andreas W Deer - Bagaley

ESMC - Bragano

PFBC - WCO Martha Mackey PGC - WCO Gary Fujak

The April minutes were approved unanimously.

Joe Connors, ACSL Treasurer, gave his report, which was accepted without

question.

The President announced that Joe Connors has given his notice that he will

not be running for treasurer in October. Applause was given to Joe for his

Diane Cersosimo has blessed the banquet each year with her

beautiful voice singing the National Anthem. A gift of appreciation was

WCO Martha Mackey PGC - WCO Gary Fujak

The April minutes were approved unanimously.

Joe Connors, ACSL Treasurer, gave his report, which was accepted without

question.

The President announced that Joe Connors has given his notice that he will

not be running for treasurer in October. Applause was given to Joe for his

excellent work the past fourteen years.

Communications - Diane Cersosimo has blessed the banquet each year with her

beautiful voice singing the National Anthem. A gift of appreciation was

WCO Gary Fujak displayed the antlers of a 1-1/2, 2-1/2 and a road-kill

buck. Gary stated that Gov. Rendell, in his expansion and renewal program,

"Growing Greener," will not require the PGC/PFBC to pay back the $50 million

they will receive.

HB2042 will allow the taking of an additional turkey above the two

permitted.

HB565 would amend Title 34 by changing the term archery/deer hunters to

"Persons Hunting with bow and arrow or crossbow" and reduce the statewide

safety zone to 50 yards for archery hunters. Next Commission Meeting will be

June 28, 29 at which time the proposals will be discussed.

Permits for the elk hunt are currently available on the internet; $10 fee,

12 bull and 28 cow permits will be offered. Public drawing Sept 25 - season

Nov. 8-13. www.pgc.state.pa.us

Antler restrictions will not change for the upcoming season. Three extra

weeks of antlerless hunting in WMU 5D will be offered. Gary suggests

applying on line as soon as possible.

Muzzleloader harvest for last year was up 3000; while archers took less buck

last year.

In Allegheny County last year, 6490 deer were harvested; 2800 archery kills,

3100 guns.

Bear season extension - 11/29 to 12/4. Ruffed grouse habitat in PA is very

good.

Wild turkey disease has been discovered - lesions,

blindness, called Avian Pox. Effected birds have been found in Upper St.

Clair Township.

Millvale delegate Frank Sparrow questioned the changes in hunter education

classes and no live-fire. Gary stated because of the incident last year,

there is a moratorium on this issue, placed by Executive Director Vern Ross.

Safety is the factor - live-fire will be back.

Mike Slavonic, in his written report, explained HB2403 as

the amended law on protection from abuse and possession of firearms.

Firearms will be relinquished, entered into registry provided by the PSP,

turned over to the sheriff and confiscated until PFA is lifted. The NRA has

signed off on this issue.

Philadelphia asked the General Assembly to enact additional gun control;

this appears to be political due to the upcoming election. Mike will be

creating a website on this issue.

MATRIX - (Multi-state Anti-Terrorism Information Exchange) a federally

funded program that pulls together public and commercial databases. Records

of Americans are stored by a private company, Seisint Inc. Info can be

accessed on firearms, hunting licenses, motor vehicles, driver records,

bankruptcy etc. The ACLU believes the PA General Assembly should lead in

assuring the privacy of PA citizens by scheduling hearings looking into the

circumstances under which PA began to participate in MATRIX; such as

funding, data etc. web site:http://www.matrix@org/

Chair Jack Walters reported the West Nile Virus is alive and

well. It was found in 67 counties last year with 8 deaths occurring. A

mosquito species (Culex restuans) is being targeted; these mosquitoes don't

bite people but they do bite birds an cause the spread of the virus. When

other types of mosquitoes that bite people feed on these infected birds, the

virus can be more widely spread to people. Eliminate all sources of standing

water; report dead blue jays and hawks by calling 1-877-PA-HEALTH.

Phase-out of MTBE(fuel additive methyl tertiary butyl ether) a possible

carcinogen, has the back-up of the Rendell Administration. The first ethanol

(alternative to MTBE made from corn) plant in PA, planned in Lancaster

County, could be ready for fuel production in two years. PA River Sweep 8

Mike Maranche reported CARA-renamed GO (Get Outdoors Act, HR4100) a

federal act, would allocate $3.125 billion to acquire private lands

historically used for hunting and fishing. There is no guarantee that such

lands would continue to be used for this. Rep. Richard Pombo of CA has

opposed CARA stating: "I believe the federal government owns too much land

now; if the government wants to buy more land, they should sell some and use

the proceeds to buy more." Contact your Representative urging him or her to

oppose HR4100.

A pre-written letter is available from the secretary or visit

www.gunowners.org//activism.htm

Right to Hunt Amendment HB1512 has passed the House and onto the Senate. It

will be heard first in the Judiciary Committee. Contact your state senator

and ask him or her to support this measure - Mike has contacted Sen. Jane

Orie with a copy of the ACSL position.

HR222-a letter written to Chairman Smith of the House Game and Fisheries

Committee from Rick Carlson, Director for Policy in DCNR concerning the

PGC/PFBC merger: "We believe the proposal on the table today would

substantially undermine the policymaking authority of the two independent

Commissions; we do not believe major surgery is necessary." "Gov. Rendell's

goal is to create a new level of cooperation among both Commissions and DCNR

to the benefit of sportsmen, the conservation of our natural resources, our

outdoor recreation economy, and the preservation of our outdoor heritage."

Who paid for much of the deer management research? Ron Freed, Audubon PA

policy analyst, said five foundations gave Audubon $1,160.500 over a 3-year

period. Two of those - the Heinz and R.K.Mellon endowments provided 77

percent. Sand County Foundation, a third, and two remain unnamed. Ralph

Saggiomo, president of the USP said his group will continue pressing to

learn the names of the other foundations. Cindy Adams-Dunn, then executive

director of Audubon, PA said the foundations were not convinced commissioners "would

Frank Sparrow reporting Dave Fawcett, Council, made a

resolution to the TIF process whereas the County will avoid, and not

prohibit the use of tax increment financing for retail development in

unimproved areas and green spaces. It passed with a 10 to 5 vote. Executive

Director Onorato has vetoed the resolution and is making new legislation to

more strict measures. A town meeting, Monday May 17, with Rep. Frank

Dermody at the Springdale High School 6:30 - 8 p.m. - Dan Onorato will be

present.

Public hearings again soon on the Deer Creek Mall project. Already tenants

are joining the PGH MILLS/FRAZER Mall.

Henry Hoffman stated Cleveland Expositions have a third of the show sold; discussion with a boat dealer and

bass organization to set up a kid's casting program for the 2005 show. Space is needed.

ASTOS continued - Request from Cleveland that ACSL clubs who rent booth

space just to sell tickets are complaining about other clubs selling their

tickets at the beef jerky stands. Motion made and seconded (Fischer/Liberto)

there will be no tickets sold at the beef jerky stands; beef jerky only will

Chairman Joe Cersosimo reported the committee has met to discuss

the 2004 banquet. Bryan Bogat of Carnegie won the bronze casting - total 274

tickets sold - proceeds $548.00. Dinner ticket sales 241. Joe personally

thanks the twelve people plus on the committee, and everyone for their help;

the clubs for their gifts (Renton Rod & Gun, Police Rod and Gun, Tri County

Trout, Pitcairn-Monroeville Sportsmen, Greater Pgh Gun Club,) the Forest

Grove Sportsmen for the dinner tickets, gifts received through Kristen

Sparrow, from Hotel Renaissance Pittsburgh, Strategic Energy and Radisson

Greentree, Dave Bagaley for the bronze statue, the clubs who supported the

league through ticket sales and attendance. We could not have done it

without all of your support. Finally, the committee thanks Joe Cersosimo for

his chairing the committee, reserving the speaker, and the many hours he

spent on the banquet. Any comments or criticism can be given to Joe. Your

ideas and suggestions for next year's banquet are welcome.

Sat. July 24 Chairman Frank Sparrow distributed flyers. Insurance

is still being considered; 150 youth limit. A donation of $100.00 was given

by Gary Engkjer of Clarion, Pa. through Buddy Savage. Your help would be

much appreciated!

None.

Motion was made and seconded (Fisher/Liberto) that 500 ACSL cloth patches be

purchased. MOTION CARRIED.

Discussion to purchase two-color vinyl or polyester patches. Discussion

tabled until June meeting.

Joe Connors, Treasurer, reminds clubs to let him know their membership card

total before the July meeting. (412-795-3154)

Delinquent clubs 2004 dues: Allegheny Country Rifle $250; McKeesport Sports

Assn. $250;National Wild Turkey $12.50; Penn Hills Rod & Gun $12.50; Penns Waters Bass

$25.00.

Door Prize: Michael Christeson, delegate McKeesport Sportsmen's Assn.

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 -  June 10, 2004

7:30 P.M.

COURTHOUSE

SEE YOU THERE!

GOLD ROOM-4TH FLOOR COURTHOUSE

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

May 29 and June 5 "Fish for free" days

June 5, Burrell Lake Park, fishing derby 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. second fish for free day hosted by the Tri County Trout Club.

PA TRAPPERS 67th RENDEZVOUS, PITTSFIELD, PA call Steve Steffy at 814-835-2155