CELEBRATING 76 YEARS OF ENHANCING THE CONSERVATION OF THE OUTDOOR RESOURCES OF PENNSYLVANIA
THE VOICE OF 200,000 LICENSED HUNTERS AND FISHERMEN IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY
Website: www.acslpa.org
MEMBER: NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION
NATIONAL SHOOTING SPORTS FOUNDATION
MAY 10, 2007
The ACSL monthly meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Pledges of Allegiance and Conservation were given in unison.
Agencies and Sportsmen’s Clubs in attendance:
BAKERSTOWN BEAGLE ELIZABETH MILLVALE
BETHEL PARK S. ESMC PGH DOWNRIGGERS
BRADDOCK DISTRICT FOREST GROVE PHR&G
BULL CREEK LFSC PMSC
CLAIRTON MCDONALD PMSC YOUTH
COLLIER MCKEESPORT RICHLAND
DORMONT-MT.LEB. MT NEBO TCWA
W DEER PFBC – Bob Wheeler PGC – Gary Fujak W PA TAXIDERMISTS
The April minutes were approved as mailed.
Treasurer’s Report – Treasurer Connors report was approved. (Hoffman/Pritchard)
Guest Damon J. Brown, Candidate for Allegheny County Sheriff was introduced. A graduate of Allegheny County and Pittsburgh Police Academies, Mr. Brown has had experience for over 20 years in Secret Service Protection School, State AG’s Drug Investigation School, and Drug Enforcement. His goal is to improve management and procedures in the Sheriff’s office.
improve service to our court system, and improve community relations. The FOAC has endorsed Mr. Brown. A question/answer period followed.
A swearing-in ceremony for new delegate Jason Davidek, Bull Creek Rod & Gun Club was
administered by President Maranche.
PFBC WCO Gary Fujak reported a new safety record in 2006 with 46 accidents; 16 self, 17 deer, 16 small game, 9 turkey, 3 bear, 1 waterfowl. Commissioner mtg: hunting hours extended to ½ hr after sunset all game including Canada geese, except migratory birds and waterfowl. Final approval peep-sites flintlock season. D-map tags final approval $6 to $10
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PGC continued --
resident; $26 to $35 non resident. Commissioner mtg. June 25, 26. On-line elk applications (40) available. WMU 2B, 5C, 5D antlerless two weeks early. Check your hunting manual for clarification on further changes. James Delaney Jr. new Commissioner in the Northeast.
2A antlerless allocation up 55,000 to 60,000. 2B will remain the same.
Gary reminded those present the loss of property to hunt. Organized controlled hunting is a need is some areas. City wants to shut down hunting. The PGC is in financial distress - $20 for a license is not exhorbitant. May 27 possible PGC hunting tour. Some dates in June possibility.
PFBC – WCO Bob Wheeler reporting a video is available on the Youth Fishing License.
Some frequently asked questions and comments about the Youth Fishing License Concept:
Why aren’t kids fishing? Time – youth say they don’t fish or don’t fish more often for this reason. Parents say there is no place nearby or because of their work – competition with other activities.
Single-parent households – two-parent household more likely to introduce kids to fishing.
Entertainment and modern technology.
Motivation – to have fun/be with friends – to be in the outdoors.
Question of taxes paid – do they support fishing programs – (your state tax dollars go into the General Fund that covers operating expenses for our state agencies. The PFBC is an independent agency and receives no funds from General Fund. Majority of PFBC’s operating funds are provided by license sales, boat reg. fees and money allocated by US Fish & Wildlife Service.
There is much more info. on the www.fish.state.pa.us website.
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE – Kim Stolfer and Mike Christeson reported 700 gun owners attended the news conference in Harrisburg in support of over a dozen pro-gun pieces of legislation to clarify and strengthen the rights of citizens to defend themselves and their loved ones and to possess firearms. Gun owners were “thanked” by pro-gun legislators for taking the time to travel to Harrisburg. Every legislator was engaged in discussions about gun control and the misguided nature of it. End result: outpouring support for not only our freedoms but also for the many pro-gun legislators who have been pounded by biased and anti-gun media.
V-Tech gunman Cho should have been blocked from buying either gun because he had been ordered by a court to undergo treatment for mental disorder. However, he was not committed because a judge modified the original order.
The 1995 Unified Firearms Act consists of 50 pages, the 2007 UFA has 126 pages. Question asked – has the addition of 76 pages of legislation stopped a single criminal?
Executive Director of “Cease Fire PA” called the gun owners in attendance “gun violence – loving thugs”.
HR297 Federal Bill (NRA supported) – (GOA opposed) – post dramatic stress syndrome applies to veterans returning from war – this is turned over to the FBI, which could prevent vets from owning guns. If this bill becomes law, is it fair to veterans? However, HR297 could help to close the loopholes in the instant check system.
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Legislation continued
The Liberty Coalition, of which the ACSL has been asked to join on to, to oppose this bill, unless it fully funds restoration of rights once a committed person is better as determined by a medical professional.
Motion was made and seconded to oppose the bill (Ragaller/Christeson) Motion carried.
Conservation – Jack Walters, in his written report, stated thatPennsylvanians recycled a record 4.86 million tons of waste in 2005, saving consumers and industries nearly $263 million in disposal waste costs.
The U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. EPA have begun a coordinated research effort to evaluate how the storage of CO2, a greenhouse gas, might affect the nations valuable groundwater resources. CO2 could impact underground sources of drinking water.
The DCNR is seeking student applicants for environmental careers. Camps will be offered June 17-23 at Kings Gap near Carlisle; and July 15-21 at Kirby Episcopal House, Glen Summit, Luzerne County. Offered without charge, instruction will be overseen by officials of DCNR’s bureaus of state parks and forestry. Students selected in grades 10-12 will receive hands-on experience in an outdoor setting.
Applications and information requests can be made at 717.783.4356.
Remnants of an underground storage area at Fort Pitt are being documented for historical significance. Improvements for the 36-acre Point State Park is expected to be completed by the end of 2007.
River Sweep cleanup of the Ohio River will be June 16, 2007.
Game – Mike Maranche reported HB13 (Readshaw) has been amended, making it pertinent to hunting only, to make it less controversial and ensure passage before the next hunting season. The key provision limits landowner liability to “assume responsibility for or incur liability for injury to persons or property caused while hunting.
SB137 would open the door for anti-hunting and anti-gun groups to implement hunting and trapping bans along with gun control measures, as has been successfully done in other states with ballot initiative. This Bill has been withdrawn for further study.
Rep. Tim Mahoney plans to introduce legislation that would amend Title 34 and looks to increase the deer population on our State game lands.
HB1214 Surra and HR193 Haluska Bills are directing studies of the PGC, cutting the terms for commissioners from eight to four years, possibly attracting more Pennsylvanians to serve on the commission. PGC Commission President Tom Boop has been removed as President for doing his job as a Commissioner. Roxane Palone has already been sworn in.
Reality of the matter is, in the eyes of the public, the PGC lacks adequate scientific methodology, data collection and transparency.
Mike presented a letter written by Melody Zullinger, Executive Director, PFSC, to the House Game and Fisheries Committee suggesting they call for a transparent examination of the
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methods and data used by the Game Commission to measure and make decisions on harvest reports. Also expanding the analysis to field examine actual habitat conditions on Game Lands. The ACSL has signed on to this letter, joining the PA NWTF, United Bowhunters of PA, PRPA, PSA.
Governors Sportsmen’s Advisory Council will hold a public meeting Wed. June 6 at Boyce Park Ski Lodge, Monroeville. Young people are encouraged to participate in helping to strengthen the bond to our natural resources. Ellen Bachy has been delegated by the PMSC to join this council. The ACSL supports this choice. Thank You Ellen.
Fish and Clean Streams Sparrow/Christeson –temporary ban on fish taken out of Lake Erie
Watershed and transferred into other waters. Free fishing days May 26 and June 3 – license not required but all other fishing regulations do apply.
Public Relations - Dave Bagaley reminded delegates of the safety poster contest. Delegates are encouraged to pass copies on to art teachers etc. posters will be judged at the Youthday Program in July.
ASTOS – 2.13-17.08 Joe Cersosimo reported a special rate for booths until June 1.
10X10 $775; after June 1 $795.
YouthDay – July 21, 2007 Millvale Sportsmen’s Club. 80 registrants.
New Business – Dan Ragaller, ACSL Board Member requested responses to moving the ACSL monthly meeting to different venues at specific times of the year. This was tabled and will be brought up for discussion at the June meeting.
Comment and tribute was made by Audrey Pritchard thanking Joe Cersosimo for his exceptional leadership and encouragement to the Banquet Committee; our success is attributed to Joe. Ron Bachy was welcomed as the new Chairman.
THANK YOU to the East Monongahela Sportsmen’s Club, Forest Grove Sportsmen’s Club
And Ruth E. Baker for their monetary donations in support of the Legislative news conference to Harrisburg on April 24.
Door Prize was won by Mike Maranche.
Respectfully submitted, Sara Barnett
ALLEGHENY COUNTY SPORTSMEN’S LEAGUE, INC.
Next meeting
JUNE 14, 2007
6:30 p.m. Officers & Directors
7:30 p.m. open meeting
Gold Room (409) Allegheny County Courthouse
See you there!