ALLEGHENY COUNTY SPORTSMEN’S LEAGUE, INC.
Minutes MAY 8, 2008
THANK YOU! Collier Twp. Sportsmen’s Club, for hosting the monthly meeting of the Allegheny County Sportsmen’s League, Inc.
The following agencies and clubs were present:
Bakerstown Beagle Forest Grove Penn Hills
Bethel Park Sportsmen Logans Ferry Pitcairn Monroeville
Clairton McDonald MAL Harry T. Lewellen
Collier McKeesport MAL Judy Brown
Dormont Mt. Lebanon PSLC
PFBC – Mike Walsh PGC – Dan Puhala
Motion was made and seconded (Stolfer/Pritchard) to approve the April minutes as mailed.
Treasurer Joe Mallino presented his monthly financial report. Motion to approve (Ragaller/Stolfer) Motion carried.
Communications – letter received from the PA Sportsmen for Disabled in appreciation of the donation to their Special Day for Special Kids program.
PGC – WCO Dan Puhala reported the Youth turkey hunt went well – those taking part told Dan they enjoyed getting some shots at the birds; many gobblers were seen. Elk hunt applications are available either on line ( www.pgc.state.pa.us. ) or by mail (info. in the new hunters digest) $10.00 per application and the deadline to apply is August 29, 2008.
Fishers re-introduced into PA are now being considered for trapping and hunting as a management plan. Public comments will be taken until June 1.
Bats are beneficial to the environment; they eat approximately 8# of insects daily. In nearby states, 80% of the bat population is being destroyed.
League members expressed their concern as to why the league is being excluded when receiving notices of hearings (such as HB1676) and information on wildlife issues and studies. Also, why are studies being farmed out to out-of-state agencies?
News releases can be requested at www.pgc.state.pa.us.
PFBC – WCO Mike Walsh stating the 19th class of WCO’s being considered.
Proposal to designate additional trout waters in seven counties of southwestern PA into the Regional Opening Day of Trout Season Program – opening the season two weeks earlier.
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Mike encourages sportsmen to call their legislators for pros and cons on any issues.
Conservation – Jack Walters presented his written report. The governor is promising an Ethanol Plant be built in PA. Biofuels from non-food sources will locate a commercial demonstration production plant in Westmoreland County at the Westinghouse Plasma Center.
This may create 25,775 new jobs in all sectors of the PA economy.
Clean water is a right, not an option; yet a new release shows that more PA streams are losing the battle against pollution this year than in past years; DEP is adding urgency to the call for a PA Fair Share for Clean Water funding plan. The health of our waters impacts the health of our communities.
The Highland Wind Project to generate enough power for 16,000 homes. A former Cambria County reclaimed strip mine will soon be home to 25 wind turbines.
The 20th consecutive year for River Sweep will be held Saturday, June 21, 2008. The ACSL has taken part for 19 years and encourages citizens to consult the Conservation Committee website for information so that they can offer their help.
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT: Kim Stolfer reported a call from the Attorney General’s Office regarding HB1845 asking ACSL position. Amendment by Rep. Metcalf stating a spouse with a PFA can get an emergency concealed carry license as long as they produce document of the PFA. HB1845 is now in the Senate and is getting resistance from anti gun groups.
SB1250 - Anti-Gun State Senators from the Philadelphia attempted to hijack this bill with 18 pages of gun control to this legislation. While this was tabled, the amendments will continue to be saved for more action by those bent on excusing the actions of criminals and putting the blame on law-abiding citizens. These will be available for your review and comment. Thanks to Senator Regola and Tom Howa for bringing this to the Legislative Committee’s attention.
Rep. David Levdansky (39th PA District) has been challenged by Monica Douglas for his seat. Monica received 1,000 write-in votes and will be now be on the Nov. ballot. Gun club members need to act with support for her; Levdansky has not supported the sportsmen.
Gun dealers have been contacted by CeaseFirePA, pleading them to stop selling SKS rifles, the weapon used to kill Philadelphia Police Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski. (pursuing a criminal in a bank robbery, who was released from prison early).
GAME – Mike Maranche reported the following: the PGC unanimously voted to direct the Executive Director to use his regulatory authority to issue an order to remove protection on wild boars (feral swine)
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Game continued -
HB1676 Levdansky would end the independent status of the Game and Fish Commissions and place both under legislative oversight. The ACSL position is steadfast at preserving independent commissions to prevent them from becoming political footballs.
It is unfortunate that the Game and Fisheries Committee is holding a license fee increase hostage to the consequences of the deer management program.
An excise tax on outdoor equipment may be a more feasible proposal for long term dedicated funding.
A survey on hunting license increase of delegates and officers present resulted in
11 yes and 4 no.
SB1371 Rhoades: Amending Title 34 (Game) providing for a citizen advisory committee (to include no more than 24 members from sportsmen, conservationists, farmers, homeowners and forest representatives from each wildlife management unit to present a written report to the commission, chairman and minority chairman of the Game and Fisheries Committee, recommendations on seasons and bag limits, also made available on the commission’s publicly accessible Internet website. Referred to Game & Fisheries Committee 4.14.08
Fish & Clean Streams – If you like to fish the Allegheny River, the Allegheny River Stewardship Project wants to work with you. Fish need to be tested for toxin levels. The Project is sponsoring four “community fishing days” this spring and summer.
Anglers will be asked to donate their catch. The fishing days will be 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on four Saturdays: May 10 Rosston Eddy Marina in Ford City, May 31 at Cheswick Fish Pier in
Springdale, June 7 at the Allegheny/Buffalo Creek in Freeport and June 14 at Turtlepoint on the Upper Allegheny River. Anglers will be able to fish from shore or in canoes provided by Venture Outdoors. Instruction, equipment and bait also will be provided.
Youthday – July 19, 2008 ACSL Youthday- First organizational meeting will take place Sunday, May 18 at noon at Pitcairn-Monroeville Sportsmen’s Club, Lunch will be served. Flyers are available and information can be gotten at acslyouthday2008@yahoo.com Volunteers may call 412.824.6467 after 4 p.m. Directions to Pitcairn-Monroeville S.C.
Club is located on Route 48; ľ mile North of Route 30 and 5 miles South of the intersection of Route 22, I-376 (Parkway East Exit 14A) and the PA Turnpike Exit 57.
Club need to respond with help and interested youth.
Safety Poster Contest, age 9-15; entries will be judged and prizes awarded at YouthDay July 19. Gifts include $100, $50 and $25 certificates. Delegates need to publicize this.
Unfinished Business – Fox 53 vignettes, featuring tips on fishing, hunting, safety tips will be sponsored by General Motors and given reference to the ACSL. Beginning mid July.
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New Business – Motion made and seconded (Brown/Stolfer) that the ACSL take a position on the hunting license increase and to notify legislators immediately to get behind the lack of accountability of the PGC. Motion tabled.
Mike Maranche will draft a letter responding to HB1676 and the league’s exclusion of presence at the hearing process and other informative issues.
Doorprize winner was Henry Hoffman, delegate of Pitcairn-Monroeville S.C.
Meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Sara Barnett
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ACSL MEETING – JUNE 12, 2008
Allegheny County Courthouse
6:30 p.m. Directors
7:30 p.m. delegate/open meeting
Please note the June meeting will be at the Courthouse.
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CLUB NEWS – Logans Ferry Sportsmen’s Club Inc. is hosting an
NRA Safety and Firearm’s Education Camp – OPEN TO ALL –
The first attendees will get NRA tee shirts.
June 7, 2008 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED
Must Pre-register CALL 724.339.5550