Allegheny County Sportsmen’s League, Inc.
09 November, 2006
The monthly meeting in the Gold Room, Courthouse began at 7:30 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance and Conservation pledge were given in unison. Delegates, junior delegate, and alternates were present from the following clubs.
Bakerstown Beagle Forest Grove Renton Rod & Gun
Bethel Park Sportsmen Logans Ferry Richland
Braddock District McDonald SAFE
Clairton McKeesport TCWA
Collier Mt. Nebo West Deer
Dormont-Mt.Leb Penn Hills W PA Taxidermy
E.Monongahela Pitcairn-Monroeville
PFBC – WCO Martha Mackey PGC – WCO Gary Fujak
The October minutes were approved as mailed.
Treasurer Joe Connors presented his report which was accepted without questions, correction or addition.
Correspondence – confirmation letter for reservation of Gold Room through 2007
PGC Wildlife Conservation Officer WCO Gary Fujak reporting 19,000 antlerless licenses remaining in 2B, additional units are 4E and 5D in Allegheny County. Archery bear hunting is 11/15-16. Required orange whatever the re-quirement is for turkey.
A Dr. Jay Kirkpatrick made a presentation in Mt. Lebanon on the success of PZP, immuno contraception for deer. Mt. Lebanon is debating whether to have controlled archery hunting to reduce the deer population. He made a convincing presentation but was giving his audience false hope.
Mike Maranche, Game Committee Chair, interjected an article about a New Jersey Governor refusing to authorize a bear hunt scheduled 12/4-9, choosing to employ a non-lethal means of controlling the bear population, proving disastrous. The conclusion by state professionals was that contraception would be costly and almost certain to fail; another form of non-lethal management was to use bear-proof garbage cans, its effectiveness demonstrated by a $200,000 pilot program. A year later, the money is sitting in the bank and no cans purchased. Fed up with the politicizing of a hunt recommended by the state’s wildlife management experts, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, Safari Club Int. and the N.J. State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs have filed a collaborative lawsuit.
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PGC continued – fur demand is up for all pelts, especially muskrat.
PFBC – WCO Martha Mackey reported that the .08 alcohol limit while boating under the influence, is on the Governor’s desk for signing.
Applied Resource Education Grant money is available for clubs and non-profit organizations. The program can be established through Denny Tubbs – Grantees can receive up to $5000. to purchase instructive materials for community programs of recreation. Information is on the website at www.fish.state.pa.us
Fall stocking is complete in Allegheny County until January/February.
The Youth License Program would require a 4-hour training session, no license.
Contained in the Fishing Summary Book is information on reporting suspected pollution of a stream; individuals can report his suspicions, including location etc. the PFBC will follow up. This has proven very helpful thus far.
Legislative Report – Chairman Kim Stolfer and V-Chair Mike Christeson advising that HB2563 (permitting an archery hunter, with a concealed carry license, to possess a handgun for personal protection) is set for consideration 11/20 11/21in the PA Senate. When signed, it will take effect in 60 days. Sportsmen are encouraged to contact PA Senators to support HB2563. Address correspondence to: The Honorable (Name), Capitol Bldg. Harrisburg, PA 17120.
While party control of the House could change, the Senate is very likely to retain a significant pro-gun majority. There are 47 dedicated anti-gun legislators, and 91 dedicated pro-gun legislators. The problem may be the uncertain views of the newcomers, with 46 Representatives whose views on gun control issues are unknown.
Federal level, clocks were cleaned. Speaker Pelosi’s perfect anti gun voting record, John Conyers(Judiciary Committee)and Louise Slaughter(Rules Committee) would insure that no pro-Second Amendment legislation was ever brought to the floor.
COSTCO does not permit firearms – if asked to leave the store, do so – do not argue, for a Defiant Trespass with Misdemeanor 1 is the likely charge, preventing gun ownership the rest of your life. A sign of 4 ft. visibility is required – a follow-up report is forthcoming.
“We all must get involved to protect our freedoms”.
Kim’s entire report will be on the ACSL website (http://www.acslpa.org).
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Conservation – Chairman Jack Walters gave his written report:
HB1902 extending the $2 per ton fee on municipal waste to support the state’s recycling and waste planning programs through 2012, adds new provisions to grants to show they have fully complied with ordinances; also supports a program to address illegal dumping and littering programs.
Proposed changes to PA Clean Vehicles Program ensuring cleaner, healthier air across the commonwealth at no overall cost to consumers.
Gov. Rendell awarded $700,000 in grants to local governments to enable them to collect household hazardous wastes and electronics for proper disposal.
$1.23 million for 35 projects to protect PA coastal zones along Lake Erie.
“Stay Warm PA” at www.governor.statepa.us gives info. on assistance programs, weatherization resources, energy conservation ideas.
Game – Mike Maranche reporting “Wildlife for Everyone” Endowment Foundation was created to offer financial assistance to the PGC to promote research, education and land acquisition to benefit PA wildlife. The Foundations Interim Executive Director is Vernon Ross.
Feral Hog Task Force is trying to assess state’s wild hog problem. Feral swine in PA are native to Europe and Asia; most have escaped from shooting preserves. Not considered a game species here, the PGC is not responsible. The Wildlife Services Division of the U.S Dept. of Agriculture will collect feral hogs by trapping and shooting, the PA Dept. of Agriculture technicians will collect blood and tissue samples to be tested for infectious diseases. $60,000 in grants from the USDA and the PA Pork Producers Council has been given. Feral pigs carry diseases such as pseudorabies, trichinosis and could be reintroduced into domestic herds of livestock.
Allegheny Sport, Travel and Outdoor Show – Henry Hoffman reporting the ExpoMart sale did not go through, therefore 2007’s show and future shows are likely. If you are aware of any company interested in exhibiting in the ASTOS, contact Henry at 412-829-2386 for an information brochure.
Banquet –Saturday, March 10, 2007/Harmar House; If you have questions contact Joe (412.331.3412) or Sally (412.793.4437). Tickets will be available at the December ACSL meeting. Enclosed herewith are hand-outs for those who were not at the November meeting. Please copy and distribute to your members
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New Business – The league membership oath has been re-written and approved by the ACSL Board of Directors and will be put into effect January, 2007. Clubs, delegates, alternate delegates, junior members and officers/directors will be administered the new oath.
The ACSL is considering the exorbitant cost of event insurance and lobbying of upcoming legislative issues facing this organization. Discontinuing membership cards to help defray some of this cost is being considered. Clubs are asked to give their opinion on the importance of these cards to you. We would appreciate hearing from you through your delegate, via e-mail to emike@libcom.com, salbarnett@verizon.net or Joe Connors at JFSACONN@aol.com. Your thoughts are important to the league. Any change would not be effective until 2008.
Beef Jerky booths will be finalized at the December 14 ACSL meeting.
Door Prize was won by Jack Walters of Bethel Park Sportsmen.
Adjournment was called for at 9:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Sara Barnett
ACSL MEETING
December 14, 2006
6:30 p.m. Officers & Directors
7:30 p.m. open meeting ACSL