ALLEGHENY COUNTY SPORTSMEN’S LEAGUE INC.
MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 11, 2007
President Mike Maranche called the monthly meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. October 11, 2007 in the Gold Room of the Courthouse. The Pledge of Allegiance and Conservation Pledge were given in unison.
Attending clubs and agencies:
Bakerstown Beagle Forest Grove Penn Hills
Bethel Park Sportsmen LFSC Pitcairn-Monroeville
Braddock District Spts. McDonald (Youth Member)
Bull Creek Sportsmen McKeesport Renton Rod & Gun
Clairton Sportsmen Mt. Nebo SAFE
Collier Millvale (Youth Member)
Dormont-Mt.Lebanon NSSA TCWA
WPA Taxidermists
PFBC – WCO Bob Wheeler PGC – WCO’s Fife/Dunkerely
Introduction of Guest Bob Schmid, President, PA Chapter NWTF Double Beards, North Boros. Their goal is to have the regulation requiring hunters to wear an orange hat in the spring changed and to see the use of orange in the spring be voluntary, not mandatory. The current requirements have been in effect for 15 years and there is NO indication that they have reduced safety incidents. Pennsylvania is the only state with orange requirements for spring turkey hunting; while the number of incidents nationwide has reduced, Pennsylvania’s rate has seen little change.
You can read “Orange Facts” at www.PANWTF. Then write or e-mail the PGC at PGCCOMMENTS @state.pa.us and tell them that you want orange to be VOLUNTARY not mandatory.
Numerous projects are funded by the NWTF, such as Habitat Enhancement, Education, Hunter Safety, Mentored Youth Hunting Program, Women in the Outdoors, to name a few.
More information about the PA Chapter will be included in upcoming ACSL minutes.
A resolution was proposed by Ragaller/Pritchard:
Resolved, That the Allegheny County Sportsmen’s League, Inc. support the PANWTF in support of changing the use of orange in the spring turkey season from mandatory to voluntary. Unanimously accepted.
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The September Minutes were approved as mailed.
Treasurer’s Report – Joe Connors gave his financial report, which was accepted without question. Joe announced his resignation as Treasurer, effective December 31, 2007. Joe Mallino will assume the Treasurer’s position as of January, 2008.
PGC – WCO Beth Fife reported on the hemorrhagic disease attacking PA deer. Greene County has been most effected; Forward Twp. and Jefferson
Boro several have been found. The first hard freeze will destroy the midge (half the size of a fruit fly). Deer having the disease appear to be in a complete stupor.
PFBC WCO Bob Wheeler stated the fall stocking program is in progress with 47,000 trout stocked in 89 streams and 62,400 trout stocked in 58 lakes. Montour Run, Deer Creek, North Park, Canonsburg Lake received stocking. Youth License legislation, House Bill 1436 was introduced on 9.24.07 and referred to the Game and Fisheries Committee. The Lake Erie Stamp money has provided funds to acquire 2.2 acres along Crooked Creek in Springfield Twp. and 2300 for easement on Elk Creek in Girard County. The next Commission meeting will be 1.28,29.08
Legislative Committee – Kim Stolfer and Mike Christeson presented their report. PA Legislative battles over gun control continue this fall session. Anti-gun legislation such as HB1536 (mandatory training before YOU can buy a gun) and HB1744 (numerous gun related issues) have been quietly receiving attention in committees due to this pressure while at the same time pushing pro-gun legislation aside that we worked so hard to get introduced. Therefore, we are planning on taking another trip to Harrisburg on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007 to reinforce in legislators minds the premise that we EXPECT action on ‘our’ legislation and that we are closely watching the legislative process and every action taken on the anti-gun bills. This day will be a day devoted strictly to Legislator Interaction and Lobbying/Education that will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Why is it SO important for the average gun owner to take part in this ???
Certain Philadelphia legislators have stooped to using tax money to pay for a pole that ‘supposedly’ demonstrates that even ‘gun owners’ favor Mandatory Training, Assault Weapon Ban and other gun control concepts. These notions must be dispelled; there are dozens of anti-gun bills either pending or held up in the Judiciary Committee. Combining that with the fact that over 25% of the PA House is comprised of new representatives, with a large portion of them not
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Legislative continued --
having committed to a decision (much less a vote yet) on all of these Anti and PRO gun bills pending. We feel it is imperative that we take the initiative to educate these new Reps as well as other incumbent Reps. If we fail, you can expect to have some of these anti-gun, anti-constitution, anti-freedom bills become laws that will negatively affect all Pennsylvanians for decades!!
Please make EVERY EFFORT TO JOIN US.
More information is posted at www.acslpa.org.
Kim Stolfer stated that the FOAC supports Ed Kress for Allegheny County Sheriff.
Conservation – Jack Walters reported that the DEP approved waste tires as a fuel supplement at the Northampton Generating Company L.P. The test burn results have been carefully reviewed and DEP feels “this is an opportunity to use a safe alternative fuel and help eliminate waste tire piles from our communities.”
An Erie man has proven salt water contained in a test tube burns like a candle, as long as it is exposed to radio frequencies. His discovery has spawned scientific interest in using the world’s most abundant substance as clean fuel, among other uses.
Discarded coal products have found a use as an added source of energy.
A virus (IAPV) first reported in Israel three years ago may have found its’ way to the United States, causing the mysterious bee die-off. There is still a great deal of research to do to resolve this mystery.
Game – Mike Maranche- HB 1818 Surra:Amending Title 34 (Game), providing for overnight camping on State Game Land along the Clarion River in the “Pennsylvania Wilds” as identified by the DCNR, within 100 feet of the water’s edge. Referred to Game and Fisheries Committee (9.04.07) NWTF is addressing this legislation along with the ACSL.
HB1865 Hanna: Amending Title 34 (Game) further providing for powers and duties of enforcement officers. When in the performance of duty, pursue, apprehend or arrest any individual suspected of violating any provision of Title 18 (relating to crimes and offenses) or 75 (relating to vehicles) or any other offense classified as a misdemeanor or felony. The officer shall also have the power to serve and execute warrants issued by the proper authorities for offenses referred to in this paragraph and to serve subpoenas issued for examination. Referred to Game and Fisheries Committee (10.02.07)
Monmouth County, New Jersey politicians may outlaw fishing, hunting and trapping in New Jersey. It will be achieved by changing the structure of the Fish and Game Council. Also in New Jersey, Commissioner Lisa Jackson has been given the bargaining power to stop bear hunts.
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Fish & Clean Streams – Frank Sparrow reporting that North Park Lake, the largest manmade body of water in the county, has lost half of its depth in some places because of growing silt deposits. The Corps of Engineers has been considering alternative sites to put the silt and gravel. Since the lake was completed in 1937, boaters and anglers have enjoyed the spot. Its waters contain trout, bass, bluegills etc. Over the decades, large portions of the lake have become weed choked and shallower. Parks Director Andy Baechle states “I can guarantee you that fishing will be better when the project is finished.”
A Resolution proposed by Frank Sparrow and Kim Stolfer:
Resolved that the ACSL give support to a cold water release on the lake for enhancement of downstream fisheries of Pine Creek. Accepted unanimously.
Steelhead trout from hatcheries are 40 percent less successful at producing offspring that survive to adulthood than wild trout.
Lehigh River in White Haven, PA, trout fishery has awesome potential. Robert Bachman, the newest PFBC commissioner, feels the Lehigh will become a mecca that will thrill trout anglers and enrich local economies. The Francis E. Walter Reservoir on the Lehigh is the impediment to such a blue-ribbon trout water.
Nominating Committee – Dan Ragaller moved/Henry Hoffman seconded
that the slate of officers be accepted by acclamation. Accepted unanimously.
Henry Hoffman stepped down as 1st Vice President after 14 years. Thanks Henry.
ASTOS – February 13-17, 2008 Beef Jerky Sale sign-up sheet was given out. Information is attached. Passes will be issued to club members who man the booths
Old Business – Proposed Bylaw Changes – Article 5, Section 1 adding individuals; Article 5, Section 2B Individual Membership/Members at Large.
This constitutes the Second Reading of these Bylaw Changes.
Unfinished Business – The ACSL has been invited to hold meetings at
Collier Twp., E. Monongahela, Millvale, McDonald, Pitcairn Monroeville and Springdale.
Dan Ragaller, Membership Chairman, stated the 2008 Dues information will be mailed this week. Please know that you must pick up your membership cards at an ACSL meeting.
Door prize was won by Sara Barnett Motion to adjourn at 10 p.m.
ACSL November 8, 2008 Meeting
Officers & Directors 6:30 p.m.
Open Meeting 7:30 p.m.