CLUBS AND AGENCIES REPRESENTED:

Allegheny Country Rifle E. Monongahela Penn Hills Rod & Gun Club

Bakerstown Beagle Forest Grove PA Gun Collectors

Bethel Park Sportsmen Logans Ferry Sportsmen Pitcairn/Monroeville

Braddock District McKeesport Sportsmen Police Rod & Gun Club

Carrick Sportsmen Millvale Sportsmen's Club Renton Rod & Gun Club

Clairton Sportsmen Mt. Nebo Sportsmen Sewickley Shooting & Fishing

Collier Twp. Sportsmen's Club North Boros TCWA

Dormont/Mt. Lebanon Sportsmen NorthSide Sportsmen West Deer

W PA Taxidermy

PA FISH & BOAT COMMISSION PA GAME COMMISSION

President Maranche called the meeting to order with the recitation in unison

of the Pledge of Allegiance and the Conservation Pledge.

Guest Mark Gergely of the 35th District was introduced. A member of several

sportsmen's organizations, Rep. Gergely has introduced legislation in

support of Sunday hunting; he represents PA on the National Assembly of

Sportsmen's Caucus and asked the delegates and ACSL members present to

consider supporting this change in the future. Delegates are encouraged to

screen their members as to their opinion of hunting on Sundays and bring

their thoughts to the league. Mark is instrumental in bringing the

Bassmasters tournament to Pittsburgh. A question/answer period followed Mr.

Gergely's informative presentation. Information is available by phoning Mark

at 412-754-3500.

The minutes of July were approved as mailed.

WCO Larry Furlong stated that of 47 reported boat accidents, 8

fatalities happened because of the absence of life jackets. This is

something to remember; with the water being so cold, life jackets are a

must.

400 fingerling tiger muskies have been stocked in North Park Lake; fishing

license sales increased Jan.1-03 to 8-31-04 from 10,000 to 13,000 total. North Carolina fish are

being stocked in PA waters.

WCO Gary Fujak stated the elk application deadline was Sept. 10. 40

licenses were available.

Gary displayed a 1947 plaque given to the ACSL by Commissioner Ross L.

Loeffler, an original member and founder of the first Wildlife Conservation

Officer School; and a photo of the awards dinner held at the Schenley Hotel

that year.

If you have old issues of the Game News (1950 on) Gary is interested.

Leg-hold traps are used for beaver, otter etc; misconception is animals are

trapped using cruel methods Daily limit for geese is 8, dove 12. License

increase - PGC does not want to approach hunters. Alternative funding is

necessary - only two game wardens in Allegheny Co. - should be 3.

PGC continued - Gary & WCO Beth Fife are requesting the purchase of a

robotic deer to assist them in their job; Rep. Mark Gergely has offered to

fund this purchase through the ACSL. Mark's offer

Mike Slavonic reported it has been 18 months since the

court heard the ACSL/PSP lawsuit and the case is still pending.

Jewish Women International sent out email to contact President Bush to call

on Congress to send him a bill to renew the assault weapons ban.

Ohio has ten reciprocal states on license to carry. - PA's laws are

complicated and training is a must so the league has their work cut out for

them.

Walt Goldman, KQV, called Mike Maranche for the leagues opinion on the

assault weapons ban - as it turned out, Walt stressed all the points Mike made, such as: all

politics, the assault weapons are really cosmetic features, the calibers are

less powerful than a hunting rifle; 1 shot per trigger pull; the CDC report

said there is no significant decrease in crime; criminals like handguns

because of conceal-ability; criminal intent with any weapon is the real

Governor Rendell helps Duq.Light Co. to increase PA

consumers energy bills - the PUC was in opposition to the settlement.

Because of the PUC's rejection of a plan to set rate caps on generation

prices for six years and instead impose them for three years, Duquesne Light

will be forced to seek an additional $20 million rate increase for

residential consumers, unless the commission's action is re-considered.

A statewide watershed data system to store and retrieve important watershed

information is being led by 180 groups across PA.

DEP collected a $10,568 penalty from Jevic Transportation, Inc. for a March

accident in Shenango Twp. Mercer County where industrial waste was

discharged into Hogback Run, killing an estimated 15,000 fish. Mosquito

pools in Strabane Twp., Adams County, Manor and East Hempfield, Lancaster

County have been confirmed. September 2 a 50 year old male was diagnosed in

Mike Maranche reporting his presentation to the Governor's Advisory

Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation at their August 23, 2004

Pittsburgh meeting. Re-instituting staggered terms for game commissioners to

make the Game Commission independent. Bob Ging, council member, was

receptive to Mike and is willing to work with the league on this issue.

Growing Greener II was included on the agenda and will be considered by a

"Green Ribbon Committee" to look at getting it on the April primary ballot;

the vehicle for funding it will be a general bond issue. More information is

forthcoming and will be re-examined in the future.

Also present was a representative of "Pass It On" Outdoor Mentors, Michele

Richards of Bloomsburg, PA. This organization introduces children that have

an interest in outdoors by matching them with sportsmen and women who teach

responsibility and foster in them appreciation for nature.

This is a Big Brothers Big Sisters style of mentoring. More information is

available by contacting Michele at (570) 458-5227 or naturecorp@enter.net.

Perhaps clubs can consider this opportunity.

Matthew Baker, Legislator, is introducing legislation that calls for

preserving hunting in the state parks and forests. DCNR management decisions

may not result in any net loss of land. This may require the league's

consideration in the future.

A list of crop-damaged farms, counties of Westmoreland, Washington and

Fayette, are available. These are properties that farmers are issuing red tags to hunters. 1st week

of August to 9/30 and February to May. Copies are available from the league

secretary at 412-793-4437 or salbarnett@earthlink.net.

The Conservation foundation (Wildlife for Everyone) is now in existence.

Board members John J. Riley, Russ Schleiden and Thomas E. Boop; other board

members will be chosen from the private sector. A donor has been found to

purchase islands in the Susquehanna River as gameland.

A (1st) project could be raising money for a proposed Central PA

Scientific Research and Education/Training Center on SGL176 near State

College; at this point, 76 acres of the game lands can no longer be used for

hunting because it has been surrounded by development. Individuals or

organizations can make donations to the foundation; however, Schleiden has

made it clear the Game Commission will not be influenced by contributions;

Frank Sparrow reporting on the Bassmaster Classic

July 28-31, 2005. Letters should be written to your local legislators and to

Governor Rendell, asking them to support state funding for the 2005 Bassmaster Classic. Get

your legislators info. at www.legis.state.pa.us  and write:

Governor Edward G. Rendell

225 Main Capitol Building

Harrisburg, PA 17120

Dave Bagaley reporting of the great photos of YouthDay on

disc. These have been added to the acsl website. www.acslpa.org.

Henry Hoffman reported that water deaths have been in

non-powered boats and lack of pfd's.

ASTOS (Allegheny Sport, Travel & Outdoor Show) February 16-20'05 - Henry

Hoffman stated the trout pond contract percentage share will be increased

from 20 to 25%. Kid's casting program will be held on the lower level of the

ExpoMart.

Chairman Joe Cersosimo

stated this will be a Sunday afternoon affair, 4 to 8 p.m. at the

Radisson/Greentree, same location as the 2004 banquet The committee is

asking for a club to sponsor the dinner tickets;approximately $60.00

club name will appear on the tickets; plaques will be given to club honorees

if members of the club are present at the banquet. Please do not order a

plaque if you cannot have members present. Menu has not been decided;

league would appreciate your suggestion as to whether your choice would be a

combination plate similar to last year or a single entrée - let your ACSL

delegate know so he can bring your suggestions to the meeting. The speaker

Frank Sparrow thanked all those who helped - KDKA TV was

especially helpful in doing publicity. Surveys are yet to be tallied and

Frank Girdich reported he has two shirts available

and will order more as requested. Contact Frank at 412-793-8567.

Motion was made and seconded (Fischer/Baker) to support Sunday hunting,

Motion made and seconded (Liberto/Slavonic) to table the motion until the

October meeting. Motion carried. Delegates are to discuss with their clubs

whether to support Sunday hunting or not and bring their decisions to the

October league meeting.

There is a concern of the shortage of lock boxes in the guard

office at the County Courthouse.

Frank Sparrow reported the Kerry campaign attempted to use the Millvale

Sportsmen's Club to promote "Sportsmen for Kerry". Millvale stated they do

not endorse candidates; political signs were posted at the club but requirement for insurance was not met and it

turned out to be a front for Kerry's benefit. They then attempted to use the SGL but were asked to leave the premises.

The delegate of Penn Hill Rod&Gun Club suggested a dues increase from .50 to $1.00 per club

member to cover membership in the ACSL; also, the cap of $250 for large

clubs was brought up. President Maranche and other directors acknowledged

these suggestions as having been discussed at previous meetings and the

decisions made to keep the structure as is. However, there may come a time

when increase is necessary.

BEEF JERKY: Jack Walters will be scheduling the first round picks for the

jerky booths for the Allegheny Sport, Travel and Outdoor Show at the

Chairman Leon Fischer reported all officers and directors have been contacted for re-election. All have agreed to run for another term with exception of one member of the board of directors.

Motion was made and seconded to accept the nominating committee report. (Mike

Slavonic/Mike Maranche).

MOTION CARRIED. Nominations for the director vacancy will be taken from the floor at the October league meeting.

Officers:

President: Mike Maranche

1st Vice President: Henry Hoffman

2nd Vice President: Jack Walters

Executive Secretary: Sara Barnett

Treasurer: Joe Connors

Mike Slavonic

Frank Sparrow

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 7:30 p.m.

Thursday October 14, 2004

Delegates -- Come vote for officers/directors, bring banquet ideas

Sunday hunting opinion! YOUR SUGGESTIONS ARE IMPORTANT!

COURTHOUSE, 4TH FLOOR GOLD ROOM

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

The Pitcairn/Monroeville Sportsmen's Club will host a Sportsmen's night with

Rep. Joe Markosek Thursday, Sept. 16, 2004 6-8 p.m., 505 Mosside Blvd. N

Versailles. Informal presentations with PGC, PFBC, Governor's Sportsmen

Advisory Council, Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, Dr. Joseph T. Joseph,

internal medicine will discuss Lymes disease.

Pitcairn/Monroeville "Toys for Tots 3D Archery Shoot, September 25, 26, 8

a.m. to 2 p.m. Entry fee $8.00 or a toy for a tot. Phone Jim at (412)461-4342, club phone

(412)824-3790

Pittsburgh Area Friends of the NRA Banquet will be held Thursday, Sept. 30,

6 p.m. Wyndham Hotel, Montour exit/Parkway. Contact Amy at 412-965-4876

The Logans Ferry Sportsmen's Club will host "NRA Women on Target" free

pistol shooting clinic Saturday, October 23, 2004 1-3 p.m. Registration

deadline 10-16-04 Phone: Club @ 724-339-3339, Dot Grove @ 412-963-9750, Sally Barnett @