ALLEGHENY COUNTY SPORTSMEN’S LEAGUE INC.
SEPTEMBER MINUTES
President Mike Maranche called the monthly meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. September 13, 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 McDonald Police Rod & Gun
Braddock Dist. McKeesport Renton Rod & Gun
Clairton Sportsmen Mt. Nebo Richland
Collier Millvale SAFE
Dormont-Mt.Lebanon NSSA SAFE Youth
Guest H. Lewellen Penn Hills Tri Community
Elizabeth P/M TCWA
Homestead P/M Youth West Deer
LFSC W PA Taxidermy
PFBC – WCO’S Furlong/Walsh PGC – WCO Gary Fujak
Paul Blake took the ACSL oath as delegate for the Northside Sportsmen’s Association.
August Minutes were approved as mailed.
Treasurer’s Report given by Joe Connors was approved without question
PGC – WCO Gary Fujak reported on the EHD attacking PA deer; caused by a biting midge (insect surviving until cold weather). It is fairly common in southern states.PA deer has no natural immunity to this disease, which cannot be transmitted to livestock nor humans. The weather patterns are likely the cause of the midge population. 1000 animals have been affected. No inoculation is available. Press release #119 on the PGC website gives more information. (www.pgc.state.pa.us)
Antlerless licenses are being sent out.
Open house scheduled on deer management at Youngwood – Sunday, Sept. 30,
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 1 from 3 to 8 p.m., Chestnut and Second Sts.
Rt. 119.
PFBC WCO’s Larry Furlong/Mike Walsh stated BUI’s numbered at 25 since .08 inception.
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Legislative Committee – Kim Stolfer and Mike Christeson presented their report. PSP brief with Commonwealth Court agrees with the ACSL position that there is a bypass procedure built into the law regarding the sale of firearms when the instant check system becomes unavailable. There was NO NEED to shut the system down for ‘5’ days or even ‘3’ days as the upgrade was completed in 31 hours as gun owner computer experts testified to in Commonwealth Court.
Legislators are questioning the need for PICS – and are more aware of the benefits of transferring these duties to NICS, and NICS is free.
Ellwood City, Peters Township and Upper St. Clair each one violated PA law when they enacted various firearms restrictions. Due to the gun owner involvement every one of these communities violated PA law and have rescinded, with much embarrassment those illegal ordinances. Those who provided input and their personal time to re-educate council men, supervisors and misinformed legislators are deserving of many thanks.
Three House Bills will be voted on September 19 – HB21, HB41 and HB1744, (Firearms Bills) opposed by the ACSL and PSA. The full Legislative Committee Report can be accessed at http;//www.acslpa.org.
Game – Mike Maranche- HB1814 Amending Title 34, providing for unlawful acts concerning licenses; removes the requirement that hunting licenses be displayed. This will enable the PGC to issue a license under the “point of sale” system that can be carried in the pocket. Referred to Game and Fisheries Committee.
U.S. Rep. Phil English introduced HR611 to repeal a federal mandate that has been interpreted by PA officials to require every applicant for a recreational license, e.g. hunting and fishing, to disclose their Social Security number. The bill was referred to House Ways and Means Committee and is co-sponsored by Rep. Tim Holden.
The United Sportsmen’s Alliance protects hunting rights, dog breeding, etc. They generously contribute monies to similar causes we fight for. Motion made and seconded (Stolfer/Fedorka) to affiliate with the United Sportsmen’s Alliance.
Motion carried unanimously. Mike Maranche will get information to join.
Fish & Clean Streams – Frank Sparrow – HB1736 Amends Clean Streams Law requiring the permitting of oceangoing vessels engaging in port operations on Lake Erie. Applicant must assure no discharge of aquatic nuisance species and use
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F & CS continued
environmental technology to prevent same. (referred to Environmental Resources & Energy)
HB1705 authorizes PA to join Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact and imposes additional powers and duties on the Governor, the Commonwealth and the Compact.
– SB690 The Resource Enhancement and Protection Tax Credit Program Ace would be established to encourage private investment of implementation of best management practices on agricultural operations, planting of riparian forests etc. Tax Credits of $150,000 to applicant would be granted.
Passed by a vote of 48 yeas 0 nays.
A 20-year government effort to restore an endangered native trout called the greenback cutthroat trout in Colorado has failed because they used the wrong fish.
The greenback were believed to be in 142 miles of waterways but the new study based on DNA results found the trout’s range is only 11 miles of streams. There is still hope for restoring the trout.
Public Relations & Publicity –Dave Bagaley read from the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance publication the president’s executive order that will spell more hunting opportunities and enhance conservation efforts. This relates to deer management, but there is no deer, yet they are selling more doe licenses.
The Humane Society is pushing new dog-enforcement laws; the average dog owner, to house a hunting dog, can cost up to $10,000.00. Governor Rendell is determined to push these laws through.
Nominating Committee – Chair Mike Christeson reported the committee’s results: Mike Maranche agreed to remain on as President; Henry Hoffman is stepping down as 1st Vice President; Jack Walters will move into the 1st Vice President’s position; existing directors have agreed to run again; Paul Blake will also run for director position; nomination was made and seconded (Pritchard/Stolfer) for Mike Christeson to run for 2nd Vice President. No further nominations - Nominations closed.
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Good of the Organization – ACSL Director Paul Fedorka presented to the body the following motions which were approved unanimously by the officers and directors in their meeting prior to the regular September meeting:
1. ACSL conduct a minimum of six league meetings a year at member clubs.
Hosts to advertise the meeting to their membership and interested people.
If possible, a guest speaker such as a legislator etc.attend.
(contact ACSL secretary – 412.793.4437) to host a meeting)
2. A sign-up sheet to gather information about members for an ACSL contact
Database.
3. The ACSL meeting be open to anyone.
4. Create a quarterly newsletter(clubs can give Paul information)
5. An exploratory committee be formed to evaluate membership of female delegates.
Paul Fedorka can be contacted at 412.498.7247
Door prize was won by Bob Mazik, delegate of Braddock Sportsmen.
Motion to adjourn at 10 p.m.
CLUB NEWS
The Logans Ferry Sportsmen’s Club will off a Hunter’s Safety Course
October 20 & 21 – for information, contact Mike Papinchak (724.327.0461)
ACSL OCTOBER 11, MEETING
Officers & Directors Meet 6:30 P.M.
REGULAR ACSL MONTHLY MEETING
GOLD ROOM, COURTHOUSE 7:30 P.M.
MEETINGS OPEN TO EVERYONE
CONSIDER BECOMING A MEMBER-AT-LARGE
IF YOU ARE NOT A CLUB MEMBER
CLUBS, ENCOURAGE YOUR YOUTH TO JOIN THE ACSL!