YEA VOTE FOR SENATE BILL 607 REPEALING SUNDAY HUNTING PROHIBITION BY PA SENATE GAME AND FISHERIES COMMITTEE

 

CONTACT: Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

TELEPHONE: 717-350-6741

EMAIL: huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com

WEBSITE: facebook.com/HuntersUnitedForSundayHunting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE/DISTRIBUTION

The Pennsylvania Senate Game and Fisheries Committee on June 16, 2021, advanced Senate Bill 607 Repealing Sunday Hunting Prohibition in Pennsylvania. with a vote of 7 YEA and 4 NAY.

Senate Bill 607 would completely remove the prohibition on Sundays available for hunting and trapping.  Currently, the law dictates which Sundays are open to hunting, and in certain cases, which species. This legislation would change that and would leave all wildlife management decisions to the Game Commission.

Statement from Kevin Askew, Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting;

“The current law is flawed and needs to be corrected.  Revisiting this issue every year is not the proper way to advance this legislation.  Changing and updating the law will save much-needed legislative time, effort, and money. The PA Game Commission needs the flexibility to manage accordingly, based on species, population, diseases, etc, and not be held to a standard set by non-professionals in wildlife management.”  

The goal of Senate Bill 607 is to bring PA into the 21st Century when it comes to societal and conservation standards.  The same ones practiced and participated in by hunters, farmers, landowners, and all who enjoy the outdoors throughout the country.  

SB607 now advances to the PA Senate Appropriations Committee where a fiscal impact note is prepared and another round of voting.  

View Senate Game and Fisheries Committee meeting and voting here:

https://game.pasenategop.com/game-061621/

View Senate Game and Fisheries Committee YEA/NAY vote here:

https://legiscan.com/PA/votes/SB607/2021

HUSH Mission Statement - Remove the prohibition of Sunday hunting in PA Title 34 Game Law through education, and influence legislatures to change the law accordingly.

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For more information about this topic, please contact Hunters United for Sunday Hunting, Executive Director Kevin Askew at 717-350-6741 or email at huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com or Legislative Director Harold Daub at 717-648-1835 or email at daubh@comcast.net.  View our Blog - https://huntersforsundayhunting.blogspot.com/ 

ANOTHER COSPONSOR FOR SB607 - SENATOR MARIO SCAVELLO

Message from Hunters United for Sunday Hunting,  Executive Director Kevin Askew

On Monday, June 7, 2021, I had a meeting with Senator Mario Scavello and Ms. Christine Zubeck to discuss PA Senate Bill 318, Allowing Falconry on Sundays and PA Senate Bill 607, Repealing Sunday Hunting Provisions in Pennsylvania.  It was a productive and enjoyable meeting. 

Senator Mario Scavello

Upon entering the office I was completely unaware that Senator Scavello had already made the decision to become a co-sponsor for SB607.  Within a few minutes of conversation that was immediately cleared up and I was provided a copy of the legislation listing Senator Mario Scavello [R] as a cosponsor for SB607. 

Mr. Scavello’s support of SB607 is not to be taken lightly.  As a previous 2015-2016 majority chairman of the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee, he worked hard to bring Sunday hunting opportunity to fruition by holding a joint hearing with both the PA House and PA Senate Fish and Game Committees.  Unfortunately, the efforts stalled in the PA Representative side of the legislature. 

In regards to SB318, I have informed Mr. Scavello that we [HUSH] would not stand in the way nor oppose, and since SB318 is currently in the Senate F&G committee.  Senator Dan Laughlin’s [F&G Chair] office has been informed of the same.  

Why?  Though done through exemption SB318 does provide more hunting opportunities.  We must keep our goal and mission in mind and remember the fight to bring hunting on Sunday has never been about a particular species or season. It is not about deer, it is not about specific seasons, it is not about this firearm or the other. It is about the increased opportunity based on the PGC’s resource first model and the North American Model of Wildlife Management.

To thank or provide your input on SB318 or SB607 to Senator Scavello; call or email Christine Zubeck at 717-787-6123 or czubeck@pasen.gov  

Senator Scavello SB607 Cosponsor 

SB607 - THANKS FOR STEPPING UP - LETTER TO LAUGHLIN, BREWSTER, ROBINSON

Copy to: Senator Dan Laughlin, Senator James Brewster, Senator Delvin Robinson

Senators, this letter is to thank you all for introducing, supporting, and endorsing Senate Bill 607 Repealing Sunday Hunting Prohibition in Pennsylvania.  Obviously, you understand the need to provide more hunting opportunities and correct the Sunday hunting prohibition blue law once and for all.

  

Senator Laughlin, thanks for taking the lead and introducing SB607 as you did with Senate Bill 147, which became law as Act 2019 107.  

Senator Brewster, thanks for your continued support and dedication to the sportsmen and women of PA.  It is no secret that your legislative efforts contributed to the successful passing of SB147.  We know you will put the same amount of time and dedication into the benefit of SB607. 

Senator Robinson, thanks for the fresh view and vision as a newly elected senator.  Being a co-sponsor on what is really a simple issue that needs correcting but can be a torrid issue at times, demonstrates that you have values as a leader.  So thank you for stepping up for the sportsmen and women of PA. 

The three of you understand as well as many of your colleagues. The fight to bring hunting on Sunday has never been about a particular species or season. It is not about deer, it is not about specific seasons, it is not about this firearm or the other. It is about the increased opportunity based on the Pennsylvania Game Commission resource first model and the North American Model of Wildlife Management.  

Though SB607 has not arrived in the PA House Game and Fisheries Committee.  It is encouraging to hear and see that there is now an understanding in the legislative body of what Sunday hunting can provide and what it means to people. There is at least a comprehension of the need for bipartisan support.  As Representative Ed Neilson, House G&F Chair spoke and asked directly about Sunday hunting and any type of expansion being considered during the March 3, 2021 testimony.  Rep. Neilson summed it up very well “the workforce is almost six days a week now, people have to do what they have to do to survive.  Families when the covid hit, everybody is struggling and they are trying to get as many [hunting] days as they can in.” 

It is also good to see that SB607 is for full repeal. Revisiting this issue every year is not the proper way to advance this legislation.  Changing/updating the law will save much-needed legislative time, effort, and money.  Exempting by law both species and days is not the proper way for our wildlife resources to be managed.  The PGC needs the flexibility to manage accordingly, based on species, population, diseases, etc, and not be held to a standard set by non-professionals in wildlife management.

As you work through this. Please keep in mind that there is a standing offer.   I and others from the 25 supporting conservation organizations are always available to answer questions, have meetings, phone calls, or simple email exchange with any concerns that may arise.  Please do not hesitate to contact me to set something up. 

For your knowledge and information attached are the 25 conservation organizations that support the repeal of Sunday hunting prohibition in PA Title 34 Game Law to authorize the PGC full regulatory authority to allow for hunting on Sundays. 

• Endorsed by Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners

• Endorsed by Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

• Endorsed by Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation

• Endorsed by Pennsylvania Governor's Youth Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation

• Endorsed by United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania

• Endorsed by Pennsylvania State Shotgunning Association

• Endorsed by Pennsylvania National Wild Turkey Chapter

• Endorsed by Pennsylvania Flyers Association

• Endorsed by Pennsylvania Hunters Sharing the Harvest

• Endorsed by U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation

• Endorsed by Hunter Nation

• Endorsed by National Shooting Sports Foundation

• Endorsed by National Rifle Association (NRA)

• Endorsed by Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation

• Endorsed by Delta Waterfowl

• Endorsed by Ducks Unlimited

• Endorsed by Safari Club International

• Endorsed by Hunt the Vote

• Endorsed by Pheasants Forever / Quail Forever

• Endorsed by Ruffed Grouse Society  & American Woodcock Society 

• Endorsed by Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

• Endorsed by National Deer Association 

• Endorsed by Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA)

• Endorsed by Boone and Crockett Club

• Endorsed by Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF

Thanks for your time and the work you will be putting into SB607.   Please let us know what help you need.

Sincerely; 

Kevin B. Askew

Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

#SB607 #sundayhunting #huntersforsundayhunting

LETTER TO SENATOR MARIO SCAVELLO - SB318 FALCONRY & SUNDAY HUNTING BLUE LAW REPEAL COSPONSOR

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com

717-350-6741

Senator Mario Scavello

Senate District 40 serving Monroe (part) and Northampton (part) counties

Senate Box 203040

Harrisburg, PA 17120-3040

Room: 20 East Wing

POC: Christine Zubeck 717-787-6123 or czubeck@pasen.gov  / 570-620-4326 mscavello@pasen.gov

Mr. Scavello;  

I am writing this letter in regards to Senate Bill 318, Allowing Falconry on Sundays that you have introduced this legislative session.  My name is Kevin Askew, the executive director of Hunters United for Sunday Hunting. 

As one can conclude from your co-sponsor memo. You recognize the effort underway to streamline, bring a change and update PA Title 34 Game Law regarding the hunting on Sunday prohibition and the need and the ability for the Pennsylvania Game Commission to be able to set seasons and bag limits for all participating sportsmen regardless of how they choose to hunt.  Be that with a rifle, bow, or in this case falconry.  

The fight to bring hunting on Sunday has never been about a particular species or season. It is not about deer, it is not about specific seasons, it is not about this firearm or the other. It is about the increased opportunity based on the PGC’s resource first model and the North American Model of Wildlife Management.

Falconry is part of this.  Your legislation is astute in that it recognizes that falconers are currently in violation of the law if they choose to fly their birds on Sunday. Why should falconers have to risk being in violation of the law to feed or exercise their birds on any given Sunday? 

“[SB318]This legislation is being offered because these birds of prey are wild and need to fly and eat daily.  A falconer who wishes to take his or her bird of prey out in the wild, even for daily flight and not to hunt, would still be in violation of the Sunday hunting prohibition.”

Understandably, you have introduced similar or the same legislation in previous years.  The law is flawed and needs to be corrected.  Revisiting this issue every year is not the proper way to advance this legislation.  Changing/updating the law will save much-needed legislative time, effort, and money.  Exempting by law species and/or days is not the best way for our wildlife resources to be managed. 

There are 25 conservation organizations that support removing the Sunday hunting prohibition blue law and full regulatory authority to be given to the PGC.  

The immediate request is that you consider the above and understand what updating the law and removing the Sunday hunting prohibition will not only do for falconry but for hunting and conservation as a whole. Since you are both working towards the same goal.  Please consider joining with Senator Dan Laughlin and being a co-sponsor on his current legislation to Repeal Sunday Hunting Prohibition in Pennsylvania.  

I would also like to schedule a meeting to discuss this and answer any questions you may have.  Please let me know your availability. I can be reached at the contact info above.

Sincerely;

Kevin Askew

Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

HUNTERS UNITED FOR SUNDAY HUNTING COMMENT TO PA GAME COMMISSION, April 10, 2021

The memo reads: 

From: Senator Daniel Laughlin

To: All Senate members

Subject: Repealing Sunday Hunting Prohibition in Pennsylvania

Statement to PA Game Commissioners, April 10, 2021, Public Meeting

Executive Director Burhans, Deputy Executive Directors Grohol and Palmer, Commissioners, and Staff:

As the executive director of Hunters United for Sunday Hunting thanks for the opportunity to submit this letter as part of the PA Game Commission April 2021 public meeting.  

It is refreshing and rewarding to watch the March 3, 2021, Pennsylvania House Game and Fisheries Committee testimony and hear Mr. Burhans relay information from the commissioners by saying,  “We would also like to build upon the success of Act 107 of 2019 which provided for three days of hunting on Sundays.  This change was implemented in 2020 and was met with great enthusiasm by hunters who have sought the chance to hunt on Sundays for several decades. The game commission supports opening additional Sundays to hunting and welcomes the opportunity to work with the committee to craft legislation giving full authority to the board of commissioners to offer additional Sunday hunting opportunities.  This year's Sunday hunting opportunities were extremely popular with our hunters and we did not see any, any substantial issues occur on these Sundays.” 

Though mentioned often, it deserves repeating.  The fight to bring hunting on Sunday has never been about a particular species or season. It is not about deer, it is not about specific seasons, it is not about this firearm or the other. It is about the increased opportunity based on your agency's resource first model and the North American Model of Wildlife Management.

It is also good to know that as commissioners you understand the inclusiveness of seasons and species on the Sundays as stated to the House G&F Committee by Mr. Burhans, “this year which is being proposed is where the Sundays overlapping the existing small game seasons is going to be allowed this year.  We got a lot of complaints from hunters, I want to hunt small game but you can only shoot a deer or harvest a bear so we heard a lot of hunters who said they would like small game.”

As we work to get full regulatory authority legislation introduced in this legislative session it is encouraging to hear and see that there is now an understanding in the legislative body of what Sunday hunting can provide and what it means to people.  Hence why Representative Ed Neilson, House G&F Chair spoke and asked directly about Sunday hunting and any type of expansion being considered. Rep. Neilson summed it up very well “the workforce is almost six days a week now, people have to do what they have to do to survive.  Families when the covid hit, everybody is struggling and they are trying to get as many [hunting] days as they can in.” 

In closing, please know that Hunters United for Sunday Hunting appreciates all that you do.  We understand that you are working diligently under the rules placed upon you by the legislature and by the constraints of scientific wildlife management to provide as much hunting opportunity as possible. 

The ask is this. Help us help you.  There are 25 conservation organizations that support full regulatory authority to be given to the PGC.  Please continue to relay and populate the message ‘that the PGC commission supports opening additional Sundays to hunting and welcomes the opportunity for legislation giving full authority to the board of commissioners to offer additional Sunday hunting opportunities.’

Sincerely;

Kevin B. Askew

Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

REPEALING SUNDAY HUNTING PROHIBITION IN PENNSYLVANIA - LETS GET THIS DONE

The moment that we have all be asking for is here.  Senator Dan Laughlin has made good on his commitment to advance legislation to get the hunting on Sunday prohibition lifted once and for all here in Pennsylvania. 

The memo reads: 

From: Senator Daniel Laughlin

To: All Senate members

Subject: Repealing Sunday Hunting Prohibition in Pennsylvania

 

In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that would completely remove the prohibition on Sundays available for hunting and trapping.  Currently, the law dictates which Sundays are open to hunting, and in certain cases, which species. This legislation would change that and would leave all wildlife management decisions to the Game Commission.

Over the past 40 years, hunting license sales have been steadily declining across the nation.  Countless surveys and research have been conducted in an attempt to determine the cause of this decline.  Over and over, the number one answer to why people quit hunting is ‘lack of time’. 

 

Act 107 of 2019 authorized the Game Commission to implement three Sundays for hunting. These three days were extremely successful and exceptionally safe. The Game Commission reported no hunting-related shooting incidents on any of those days. Additionally, implementing the three Sundays contributed to the increase of 25,152 licenses sold in the previous year. The additional opportunities that are available to hunters is paying huge dividends. 

 

By completely removing the prohibition on Sunday hunting, it will give the needed latitude to the Game Commission to increase hunting and trapping opportunities. 

Please join me in supporting this important legislation.

WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN?  WHAT YOU CAN DO?

The first step is to get the members of the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee to sign on and co-sponsor this legislation.  Here is every member of the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee.  

Contact them: Ask them to sign, endorse and co-sponsor the Repealing Sunday Hunting Prohibition in Pennsylvania legislation.  Post up who you contact and their responses.  

Let’s get this done.  

Link to:

Repealing Sunday Hunting Prohibition in Pennsylvania 

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20210&cosponId=35151

Senate Game and Fisheries Committee members/names/contact

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/cteeInfo/Index.cfm?Code=11&CteeBody=S

ABC 27/WHTM

Pa. hunting advocates push to expand Sunday hunting

Currently, the legislature has control over Sunday hunting. Game Commission should have total authority.

HUNTERS UNITED FOR SUNDAY HUNTING COMMENT TO PA GAME COMMISSION, JAN 23, 2021

 

Senate Bill 147 signed and made legal by the November 27, 2019, PA Act. 107

Statement to PA Game Commissioners, January 23, 2021

Executive Director Burhans, Deputy Executive Directors Grohol and Palmer, Commissioners, and Staff:

Be advised that the mission to bring full regulatory authority to the PA Game Commission is alive and well.  As the executive director of Hunters United for Sunday Hunting thanks for the opportunity to submit this letter as part of the PA Game Commission January 2021 public meeting.  Many of my comments are not going to be new but are still valid and pertinent to the current Sunday hunting situation that you as commissioners are managing. 

As commissioners, you are faced with the challenging decision of how to best manage the three Sundays of hunting opportunity for the upcoming 2020-2021 hunting and trapping season.  Please take comfort in the fact that we know you are working to do the best you can under the guidelines placed upon you by our legislators.  

As you well know. The fight to bring hunting on Sunday has never been about a particular species or season. It is not about deer, it is not about specific seasons, it is not about this firearm or the other. It is about the increased opportunity based on your agency's resource-first model and the North American Model of Wildlife Management.

It is encouraging that initial reports indicate that you as commissioners and an agency are looking to be as inclusive as possible for huntable species in the upcoming season.  This will allow hunters the opportunity to maximize their time afield for both small and big game animals.  As previously mentioned in last January’s statement, if there is a biological reason certain species can’t support additional hunting, we simply ask that we be educated on that scientific reason so we as hunter-conservationists understand. The conservation and hunting community supports the wildlife management decisions made by this agency. 

In closing as one of the leading organizations for Sunday hunting, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting asks that you maximize these three Sundays by allowing as much hunting opportunity as is biologically permitted. 

I also ask that you welcome Hunter Nation and Hunt The Vote for joining the conference of nearly 25 organizations that are working on the removal of the prohibition of Sunday hunting in PA Title 34 Game Law and transfer full regulatory control to your agency to allow and decide what is best for Sunday hunting.

Thanks for your time;

Sincerely; 

Kevin B. Askew

Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting