WHY CHANGE PA TITLE 34 GAME LAW

Question from Adam: 

Ok so why would you give all the power to one group . O because you think it would benefit your own agenda . Plus in we are second in the nation why fix what's not broke.

Response from Hunters United for Sunday Hunting:

Adam – you are correct, the Pa. Game Commission earned second in the nation in spite of all the “hand tying” placed on them by Pa. politicians.  How did they do this? Because the PGC ARE THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS – not legislators.  Legislatures make laws, not manage wildlife.  

Our mission is actually as stated - remove the prohibition of Sunday hunting in PA Title 34 Game Law through education, and influence legislatures to change the law accordingly. 

I can only speculate on what your preconceived notion of our “agenda” is.  I assure you the reality is much different, as a group of sportsmen/women and conservationists. it is for the 480 different species of wildlife in the state of Pa; all of which the PGC is responsible for.  

You very well may believe [as others do] that the act of hunting on Sunday will become immediate and without consideration, on the impact, it will have on huntable wildlife in the state.  This couldn’t be further from the truth.  The Pa Game Commission would first have to study and then decide if and how Sunday can be used in their management and conservation efforts.  Just as they have with allowing foxes, crows and coyotes to be legally hunted and trapped on Sunday. 

The false belief that Hunters United for Sunday Hunting wants something different is just that – false belief.  We will support whatever decision Pa. Game Commission makes in regard to Sunday hunting.  We are just asking that they are allowed to decide what is best for Sunday hunting.  Right now, they do not have that option, the law forbids it.

Legislatures have given the Pa. Game Commission specific powers and duties as outlined and found on pages 15-16 of PA Title 34 Game Law, subchapter B, section 322 (c).
 (1)  Subject to section 2102(b) (relating to seasons, possession, bag limits and devices), fix seasons, daily shooting or taking hours, and any modification thereof, and daily, season and possession limits for any species of game or wildlife.
(2)  Remove protection, declare an open season or increase, reduce or close a season.
(3)  Increase or reduce bag limits or possession limits.
(4)  Define geographic limitations or restrictions.
(5)  Fix the type and number of devices which may be used to take game or wildlife.
(6)  Limit the number of hunters or fur takers in any designated area and prescribe the lawful methods of hunting or taking furbearers in these areas.
(7)  Govern the use of recorded calls or sounds or amplified calls or sounds of any description for taking or hunting game or wildlife.
(8)  Add to or change the classification of any wild bird or wild animal.
(9)  Prohibit the possession, importation, exportation or release of any species of birds or animals which may be considered dangerous or injurious to the general public or to the wildlife of this Commonwealth.
(10)  Manage and develop its lands and waters and other government or private lands and waters under agreement with the owners as it considers advisable and, by proper action and proceedings, enact and enforce regulations to insure the prudent and proper use of these lands.
(11)  Collect, classify and preserve such statistics, data and information as in its judgment will tend to promote the object of this title and take charge of and keep all reports, books, papers and documents which shall, in the discharge of its duties, come into its possession or under its control.
(12)  Take any necessary action to accomplish and assure the purposes of this title.
(13)  Serve the interest of sportsmen by preserving and promoting our special heritage of recreational hunting and fur taking by providing adequate opportunity to hunt and trap the wildlife resources of this Commonwealth.

The problem is there are four words that keep the PGC from performing their full duties; they are – “Hunting on Sunday prohibited”, (section 2303, page 53).   

Adam - It is obvious that you are a conservationist and or a sportsman that is concerned about wildlife, hence your comment on our Facebook page and press release.  I encourage you to see and think beyond your bias, ask yourself, what are politicians doing for wildlife and our hunting heritage?  Or, are we better served by the subject matter experts in the Pa. Game Commission?  You are the only one that can decide these answers for yourself.  As for Hunters United for Sunday Hunting, our trust is in the Pa. Game Commission, not politicians.