IT IS ELECTION TIME IN PA....WHO WILL WE ENDORSE?

Executive Director Message, Harold Daub, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

It is election time here in Pennsylvania, as we all know.  As Executive Director to Hunters United for Sunday Hunting, I have been approached by many candidates and incumbents and asked if our organization would endorse them.  My answer is a staunch no.  Let me explain.

It is my policy that this grassroots organization Hunters United for Sunday Hunting does not endorse any political person, organization, or the like.  It is not a sound decision based on our grassroots structure and our established mission.  I will not put the organization at risk of being beholden to a specific person's political will or agenda.  It would make us no different than many of the other organizations who have aligned themselves politically and are closed minded because of that relationship.

Instead, when contacted what I do ask is for that candidate or incumbent to support our mission to remove the Sunday hunting prohibition language in PA Title 34 Game Law and transfer full regulatory authority to the Pa. Game Commission.

This course of action is the only way to ensure that there is a mutual relationship for all involved parties.  Neither owes the other anything.  The fact of the matter is the only people that physically make a law change is our elected officials.  I am not an elected official, nor am I running for public office.  All I can do is ensure that HUSH is providing the proper education and doing the right thing in order to effect a positive change in our game law.

Sound wildlife management needs to rest with the subject matter experts at the Pa. Game Commission.  They are charged by Pa. constitution and statute to represent and conserve all wildlife for not only today but for the future.  The North American Model of Wildlife Management is based on two basic principles: our fish and wildlife belong to all Americans, and they need to be managed in a sustainable manner for future generations. In Pennsylvania, this is done by the Pa. Game Commission.

Politicians that understand this and support removing the barriers to hunting are the people that I want to engage and associate myself with regardless of party label. These are the people that truly understand what is at stake if something is not done to fix the current ‘status quo’ of non-action.

Everyone has a choice and a decision to make this election year.  All I can ask is what I have already done, that is to understand the importance of wildlife management and recognizes the agency best to do that is the Pa. Game Commission, not lawmakers.  Anything less fails the 480 species of wildlife in Pennsylvania.

In closing, there are several examples on our blog of persons who support and understand our mission.  If you don’t know where your candidate stands, provide them with information and ask them to join our efforts, not just because it is the right thing to do, but because they as lawmakers are what will determine an outcome for the future of wildlife here in Pennsylvania.

Remember to vote this November 6, and be sure you know whom you are supporting.  

Sincerely,

Harold Daub, Executive Director Hunters United for Sunday Hunting Blog Link:

JENNIFER RAGER-KAY, CANDIDATE PA HOUSE 85 DISTRICT, "I SUPPORT SUNDAY HUNTING"

Letter to: Hunters United for Sunday Hunting
From: Jennifer Rager-Kay, Candidate for PA House District 85 State Representative

Read Letter: 

My name is Jennifer Rager-Kay, candidate for PA House District 85 running against incumbent Fred Keller, and I support Sunday Hunting. Growing up the daughter of an avid hunter, my hard-working coal miner father was forced to either use his few vacation days to go hunting or be limited to just Saturday.  Why should we penalize hardworking hunters for holding down a full-time job and still wanting to enjoy their sport?  As one of only two antiquated “blue laws” left in Pennsylvania, the ban on Sunday hunting needs to be lifted just like the others have been. 

I can assure you if elected, I will fight for Sunday hunting!

Thank you, 

Jennifer Rager-Kay

Candidate for PA House District 85 State Representative

SENATOR JOHN M. DISANTO - 'I AM SUPPORTIVE OF ENDING PA SUNDAY HUNTING PROHIBITION & SB 1202'

Letter to: Hunters United for Sunday Hunting
Courtesy of : Safari Club International - Pa. Chapter
From: Senator John M. DiSanto, 15th District


Thanks for writing me about SB 1202, legislation authorizing the PA Game Commission to allow for Sunday hunting. I am supportive of this proposal as studies have shown that a “lack of time” is a major reason for the decline in PA sportsmen. Ending the Sunday hunting prohibition will not only help reverse this trend, but also expand economic opportunity in related industries across the state.

Read Full Letter -  From John M. DiSanto, Senator

THE LAST TIME I ADDRESSED OUR GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION - MESSAGE FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Message from Harold Daub, Executive Director Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

The last time I addressed our grassroots organization we were in our fledgling stage of organization. We have come a long way and have grown greatly since then.  It has come to my attention that many of you are looking for updates on our progress, which is completely understandable.  My goal for this upcoming year is to do a better job at getting you the relevant information as it pertains to Hunters United for Sunday Hunting mission and progress.

That being said, on October 15, 2018, I attended a scheduled meeting and luncheon organized by Keith Gillespie, Republican Chair House Game and Fisheries Committee.  The meeting was hosted by Bryan Barbin, Democratic Chair House Game and Fisheries Committee. In attendance were representatives from the Governor's Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation, Pa. Game and Fisheries Committee Executive Director and other members, Pa. Game Commission, Pa. Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Keystone Trails Association, and Pa. Farm Bureau.

The meetings focus was on Hunters United for Sunday Hunting and the progress we are making to have the Sunday hunting prohibition language removed from Pa. Title 34 Game Law and regulatory authority transferred to the Pa. Game Commission.   I was thanked numerous times for the attention and effort we are putting forth to do this correctly while maintaining focus on proper wildlife management for the future.

All sportsmen organizations and politicians that attended the meeting are in agreement that giving regulatory authority to the PGC is well within their scope of responsibility according to the law. But, to make it happen the legislature is going to have to do their job to facilitate the law change.  They fully understand this is the best option for wildlife management in the state.

The Pa. Farm Bureau and the Keystone Trails Association presented their organization's points; some are valid, others are not.  Both Representative Gillespie and Representative Barbin made it clear that their intent for the meeting was to bring everyone to the table and that the ‘status quo’ of everyone remaining in their corners cannot continue, it is doing no good and providing no resolution. I applaud and support them for taking this first step. 

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting is on record as stating “We all are erecting the same puzzle, we all hold a piece for the future of conservation in Pa.  Our organization, Pa. Game Commission, and Pa. Farm Bureau.  We can all work on this together for the benefit of all the 480 Pa. wildlife species, or not.  If we don’t then the result will be lost effort, energy, time, on all our parts.  Resulting in stagnation and no forward movement on management and conservation efforts here in Pa.”

As Executive Director I welcome additional meetings and interactions.  I represent this grassroots organization wholeheartedly and will not deviate from our approach and mission. We need to continue to be heard.  The momentum and energy that this grassroots effort has, is undeniable.  Why do you think I am getting meeting requests such as these?  The answer is simple; because of the passion, you all have for our heritage and sport you love and enjoy.  

But, I can’t do it alone.  I continually need your assistance and help.  Therefore I do have an ask or a call-to-action of everyone, all 30,000 HUSH followers, supporting organizations, hunters, outdoorsmen and women, and all other interested stakeholders.

I need everyone to double down and focus on distributing, sharing and getting others to sign, complete and advance the Hunters United for Sunday Hunting “Keep The Needle Moving” call-to-action link located on our blog. It is with your assistance and effort that removing the barrier to hunting opportunities will happen here in Pennsylvania.

https://huntersforsundayhunting.blogspot.com/2018/09/what-actions-you-can-take-how-you-can.html

Enjoy your time afield this hunting season.  If you are able to introduce someone else to our great sport please do so; help them experience what the outdoors has to offer.

Sincerely;

Harold Daub

Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

ARTICLES & OTHER TV NEWS - IT'S ABOUT TIME CONFERENCE, SEPT 29, 2018

WGAL Group says it's time to lift state's ban on Sunday hunting

WBRE/YOU The push to lift the ban on hunting on Sunday continues for Commonwealth hunters. 

GoErie.com Laughlin’s case for Sunday hunting

Everybody Adventures Pennsylvania Sunday hunting push tied to coming electionsy-hunting-elections/

Erie.com Senator Laughlin pushes to allow hunting big game on Sundays

WHP CBS 21 Group lobbies for law to allow hunting on Sundays

SCI - Sunday Hunting Call to Action

 Sunday Hunting Call to Action

In case any of you didn't know, the subject of Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania is a very hot item right now.

HUSH, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting, is an organization that is spearheading the movement to modify Pennsylvania code, title 34 and remove the sentence that prohibits Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania. Currently there is Senate Bill 1202 that sits in the Senate Game and Fisheries committee and is waiting to be pushed forward. 

See the bill here: https://www.legiscan.com/PA/bill/SB1202/2017 Senator Dan Laughlin(R) and Senator Jim Brewster(D) are behind this bill and doing a great job of gaining support but we need more.

Once the bill is passed and title 34 is modified accordingly, the responsibility of regulating Sunday hunting would be turned over to the PGC to do with it as they see fit. Hunter numbers in Pennsylvania have been dropping over the years and in turn the Pennsylvania Game Commission is losing Revenue and struggling financially. We believe that by enabling hunting on Sundays, we open up more opportunity for those hunters that maybe have given up on hunting for lack of time to do so.

There are many organizations that are also behind this effort. We are very close to getting this done but we do need your help. This is not something to take lightly if you are in favor of Sunday hunting. Familiarize yourself with the bill and call or write your legislators to let them know you are in support of Sunday hunting. The link below is a call to action handout that has valuable information so I encourage you to read it carefully. This may be the last real chance for us to get this done so do not take this lightly.

https://huntersforsundayhunting.blogspot.com/2018/09/what-actions-you-can-take-how-you-can.html

Thank you!

Scott Itterly

President

Read: Safari Club International's Letter In Support of Senate Bill 1202,Hunting on Sunday

WHO SUPPORTS SB 1202/?

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting
https://huntersforsundayhunting.blogspot.com/2018/08/support-sb-1202-letter-to-pa-legislators.html

Backcountry Hunters & Angler's
https://www.backcountryhunters.org/take_action#/46

United Bowhunters of Pa.
https://ubofpa.org/newsletter-legislative-report/

Pa Game Commission
https://www.republicanherald.com/sports/outdoors-progressive-action-by-pgc-board-of-commissioners-shows-this-is-not-the-agency-of-previous-time-1.2355143

Safari Club International's Letter In Support of Senate Bill 1202,Hunting on Sunday

PA - National Wild Turkey Federation

Patty Smith, Pa State Representative Candidate, 104th District

Michael J. Wascovich, PA General Assembly Candidate- 47th District

Senator Joh DiSanto, Pa. 15th District

Jennifer Rager-Kay, candidate for PA House District 85

VBLOG - "IT'S ABOUT TIME" - WATCH - LISTEN - LEARN

It's About Time Conference

YouTube Channel - Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting, Executive Director, Harold Daub talks about mission to remove barrier to Sunday hunting in Pa and how people can help.

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting, Executive Director, Harold Daub gives a call to action and describes organizational setup.

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting, Executive Director, Harold Daub  names the organizations that support removing the barrier to Sunday hunting in Pa.

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting, Executive Director, Harold Daub  describes section 2303, PA Title 34 Game Law.

National Rifle Association spokesperson Janet Nyce, talks about NRA support removing the barrier to Sunday hunting in Pa.

Pa. Game Commission, Executive Director, Bryan Burhans talks about the PGC process of Sunday hunting and wildlife management.

Senator Dan Laughlin talks about Senate Bill 1202.

Senator Dan Laughlin talks about the legislative process for Senate Bill 1202.

Robb Miller, Governor's Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation talks about the legislative support for Senate Bill 1202.

WGAL8 / WHP21 Coverage of 'It's About Time Conference' Sept 30, 2018

Harold Daub, Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting talks with Local 21 CBS News, WHP Harrisburg, Sept 30, 2018 at the 'It's About Time" conference.
"We need to eliminate this time barrier right now. Not having the ability to be able to hunt on Sundays is really tightening up the opportunity for Pennsylvania conservationists."


Watch Video: 
WHP 21 - Group lobbies for law to allow hunting on Sundays


WGAL News Channel 8 Susquehanna Valley, Pa. speaks with Harold Daub, Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting, at the Sept 30, 2018 'It's About Time' conference.

Watch Video:
WGAL 8 - Group says its time to lift state's ban on Sunday hunting