DOUG LAPP, AG LIAISON HUSH, COMMENTS TO PA GAME COMMISSION - JANUARY 2019

Doug Lapp addresses the Pa Game Commission Board of Commissioners during the January 2019 public meeting. "It is past time for the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau to stop infringing on its member's liberty and they will hear that message loud and clear."  Video by John Buffone, YDR.com Jan 27, 2019 - To: The PA Game Commission Commissioners and Executive Director Bryan Burhans
My name is Doug Lapp. I am here today speaking on my own behalf as a farmer from Chester County Pennsylvania, not the Pa. Farm Bureau. I am on the Chester Delaware County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. I also am the Agriculture Liaison for Hunters United for Sunday Hunting. 
Along with my father and grandfather, we farm a few thousand acres. With it just being the three of us involved in the business it is quite the workload. During the spring planting season and fall harvest season we operate six days a week. We always take off on Sundays, no matter the weather, for two reasons; to attend church and to relax and decompress from a long work week. 
One of the fun activities growing up was going hunting with my father and grandfather. Harvest was typically done by Thanksgiving which allowed them to take off work the first day of the gun season and we would hunt together. As I got older I wanted to hunt more. Luckily crossbows had just been legalized in certain parts of the state. Since my father was never able to hunt in archery season he was not able to teach me how to use a compound bow. Due to this, my father bought me a crossbow for Christmas and we made a tree stand which would be safe enough for me to be in by myself. That was all my father had time for because we work all-day-everyday throughout the fall hunting seasons. Every day that is except Sunday.
I didn’t realize the experiences and memories I missed out on until I got married and started hearing the stories that my wife and her siblings have of going on youth hunts, small game hunting, and turkey hunting with their father and grandfather. It has always bothered my father and I that we could not hunt Sunday afternoons but after realizing all of the opportunity that is missed by someone in a circumstance like my own; I decided I was going to do something about it.
I called the Pennsylvania Game Commission and asked why can’t we hunt on Sunday? I was told that it is a legislative issue and to talk to my local representative. I talked to my state Representative John Lawrence, he told me that while he agreed with my points about Sunday hunting until the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau changed its position it would be very difficult to pass any Sunday hunting legislation.
After talking with Representative Lawrence I made it my mission to get involved with the Farm Bureau to try to change this policy from the inside of the organization. At a county meeting last September, I was voted in as a member of the Chester Delaware County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. At the same meeting, I proposed a Sunday hunting compromise to the county. I told my story and why we should not be restricted and have the ability to control hunting on our own land. The policy passed with only one no vote.
I was a delegate at the 2018 Pennsylvania Farm Bureau state meeting. While on the floor I was able to speak on the Sunday hunting policy that was passed by the delegate body. The Farm Bureau wants people to believe the main opposition to hunting on Sunday is trespassing and the Pennsylvania trespass laws. The truth is at the PFB November policy meeting trespassing was only mentioned once in the entire two hours worth of debate. The main arguments against Sunday hunting were: people should be in church; hunters are too lazy and have plenty of opportunities to hunt; horse riders can only ride on Sundays without getting shot at; farmers want to have one day a week they don’t have to wear orange while working.
The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau misses the mark on Sunday hunting. The
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau typically fights for the rights of farmers to be able to operate on their land as they see fit. Somehow on this topic, the messaging got switched and some of the hardest working people in this state have less opportunity to hunt on their own land because of their own advocacy group. 
So where do we go from here? The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau is still going to be opposed to Sunday hunting unless a very specific criterion is met. Hunters United for Sunday Hunting is working to educate lawmakers on the subject. I have turned my focus on farmers who are hunters. I had over two dozen Pennsylvania Farm Bureau delegates come up to me at the annual Pennsylvania Farm Bureau meeting and thank me for what I was doing in the Sunday hunting fight. The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau currently portrays that it is united against this issue but that is far from the truth. I expect legislation to legalize Sunday hunting to pass this year but if that does not happen; keep an eye on Hershey Pennsylvania in November of 2019 because sparks will fly at the next state policy meeting. It is past time for the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau to stop infringing on its member's liberty and they will hear that message loud and clear. Douglas Benjamin Lapp Agriculture Liaison, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting & Chester Delaware County Farm Bureau Board of Directors

HUNTERS UNITED FOR SUNDAY HUNTING COMMENTS TO PA GAME COMMISSION - JANUARY 2019

Jan 27, 2019 Hunters United for Sunday Hunting Executive Director Harold Daub presents public testimony to Pennsylvania Game Commission Board of Commissioners asking for continued support of legislative action to repeal the prohibition on Sunday hunting in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

President Layton, Commissioners, Executive Director Burhans and Deputy Executive Director Grohol and Palmer,  

Good afternoon gentlemen.  My name is Harold Daub, I am the Executive Director for Hunters United for Sunday Hunting.  I am here today to ask you, the Board of Commissioners to continue your support of legislative action to repeal the prohibition on Sunday hunting in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

In the past 10 months, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting has been working hard educating people on what your resolution means and what it will do for hunters, conservation and the commonwealth.  There is currently more support than there has ever been for removing the Sunday hunting prohibition language in PA Title 34 Game Law and transfer full regulatory authority to the Pa. Game Commission.

Many polls and surveys have been conducted by legislators, media, and others to find out what hunters and people have to say on the subject.  The result on average is 80% favor removing the prohibition on Sunday hunting.

I have presented to you an example of this. Five weeks ago we released the boards Sunday hunting endorsement.  It has been read nearly 21,000 times, shared 8,800 times and contains 509 comments.  As you read through it, keep in mind, these are direct comments on the PGC Board’s support for Sunday hunting.  Here is a sampling of what people are saying.

“Thank you for supporting Sunday hunting. A major step in getting the States approval.”

“It’s about time PA gets with the program. Sunday hunting would be a great thing”

“I think Sundays would be nice to get the kids out hunting. I don't see what the big deal is on hunting Sundays, a lot of farmers I know with crop damage would love to see hunting on Sundays.”

“Sunday hunting would be great. As I'm getting older I enjoy mentoring our youth and adult hunters more than I enjoy spending it alone in the woods by myself. This would give me and my youth hunters more time to enjoy the outdoors as they have school and I have work sometimes six days a week. It’s hard to keep their interests if I can’t get them out. I totally support it.”

“Between work schedules and school times Sunday would be a great idea, would allow my children to get another day besides Saturday to hunt. They have been hooked in the sport since five years old hunting under the mentor program. We are all for Sunday hunting”

To further demonstrate that there is support for the boards Sunday hunting resolution.  Hunters United for Sunday Hunting has over 1,400 pages worth of signatures backing it.

There are those that believe we need the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s approval for Sunday hunting; legislators included.  Our observation has been that the Pa Farm Bureau has bullied legislators to a point where they believe that Pa. Farm Bureau speaks for you as Pa. Game Commission on wildlife management issues as well as all farmers in the commonwealth.

The PFB represents less-than-half of Pa. farmers. There are 58,000 farming operations in Pennsylvania.  There are only 22,648 total farmers in Pa. Farm Bureau. 75% of those members support a change to the policy regarding the existing Sunday hunting prohibition.

Why is this important? It is time to stand up to the bully.  The Pa. Farm Bureau is going to present you with their demands for wildlife management.  The demands are not founded in any type of biology or science.  If you consider them,  I encourage you to follow in the words of Executive Director Bryan Burhans as he has stated: “the biggest tool that I can give the farm bureau is Sunday hunting.”  Then do just that, help educate legislators and people on the PGC established process for wildlife management and how hunting on Sundays will be of benefit to everyone, including farmers.

Recently Senator Dan Laughlin and Senator James Brewster have been named to lead the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee.  Representative Keith Gillespie and Representative William Kortz will lead the House Game and Fisheries Committee.  I am very excited by these appointments as all four have indicated their strong support for removing the prohibition.  To the best of my knowledge, we’ve never had this much support from the chairpersons of those committees.

Hunters want a change.  There are 20 hunting and conservation organizations representing 1.4 million Pa. sportsmen and women involved in this effort to grant authority to the Pa. Game Commission to decide what is best for Sunday hunting.

Your continued support of legislative action to repeal the prohibition on Sunday hunting will solidify your commitment to the hunters of Pa. and the newly appointed members of Pa. Game and Fisheries Committees.

I will close with the words of Representative Keith Gillespie where he said this about Sunday hunting prohibition; “What may have been suitable 10 or 15 years ago sometimes needs brought up to speed, and I think that’s what we have going on here.  I think a big part of that would be to put it in the hands of a professional agency like the game commission.”

With your help, the effort of all supporting conservation organizations, and most importantly the overwhelming support of Pennsylvania's outdoor community we can get this done during this legislative session.

Thank for your time, efforts, and dedication to conservation.

Sincerely;

Harold Daub

Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

Pa Game Commission Sunday Hunting Resolution

IT'S ABOUT TIME CONFERENCE - WESTERN PA. FEB 10, 2019 - HUNTERS UNITED FOR SUNDAY HUNTING

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting ‘It’s About Time’ Conference 1pm - 4pm Sunday, February 10, 2019 Penn State New Kensington Campus, 3550 Seventh Street Road, New Kensington, PA  15068

All hunters, sportsmen, sportswomen, outdoor enthusiasts, conservationist, media outlets and all other like-minded people are invited to attend this information session.

Please Register & Sign up early: Pre-Registration & Sign Up
Let us know you are coming: It's About Time Event

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting is hosting an information conference focusing on the importance of removing the prohibition on Sunday hunting in Pa Title 34 Game Law and providing regulatory authority to the Pennsylvania Game Commission to decide what is best for Sunday hunting.

Speakers include: Pa. Senate Game & Fisheries Committee: Chairman Senator Dan Laughlin, Erie County

Pa. Senate Game & Fisheries Committee: Minority Chairman Senator Jim Brewster, Allegheny & Westmoreland Counties

Pa. House Game & Fisheries Committee: Minority Chairman Rep. William C. Kortz, Allegheny County

Pa. Game Commission: Executive Director Bryan Burhans

National Shooting Sports Foundation / NSSF

National Wild Turkey Federation / NWTF

Discussion will involve current legislation that is focusing on:

*amending Title 34 Game Law authorizing the Pennsylvania Game Commission to provide for Sunday hunting.  

*amending the Pennsylvania Game Code to address the offense of trespass while hunting.

Come, listen, and get informed.  Learn how you can help in removing this barrier to hunting opportunities and strike this ‘blue law’ from the books.  

Let’s “Keep The Needle Moving” and make this happen in Pennsylvania.

Your attendance is welcomed and appreciated.

Harold Daub, Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

Sponsored by:

National Shooting Sports Foundation

National Wild Turkey Federation

TO ALL PA FARMERS & AGRICULTURALISTS - HUSH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HAROLD DAUB

I want to take the time and direct a message to all the hard-working farmers and agriculturalists in Pennsylvania.  As we move forward in this year's legislative cycle to work a solution on having PA Title 34 Game Law changed and updated to remove the prohibition on Sunday hunting.  It is important that you understand that Hunters United for Sunday Hunting is not singling you out or personally attacking you in our endeavor to correct this outdated blue law.

Unfortunately Pa. Farm Bureau has placed us in a position where that looks like the case.  The PFB has bullied the legislators to a point where they believe that Pa. Farm Bureau speaks for all farmers and agriculturalists in the commonwealth.

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting knows this is not the case.  Facts show that the PFB represents less than half of you, with 58,000 farm operations in the state and the PFB only representing 22,648 voting Farmer members.  Please believe me when we hear statements like ‘I am a farmer, the Pa. Farm Bureau doesn’t represent me’ there is undeniable truth to it.

But it is also important that you understand and realize I and my organization has no choice but to play in this same sandbox of misrepresentation created by Pa. Farm Bureau. There is no other course of action.  I combat it and separate as much as I can by continually reminding politicians and those that I meet with that the PFB does not have the support of the entire farming community.

I would like to report that lawmakers listen.  In some cases, they are coming around and starting to realize the charade is over and standing up to the PFB leadership bullies; and for good reason.

Again, this message is for farmers and agriculturalists.  I understand that you have been asking for the strengthening of trespass laws as a route to the overall Sunday hunting issue.  Hunters United for Sunday Hunting is on record as supporting an update to trespass laws in Pa.

My overall concern is that as the oppression of the PFB is unmasked, the politicians in their frustration will dismiss your asks in totality and not provide you with the necessary means to get the law updated.  The Pa. Farm Bureau will have ruined it for all.

The mission of our organization will remain steadfast.  That being to remove the prohibition of Sunday hunting in PA Title 34 Game Law through education, and influence legislatures to change the law accordingly.

If you are a Farmer member of the PFB:  my first ask is that you accept this as qualified reasoning that I do understand that you are a victim of association.  My second ask is that you contact the PFB leadership, tell them to just acknowledge and accept that the strengthening of trespass laws is the objective.  My third ask is to have PFB leadership acknowledge and accept the fact that the PFB as an organization is not wildlife managers; leave that to Pa. Game Commission.

For the majority of farmers who are not in the PFB.  I encourage you to contact your Pa. representatives, let them know that as an independent farmer the PFB does not represent you.

For the non-farming, hunting and conservationist community:  my ask is that you understand the position the PFB has placed all Pennsylvania farmers in as we continue to work on getting PA Title 34 Game Law updated.

In closing, the only people that can affect change is us.  Make it known to the Pa. legislature; contact them, voice your concerns as it pertains to Pa. Farm Bureau, tell lawmakers to support legislation that would amend Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to authorize the Pennsylvania Game Commission to provide for Sunday hunting. Sincerely;

Harold Daub Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

Contact Information:
FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR - BY PA COUNTY

PA FARM BUREAU

PA GAME COMMISSION

HOW MANY FARMERS DOES THE PENNSYLVANIA FARM BUREAU REPRESENT?

Pa. Farm Bureau advertising display shows actual membership as of November 2018. The image breaks down the total membership. Regular members/farmers that can vote on Pa. Farm Bureau issues and Associate members/non-farmer who have no voting authority at all

HOW MANY FARMERS DOES THE PENNSYLVANIA FARM BUREAU REPRESENT? “Pennsylvania Farm Bureau is the state’s largest farm organization with a volunteer membership of more than 62,000 farm and rural families, representing farms of every size and commodity across Pennsylvania,” July 10, 2017 press release. Just ask any of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau leadership and this is the first thing they will gladly tell you.  But do they really? The short answer is no.  Fact is Pa. Farm Bureau only represents 22,648 voting members who are actual farmers.  These are the only people that matter when it comes to PFB issues and voting.  No one else can vote. The two different memberships are explained on pfb.com [PFB website]. “Voting members decide our organization’s priorities and related activity and have the opportunity to participate in the development of Farm Bureau’s policies on a broad range of issues.” 1) Farmer Member [total of 22,648] - a person who is actively engaged in the production of agricultural products, whose principal occupation is farming. Only Farmer members have the privilege of voting on Farm Bureau policy issues. 2) Non-Farmer Member [total of 39,357] - anyone who is interested in agriculture and where their food comes from, whose family or livelihood benefits from agriculture or is involved with agriculture on a part-time basis. Non-farmer members are able to utilize most privileges of membership (except for voting on Farm Bureau policy issues). These member numbers, definition, and authority within the PFB structure are extremely important. They are definitely worth taking note of and paying attention too [yes, you Pa. legislature, the PFB is not as strong as they want you to believe]. When you break it down there are more non-members without any type of influence than there are members with full privileges. This all leads to a bigger question;  Why the secrecy?  Is Pa. Farm Bureau afraid they won’t be taken seriously.  Or is it that the paper tiger is less scary when viewed in the correct light. It is almost as if Pa. Farm Bureau is embarrassed by how few farmers are in the organization. Probably for good reason. Data from an October 2018 survey titled Pennsylvania 2017 State Agriculture Overview shows there are 58,000 farm operations in the state. With less than half the available farmers choosing to not be in or join Pa. Farm Bureau.  There is obvious truth to statements from farmers who say ‘the Pa. Farm Bureau does not represent me.’

Reference

Pfb.com

https://www.nass.usda.gov/Quick_Stats/Ag_Overview/stateOverview.php?state=PENNSYLVANIA