WHAT IS THE FISCAL IMPACT OF HUNTING ON SUNDAY IN PA

To Whom it may Concern;

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting is providing the following in order to assist in quantifying the economic impact of the ability to hunt seven-days-a-week, relative to Pa. Senate Bill 147.  Here is an overview of the 2011 report completed by Southwick Associates that was requested by the Pennsylvania General Assembly that same year.

The study conducted in 2011 by Southwick Associates, a Florida-based fish, and wildlife economics firm, predicted hunters would spend $460 million more annually if the ban on Sunday hunting was lifted in Pennsylvania.  The study also shows there would be a boost to the state economy of a total of $803.6 million and the ability to hunt on Sunday’s would bring in $56.8 million in state and local tax revenue annually.

Starting in 2010, the estimated total retail sales and multiplier effects that would have occurred if Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania were permitted found that overall hunting activity would increase by approximately 27% with increases in hunter expenditures.

Resulting in the Pennsylvania General Assembly letting on the table revenues of approximately 27% over the last eight years which shows a total lack of fiscal responsibility.

Another study that was published in 2018 by the National Shooting Sports Foundation estimated that there would be as much as a $972.6 million economic output to the economy here in Pennsylvania. This is probably the most credible figure on the amount that Pennsylvania

is losing annually.

It is time the Pennsylvania General Assembly recognizes the fiscal impact of Senate Bill 147 and what removing the barrier to hunting opportunities brings to the state of Pennsylvania. Click to Read Full Studies: Southwick Associates Economic Contributions of Sunday Hunting Alternatives in Pennsylvania The National Shooting Sports Foundation Economic Impact of Hunting 2016/2017 Data Pennsylvania Sunday Hunting Impact Sincerely, Kevin B. Askew, Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

PA FARM BUREAU EFFORTS ENDANGERING SHOOTING ACTIVITIES

Dear Pennsylvania Sportsmen, Hunting, and Recreational Shooting Facilities

THE PA FARM BUREAU LOBBYING EFFORTS ARE ENDANGERING YOUR CLUB.    Read Release: Pa. Farm Bureau Continues To Impede Second Amendment Rights.

This letter is to inform all Pennsylvania facilities that conduct and have active rifle, handgun or other weapon shooting activities on Sundays; be it target practice, clay pigeons, pistol or other shooting competitions, YOUR SHOOTING ACTIVITIES ARE BEING THREATENED!  As part of the Pa. Farm Bureau's stance on Senate Bill 147.  The PFB is pushing for ‘gunfire-free Sundays’ so hikers, bikers, horseback riders, birdwatchers, and others can take part in outdoor activities without hearing gunshots.

Mark O'Neill, Media & Strategic Communications Director, Pa. Farm Bureau stated on PCN Call-In February 19, 2019 ”When you are shooting the gun, the noise doesn’t stop at the property line, the bullets don’t stop at property lines.”

If your club is near or within earshot of farmland.  The PFB is doubling their efforts on this by telling legislators “farmers don’t want gunshots ringing across their property on Sundays.”

The Pa. Farm Bureau is doing this under the guise of opposing Senate Bill 147 and the expansion of hunting opportunities here in Pennsylvania.  This lobbying effort and tactic of the Pa. Farm Bureau is a direct assault on their own members, gun owners, hunters, recreational shooters, and commonwealth citizens Second Amendment rights.   It poses the question, what is the main goal and where will the Pa. Farm Bureau stop in order to not hear gunshots on Sunday?   When you have to close your shooting range on Sunday?   When all Pa. citizens are not able to exact their Second Amendment rights?

Regardless if you support removing the barrier to hunting opportunities in Pa. or not.  This is a very real and serious threat that needs to be taken seriously.  Politicians listen to the Pa. Farm Bureau to the detriment of the commonwealth.   If you think the PFB cares what happens to your club or your ability to shoot you are sorely mistaken.  It is time to realize your organization, its members and legal shooting activity is under assault.  The Pa. Farm Bureau is seeing to that.

Now is the time for action.  We as sportsmen and conservationist can’t take the chance of ignoring the statements and the talking points of the Pa. Farm Bureau on this?  The cost will be way too high.  Think about it for a second.  There is truly only one way to not hear gunshots!  The thought of that is unconscionable!

Don’t let the Pa. Farm Bureau lobbying efforts to not hear gunshots make you close your ranges on Sunday.  Now is the time for action.  Please inform your members.  Take action now.

Contact Your Legislator let them know the Pa. Farm Bureau should not be infringing on Pa. Commonwealth Citizens rights;  Second Amendment or any other.

Contact Pa. Farm Bureau let them know to stop infringing on the rights of Pa. Commonwealth Citizens. Pennsylvania Farm Bureau | PO Box 8736 | Camp Hill, PA 17001-8736 | 717.761.2740 Sign Petition Allow Sunday Hunting In Pennsylvania.

Sincerely; Kevin B. Askew, Acting Executive Director

NEW YORK FARM BUREAU MEMBERS HAVE NO ISSUE WITH SUNDAY HUNTING

Provided By:

Don Williams, Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation Original Email Inquiry to New York Farm Bureau Sent February 21, 2019

I am a farm owner. I belong to the PA Farm Bureau.  I am also a member of the PA Governor's Advisory Council.
- How long has Sunday hunting been permitted in NY?
- Is hunting on Sunday an acceptable activity by farmers in NY?
- Are there benefits to farmers to allow Sunday hunting on their property, such as deer and bear control to prevent crop damage?
- Is hunting on Sunday an issue vs. hunting on other days of the week?
- If there is an issue, is it religious, noise, trespass or access related?
- Are NY farmers permitted to post their lands "NO SUNDAY HUNTING" while allowing hunting access other days of the week?
- Does the NY Farm Bureau receive complaints concerning Sunday hunting? If so how many per year?
- Does the NY Farm Bureau have a policy position regarding hunting on Sunday? What is it?
Thank you for your most valuable time and kind consideration.

Don Williams

Response From Renée St. Jacques, New York Farm Bureau, Assistant Director of Public Policy February 26, 2019

Hello Don,
I believe New York started permitting hunting on Sundays in 1996. At this point, it is allowed in New York with only a few exceptions and the NY Department of Environmental Conservation recommends checking local regulations for specific areas. Although New York Farm Bureau has policy related to hunting, we do not have specific policy on Sunday hunting. Deer management is very important to our members because of the amount of crop damage caused by deer. NYFB supports NY implementing a bear management program similar to the current NY deer management program. In recent years, our members haven’t voiced any issues pertaining to NY permitting hunting on Sundays.
Anyone can post signs on their personal property regarding hunting and trespassing. Someone could be specific and say no Sunday hunting, but I haven’t heard of any circumstances where that is being done: https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8371.html 

Hope that is helpful and let me know if you have any other questions. 

Renée St. Jacques, New York Farm Bureau, Assistant Director of Public Policy

FARM BUREAUS SURROUNDING PA SUPPORT SUNDAY HUNTING - STUDY

Research Conducted By: Hunters United for Sunday Hunting;  United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania; Safari Club International

Farm Bureaus Surrounding Pennsylvania Support Sunday Hunting, Strong Trespass Laws and Non-Participation of Politicians in Wildlife Management/Conservation

**Click Here to Read Full Study**

To whom it may concern,

Pennsylvania Senate Bill #147 proposes the removal of the prohibition on Sunday hunting and establishes stricter trespassing laws and enforcement.

Generally, when a bill is entertained it involves research in regards to what is occurring in the states surrounding Pennsylvania.  To our knowledge, this research has not been conducted.  Hunters United for Sunday Hunting Farmers Chapter; United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania; Safari Club International has completed the research with the following synopsis.

All states surrounding Pennsylvania and those state farm bureau chapters support the ability to participate in wildlife management/conservation, stiff trespass laws, and support that politicians and lawmakers need not be involved in wildlife management/conservation.

The surrounding state farm bureaus of OH, NY, NJ, MD, DE [five of six] support the ability of hunters and farmers to participate in wildlife management/conservation seven days a week including Sundays during seasons established by the respective state’s Department of Natural Resources/Conservation/Wildlife or state agency equivalent of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.  All surrounding farm bureaus OH, NY, NJ, MD, DE, WV [six of six] support stricter trespassing laws and enforcement.

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting is asking for your support of Pennsylvania Senate Bill #147 which allows the removal of the prohibition on Sunday hunting in PA Title 34 Game Law, provides stronger trespass laws and allows the Pennsylvania Game Commission the ability to regulate the participation of wildlife management and conservation seven days a week including Sundays during established game and furbearer seasons.  This is what is done in the six states surrounding Pennsylvania and agreed-upon by five out of the six state farm bureau chapters surrounding this great state of Pennsylvania.

Sincerely,

Interim Executive Director of HUSH - ///Signed/// Kevin B. Askew

Representative of the HUSH Farmers Chapter - ///Signed/// Douglas B. Lapp

Representative of United Bowhunters of PA - ///Signed/// Thomas W. Redfern

Representative of Safari Club International - ///Signed/// Cyrus Baird

**Click Here to Read Full Study**