Executive Director Message to all Sunday hunting supporters and those supporting additional hunting opportunities.
We gained another small victory in our efforts to bring more hunting opportunity to Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 147 was passed out of the Senate Appropriations committee with a vote of 20 YES / 4 NO. It is now on its way to the full Senate to be voted on. There are several more hurdles and steps that SB147 must go through before it becomes law. The legislative process is cumbersome.
What does SB147 say at this point in time? The current stipulations are that three Sundays will be available for the Pennsylvania Game Commission to implement into their hunting conservation plans with full regulatory control. Trespass while hunting will become a primary offense, enforceable by both game wardens and law enforcement.
Is this good or not? The answer is yes and no. Hunters United for Sunday Hunting has always supported the strengthening of trespass while hunting laws. The hope is the primary trespass language remains and is not compromised as SB147 moves forward. Hunting trespass laws have needed this update for many years. The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau has always opposed because hunting trespass was always ignored.
The three-day stipulation is disappointing. That decision is definitely not based on any scientific evidence, nor what hunting conservation in Pennsylvania deserves. The full complement of Sundays is truly what is needed without question. The encouraging thing with the three days is that there is no question that the legislators truly understand that the Pa. Game Commission has the expertise and knowledge to implement them. PGC has full authority to use and manage as they see fit.
I am going to ask everyone to look at this situation as the glass-half-full with the hope of more to come. At this time last year there appeared to be no hope of Sunday hunting opportunities coming to Pennsylvania. But here we are today with another step forward in making hunting on Sundays a reality. That is a direct cause from the dedication, passion, and effort that everyone has in removing the 337-year-old blue law that prohibits hunting on Sunday. We truly are making history.
Is this perfect and what is needed. That answer is simply NO. But it is a start. When these three Sundays are implemented more opportunity has been provided to hunters, the ‘nay-sayers’ sky will not fall, the politician's fears and concerns will be marginalized and all without detriment to game species.
The mission is not over and this fight will continue. Hunters United for Sunday Hunting remains dedicated to our mission to remove the prohibition of Sunday hunting in PA Title 34 Game Law through education, and influence legislatures to change the law accordingly.
I will leave you with the words of George S. Patton [It’s] “Better to fight for something than live for nothing.”
Please stay the course. This is a marathon, not a sprint. The future of hunting conservation will benefit from the work we do today.
Sincerely; Kevin B. Askew, Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting
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