Executive Director Burhans, Commission President Mitrick, Vice President Schnepp-Giger, District Commissioners, and Staff:
As the executive director of Hunters United for Sunday Hunting thanks for the opportunity to submit this letter as part of the PA Game Commission January 2023 public meeting.
As you well know the mission to bring full regulatory authority to the Pennsylvania Game Commission to decide seasons and bag limits all days of the week including Sunday is alive and well. Senate Bill 67 has been drafted, prepared, and placed in the legislative process for the 2023-2024 session. With your continued support of having full regulatory authority to set seasons and bag limits that include Sunday, there is no doubt that Senate Bill 67 will make progress during this legislative session.
Though mentioned often it deserves repeating. The fight to bring hunting on Sunday has never been about a particular species or season. It is not about deer, it is not about specific seasons, it is not about this firearm or the other. It is about the increased opportunity based on your agency's resource first model and the North American Model of Wildlife Management.
As commissioners, your support and efforts to bring more hunting opportunities not only on Sunday but all days of the week are not going unnoticed. It is having a positive effect across the state. Just take a look on any forum for the 2021-22 hunting season it doesn’t take long to find, see or hear about someone being able to mentor, or a new hunter being afield, re-engaged hunters able to participate once again, along with the majority of hunters thankful for more species being available to hunt on the three given Sundays. Please continue doing what you're doing. Your work is helping.
Take comfort knowing Hunters United for Sunday Hunting will remain steadfast in our mission now and in the future. As a grassroots organization representing hunter-conservationists throughout the state that advocates for less political interference in wildlife management and more opportunities and choice allowing for more participation of all hunters. Hunters United for Sunday Hunting will oppose any legislation that is drafted that removes wildlife management decisions or the ability to set seasons, dates, and bag limits from your control.
In closing please continue to support and educate people, legislators, and organizations on Senate Bill 67 and what it specifically means and does for the Pennsylvania Game Commission and for conservation in the Commonwealth. Carry on with being as inclusive as possible for all huntable-game on the three Sundays. Most importantly have faith that hunter-conservationists and conservation organizations understand that as commissioners when faced with a decision, be it an easy right one, or a hard-correct one. That decision will always be based on the PGC mission and what is best for the wildlife resources of PA.
