LETTER TO PGC COMMISSIONERS - SUNDAYS TO SEASONS IN VIRGINIA ARE BENEFICIAL - NAYSAYER CONCERNS NOT REALIZED

 

CONTACT: Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

TELEPHONE: 717-350-6741

EMAIL: huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com

WEBSITE: facebook.com/HuntersUnitedForSundayHunting

         Dear Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners,

Please find attached a letter I was provided some time ago regarding the impact of adding Sundays to hunting seasons.  I thought this would be good information for all of you to have in preparation for your upcoming meetings as you look at how/when to implement Sunday hunting here in Pennsylvania.  Please feel free to share as you feel appropriate.

 

I've taken the liberty of highlighting what I felt were the important comments contained in the letter, which was sent from Executive Director Bob Duncan of the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation in 2016.  This was written after the Virginia Sunday hunting inclusion had been in place for about 2 years.

 

Executive Director Duncan stated the following:

 

Virginia elected to largely leave hunting seasons in place as they had existed previously.  They also elected to not change bag limits.

 

Sunday hunting had no detrimental impact upon their deer herd.  And he went on to write that average deer harvests for Sundays more closely approximated the averages for weekdays and far less than Saturdays.  He details that archery and muzzle loader Sundays realized about 50% of a Saturday harvest.  And the Sunday harvest in rifle season in Virginia was roughly 20% of a typical Saturday.

 

He also stated that turkey harvests on Sunday approximated weekday averages.

 

Also included in his comments are Virginia's findings regarding law enforcement activity.  Many had/have concerns about the undue burden Sunday hunting opportunity might have on law enforcement.  In Virginia, those fears were not realized.  Hunting related calls to law enforcement dispatch on Sundays were similar to an average weekday, and in fact only increased modestly from the amount of calls that were received on Sundays prior to the change.  Hunting related arrests trended similarly as well.

 

He closed by stating "In Sum, I can say that Virginia's experience so far with Sunday hunting is that of additional opportunities for sportsmen and women in the field without unacceptable impacts upon our wildlife resources, notable increases in citizen complaints, or other serious law enforcement concerns."

 

I would like to close by saying thank you to each of you for your sacrifice and dedication to conservation.  The efforts each of you put into your position as a PGC Commissioner are appreciated by so many of us Pennsylvania hunters.  Thank you!

 

Kindest Regards,

 

Harold Daub

HUSH Legislative/PGC Advisor

REPEALING SUNDAY HUNTING PROHIBITION IN PENNSYLVANIA - LETS GET THIS DONE

The moment that we have all be asking for is here.  Senator Dan Laughlin has made good on his commitment to advance legislation to get the hunting on Sunday prohibition lifted once and for all here in Pennsylvania. 

The memo reads: 

From: Senator Daniel Laughlin

To: All Senate members

Subject: Repealing Sunday Hunting Prohibition in Pennsylvania

 

In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that would completely remove the prohibition on Sundays available for hunting and trapping.  Currently, the law dictates which Sundays are open to hunting, and in certain cases, which species. This legislation would change that and would leave all wildlife management decisions to the Game Commission.

Over the past 40 years, hunting license sales have been steadily declining across the nation.  Countless surveys and research have been conducted in an attempt to determine the cause of this decline.  Over and over, the number one answer to why people quit hunting is ‘lack of time’. 

 

Act 107 of 2019 authorized the Game Commission to implement three Sundays for hunting. These three days were extremely successful and exceptionally safe. The Game Commission reported no hunting-related shooting incidents on any of those days. Additionally, implementing the three Sundays contributed to the increase of 25,152 licenses sold in the previous year. The additional opportunities that are available to hunters is paying huge dividends. 

 

By completely removing the prohibition on Sunday hunting, it will give the needed latitude to the Game Commission to increase hunting and trapping opportunities. 

Please join me in supporting this important legislation.

WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN?  WHAT YOU CAN DO?

The first step is to get the members of the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee to sign on and co-sponsor this legislation.  Here is every member of the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee.  

Contact them: Ask them to sign, endorse and co-sponsor the Repealing Sunday Hunting Prohibition in Pennsylvania legislation.  Post up who you contact and their responses.  

Let’s get this done.  

Link to:

Repealing Sunday Hunting Prohibition in Pennsylvania 

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20210&cosponId=35151

Senate Game and Fisheries Committee members/names/contact

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/cteeInfo/Index.cfm?Code=11&CteeBody=S

ABC 27/WHTM

Pa. hunting advocates push to expand Sunday hunting

Currently, the legislature has control over Sunday hunting. Game Commission should have total authority.

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE EDITORIAL... REMARKS THAT MISFIRED: NOT A GOOD REASON TO DERAIL SUNDAY HUNTING.

View Video of Sunday Hunting Testimony Here

Ego and wounded feelings should not stand in the way of  commonsense legislation.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 
September 25, 2019

Pennsylvania lawmakers should not allow ego and wounded feelings to stand in the way of a bill that would permit hunting on Sunday a few times a year. 

Passage of the Sunday hunting bill was expected to be smooth and swift until some unfortunate remarks were made Sept. 10 by the new executive director of the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen and Conservationists — a major proponent of the initiative that has been sought for more than a decade. 

Harold Daub, a former leader of Hunters United for Sunday Hunting, was at a legislative meeting with the Game and Fisheries Committee, meant to prime the state House about a Senate bill that would permit limited Sunday hunting. But Mr. Daub rambled into territory considered by some as rude. The Dauphin County resident rapped the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, urging lawmakers not to allow the bureau to “bully” them. He also made a sarcastic and dismissive remark about the Keystone Trails Association.

Mr. Daub was not diplomatic. Nor was he politically smart. But this bull-in-the-china-shop behavior shouldn’t derail a good move. 

A Sunday hunting ban initially was part of a package of “blue laws” aimed at promoting church attendance, a notion that fails. Many Pennsylvanians are not Christian and Sunday hunting and church-going aren’t mutually exclusive.

Pennsylvania is one of only three states that haven’t lifted a general no-Sunday-hunting ban. Some limited hunting in Pennsylvania — coyotes and crows, for example — currently is allowed. The compromise Senate bill passed in June would have allowed three Sunday hunting days.

A perennial concern has been the safety of walkers, hikers and those who want to otherwise play in the woods. But this is a concern that applies seven days a week. Other states with safety concerns engaged in a test run of Sunday hunting, found it worked fine and lifted their bans. 

The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau has opposed Sunday hunting for a reason that applies to the other six days of the week as well: trespass. Some hunters (and others) illegally trespass on private land. For farmers, that can mean crops being trampled at certain times of the year. For them, six days a week of hunting is better than seven days a week. This concern was dealt with in the pending legislation by creating a new primary offense: Hunting trespass. It would be enforceable by police and the state Game Commission and would be punishable by high fines and the possible loss of hunting privileges.

Senate Bill 147 was expected to pass the House with little debate until Mr. Daub’s inappropriate comments. That’s not a good enough reason for lawmakers to derail a process that’s been in the works for many years.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette link:
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/09/25/Pennsylvania-Sunday-hunting-remarks-Harold-Daub/stories/201909160022

HUSH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ACCEPTS NEW POSITION

CONTACT:​ Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

TELEPHONE:​ 717-350-6741
EMAIL​:​ huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com
WEBSITE:​ facebook.com/HuntersUnitedForSundayHunting

                                                     

FOR RELEASE

HUNTERS UNITED FOR SUNDAY HUNTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ACCEPTS NEW POSITION Hunters United for Sunday Hunting is announcing the departure of Executive Director Harold Daub effective April 8, 2019.  Mr. Daub has been selected to lead the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen & Conservationists as their Executive Director. The work and dedication that Harold provided Hunters United for Sunday Hunting is undeniable and will not be forgotten.  His successful leadership resulted in the education, gathering, and consolidation of sportsmen and sportswomen of all ages; conservation organizations, small and large; farmers and landowners to help correct four words to a flawed law - ‘Hunting on Sunday Prohibited.’ It is this work and recognition that made him the prime candidate for PFSC. Though it is bittersweet, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting understands and is glad to see PFSC has selected a passionate, knowledgeable and visionary thinker to help bring their organization into the 21st Century. Rest assured there will be no disruption to the mission of Hunters United for Sunday Hunting.  Kevin Askew, Communications Director has been named the interim Executive Director.  He has been instrumental in the past ‘year-of-action’ with Hunters United for Sunday Hunting. Interim Executive Director, Kevin Askew -

“As we go through this transition period.  I ask all HUSH members and Sunday hunting supporters to continue doing what you are doing.  Everyone involved in this historic activity is ‘Keeping The Needle Moving’.  We still have a fight ahead of us as Senate Bill 147 makes its way through the Pa. legislatures.  It is your actions and engagement, your phone calls, your emails, your letters that are getting attention and causing action.  Please continue and do not give up.  If we all pull the rope in the same direction, we can correct this antiquated blue law once and for all.”

Reach/Contact your legislators: - let them know to support SB 147 and removal of Sunday hunting prohibition.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - IT'S ABOUT TIME CONFERENCE- FEB 10, 2019, NEW KENSINGTON PA

Contact: Hunters United for Sunday Hunting
Telephone: 717-350-6741
Email: huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com
Facebook: @huntersunitedforsundayhunting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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. ‘It’s About Time’ conference: Sunday, February 10, 2019; Penn State New Kensington Campus, 3550 Seventh Street Road, New Kensington, PA  15068 *Press/Media only 12pm-1pm - Harold Daub HUSH Executive Director; Senator Dan Laughlin Game & Fisheries Committee, Erie Co.; Senator James Brewster Game & Fisheries Committee, Allegheny/Westmoreland Co.;  Representative William C. Kortz II House Game & Fisheries Committee, Allegheny Co; Bryan Burhans Pa. Game Commission Executive Director available for interview.  
Public & General Attendees - 1pm - 4pm https://www.facebook.com/events/2174240692667160/ https://huntersforsundayhunting.blogspot.com/2019/01/its-about-time-conference-western-pa.html

Halifax, Pa. Feb. 6, 2019 – Hunters United for Sunday Hunting ‘It’s About Time’ invites all hunters, sportsmen, sportswomen, outdoor enthusiasts, conservationists, media outlets and all other like-minded people to attend this information session. Keynote speakers include Pa. Game & Fisheries Senate and House Committees Chair/Minority Senator Dan Laughlin, Senator James Brewster and Representative William C. Kortz II, all support legislative action amending PA Title 34 Game Law to remove the barrier to Sunday hunting and transfer regulatory authority to the Pa. Game Commission.  Laughlin and Brewster authored Senate Bill #147 repealing Sunday hunting prohibition and strengthening trespass laws in Pa. The bill passed out of committee with a vote of 8-3 February 5, 2019. Senator James Brewster represent District 45, Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties. Representative William C. Kortz II, District 38, Allegheny County. Topics of discussion: Senator/Representative - explain current hunting legislation and what is needed for future progress. Pa. Game Commission - discussion of the process of Sunday hunting implementation. Hunters United for Sunday Hunting - talk about mission, current progress and what is needed to help get the barrier to Sunday hunting removed in Pa. Other organizations in support of removing Sunday hunting prohibition in Pa.

Current surveys and polls conducted indicate an average of 80% respondents support expanding Sunday hunting opportunity. https://huntersforsundayhunting.blogspot.com/2018/05/sunday-hunting-what-do-polls-say.html

The Pa. Game Commission supports the law change and has stated: "

The Board of Commissioners of the Pennsylvania Game Commission does hereby urge the General Assembly of Pennsylvania to repeal the prohibition on Sunday hunting in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania." https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Game-Commission-Details.aspx?newsid=209

HUSH Mission Statement - Remove the prohibition of Sunday hunting in PA Title 34 Game Law through education, and influence legislatures to change the law accordingly.

For more information about this topic, please contact Hunters United for Sunday Hunting at 717-350-6741 email at huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com.  View our Blog - https://huntersforsundayhunting.blogspot.com/

Executive Director Harold Daub, Communications Director Kevin Askew

LETTER TO PA. LEGISLATORS - SUPPORT SENATE BILL 147

Letter to: Legislators of Pennsylvania; State Representatives and State Senators. Support Senate Bill 147

This letter is to urge you to support the removal of the prohibition of Sunday hunting in PA Title 34 Game Law and allow the Pennsylvania Game Commission to decide what is best for Sunday hunting.  We ask that you recognize and understand that the Pa Game Commission are the subject matter experts for the management and conservation of Pa’s wildlife.  Case in point; Pa. Game Commission recognized as the best wildlife management agency in the country by the Quality Deer Management Association. https://www.qdma.com/pennsylvania-game-commission-named-qdmas-agency-year/

We encourage you to support Senate Bill 147 presented by Senator Dan Laughlin.  The bill strengthens PA Title 34 Game Law and leaves all hunting management decisions to Pa. Game Commission. It addresses the offense of trespass while hunting, making the violation a primary offense with increased penalties.  Enforceable by both game wardens and other law enforcement.

Streamlining of the law puts full management and conservation in the hands of the experts - Pa. Game Commission. The transfer of full regulatory control to Pa. Game Commission is the best solution for game management in Pa.

Studies have shown and sportsmen have stated the lack of time, work, and family obligations are among the most frequent reasons limiting their hunting opportunities. Recent polls from various sources indicate on average 80% overall support for removing the barrier to Sunday hunting. The Pa. Farm Bureau presented a statewide map during Pa. Game Commission public meeting April 23, 2018, that shows 64% approval for a law change. National Shooting Sports Foundation economic impact data on Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania shows an overall economic output of $972,589,148. Coupled with 18 Pa. voting districts having 85% approval and support for legal hunting; it leaves us as proponents scratching our heads and wondering what is the problem? Begs the question, why does the Pa. legislature as a whole not see that Pa. sportsmen have spoken and a change will benefit the commonwealth as a whole?

Hunters own, lease, use and control thousands of acres of land across this state.  Please stop ignoring us and change this archaic blue law that restricts our liberties.  Do the right thing - remove the prohibition of Sunday hunting in PA Title 34 Game Law and allow the Pennsylvania Game Commission to decide what is best for Sunday hunting?

Every conservation organization involved in this effort understands the importance of wildlife management and recognizes the agency best to do that is Pa. Game Commission, not you as lawmakers.  Senator Dan Laughlin has presented a common-sense law that addresses the needs of hunters, landowners, and other stakeholders. Hunters United for Sunday Hunting, Sportsmen's Alliance, National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Rifle Association has consolidated conservation organizations representing 1.4 million sportsmen and women of Pennsylvania all supporting SB 147 and advocate you to do the same.  Anything less fails the 480 species of wildlife in Pennsylvania.  

Sincerely; Kevin B. Askew, Interim Executive Director Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

P.S. Pa. Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans has stated: “the biggest tool that I can give the farm bureau is Sunday hunting.” If you are listening and taking advice from Pa. Farm Bureau on this issue be advised 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 the state delegates support a change to the policy regarding the existing Sunday hunting prohibition. Why would they [PFB leadership]say this and do they truly represent rank and file PFB members? Consider the statements of:

Jeffrey Grove, Governmental Relations Director, Pa. Farm Bureau on January 28, 2019, to Pa. Game Commission,  “We are a farming organization.  Not a hunting organization.” Darrin Youker, Government Affairs Rep. Pa. Farm Bureau  The Daily Review, May 28, 2018 “We are unique among any other organization, any other membership organization. I can’t negotiate on Sunday hunting, if I do, I’ve negotiated myself out of a job, I don’t want to do that.” 

"We’ve drawn the line in the sand and just said no. And it’s a hill that we die on and maybe we lose and maybe we win but we have protected the legitimacy of our policy development process so the future of Sunday hunting obviously rests with, not just the future of it but how we feel about Sunday hunting."

For Reference

Senate Bill 147

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2019&sessInd=0&billBody=S&billTyp=B&billNbr=0147&pn=0195

How Many Farmers In Pa.

https://huntersforsundayhunting.blogspot.com/2019/01/how-many-farmers-does-pennsylvania-farm_26.html

What Do The Polls Say https://huntersforsundayhunting.blogspot.com/2018/05/sunday-hunting-what-do-polls-say.html

Pa. Game Commission Support https://huntersforsundayhunting.blogspot.com/2018/05/game-commission-board-pledges-support.html

The National Shooting Sports Foundation, Economic Impact of Hunting 2016/2017 Data Pennsylvania Sunday Hunting Impact

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y6KpgyxBaZZGvj0Py53vddlZAiu1Vh8f/view?usp=sharing