REMINDER OF WHY WE ARE DOING WHAT WE ARE.

While watching TV my neighbor calls and asks if I’m home; his son Matthew wants to talk. Matthew knocks on the door, excited and nervous he comes in dressed in all his hunting gear. He had just shot his first deer with a crossbow and couldn’t find it and wanted to know if I would help him recover the deer.  

I get dressed in some suitable tracking clothes, grab a flashlight and head out.  As we walked up the road Matthew eagerly and hesitantly tells me the story of the hunt all while worried that he did something wrong because he has never taken a deer with a crossbow and didn’t know what to expect. 

We get to his spot, walk in, he shines the light and there is his deer. He spent the next 30 minutes showing me where he was, where the deer was, how quick it happened, how nervous he was and how he couldn’t hold the bow steady, where it ran, last blood, etc.  All the things that you expect from a young hunter.  The next few hours were spent showing him proper gutting, skinning and butchering techniques.    

His dad tried to take his excitement away because of being a smaller deer.  My response to Matthew; ignore your dad's comments, you just shot your first deer with a bow and should be proud and so should your dad. 

Wanted to pass this first hand story along for a reminder of why we are doing what we are. So when politicians such as Representative Keith Gillispie tell us that we need to do “damage control” we know why we must double down - so they, the politicians, can’t take these memories away from a young hunter like this. 

Kevin B. Askew, Executive Director

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

THE LAST TIME I ADDRESSED OUR GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION - MESSAGE FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Message from Harold Daub, Executive Director Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

The last time I addressed our grassroots organization we were in our fledgling stage of organization. We have come a long way and have grown greatly since then.  It has come to my attention that many of you are looking for updates on our progress, which is completely understandable.  My goal for this upcoming year is to do a better job at getting you the relevant information as it pertains to Hunters United for Sunday Hunting mission and progress.

That being said, on October 15, 2018, I attended a scheduled meeting and luncheon organized by Keith Gillespie, Republican Chair House Game and Fisheries Committee.  The meeting was hosted by Bryan Barbin, Democratic Chair House Game and Fisheries Committee. In attendance were representatives from the Governor's Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation, Pa. Game and Fisheries Committee Executive Director and other members, Pa. Game Commission, Pa. Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Keystone Trails Association, and Pa. Farm Bureau.

The meetings focus was on Hunters United for Sunday Hunting and the progress we are making to have the Sunday hunting prohibition language removed from Pa. Title 34 Game Law and regulatory authority transferred to the Pa. Game Commission.   I was thanked numerous times for the attention and effort we are putting forth to do this correctly while maintaining focus on proper wildlife management for the future.

All sportsmen organizations and politicians that attended the meeting are in agreement that giving regulatory authority to the PGC is well within their scope of responsibility according to the law. But, to make it happen the legislature is going to have to do their job to facilitate the law change.  They fully understand this is the best option for wildlife management in the state.

The Pa. Farm Bureau and the Keystone Trails Association presented their organization's points; some are valid, others are not.  Both Representative Gillespie and Representative Barbin made it clear that their intent for the meeting was to bring everyone to the table and that the ‘status quo’ of everyone remaining in their corners cannot continue, it is doing no good and providing no resolution. I applaud and support them for taking this first step. 

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting is on record as stating “We all are erecting the same puzzle, we all hold a piece for the future of conservation in Pa.  Our organization, Pa. Game Commission, and Pa. Farm Bureau.  We can all work on this together for the benefit of all the 480 Pa. wildlife species, or not.  If we don’t then the result will be lost effort, energy, time, on all our parts.  Resulting in stagnation and no forward movement on management and conservation efforts here in Pa.”

As Executive Director I welcome additional meetings and interactions.  I represent this grassroots organization wholeheartedly and will not deviate from our approach and mission. We need to continue to be heard.  The momentum and energy that this grassroots effort has, is undeniable.  Why do you think I am getting meeting requests such as these?  The answer is simple; because of the passion, you all have for our heritage and sport you love and enjoy.  

But, I can’t do it alone.  I continually need your assistance and help.  Therefore I do have an ask or a call-to-action of everyone, all 30,000 HUSH followers, supporting organizations, hunters, outdoorsmen and women, and all other interested stakeholders.

I need everyone to double down and focus on distributing, sharing and getting others to sign, complete and advance the Hunters United for Sunday Hunting “Keep The Needle Moving” call-to-action link located on our blog. It is with your assistance and effort that removing the barrier to hunting opportunities will happen here in Pennsylvania.

https://huntersforsundayhunting.blogspot.com/2018/09/what-actions-you-can-take-how-you-can.html

Enjoy your time afield this hunting season.  If you are able to introduce someone else to our great sport please do so; help them experience what the outdoors has to offer.

Sincerely;

Harold Daub

Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting