SUNDAY HUNTING NOT ABOUT SPECIES OR SEASON

Statement to Pa. Game Commissioners, January 25, 2020
Executive Director Burhans, Deputy Executive Directors Grohol and Palmer, Commissioners, and Staff:

Good morning commissioners. My name is Kevin Askew, I am the Executive Director for Hunters United for Sunday Hunting. Let me first say that my organization, as well as the 20 other conservation organizations, remain focused on the mission and task to remove the prohibition of Sunday hunting in Pa Title 34 Game law, through education and influence the legislatures to change the law accordingly.

As commissioners, you are now faced with what do you do with the three Sundays of hunting opportunity for the upcoming season. It is not your fault that lawmakers anchored two of these Sundays - one in archery season and one in deer rifle season. It would have been best for all three Sundays to be set by you, the subject matter experts. But here we are today, with three additional days of hunting opportunity as dictated by Senate Bill 147. So what do you do?

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.

Reports have indicated that in setting the upcoming seasons you are considering adding a Sunday for bear and as dictated by law the Sunday for deer rifle and the Sunday in archery. What has not been reported is what other species will be available to hunt on these Sundays. Will any of the small game or furtaking species be available to hunt on these Sundays? If not and there is a biological reason that is fine. Just let us know why a species can’t support additional hunting. We as hunters definitely will understand. But if there isn’t a biological reason, then let us hunt any and all available species. The time afield is very valuable to us, as you know. 

It is important that you get this as correct as possible from the beginning. There are still many nay-sayers among us who think the sky may fall when these three Sundays are implemented. These people, politicians included are just lying in wait to have another thing they can blame on you as the Pa. Game Commission. So, do all you can to not give them that satisfaction.

The conservation and hunting community supports the wildlife management decisions made by this agency. Sunday hunting is no different. All we are asking is that you maximize and set the upcoming seasons and bag limits for as much hunting opportunity as possible on these precious few Sundays. 

In closing, I want to take the time to thank the commissioners and PGC staff for the way you have handled the information regarding Senate Bill 147 as it went through the final steps. You kept people informed, were transparent, and educated as much as possible on what was happening. This helped my organization as well as others. For that I thank you. 

Again, as one of the leading organizations for Sunday hunting. Hunters United for Sunday Hunting asks that you maximize these three Sundays by allowing as much hunting opportunity that is biologically permitted. 

Thanks for your time;

Sincerely; 

Kevin B. Askew

Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

LETTER OF APPRECIATION TO SENATOR JAKE CORMAN

The following joint organizational letter has been sent to Senator Jake Corman. To: Senator Jake Corman, Majority Leader

From:

Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen & Conservationists

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

Senator Corman; 

Please accept this letter in appreciation of the work you have done to get Senate Bill 147 through the Pennsylvania Senate with a vote 36 Yes and 14 No. We know this was no small task given the history here in Pa. and the tactics used by the Pa. Farm Bureau. Please extend our thanks to all of those Senators that see the value in providing additional hunting opportunities that SB147 brings. Is SB147 perfect? The answer is no. Does SB147 provide additional hunting opportunity? The answer is yes. 

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 you as legislators truly understand that the Pa. Game Commission has the expertise and knowledge to implement them.

All hunting conservation organizations involved in support of SB 147 have always supported the strengthening of trespass while hunting laws. We are glad that was not amended. The hope is the primary trespass language remains and is not compromised as SB147 moves forward. Hunting trespass laws have needed to be updated for many years. The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau should be grateful that the Pa. Senate understands that and did not remove it like the PFB has been asking.

At this time last year there appeared to be no hope of Sunday hunting opportunities coming to Pennsylvania. But here we are moving in making hunting on Sundays a reality and taking steps toward removing the 337-year-old blue law that prohibits hunting on Sunday.  The Pa. Senators are truly making history.

For us this is not the end, it is just the beginning. Please keep this in mind. When these three Sundays are implemented and more opportunity has been provided to hunters; when the ‘nay-sayers’ sky did not fall; and you as politicians have had your fears and concerns marginalized; and all without detriment to game species; we as a hunting conservation community will be knocking on your door once again. This time with less patience and an uncompromised complete repeal of the Sunday hunting prohibition. There will be no more hiding behind ‘the-fear-of-the-unknown.’

The mission is not over and this fight will continue. Pa. Federation of Sportsmen & Conservationist, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting and the over 20 supporting organizations remain 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 hope that we continue to build our relationship and work hand-in-hand as conservationists and politicians to strike the needed balance between laws and regulations to do what is best for Pennsylvania’s wildlife.  Again, thanks for all the effort on Senate Bill 147. Looking forward to working with you in the future. 

Sincerely;

Harold Daub

Executive Director

Pa. Federation of Sportsman & Conservationists

Sincerely; 

Executive Director

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

SB147 - HOW DID WE GET HERE? NEGOTIATION?

As of Aug 1, 2019 - Senate Bill 147 

Senate Bill 147 still has a few more hurdles to go through before it becomes law.  The best-case scenario is that SB147 gets through the Pa. House in September and onto the governor's desk for signature opening up the possibility for Sunday hunting opportunity this fall.  The other scenario is it gets held up in the legislative process and does not reach the governor's desk until late November or December effectively eliminating any Sunday opportunity for the 2019-2020 hunting season. Hunting on three Sundays each calendar year, as follows: - One day of Sunday hunting shall be instituted by the commission during the deer rifle season. - One day of Sunday hunting shall be instituted by the commission during the Statewide deer archery season. - One day of Sunday hunting as determined by the commission shall be instituted by the commission. **The anchoring by law of the two Sunday’s is not based on any science.  Legislators insisted and refused to vote if these Sundays where not specified.**

How did we get here? Timeline: Senate Bill 147

February  1, 2019 -  introduced by Senators Laughlin, Brewster, Street and Yaw

February 27, 2019 - passed out of Pennsylvania Senate Game and Fisheries Committee with a favorable vote of 8 YES and 3 NO.

June 27, 2019 - passed out of Pennsylvania Senate with a favorable vote of 36 YES and 14 NO.

June 27, 2019 - sent to Pennsylvania House Game and Fisheries Committee for voting.  

September 10, 2019 - Pennsylvania House Game and Fisheries Committee public hearing, 1pm room 60 east wing, Pa. state capitol building.  

Negotiation for SB 147 Sundays.  Who was in the room?  What happened?

**No Pa. based sportsmen or conservation organization present during negotiation.  Pa. Game Commission was not consulted or present.** Pa. Senators:

• original proposal was 14 Sundays of hunting opportunity to be determined by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.  
• negotiated to 3 days. Legislators insisted and refused to vote if Sundays and seasons where not specified.
  

Pa. Farm Bureau:

• asked and received stiffer trespass law.  Trespass while hunting is a primary offense enforceable by Game Commission wardens, local and state law enforcement.  
• sources indicate intentionally withheld ‘written permission’ in order to hold up and stall the vote in Pa. House. 
• Bullying tactic?  You decide? 

National Rifle Association:

• Notified legislators that SB 147 is and will be a NRA graded vote. 
• Legislators upset, worried about self-preservation.  View grading as being caught between sportsmen and farmers. 
• Their misdirected anger is towards sportsmen/women, not PFB who put them in this position. 
• Worked to get the 3 Sundays to be Pa. Game Commission choice, not dictated by legislation. 
• Counter Pa. Farm Bureau as SB147 moves forward.  PFB wants more, Pa. hunters get more.

Reference: 

Senate Bill 147 https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?Year=2019&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=147

Senate Game & Fisheries Committee vote https://legiscan.com/PA/rollcall/SB147/id/792847

Pa. Senate vote https://legiscan.com/PA/rollcall/SB147/id/887856

Pa. House Game & Fisheries Committee https://legiscan.com/PA/bill/SB147/2019

Public Hearing https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/cteeInfo/Index.cfm?CteeBody=H&Code=18

HUSH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MESSAGE TO PA. GAME COMMISSION - SB147

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting, Executive Director, Kevin Askew addresses Pa. Game Commission, Board of Commissioners at the July 22, 2019 public meeting regarding Senate Bill 147.

July 22, 2019 President Layton, Commissioners, Executive Director Burhans, and Deputy Executive Director Grohol and Palmer,

Good morning gentlemen.  My name is Kevin Askew, I am the Executive Director for Hunters United for Sunday Hunting.  Let me first say that my organization is undeterred in 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 am here today to thank you, the Board of Commissioners for the work you have and are about to put in regarding Senate Bill 147.

Unfortunately, legislators have not provided full regulatory authority to the Pa. Game Commission.  The anchoring and dictating by the law of two Sunday’s in SB147 is not based on any science as you know.  Please be aware that no Pa. based sportsmen or conservation organization was at the table when this deal was made. 

You must accept and realize the Pa. Farm Bureau is still opposed to SB147.  So what!  This opposition should not deter you in the least.  Why? Page 23, 2019 Pa. Farm Bureau Policy Book, Wildlife Management Section, Line 6, “We recommend sound science be used to manage wildlife populations.”  The Pa. Farm Bureau just wants to posture and stand in the way of wildlife conservation progress in this state for no real reason.  The Pa. Farm Bureau knows full well that they are getting stronger hunting trespass laws that benefit both farmers and landowners.  All the while providing additional hunting opportunities to farmers and others.

SB147 still has a few more hurdles to go through before it becomes law.  The best-case scenario is that SB147 gets through the Pa. House in September and onto the governor's desk for signature opening up the possibility for Sunday hunting opportunity this fall.  The other scenario is it gets held up in the legislative process and does not reach the governor's desk until late November or December effectively eliminating any Sunday opportunity for the 2019-2020 hunting season.

What you as commissioners and an agency do, and how you handle the progress and implementation of SB147 is extremely critical in both short term and long term.  Once SB147 becomes law, all eyes are on the Pa. Game Commission.  Some want you to succeed. Others want you to fail.  So what do you do?

You all know what Hunters United for Sunday Hunting team has done to get to this point today.  My recommendation is that you follow the same template.  Be completely transparent, educate and keep people informed on what is going on.  Tell people what, why and how you can and are implementing these three Sundays.  If SB147 gets held up for some reason don’t be afraid to say why and place blame where it belongs. 

This is a great educational opportunity for both politicians and the public.  If done right the agency can very well reap the benefits.  If done wrong you have just given the opposition the club to beat us with in this conservation battle for hunting on Sunday.  There is no better evidence of this than the ridicule of Joel Rotz, Pa. Farm Bureau, “hunters who can't go out on Sundays already have an economic impact, such as by going to sports events or eating and drinking at bars and restaurants in their communities.” 

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting welcomes the additional hunting opportunity in SB147 and understands the task and decisions ahead of you as commissioners.  Thanks for the work that you do and the resources that you protect. 

Sincerely; 

Kevin B. Askew

Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

**Of note, Joel Rotz, Pa. Farm Bureau was in attendance.  He did not address the commissioners.**

SB 147 PASSES PA APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE - SMALL VICTORY

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