New Sunday Hunting Bill Announced - Senate Bill 67

 

   CONTACT: Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

    TELEPHONE: 717-350-6741

    EMAIL: huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com

    WEBSITE: facebook.com/HuntersUnitedForSundayHunting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE/DISTRIBUTION

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting proudly announces 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 to be introduced in the upcoming 2023-2024 session.   

Senate Bill 67 corrects and removes the prohibition of hunting on Sundays.  It will bring the law in line with that of agriculture.  Act 26 2007 along with various other laws such as Title 34 and Title 58 authorizes agriculturalists to harvest animals on all days of the week including Sunday.   Hunter-conservationists should not be discriminated against and be afforded the same opportunity by law to harvest animals on Sunday. The legislative standard is to be Sunday-inclusive.  Hunting on Sunday deserves to have the same principle and standard applied.

Senator Dan Laughlin, Pa. 49th District, Senate Majority Policy Committee has introduced Senate Bill 67.  This bill mirrors the language of the previous bill that reads:    

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

When asked why he was re-introducing the Sunday hunting bill Senator Laughlin replied, “We have six days that we can hunt, there is no reason that it shouldn't and can’t be seven days.”  He also added that “2023 is the year of 53 Sundays, let’s mark that by getting the Sunday hunting prohibition lifted.”

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting along with the conservation cohort looks forward to working with the Pa. Legislature in getting Senate Bill 67 through the legislative process and into law in a timely manner.  We would like nothing more than for everyone to come to the table in good faith; politicians, Pa. Game Commission, conservation organizations, and the Pa. Farm Bureau, to negotiate a reasonable end to this archaic blue law that discriminates only against those who hunt. 

Senate Bill 67 will be available electronically once it becomes active in the database of the state.  The anticipated timeframe is by end of January 2023.  It will not show up in any google or other search engines until that time. 

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For more information about this topic, please contact Hunters United for Sunday Hunting 

Executive Director Kevin Askew at 717-350-6741 or email at huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com 

View our Blog - https://huntersforsundayhunting.blogspot.com/

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

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.**

SUNDAY HUNTING BAN UNDER FIRE - ARTICLE

Article by: Melinda Rizzo

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting contributor – Carl Machamer, Research Analyst

“We’re interest in protecting and preserving hunting family time, and passed-down traditions,” said Carl Machamer, a spokesman for Hunters United for Sunday Hunting, or HUSH, grassroots, pro-hunting organization based in Harrisburg. He said weekend hunting is popular among families, and the Keystone State is losing revenue to neighbor’s, including West Virginia, New York and Ohio, that allow Sunday hunting.   They’re all benefiting from Pennsylvania

He said hunters were important to conservation efforts and they play a vital role in population control, as well as preservation and protection of outdoor areas.

Read Full Article:
Sunday Hunting Ban Under Fire

FARMERS - I WONDER IF THEY KNOW WHAT THE PA. FARM BUREAU IS DOING

Farmer planting fields.  Photo courtesy of Pa. Game Commission

Published in The Shippensburg News Chronicle

From: Pennsylvania Outdoors Writer Association, Journalist Bell Ferris

According to the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen and Conservationists that in their effort to stop any Sunday hunting The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau is threatening gun clubs, whose member shoot on Sundays or for that matter anyone wanting to shoot on their own property on Sunday.

According to their executive director farmers, hikers, horseback riders and others want to enjoy Sundays without hearing gunfire.

When I dealt with the Farm Bureau as a salesman, mostly what they did was sell high cost insurance and tires and wheels to farmers. Many farmers I spoke with in the course of doing business told me they bought insurance from other companies and they could buy tires and wheels for less money from other sources.

Apparently some farmers are members of the farm bureau, which probably means they buy insurance from them but I know farmers, who like to shoot on their farm on Sunday and several are members of local gun clubs that shoot on Sundays, too. I wonder if they know what their farm bureau is doing?

I do know that Sunday hunting is a hot issue and I haven’t made up my mind one way or the other about putting more pressure on a limited game animal resource but the Farm Bureau is definitely falling into the anti-hunting camp and farmers who are customers of the Farm Bureau need to discuss the whole issue with them before the legislature votes to ban Sunday shooting.

Sportsmen and conservationists have always supported farmers and most farmers are sportsmen and conservationists but if the Farm Bureau persists, shooters, who are also voters might withdraw their support for the next farm bill. Pennsylvania Outdoors Writer Association, Journalist Bell Ferris

Read Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen & Conservationists release:
PFSC Condemns PA Farm Bureau Attacks on PA’s Hunters and 2A Rights

HUSH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HAROLD DAUB - MESSAGE & CALL TO ACTION -

Message from Executive Director - This is an ALL HANDS ON DECK CALL TO ACTION Sunday Hunting and Senate Bill 147 Supporters,
This is a very critical week and I need your help.  If you truly want to see the prohibition on Sunday hunting lifted in Pennsylvania and Senate Bill 147 move to the next steps, I need you to give 15 minutes of your time today and tomorrow. The Pa. Farm Bureau will be descending on Harrisburg this Wednesday, March 27, 2019. The PFB leadership autocracy has issued talking point directives to be used.  One of the first on the list is Senate Bill 147 and Sunday hunting.  The PFB is requesting when their members speak to legislators on Wednesday they specifically mention opposition to Sunday hunting as well as trespass legislation being part of the discussion on this wildlife conservation issue. The important thing to remember and note as you make calls and speak with State Representatives is Pa. Farm Bureau has been requesting for over 10 years that trespass laws be strengthened. Hence, why it is also important to understand many rank and file members of the PFB support SB 147.  The trespass language contained in Senate Bill 147 is what PFB has been wanting.  But yet, now that it has support and momentum they [PFB leadership] are still not supporting.  Makes no sense. In regards to wildlife management.  Bottom line is Pa. Farm Bureau has no experience or expertise. The Pa. Game Commission is charged by law with the management of the states wildlife not Pa. Farm Bureau. There are very few active farmers that will be at the capitol building.  I have been told the people selected or asked to participate by PFB on Wednesday are mostly legacy farmers, retired farmers and very few active [making a living] PFB farmers.  In talking with PFB active farmer members they will not be attending because of doing what farmers do this time of year - farming.  Many of these active farmers support SB 147. Though we do not know how many PFB members will be at the state capitol on Wednesday we must realize the PFB is once again using deception to bully Pa. legislators by ‘stacking the deck’ so to speak.  It is a fact that Pa. Farm Bureau only represents 22,648 farmers in Pa. the other part of their membership does not count. What we can be assured of is Pa. Farm Bureau to continue to misrepresent itself and intimidate legislators.  Please have no illusion, the PFB autocracy thinks they control the issue of removing the prohibition on Sunday hunting and SB 147. This is an ALL HANDS ON DECK CALL TO ACTION.  We need to make our intentions known and our voices heard starting today on Senate Bill 147.  If we don’t, the only message that will be reverberating in the halls of our state capitol building is that of naysayers. Let’s not let that happen.  We need to “Keep The Needle Moving” make the halls come alive with our message of resounding support for SB 147 and the removal of Sunday hunting prohibition here in Pa. This is why I am asking and need your commitment to making the following calls: First - call your Representative and Senator using these links: FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR - BY PA COUNTY Or https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/  In addition to recording your support with both of your legislators. I also need you to place a call to all of those who occupy important leadership positions. Senate President Honorable Joseph Scarnati - 717-787-7084 Senate Majority Leader Honorable Jake Corman - 717-787-1377 Senate Minority Leader Honorable Jay Costa - 717-787-7683 Senate Appropriations Majority Chairman Honorable Patrick Browne - 717-787-1349 Senate Appropriations Minority Chairman Honorable Vincent Hughes - 717-787-7112 House Speaker Honorable Mike Turzai - 717-772-9943 House Majority Leader:  Honorable Bryan Cutler - 717-783-6424 House Minority Leader:  Honorable Frank Dermody - 717-787-3566 House Appropriations Committee Majority Chairman Honorable Stan Saylor - 717-783-6426 House Appropriations Committee Minority Chairman Honorable Matthew Bradford - 717-783-1540 House Game & Fish Majority Chairman Honorable Keith Gillespie - 717-705-7167 House Game & Fish Minority Chairman Honorable William Kortz - 717-787-8175 Thank you for your active participation in bringing an end to the ban on Sunday hunting and the upgrade of our trespass laws. It is with your passion and effort that we will be successful in our mission. Sincerely,

Harold Daub, Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting P.S. Comment below on the responses you get.