LETTER TO PA POLITICIANS - I HAVE HAD MY FILL

Thanks Joe for providing us a copy of the letter you sent to Pa. politicians.  Your frustration is not lost on any of us.  We need more of these letter being sent to politicians in this state.   

Letter from Joe - Disgruntled Veteran & Hunter
To the politicians of Pennsylvania: 

I am an army combat vet who served in Baghdad from 2003-2004. I now own a home, land and have three kids. I want to pass on the family hunting tradition. My daughter is three and even at this young age, she knows daddy loves deer. It is not uncommon for me to work six days a week with Sunday being the day I have off. Being on commission based salary, Saturday is the day I make my money. 

I find it both ironic and pathetic that I can't use the very freedom I served to protect to hunt the land I own on the only day I have off [Sunday] with my children.  Especially since the Pennsylvania Game Commission supports hunting on Sunday as a game management option. 

I want to teach my kids how to hunt, but I also want to instill ethics and morals into their lives. With Senate Bill 147 not passing this year I decided to purchase a New York state hunting license. On Sundays, I will be spending my time there.   When my children turn 12 years old, I will be taking them there as that's the age they can legally hunt in NY. 

My plan for next year if SB147 does not go through is to purchase an acre or two in NY close to the state lands that I will be hunting. This will also allow me to take advantage of lower license prices for me and my family. 

I can assure all of you politicians if we do not have full inclusion of all Sundays by the time my kids are 12 years-of-age. I will refuse to spend a dime of my money in this state [PA] when it comes to hunting. 

I have also decided to not support dairy farms in Pennsylvania.  I will make sure any money spent on dairy products for my family will be on products that come from elsewhere. I understand how that sounds but I don't care, the Pa Farm Bureau claims to represent all these farmers that are dictating what I can and can't do with my children on my private land. I know that may not make much difference but I can't in good conscience support them [farmers] knowing that a portion of that money benefits the PFB in some way.  

Please understand I am not an unreasonable person but I have had my fill. To us, hunting is very important as a family and we should not have to make a choice between hunting or summer vacations or choose a different career path to get my kids hunting. 

Thank you for your time.

Joe - Disgruntled Veteran & Hunter

BACKCOUNTRY HUNTERS & ANGLERS TESTIMONY SUBMITTED TO PA GAME & FISHERIES COMMITTEE, SEPT. 10, 2019 HEARING

Pennsylvania Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
www.backcountryhunters.org

September 10, 2019
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Game and Fisheries Committee






Dear Representatives,

The Pennsylvania Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is a nonprofit group that seeks to ensure preservation of Pennsylvania’s outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting. One of our main tenets is to maintain and enhance public access and opportunity for hunters and anglers.

We understand that the Committee is discussing the issue of Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania. We urge you to support the hunters of our state and give the Pennsylvania Game Commission the authority to regulate hunting on Sundays as they do with the other days of the week.

Sunday hunting would provide increased opportunities for junior hunters and working age adult hunters to become engaged in hunting and conservation. Additional opportunities will lead to better recruitment and retention of hunters throughout the state. Children's schedules today are more rigid than in the past.  Sunday hunting would double the amount of time that junior hunters can spend in the field without interfering with school and team sports, many of which have Saturday activities. Likewise, the work and social demands of many adult hunters limit their time and Sunday may be the only time available to hunt.

Lack of time plays a major role in why many Pennsylvanians leave hunting. Over the past several years, the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) has identified a downward trend in hunting license sales over the last decade. In a survey of lapsed hunters conducted for the PGC, lack of time and work obligations were among the most frequently stated reasons for the decision to stop hunting. This was especially true in junior hunters and adult hunters under the age of 35. These are the groups that need to be recruited to maintain and grow Pennsylvania’s hunting population. Permitting Sunday hunting would work to alleviate the diminishing number of young hunters.

Increased hunting opportunities also would lead to increased profits for the rural communities and
businesses throughout the commonwealth. A National Shooting Sports Foundation study found that
Sunday hunting could create over 8,000 new jobs and pump $764 million into the state’s economy.
For these reasons the Pennsylvania Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers supports Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania and SB 147.

Sincerely,

Pennsylvania Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers

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.**

WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PA FARM BUREAU - SUNDAY HUNTING

During testimony to Pa. Game Commission on April 23, 2018, Jeff Grove Governmental Relations Director, Pa. Farm Bureau presented this map to the PGC Board of Commissioners showing the support for Sunday hunting across the farming community in the entire state.  Copies of the map were provided to all the commissioners for review.  The map shows 64% approval.  The data was provided to PFB by Senator Gene Yaw, Pa. 23rd District to measure support/opposition to Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania.
As you view the map think of these words from Mark O'Neill, Media & Strategic Communications Director, Pa. Farm Bureau “Pa. Farm Bureau means farmers.”  PCN Feb 19, 2019.

YES = 64%

NO = 35%

UNDECIDED = 1%

** You Decide**

** Why Would The Pa. Farm Bureau Leadership Czars Present This Map And Then Ignore Their Own Testimony And Presented Facts On Sunday Hunting?   **Why Is The Pa. Farm Bureau Holding Their Members, Hunters, Farmers, Landowners, & Wildlife Conservation Hostage?   **Should We Trust The Pa. Farm Bureau?  Do They Truly Represent Their Rank & File Members?  **Is It All About The PFB Leadership Czars?                              ** You Decide** FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR - BY PA COUNTY Pa. Farm Bureau Contact
Disclaimer TO ALL PA FARMERS & AGRICULTURALISTS Please read

TO ALL PA FARMERS & AGRICULTURALISTS - HUSH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HAROLD DAUB

I want to take the time and direct a message to all the hard-working farmers and agriculturalists in Pennsylvania.  As we move forward in this year's legislative cycle to work a solution on having PA Title 34 Game Law changed and updated to remove the prohibition on Sunday hunting.  It is important that you understand that Hunters United for Sunday Hunting is not singling you out or personally attacking you in our endeavor to correct this outdated blue law.

Unfortunately Pa. Farm Bureau has placed us in a position where that looks like the case.  The PFB has bullied the legislators to a point where they believe that Pa. Farm Bureau speaks for all farmers and agriculturalists in the commonwealth.

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting knows this is not the case.  Facts show that the PFB represents less than half of you, with 58,000 farm operations in the state and the PFB only representing 22,648 voting Farmer members.  Please believe me when we hear statements like ‘I am a farmer, the Pa. Farm Bureau doesn’t represent me’ there is undeniable truth to it.

But it is also important that you understand and realize I and my organization has no choice but to play in this same sandbox of misrepresentation created by Pa. Farm Bureau. There is no other course of action.  I combat it and separate as much as I can by continually reminding politicians and those that I meet with that the PFB does not have the support of the entire farming community.

I would like to report that lawmakers listen.  In some cases, they are coming around and starting to realize the charade is over and standing up to the PFB leadership bullies; and for good reason.

Again, this message is for farmers and agriculturalists.  I understand that you have been asking for the strengthening of trespass laws as a route to the overall Sunday hunting issue.  Hunters United for Sunday Hunting is on record as supporting an update to trespass laws in Pa.

My overall concern is that as the oppression of the PFB is unmasked, the politicians in their frustration will dismiss your asks in totality and not provide you with the necessary means to get the law updated.  The Pa. Farm Bureau will have ruined it for all.

The mission of our organization will remain steadfast.  That being to remove the prohibition of Sunday hunting in PA Title 34 Game Law through education, and influence legislatures to change the law accordingly.

If you are a Farmer member of the PFB:  my first ask is that you accept this as qualified reasoning that I do understand that you are a victim of association.  My second ask is that you contact the PFB leadership, tell them to just acknowledge and accept that the strengthening of trespass laws is the objective.  My third ask is to have PFB leadership acknowledge and accept the fact that the PFB as an organization is not wildlife managers; leave that to Pa. Game Commission.

For the majority of farmers who are not in the PFB.  I encourage you to contact your Pa. representatives, let them know that as an independent farmer the PFB does not represent you.

For the non-farming, hunting and conservationist community:  my ask is that you understand the position the PFB has placed all Pennsylvania farmers in as we continue to work on getting PA Title 34 Game Law updated.

In closing, the only people that can affect change is us.  Make it known to the Pa. legislature; contact them, voice your concerns as it pertains to Pa. Farm Bureau, tell lawmakers to support legislation that would amend Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to authorize the Pennsylvania Game Commission to provide for Sunday hunting. Sincerely;

Harold Daub Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

Contact Information:
FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR - BY PA COUNTY

PA FARM BUREAU

PA GAME COMMISSION

DEER TRACK PRODUCTIONS INTERVIEW RELEASE - HAROLD DAUB, EXEC. DIR. HUSH

Interview conducted by Deer Track Productions with Harold Daub, Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting.

Question: What's the big deal with Sunday hunting?  Why is it a passionate issue for you?

Question: Is there resistance from non-hunters.  What are they saying?

Question: Where is Pennsylvania at compared to other states in regards to Sunday hunting?

Question: A lot of people think that hunters and the Pa. Game Commission want to eliminate all the species.  People don’t realize that is where the conservation comes from and the wildlife management.

Question: There have been several polls & surveys conducted, what are the results?

Question: What is the advantage to hunters?  What are some of the issues that hunters have that Sunday hunting would help alleviate?

Question: Isn’t it good for the animals to have a day of rest?

Question: Why is the law the way it is?  Why is it out of the Pa. Game Commission's hands when everything else is under their purview, but yet this isn’t.  What is going on in the legislature and what are the challenges there?

Question: Is the thrust of what you are trying to get done: to have the legislature allow Sunday hunting or to give that power back the Pa. Game Commission?

Question: What can a concerned Pennsylvania hunter do to positively influence this?

Question: Is there any bill written?

Question: Give me an example if you were out hunting where having Sunday hunting would be important or not important?

Interview conducted by: www.deertracktv.com

EDUCATION SERIES 3 OF..... SECTION 2101 ADMINISTRATION OF TITLE

Education series: why this mission is important, why the law needs to be deconflicted, and what it would mean to people.

Education Series 3 of……

Section 2101.  Administration of title.

Many people do not understand or have the time to read what is in PA Title 34 Game Law.  

So let's examine the law as it pertains to wildlife management and the issue of removing the barrier to hunting opportunities in Pa.  

On page 43 you will find what the Pa. Game Commission can do in the interest of Pa. wildlife and hunting.

PA Title 34 Game Law link:

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/34/34.HTM

Pa. Title 34 Game Law

§ 2101.  Administration of title.
The commission shall have the authority to administer and enforce this title and all laws of this Commonwealth relating to the encouragement, promotion and development of game or wildlife conservation interests and the protection, propagation, distribution and control over game or wildlife.