ANOTHER COSPONSOR FOR SB607 - SENATOR MARIO SCAVELLO

Message from Hunters United for Sunday Hunting,  Executive Director Kevin Askew

On Monday, June 7, 2021, I had a meeting with Senator Mario Scavello and Ms. Christine Zubeck to discuss PA Senate Bill 318, Allowing Falconry on Sundays and PA Senate Bill 607, Repealing Sunday Hunting Provisions in Pennsylvania.  It was a productive and enjoyable meeting. 

Senator Mario Scavello

Upon entering the office I was completely unaware that Senator Scavello had already made the decision to become a co-sponsor for SB607.  Within a few minutes of conversation that was immediately cleared up and I was provided a copy of the legislation listing Senator Mario Scavello [R] as a cosponsor for SB607. 

Mr. Scavello’s support of SB607 is not to be taken lightly.  As a previous 2015-2016 majority chairman of the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee, he worked hard to bring Sunday hunting opportunity to fruition by holding a joint hearing with both the PA House and PA Senate Fish and Game Committees.  Unfortunately, the efforts stalled in the PA Representative side of the legislature. 

In regards to SB318, I have informed Mr. Scavello that we [HUSH] would not stand in the way nor oppose, and since SB318 is currently in the Senate F&G committee.  Senator Dan Laughlin’s [F&G Chair] office has been informed of the same.  

Why?  Though done through exemption SB318 does provide more hunting opportunities.  We must keep our goal and mission in mind and remember 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 the PGC’s resource first model and the North American Model of Wildlife Management.

To thank or provide your input on SB318 or SB607 to Senator Scavello; call or email Christine Zubeck at 717-787-6123 or czubeck@pasen.gov  

Senator Scavello SB607 Cosponsor 

LETTER TO SENATOR MARIO SCAVELLO - SB318 FALCONRY & SUNDAY HUNTING BLUE LAW REPEAL COSPONSOR

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com

717-350-6741

Senator Mario Scavello

Senate District 40 serving Monroe (part) and Northampton (part) counties

Senate Box 203040

Harrisburg, PA 17120-3040

Room: 20 East Wing

POC: Christine Zubeck 717-787-6123 or czubeck@pasen.gov  / 570-620-4326 mscavello@pasen.gov

Mr. Scavello;  

I am writing this letter in regards to Senate Bill 318, Allowing Falconry on Sundays that you have introduced this legislative session.  My name is Kevin Askew, the executive director of Hunters United for Sunday Hunting. 

As one can conclude from your co-sponsor memo. You recognize the effort underway to streamline, bring a change and update PA Title 34 Game Law regarding the hunting on Sunday prohibition and the need and the ability for the Pennsylvania Game Commission to be able to set seasons and bag limits for all participating sportsmen regardless of how they choose to hunt.  Be that with a rifle, bow, or in this case falconry.  

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 the PGC’s resource first model and the North American Model of Wildlife Management.

Falconry is part of this.  Your legislation is astute in that it recognizes that falconers are currently in violation of the law if they choose to fly their birds on Sunday. Why should falconers have to risk being in violation of the law to feed or exercise their birds on any given Sunday? 

“[SB318]This legislation is being offered because these birds of prey are wild and need to fly and eat daily.  A falconer who wishes to take his or her bird of prey out in the wild, even for daily flight and not to hunt, would still be in violation of the Sunday hunting prohibition.”

Understandably, you have introduced similar or the same legislation in previous years.  The law is flawed and needs to be corrected.  Revisiting this issue every year is not the proper way to advance this legislation.  Changing/updating the law will save much-needed legislative time, effort, and money.  Exempting by law species and/or days is not the best way for our wildlife resources to be managed. 

There are 25 conservation organizations that support removing the Sunday hunting prohibition blue law and full regulatory authority to be given to the PGC.  

The immediate request is that you consider the above and understand what updating the law and removing the Sunday hunting prohibition will not only do for falconry but for hunting and conservation as a whole. Since you are both working towards the same goal.  Please consider joining with Senator Dan Laughlin and being a co-sponsor on his current legislation to Repeal Sunday Hunting Prohibition in Pennsylvania.  

I would also like to schedule a meeting to discuss this and answer any questions you may have.  Please let me know your availability. I can be reached at the contact info above.

Sincerely;

Kevin Askew

Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting