WHATS GOING ON WITH SENATE BILL 147? I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING.

“What’s going on with Senate Bill 147?” I have been asked this question quite frequently since the September 10, 2019, Sunday hunting public hearing held in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Game and Fisheries Committee.
  
Currently, our national partners from the National Rifle Association and the National Shooting Sports Foundation have asked if they can handle the continued negotiations. This is an agreeable request since these organizations have the resources, knowledge, and experts that understand all the legislative work that takes place.
  
As of this writing, Senate Bill 147 sits in the Pa House Game and Fisheries Committee. The current negotiations regarding whether the request for written permission from the Pa Farm Bureau will be added or not. The PFB is requesting SB147 be amended to include written permission on the Sundays stipulated in the bill. No other days are being considered to include written permission.
  
So essentially the PFB wants lawmakers to write a law for what we already have. Under our current posting regulations, a landowner can require or not require written permission to hunt on their property. If the landowner is comfortable with verbal permission, that is completely up to the property owner.
   
So the question becomes why do we need a law to do what we already can do legally at landowner discretion.

The NRA and NSSF are working through this. Neither has agreed or disagreed with the proposal. The negotiating team is working with lawmakers to understand why they think writing a law to do what can already be done makes sense or not make sense.
  
Now to the big question. Are we going to have the opportunity to hunt this hunting season? I wish I had a solid and straight answer but I don’t. I can assure you that HUSH, NRA, NSSF, and all the of the conservations organizations involved in the Pa Sunday hunting fight are doing all we can to get hunting opportunity as quickly as possible. We know and understand what the extra time afield means to everyone.
  
We are up against politicians and their willingness to act quickly for all the right reasons. As it stands the Pa House Game and Fisheries Committee must vote, SB147 then goes to the entire Pa House for a vote, then back to the Senate for a concurrence vote, and then to the governor's desk for signature. All indications are Governor Wolf will sign the bill into law.
  
The overarching and more pressing issue is: the longer the legislators choose not to take action. The longer SB147 is held up in the process. The timeline gets extended. 

This is why it is extremely important to continue calling and emailing legislators on SB147.

I get it, everyone has been doing that for the past 18 months. Please hear and read my words.  It is because of you, supporters of Sunday hunting opportunity that SB147 is where it is and the ‘needle moved’ further than it has ever been in the past 20 years. I am asking that you continue that momentum, keep those phones ringing and the legislator's email boxes full with SB147 and Sunday hunting messages. Continue making the hunter-conservationists voice heard. 

We are close, please stay in the fight. 

Sincerely;

Kevin B. Askew, Executive Director Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

HUNTERS UNITED FOR SUNDAY HUNTING TESTIMONY SUBMITTED TO PA GAME & FISHERIES COMMITTEE, SEPT. 10, 2019 HEARING

Pennsylvania House Representatives, Game and Fisheries Committee:  

Pa. Farm Bureau farmers do not own all the land.  We as hunters own ground as well.

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting welcomes the additional hunting opportunity in Senate Bill 147 and understands the task and decisions ahead of you as state representatives.

The three-day stipulation in SB147 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.

Educate yourselves a little bit and understand what Senate Bill 147 does.  The biggest misunderstanding is that it is only a ‘hunting’ bill.  The fact is, trespass is the main portion.  Specifically, the trespass that Pa. Farm Bureau has been wanting.  This is a very simple bill that does everything it needs, provides for landowner rights, strengthen trespass, and provides additional hunting opportunities. The Pa. Farm Bureau has been asking for decades for trespass laws to be updated, the language in this bill is exactly what they have been wanting.  Trespassing while hunting would be a primary offense and enforceable by both game wardens and law enforcement officers.  But yet they are still opposed? Why?  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. 

It is no secret that the Pa. Farm Bureau wants to hold SB147 up by asking for a ‘written permission’ amendment.  What the PFB is not telling you is that they are working with Representative Dawn Keefer on a “use of paint to designate no-trespass areas”  better known as purple paint laws used in various other states. As written by PFB [purple paint]  “Would allow landowners to identify with purple paint on trees, fences and other structures those areas of the property where entry is prohibited, with paint markings having the same legal protection against unauthorized trespass as posting “no trespassing” signs.

This is very important to understand when it comes to Senate Bill 147.  ‘Purple paint’ negates the need for ‘written permission’ and confirms the PFB only wants to hold SB147 up for no real reason.  If the PFB were to come clean, you would find out their opposition has nothing to do with trespass and has everything to do with religion.

SB 147 is a step forward to correct a 337-year-old antiquated blue law.  If you do some research you will find that the four words ‘Hunting on Sunday Prohibited’ in Pa. Title 34 Game Law dates back to 1682 as a colony under British control.  The laws were enacted for religious reasons designed to drive people to observe Sunday as the Sabbath.  There are over 300 religions currently practiced in this century, not all of them observe Sunday as a Sabbath. As legislators you have a choice; continue to make history and help advance hunting conservation to fit modern times; or, continue a 337-year old outmoded law.

As you make your decision, think about the disdain the PFB displays towards hunters on this subject and ask yourself; is this the way forward?  The York Dispatch printed this from Joel Rotz, Pa. Farm Bureau, Government Affairs and Communications spokesman “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.”

We encourage the passing of Senate Bill 147 in its current state. Without any additional amendments or hold-ups.  The quicker SB 147 gets through the legislative process the better.  Only then will we be able to come together on what is truly needed and what is best for the future of hunting conservation in Pa.   

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.

Sincerely;  

Kevin B. Askew

Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

PA FARM BUREAU EFFORTS ENDANGERING SHOOTING ACTIVITIES

Dear Pennsylvania Sportsmen, Hunting, and Recreational Shooting Facilities

THE PA FARM BUREAU LOBBYING EFFORTS ARE ENDANGERING YOUR CLUB.    Read Release: Pa. Farm Bureau Continues To Impede Second Amendment Rights.

This letter is to inform all Pennsylvania facilities that conduct and have active rifle, handgun or other weapon shooting activities on Sundays; be it target practice, clay pigeons, pistol or other shooting competitions, YOUR SHOOTING ACTIVITIES ARE BEING THREATENED!  As part of the Pa. Farm Bureau's stance on Senate Bill 147.  The PFB is pushing for ‘gunfire-free Sundays’ so hikers, bikers, horseback riders, birdwatchers, and others can take part in outdoor activities without hearing gunshots.

Mark O'Neill, Media & Strategic Communications Director, Pa. Farm Bureau stated on PCN Call-In February 19, 2019 ”When you are shooting the gun, the noise doesn’t stop at the property line, the bullets don’t stop at property lines.”

If your club is near or within earshot of farmland.  The PFB is doubling their efforts on this by telling legislators “farmers don’t want gunshots ringing across their property on Sundays.”

The Pa. Farm Bureau is doing this under the guise of opposing Senate Bill 147 and the expansion of hunting opportunities here in Pennsylvania.  This lobbying effort and tactic of the Pa. Farm Bureau is a direct assault on their own members, gun owners, hunters, recreational shooters, and commonwealth citizens Second Amendment rights.   It poses the question, what is the main goal and where will the Pa. Farm Bureau stop in order to not hear gunshots on Sunday?   When you have to close your shooting range on Sunday?   When all Pa. citizens are not able to exact their Second Amendment rights?

Regardless if you support removing the barrier to hunting opportunities in Pa. or not.  This is a very real and serious threat that needs to be taken seriously.  Politicians listen to the Pa. Farm Bureau to the detriment of the commonwealth.   If you think the PFB cares what happens to your club or your ability to shoot you are sorely mistaken.  It is time to realize your organization, its members and legal shooting activity is under assault.  The Pa. Farm Bureau is seeing to that.

Now is the time for action.  We as sportsmen and conservationist can’t take the chance of ignoring the statements and the talking points of the Pa. Farm Bureau on this?  The cost will be way too high.  Think about it for a second.  There is truly only one way to not hear gunshots!  The thought of that is unconscionable!

Don’t let the Pa. Farm Bureau lobbying efforts to not hear gunshots make you close your ranges on Sunday.  Now is the time for action.  Please inform your members.  Take action now.

Contact Your Legislator let them know the Pa. Farm Bureau should not be infringing on Pa. Commonwealth Citizens rights;  Second Amendment or any other.

Contact Pa. Farm Bureau let them know to stop infringing on the rights of Pa. Commonwealth Citizens. Pennsylvania Farm Bureau | PO Box 8736 | Camp Hill, PA 17001-8736 | 717.761.2740 Sign Petition Allow Sunday Hunting In Pennsylvania.

Sincerely; Kevin B. Askew, Acting Executive Director

HUSH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ACCEPTS NEW POSITION

CONTACT:​ Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

TELEPHONE:​ 717-350-6741
EMAIL​:​ huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com
WEBSITE:​ facebook.com/HuntersUnitedForSundayHunting

                                                     

FOR RELEASE

HUNTERS UNITED FOR SUNDAY HUNTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ACCEPTS NEW POSITION Hunters United for Sunday Hunting is announcing the departure of Executive Director Harold Daub effective April 8, 2019.  Mr. Daub has been selected to lead the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen & Conservationists as their Executive Director. The work and dedication that Harold provided Hunters United for Sunday Hunting is undeniable and will not be forgotten.  His successful leadership resulted in the education, gathering, and consolidation of sportsmen and sportswomen of all ages; conservation organizations, small and large; farmers and landowners to help correct four words to a flawed law - ‘Hunting on Sunday Prohibited.’ It is this work and recognition that made him the prime candidate for PFSC. Though it is bittersweet, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting understands and is glad to see PFSC has selected a passionate, knowledgeable and visionary thinker to help bring their organization into the 21st Century. Rest assured there will be no disruption to the mission of Hunters United for Sunday Hunting.  Kevin Askew, Communications Director has been named the interim Executive Director.  He has been instrumental in the past ‘year-of-action’ with Hunters United for Sunday Hunting. Interim Executive Director, Kevin Askew -

“As we go through this transition period.  I ask all HUSH members and Sunday hunting supporters to continue doing what you are doing.  Everyone involved in this historic activity is ‘Keeping The Needle Moving’.  We still have a fight ahead of us as Senate Bill 147 makes its way through the Pa. legislatures.  It is your actions and engagement, your phone calls, your emails, your letters that are getting attention and causing action.  Please continue and do not give up.  If we all pull the rope in the same direction, we can correct this antiquated blue law once and for all.”

Reach/Contact your legislators: - let them know to support SB 147 and removal of Sunday hunting prohibition.

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.