NO DAMPER ON ENJOYMENT OF OUTDOORS

Submitted, not printed in response to: York Dispatch, May 31, 2019 OP-ED: Sunday hunting wouldn't be the economic boon proponents suggest

Mr. Wayne Campbell, Pennsylvania State Grange,

Thank you for the economic information involving outdoor activities nationwide.  These statistics are extremely telling of how all users of the outdoors interact through the money they spend on the sport they enjoy.  There is a definite financial benefit that can’t be denied. All across the nation, in all 50 states, people are enjoying their time outside.   If they weren’t they would not be spending this type of money. 

It is refreshing to see and know that boaters, fishermen, fisherwomen, campers, hikers, bikers, hunters, wildlife watchers, outdoor outfitters, the trail sports of motorcyclists, ATV riders, horseback riders, and all others are all coexisting all days of the week in the pursuit of what they enjoy and spending money doing it.  This for some reason is something that people do not understand. 

But, these verifiable economic figures proves just that. There is no damper on the enjoyment of the outdoors.  Regardless of the activity people are willingly spending money and are taking to the outdoors without fear, concern or regard to what others are doing while sharing the great resource of nature our country provides. 

Thanks for making these figures available and clearing showing the $30.8 billion seven day-a-week monetary benefit of everyone recreating as they wish.  One can only hope that the Pa. Legislature will fast track lifting the Sunday hunting blue law with the national financial information provided by the Pennsylvania State Grange all the while knowing that 47 other states don’t discriminate when it comes to outdoor users.

Again, thanks Wayne Campbell and Pa. State Grange for your contribution in this effort to get this archaic law lifted. 

Kevin 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