SB147 LAW. NOW WHAT?

Message from HUSH Executive Director

I have had a lot of people ask me ‘now what’ since the passing of Senate Bill 147.  Henry Ford said it best, “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.”

That’s exactly what we do - move forward. If we do not, then we are stagnant and ineffective. The fight remains the same, it hasn’t changed. The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau remains opposed to hunting on Sunday and will continue their hypocritical efforts to infringe on hunter-landowner rights all the while asking for politicians to grant exemptions and other favorable programs to farmer-landowners.

There are more hunters in this state and more than likely more hunter-landowners than there are voting farmer members of the PFB. We as hunter-conservationists just simply outnumber them. That is why we must remain consolidated in our efforts to bring this archaic blue law prohibiting hunting on Sunday to an end.
 
Politicians have learned that we have organized. The PFB has learned their dynasty is coming to an end. Their ability to hide behind PFB enabling politicians and the long-running ill-fated excuses of ‘why not’ will no longer be tolerated.   It is time that Pennsylvania entered the 21st Century in regards to hunting and conservation.

The sky has not fallen in West Virginia. There the legislature has done the right thing and ignored the West Virginia Farm Bureaus opposition and opened the state for hunting on Sunday. West Virginia is benefiting from this. If West Virginia legislators can ignore their farm bureau and reap the benefits the same can and should happen here in Pa.  

As I have previously stated. We are just getting started. This fight to bring Sunday hunting opportunities is much larger than any person or organization. It is based on our principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 

You have my commitment that Hunters United for Sunday Hunting will continue in our mission to bring full regulatory authority to the Pa. Game Commission. I ask that everyone stay engaged, involved and continue the journey with us.

Let’s make 2020 the year of real hunter-conservationist change in Pennsylvania. It’s time we take conservation out of the hands of politicians and Pa. Farm Bureau and place it fully where it belongs – Pa. Game Commission.

Sincerely,

Kevin B. Askew
Executive Director
Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

SB147 IS NOW LAW - GOV. WOLF SIGNS

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

Governor Tom Wolf has officially signed Senate Bill 147 into law.  Amending Title 34 Game Law to allow for additional Sunday hunting opportunity as follows:

• One day of Sunday hunting shall be instituted by the commission during the deer rifle season.
• One day of Sunday hunting shall be instituted by the commission during the Statewide deer archery season.
• One day of Sunday hunting as determined by the commission shall be instituted by the commission.

Many of you will understand the historic significance and what an incredible leap in the right direction this is for hunter-conservation in Pennsylvania.  Though this is not perfect and more work is needed it is definitely a step forward to correct a 337-year-old antiquated blue law.

Thank you Governor Wolf for signing Senate Bill 147 into law. Your signature helps bring Pa. wildlife management into the 21st Century standards.  

For all of you who have been involved with this Hunters United for Sunday Hunting.  It is your dedication and tenacity that has made this happen.  Please take pride in that.  Many have failed before us.  In March of 2018 we set out on a new course to bring Sunday hunting to Pa. You all have participated in history.  You all have been a tremendous influence that affected Governor Wolf’s signature.  For that be proud and start telling the story of how Sunday hunting prohibition came to an end in Pa.

We are just getting started. This fight to bring Sunday hunting opportunity is much larger than any person or organization. It is based on our principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.   

You have my commitment that Hunters United for Sunday Hunting will continue in our mission to bring full regulatory authority to the Pa. Game Commission.   I ask that everyone stay engaged, involved and continue the journey with us.  Most of all, take time to reflect, understand and think about what November 21, 2019 means for the future of hunting in Pennsylvania.

Sincerely; 

Kevin B. Askew

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting