NO SUBSTANCE, NO VALUE, NO PURPOSE. SAY NO TO THE 16 AMENDMENTS FOR THE STEELE DEAL

 

CONTACT: Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

TELEPHONE: 717-350-6741

EMAIL: huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com

WEBSITE: facebook.com/HuntersUnitedForSundayHunting

Correspondence For:

Rep. Joanna E. McClinton

Rep. Matthew D. Bradford

Rep. Dan L. Miller

Rep. Bryan Cutler

Rep. Timothy J. O'Neal

My name is Kevin Askew, I am the executive director of Hunters United for

Sunday Hunting, the lead organization working to end the archaic blue law prohibiting hunting on Sunday.  I am addressing you as the decision makers and leadership team for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.  First, I recognize the tough and stressful task you all have in navigating, deciding, and tabling quality legislation for a vote.  It has to be a daunting duty.  This brings me to the subject at hand The Steele Deal of HB2106, HB2107, HB2108, and the 16 irrelevant and ridiculous amendments that have been introduced for consideration and inclusion.  These amendments have no substance or value and serve no purpose being added to The Steele Deal.  They just don’t.

This has been a nearly 53-year process getting to this current position and point of removing the blue law prohibiting hunting on Sunday bringing PA into the 21st Century societal standards.  Rep. Mandy Steele has done a tremendous job, one that could not be done in all those years of bringing all the stakeholders of hunter-conservation, agriculture, Pennsylvania Game Commission, law enforcement, and legislators to the bargaining table with the common goal of penning a fair deal for all, The Steele Deal. 

Take a moment and put all the politics and emotions aside.  Simply and frankly The Steele Deal provides everything needed not everything wanted.  HB2106 removes the archaic blue law deemed unenforceable in 1976 by the PA Supreme Court.  HB2106 also strengthens trespass laws something that agriculture and hunter-conservation have both wanted. HB2107 provides a tool that will connect hunters and agriculture to assist with the crop damage issues being experienced throughout the commonwealth by farmers. HB2108 is a hunter-conservation and agriculture mission multiplier when viewed and interpreted correctly.  It quantifies and qualifies what has existed for at least a decade on the PGC commissioner board as an agriculturist. That applicant will now have to meet the criteria of being knowledgeable in the area of wildlife management as well as actively engaged in a normal agricultural operation as defined in the Right-to-Farm Law. 

This legislation is not about Rep. Mandy Steele and what she wants.  It’s not about politically punishing or controlling the PGC.  It’s not about any individual politician's idealogy. It’s not about one political party versus another.  It’s not about your personal feelings as a leader.  What The Steele Deal is all about is doing the right thing and ending this 53-year benign fight to remove the blue law while benefiting agriculture and updating the long-needed trespass laws.   This is about allowing free people to be free people as stated in the PA Constitution  “All men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent and indefeasible rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing and protecting property and reputation, and of pursuing their own happiness.”

French philosopher and author Jean-Paul Sarte wrote “Only the guy who isn't rowing has time to rock the boat.” I implore you as leaders to do the right thing. Do not molest The Steele Deal with any of the 16 irrelevant amendments.  They are of no value and do no good for the quality piece of legislation presented by Rep. Mandy Steele and sponsors. All stakeholders have worked on and agreed to The Steele Deal.  Do not allow those who are not rowing the boat to only rock it.

You as leaders are on the cusp of history.  It is time to end the stupidity and get this done.  Five decades is long enough.  Don’t be the leaders that make it six decades.

Thank you for your time.  Please do not hesitate to contact me for further

discussion on this issue.  

///Kevin B. Askew///

Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

Reference: 

The outdoor industry [including hunting/shooting/trapping] added more value to

our commonwealth’s gross domestic product than all of Pennsylvania’s farms,

all of Pennsylvania’s oil and gas wells, and even all of Pennsylvania’s lawyers. 

2021 Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Department of Commerce.

PA House Bill 2106 

PA House Bill 2107

PA House Bill 2108

Steele Deal 16 Amendments

Pennsylvania Constitution

Misc:

Western Pennsylvania farmers support Sunday deer hunting legislation

Hunters Celebrate More Than 25 Percent Surge Over Past Five Years

YES WE SUPPORT HB1719 TO PROTECT PA GAME COMMISSION GAME FUND

 

Hunters United For Sunday Hunting    

huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com

717-350-6741

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AND DISTRIBUTION

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting supports the recent introduction of Pennsylvania House Bill 1719, Session 2023 which would clarify and stipulate the use of the PA Game Commission Game Fund and establish by law that it can only be used to support the mission of the PA Game Commission. HB1719 will keep the PA Game Fund intact and prevent any following attempts by the PA legislature to raid the PGC funds.

HB1719 would correct and resolve any ensuing actions such as those currently in PA HB1300  that immediately transfer $150 million from conservation and places a tax estimated at $10 million per year on the real property that the PGC holds.  Both of these violate the rules of the PA Game Fund as it relates to the Pittman and Robertson Act which allocates yearly federal dollars to every state.  The PGC would lose an estimated $40 million per year because of these actions.  Once Pittman and Robertson's funding is lost there is no solution or option for when it could return, if at all.

The PGC is funded primarily by hunting and furtaker license sales; State Game Lands timber, mineral, and oil/gas revenues; and a federal excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition; the PGC is almost entirely supported by hunters and trappers, or assets that have been procured with license dollars. The PGC does not receive state General Fund appropriations.

The PA Game Fund is designed to be used in support of the PGC mission to manage and protect wildlife and their habitats while promoting hunting and trapping

for current and future generations.  Citizens of the Commonwealth have the

expectation and understanding that the PGC will do as sanctioned and that these

funds are to support things such as habitat improvement, wildlife enhancement, and

all other conservation efforts for the 480 species of wildlife in the state

from the biggest bear or elk to the smallest pollinators.

HB1719 will enhance, protect, and provide a path for the successful use of the PA Game Fund “based on the needs and best interest of the sportsmen and sportswomen of this Commonwealth.”

                                                                        ###

For more information about this topic, please contact

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting 

Executive Director Kevin Askew at 717-350-6741 or by email at

huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com 

View our Blog - https://huntersforsundayhunting.blogspot.com/

HB1719 - This legislation is supported and endorsed by: 

Pennsylvania Cooperation Conservation Organizations

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

Hunter Nation

  

HYPOCRISY WHEN LAUNCH A PRO-HUNTING PROPOSAL OR EXPANSION OF HUNTING OPPORTUNITY….NOT SURE ABOUT THAT….WE ALL BENEFIT

Michael, thanks for your valid inquiry and comment.  As the executive director of Hunters United for Sunday Hunting, I want to take the time to respond accordingly.  First, let me say that you will not be called a “snowflake” or any other derogatory name by myself or persons within HUSH from submitting a valid comment or question.  I also ask that HUSH followers refrain from this practice as well.  We are better than that as sportsmen and women.  

Please do not consider this a ‘call-out’ of you by name either.  Your question and my response can help educate people on why getting full regulatory authority to the Pennsylvania Game Commission as it pertains to Sundays is important.

Question from Michael Rossi, 

I am a hundred percent in favor of full Sunday hunting. However, let me point out a little hypocrisy. Those who argue that the health departments at various levels of government should not "tell you what to do"; I am embarrassed to admit, often include hunters. So, if politicians and public outcry should set health policy, and not health agencies... Why should wildlife agencies and commissions overrule the majority opinion? Because whether you realize it or not, that is what we are doing anytime we launch a pro-hunting proposal or expansion of hunting opportunity. In fact, to make it worse, the antis argue that wildlife is public property, it does not belong only to the hunters, so, according to them, they have a say in how it is regulated. The public land debate is not as clear - hunters certainly have funded a lot of it, but not all of it. However - the existing law about wildlife is clear, it belongs to the collective public, not just the hunters... So, besides calling me a "snowflake" how do you reconcile all that?

Response from HUSH Executive Director, Kevin Askew

Let us keep the discussion on point.   As you well know. 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 Pennsylvania Game Commissions resource first model and the North American Model of Wildlife Management.  

The Sunday hunting restriction in PA dates back to 1682 and colonial blue laws that were designed to prohibit working or other recreational activities on Sundays. "Whoever does or performs any worldly employment or business whatsoever on the Lord's day, commonly called Sunday, works of necessity and charity only exempted, or uses or practices any game, hunting, shooting, sport or diversion whatsoever on the same day not authorized by law" is guilty, the law stated. https://old.post-gazette.com/regionstate/20000218sunday5.asp

The last I looked there are no British soldiers on the streets nor is the flag of Britain flying over the capitol in Harrisburg, PA.  It is the 21st Century where we live and exist in a 24-7/365 society of activities and lifestyles.  This includes hunting and shooting sports.

Question - Why should wildlife agencies and commissions overrule the majority opinion?

Response - The PGC process is a fair and open process.  Any individual, hunter or non-hunter, organization, or representative public or private has the ability to participate in the process and address the PGC commissioners and board with any concerns.   The politicians are standing in the way of this by not trusting or changing the Sunday hunting prohibition in Title 34 Game Law.   

There are 480 species of wildlife that the PA Game Commission is charged with managing. We hunt 62 of those 480. In the North American Model of Wildlife Management, hunters who hunt those 62-game species foot the bill for the 480-total species. 

Question -The existing law about wildlife is clear, it belongs to the collective public, not just the hunters?

Response - We currently hunt foxes, coyotes and crows, and the three designated Sundays by the exemption of law; not full regulatory authority.   Two of the three do not adhere to the science-based North American Model of Wildlife management need to be placed in the hands of the subject matter experts. That is the Pennsylvania Game Commission. That is their mission, they have the biologists, trained professionals, and the means to make the best decisions for all 480 species of wildlife that inhabits the commonwealth. 

If politicians and citizens of the commonwealth trust the PGC for 480 species; then why not fully trust them in setting a seven-day per week hunting schedule based on science set biological goals of huntable species?

The PGC is just managing not overruling majority opinion?  A perfect example of this is the semi-automatic rifles for hunting debate.  PGC supports their use.  PA hunters do not.    

Question - The antis argue that wildlife is public property, it does not belong only to the hunters, so, according to them, they have a say in how it is regulated?

Response - Sure they do and are welcome too.  It goes back to the earlier question and comments about participating in the PGC process.  

The PGC manages more non-huntable species than they do huntable.  An example of this is the recent mortality of songbirds.  Do we hunt these birds; certainly not. Do all citizens of the commonwealth benefit and enjoy seeing these species, definitely yes.  Are we as license buying hunters primarily footing the bill for the study and science of figuring out why this is happening in songbirds; the answer is yes.  https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/game-commission-details.aspx?newsid=493&fbclid=IwAR3KlUMIoAThY-i2U9KEm-I4iJIYMPUxY3pdG303sGRhPQ48GyVaY0XFtjQ

The Pennsylvania Game Commission exists to manage the Commonwealth’s wild birds, wild mammals, and their habitats for current and future generations, a mission it has followed faithfully since 1895. https://www.pgc.pa.gov/InformationResources/MediaReportsSurveys/Documents/2020%20PGC%20Annual%20Legislative%20Report.pdf

The PGC is responsible for regulating per the PA Constitution and The Environmental Rights Amendment, “The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic, and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania’s public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.” https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/GoodNatured/pages/Article.aspx?post=171

Question - The public land debate is not as clear - hunters certainly have funded a lot of it, but not all of it.

Response - Yes, in PA there are different tracts of land labeled and associated by select agencies for different and overlapping purposes.  But for this discussion let’s keep it to PA Game Lands.  The PGC is clear on what the intended purpose is: “The Game Commission owns and manages more than 1.5 million acres of state game lands throughout the Commonwealth. The primary purpose of these lands is the management of habitat for wildlife and provide opportunities for lawful hunting and trapping. Secondary recreational uses are permitted in accordance with the Game Commission’s regulations.” https://www.pgc.pa.gov/HuntTrap/StateGameLands/Pages/default.aspx

Non-consumptive users are welcome to use the game lands seven days per week.  The only restrictions are on hunters being restricted by politicians on what species and days are allowed to be hunted.  As a whole, hunter-conservationists only want the same opportunity that exists with these non-consumptive users.  

When it comes to hypocrisy there is no better evidence than that of the politicians in the PA Senate and PA House of Representatives who do not hold themselves to the same blue law standards for all legislation as they do for Sunday hunting prohibition.

YEA VOTE FOR SENATE BILL 607 REPEALING SUNDAY HUNTING PROHIBITION BY PA SENATE GAME AND FISHERIES COMMITTEE

 

CONTACT: Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

TELEPHONE: 717-350-6741

EMAIL: huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com

WEBSITE: facebook.com/HuntersUnitedForSundayHunting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE/DISTRIBUTION

The Pennsylvania Senate Game and Fisheries Committee on June 16, 2021, advanced Senate Bill 607 Repealing Sunday Hunting Prohibition in Pennsylvania. with a vote of 7 YEA and 4 NAY.

Senate Bill 607 would completely remove the prohibition on Sundays available for hunting and trapping.  Currently, the law dictates which Sundays are open to hunting, and in certain cases, which species. This legislation would change that and would leave all wildlife management decisions to the Game Commission.

Statement from Kevin Askew, Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting;

“The current law is flawed and needs to be corrected.  Revisiting this issue every year is not the proper way to advance this legislation.  Changing and updating the law will save much-needed legislative time, effort, and money. The PA Game Commission needs the flexibility to manage accordingly, based on species, population, diseases, etc, and not be held to a standard set by non-professionals in wildlife management.”  

The goal of Senate Bill 607 is to bring PA into the 21st Century when it comes to societal and conservation standards.  The same ones practiced and participated in by hunters, farmers, landowners, and all who enjoy the outdoors throughout the country.  

SB607 now advances to the PA Senate Appropriations Committee where a fiscal impact note is prepared and another round of voting.  

View Senate Game and Fisheries Committee meeting and voting here:

https://game.pasenategop.com/game-061621/

View Senate Game and Fisheries Committee YEA/NAY vote here:

https://legiscan.com/PA/votes/SB607/2021

HUSH Mission Statement - Remove the prohibition of Sunday hunting in PA Title 34 Game Law through education, and influence legislatures to change the law accordingly.

###

For more information about this topic, please contact Hunters United for Sunday Hunting, Executive Director Kevin Askew at 717-350-6741 or email at huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com or Legislative Director Harold Daub at 717-648-1835 or email at daubh@comcast.net.  View our Blog - https://huntersforsundayhunting.blogspot.com/ 

LETTER TO PA. LEGISLATORS - SUPPORT SENATE BILL 147

Letter to: Legislators of Pennsylvania; State Representatives and State Senators. Support Senate Bill 147

This letter is to urge you to support the removal of the prohibition of Sunday hunting in PA Title 34 Game Law and allow the Pennsylvania Game Commission to decide what is best for Sunday hunting.  We ask that you recognize and understand that the Pa Game Commission are the subject matter experts for the management and conservation of Pa’s wildlife.  Case in point; Pa. Game Commission recognized as the best wildlife management agency in the country by the Quality Deer Management Association. https://www.qdma.com/pennsylvania-game-commission-named-qdmas-agency-year/

We encourage you to support Senate Bill 147 presented by Senator Dan Laughlin.  The bill strengthens PA Title 34 Game Law and leaves all hunting management decisions to Pa. Game Commission. It addresses the offense of trespass while hunting, making the violation a primary offense with increased penalties.  Enforceable by both game wardens and other law enforcement.

Streamlining of the law puts full management and conservation in the hands of the experts - Pa. Game Commission. The transfer of full regulatory control to Pa. Game Commission is the best solution for game management in Pa.

Studies have shown and sportsmen have stated the lack of time, work, and family obligations are among the most frequent reasons limiting their hunting opportunities. Recent polls from various sources indicate on average 80% overall support for removing the barrier to Sunday hunting. The Pa. Farm Bureau presented a statewide map during Pa. Game Commission public meeting April 23, 2018, that shows 64% approval for a law change. National Shooting Sports Foundation economic impact data on Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania shows an overall economic output of $972,589,148. Coupled with 18 Pa. voting districts having 85% approval and support for legal hunting; it leaves us as proponents scratching our heads and wondering what is the problem? Begs the question, why does the Pa. legislature as a whole not see that Pa. sportsmen have spoken and a change will benefit the commonwealth as a whole?

Hunters own, lease, use and control thousands of acres of land across this state.  Please stop ignoring us and change this archaic blue law that restricts our liberties.  Do the right thing - remove the prohibition of Sunday hunting in PA Title 34 Game Law and allow the Pennsylvania Game Commission to decide what is best for Sunday hunting?

Every conservation organization involved in this effort understands the importance of wildlife management and recognizes the agency best to do that is Pa. Game Commission, not you as lawmakers.  Senator Dan Laughlin has presented a common-sense law that addresses the needs of hunters, landowners, and other stakeholders. Hunters United for Sunday Hunting, Sportsmen's Alliance, National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Rifle Association has consolidated conservation organizations representing 1.4 million sportsmen and women of Pennsylvania all supporting SB 147 and advocate you to do the same.  Anything less fails the 480 species of wildlife in Pennsylvania.  

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

P.S. Pa. Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans has stated: “the biggest tool that I can give the farm bureau is Sunday hunting.” If you are listening and taking advice from Pa. Farm Bureau on this issue be advised the PFB represents less-than-half of Pa. farmers. There are 58,000 farming operations in Pennsylvania.  There are only 22,648 total farmers in Pa. Farm Bureau. 75% of the state delegates support a change to the policy regarding the existing Sunday hunting prohibition. Why would they [PFB leadership]say this and do they truly represent rank and file PFB members? Consider the statements of:

Jeffrey Grove, Governmental Relations Director, Pa. Farm Bureau on January 28, 2019, to Pa. Game Commission,  “We are a farming organization.  Not a hunting organization.” Darrin Youker, Government Affairs Rep. Pa. Farm Bureau  The Daily Review, May 28, 2018 “We are unique among any other organization, any other membership organization. I can’t negotiate on Sunday hunting, if I do, I’ve negotiated myself out of a job, I don’t want to do that.” 

"We’ve drawn the line in the sand and just said no. And it’s a hill that we die on and maybe we lose and maybe we win but we have protected the legitimacy of our policy development process so the future of Sunday hunting obviously rests with, not just the future of it but how we feel about Sunday hunting."

For Reference

Senate Bill 147

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2019&sessInd=0&billBody=S&billTyp=B&billNbr=0147&pn=0195

How Many Farmers In Pa.

https://huntersforsundayhunting.blogspot.com/2019/01/how-many-farmers-does-pennsylvania-farm_26.html

What Do The Polls Say https://huntersforsundayhunting.blogspot.com/2018/05/sunday-hunting-what-do-polls-say.html

Pa. Game Commission Support https://huntersforsundayhunting.blogspot.com/2018/05/game-commission-board-pledges-support.html

The National Shooting Sports Foundation, Economic Impact of Hunting 2016/2017 Data Pennsylvania Sunday Hunting Impact

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y6KpgyxBaZZGvj0Py53vddlZAiu1Vh8f/view?usp=sharing