WHY DADDY? I LIKE HUNTING!

Yesterday an interesting exchange took place at the Hunters United for Sunday booth at The Great American Outdoor Show.  I woke up this morning feeling compelled to write about it.

One of the many families that stopped by and struck up a conversation about Sunday hunting. The parents both eagerly signed the petition to remove the prohibition of Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania while their two young daughters [likely under the age of 10] waited patiently at their side.

In the midst of speaking with the parents, one of the two girls grabs her father’s pant leg and asks “What’s this daddy.”  The father responds, “this is a petition to allow us to hunt on Sundays.” 

Confused the little girl stood silent. The father continues, “in Pennsylvania we’re not allowed to hunt on Sundays.” The little girl's' eyes opened wide and as kids often do, she asks a tough question, “Why daddy? I like hunting!”

At that moment I wasn’t sure if the father would look to us for advice, but I was surely interested in how he would respond. He kneels down and whispers into her ear and shares a moment with his daughter only they will know, and finished by saying aloud “and that is why we are here sweetie, so you girls will never need to understand a world where you are told you cannot hunt on Sunday.”

Jahred Klahre

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

EDUCATION SERIES 9 OF... WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN?

Education series: why this mission is important, why the law needs to be deconflicted, and what it would mean to people.

Education Series 9 of……

What Does This All Mean?

The Pa. Game Commission has the authority to do everything it needs to manage wildlife by law.  They are already managing Sunday hunting for foxes, coyotes and noncommercial regulated hunting grounds with a permit for ring-neck pheasants, bobwhite quail, mallard ducks, and chukar.

Lawmakers have tied PGC hands with Section 2303 - Hunting on Sunday prohibited.  Which essentially tells PGC to manage Sunday hunting...but don’t you do it unless we the legislature make an exception.  

Bottom line, nothing will happen if legislators do not change or eliminate section 2303 - Hunting on Sunday prohibited.  The PGC can only up-hold law and regulations as written, that’s their job.

There is support for a law change! * When asked people state ‘TIME’ or lack of it is most important factor affecting change or interest in hunting.      * Current surveys and polls conducted indicate an average of 70% respondents support expanding Sunday opportunity. * In all 18 Pa. voting districts there is strong approval and support, 85% approve of legal hunting.

Let’s get this done. Deconflict and fix Pa. Title 34 Game Law for good.

WHAT ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE.  HOW YOU CAN HELP - “KEEP THE NEEDLE MOVING”

https://huntersforsundayhunting.blogspot.com/2018/09/what-actions-you-can-take-how-you-can.html

EDUCATION SERIES 8 OF..... SECTION 2303 HUNTING ON SUNDAY PROHIBITED

Education series: why this mission is important, why the law needs to be deconflicted, and what it would mean to people.

Education Series 8 of……

§ 2303.  Hunting on Sunday prohibited

Many people do not understand or have the time to read what is in PA Title 34 Game Law.  

So let's examine the law as it pertains to wildlife management and the issue of removing the barrier to hunting opportunities in Pa.  

Hence the issue and problem.  The law provides all this guidance, authority, regulations, etc. but then you get to page 53 and it reads Hunting on Sunday prohibited. But there are exceptions.  Why?  These exceptions are wildlife management with the act of hunting on Sunday. 

There is only one way to translate this - the legislature trusts the PGC, but they don’t???  

This is why our mission is: Remove the prohibition of Sunday hunting in PA Title 34 Game Law through education, and influence legislatures to change the law accordingly.   

Solves the problem completely without exception after exception, species after species.  

PA Title 34 Game Law link:

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/34/34.HTM

Pa. Title 34 Game Law

§ 2303.  Hunting on Sunday prohibited.

(a)  General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this title, it is unlawful for any person to hunt for any furbearer or game on Sunday.

(b)  Construction of section.--This section shall not be construed to prohibit:

(1)  The training of dogs.

(2)  The participation in dog trials as provided for in this title.

(3)  The removal of lawfully taken game or wildlife from traps or the resetting of the traps on Sunday.

(b.1) Exceptions.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to:

(1)  The hunting of foxes.

(2)  The hunting of coyotes.

(3)  Any hunting which occurs on noncommercial regulated hunting grounds holding a valid permit under section 2928 (b)(2) (relating to regulated hunting grounds permits).

(c)  Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense of the fifth degree.

EDUCATION SERIES 2 OF..... SECTION 322 POWERS & DUTIES

Education series: why this mission is important, why the law needs to be deconflicted, and what it would mean to people.

Education Series 2 of……

Section 322.  Powers and duties of commission.

Many people do not understand or have the time to read what is in PA Title 34 Game Law. So let's examine the law as it pertains to wildlife management and the issue of removing the barrier to hunting opportunities in Pa.  

On page 15 you will find all that the Pa. Game Commission can do to set seasons, bag limits, possession limits, etc. The law gives PGC the power and flexibility to change things as needed. This would include Sundays once law is changed.

Pa. Title 34 Game Law: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/34/34.HTM

§ 322.  Powers and duties of commission.

(a)  Duties.--It shall be the duty of the commission to protect, propagate, manage and preserve the game or wildlife of this Commonwealth and to enforce, by proper actions and proceedings, the laws of this Commonwealth relating thereto.

(b)  General powers and duties.--The commission has the power and duty to take all actions necessary for the administration and enforcement of this title.

(c)  Specific powers and duties.--In order to administrate and enforce this title, the commission through proper action shall:

(1)  Subject to section 2102(b) (relating to seasons, possession, bag limits and devices), fix seasons, daily shooting or taking hours, and any modification thereof, and daily, season and possession limits for any species of game or wildlife.

(2)  Remove protection, declare an open season or increase, reduce or close a season.

(3)  Increase or reduce bag limits or possession limits.

(4)  Define geographic limitations or restrictions.

(5)  Fix the type and number of devices which may be used to take game or wildlife.

(6)  Limit the number of hunters or furtakers in any designated area and prescribe the lawful methods of hunting or taking furbearers in these areas.

(7)  Govern the use of recorded calls or sounds or amplified calls or sounds of any description for taking or hunting game or wildlife.

(8)  Add to or change the classification of any wild bird or wild animal.

(9)  Prohibit the possession, importation, exportation or release of any species of birds or animals which may be considered dangerous or injurious to the general public or to the wildlife of this Commonwealth.

(10)  Manage and develop its lands and waters and other government or private lands and waters under agreement with the owners as it considers advisable and, by proper action and proceedings, enact and enforce regulations to insure the prudent and proper use of these lands.

(11)  Collect, classify and preserve such statistics, data and information as in its judgment will tend to promote the object of this title and take charge of and keep all reports, books, papers and documents which shall, in the discharge of its duties, come into its possession or under its control.

(12)  Take any necessary action to accomplish and assure the purposes of this title.

(13)  Serve the interest of sportsmen by preserving and promoting our special heritage of recreational hunting and furtaking by providing adequate opportunity to hunt and trap the wildlife resources of this Commonwealth. (June 28, 1996, P.L.428, No.64, eff. 60 days)