Executive Director Message, Harold Daub, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting
It is election time here in Pennsylvania, as we all know. As Executive Director to Hunters United for Sunday Hunting, I have been approached by many candidates and incumbents and asked if our organization would endorse them. My answer is a staunch no. Let me explain.
It is my policy that this grassroots organization Hunters United for Sunday Hunting does not endorse any political person, organization, or the like. It is not a sound decision based on our grassroots structure and our established mission. I will not put the organization at risk of being beholden to a specific person's political will or agenda. It would make us no different than many of the other organizations who have aligned themselves politically and are closed minded because of that relationship.
Instead, when contacted what I do ask is for that candidate or incumbent to support our mission to remove the Sunday hunting prohibition language in PA Title 34 Game Law and transfer full regulatory authority to the Pa. Game Commission.
This course of action is the only way to ensure that there is a mutual relationship for all involved parties. Neither owes the other anything. The fact of the matter is the only people that physically make a law change is our elected officials. I am not an elected official, nor am I running for public office. All I can do is ensure that HUSH is providing the proper education and doing the right thing in order to effect a positive change in our game law.
Sound wildlife management needs to rest with the subject matter experts at the Pa. Game Commission. They are charged by Pa. constitution and statute to represent and conserve all wildlife for not only today but for the future. The North American Model of Wildlife Management is based on two basic principles: our fish and wildlife belong to all Americans, and they need to be managed in a sustainable manner for future generations. In Pennsylvania, this is done by the Pa. Game Commission.
Politicians that understand this and support removing the barriers to hunting are the people that I want to engage and associate myself with regardless of party label. These are the people that truly understand what is at stake if something is not done to fix the current ‘status quo’ of non-action.
Everyone has a choice and a decision to make this election year. All I can ask is what I have already done, that is to understand the importance of wildlife management and recognizes the agency best to do that is the Pa. Game Commission, not lawmakers. Anything less fails the 480 species of wildlife in Pennsylvania.
In closing, there are several examples on our blog of persons who support and understand our mission. If you don’t know where your candidate stands, provide them with information and ask them to join our efforts, not just because it is the right thing to do, but because they as lawmakers are what will determine an outcome for the future of wildlife here in Pennsylvania.
Remember to vote this November 6, and be sure you know whom you are supporting.
Sincerely,
