HUSH STATEMENT TO PA GAME COMMISSION JAN 2023

    

    Hunters United For Sunday Hunting

    huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com

    717-350-6741

      

    

    

Statement to PA Game Commissioners, January 28, 2023, Public Meeting

Executive Director Burhans, Commission President Mitrick, Vice President Schnepp-Giger, District Commissioners, and Staff:

As the executive director of Hunters United for Sunday Hunting thanks for the opportunity to submit this letter as part of the PA Game Commission January 2023 public meeting.  

As you well know the mission to bring full regulatory authority to the Pennsylvania Game Commission to decide seasons and bag limits all days of the week including Sunday is alive and well.  Senate Bill 67 has been drafted, prepared, and placed in the legislative process for the 2023-2024 session.  With your continued support of having full regulatory authority to set seasons and bag limits that include Sunday, there is no doubt that Senate Bill 67 will make progress during this legislative session. 

Though mentioned often it deserves repeating.  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 your agency's resource first model and the North American Model of Wildlife Management.

As commissioners, your support and efforts to bring more hunting opportunities not only on Sunday but all days of the week are not going unnoticed.  It is having a positive effect across the state.  Just take a look on any forum for the 2021-22 hunting season it doesn’t take long to find, see or hear about someone being able to mentor, or a new hunter being afield,  re-engaged hunters able to participate once again, along with the majority of hunters thankful for more species being available to hunt on the three given Sundays.  Please continue doing what you're doing.  Your work is helping. 

Take comfort knowing Hunters United for Sunday Hunting will remain steadfast in our mission now and in the future.  As a grassroots organization representing hunter-conservationists throughout the state that advocates for less political interference in wildlife management and more opportunities and choice allowing for more participation of all hunters.  Hunters United for Sunday Hunting will oppose any legislation that is drafted that removes wildlife management decisions or the ability to set seasons, dates, and bag limits from your control.   

In closing please continue to support and educate people, legislators, and organizations on Senate Bill 67 and what it specifically means and does for the Pennsylvania Game Commission and for conservation in the Commonwealth.  Carry on with being as inclusive as possible for all huntable-game on the three Sundays. Most importantly have faith that hunter-conservationists and conservation organizations understand that as commissioners when faced with a decision, be it an easy right one, or a hard-correct one.  That decision will always be based on the PGC mission and what is best for the wildlife resources of PA.

Sincerely;

Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

"IT'S ENCOURAGING AS WE LOOK ACROSS THE HUNTING COMMUNITY." A NEW YEAR NOTE FROM HUSH EXEC. DIRECTOR

Kevin B. Askew

Executive Director

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

As we end one year and begin a new one.  It is very encouraging to look across the hunting community and see all the new hunters, boys, girls, men, and women.  All the mentoring that is occurring, the re-engaged hunters that have returned, and the retired but interested who still remain. Here at Hunters United for Sunday Hunting we find this promising as we look to the future and what can and might be.  Looking at why this interest has come about the answer is simple; opportunity and time.   People are taking advantage of what is being provided to them by the Pennsylvania Game Commission and choosing what works best for them just as they do with all other things that pertain to their daily lives.

If you are paying attention to the hunting community you will find three things being talked about.  Senate Bill 67 providing the ability to hunt on Sunday. The new capability to purchase antlerless tags electronically with the signing of Senate Bill 431 into law 2022 Act 148.  Whether to choose or not choose to hunt on Saturday of the deer rifle season opener.

Winston Churchill once said, “If we open a quarrel between past and present, we shall find that we have lost the future."   It is no secret that getting people interested in hunting is a challenge.  But look at it as that kid, young adult, or adult that finds themselves interested or just starting out hunting.  The minute they start looking, observing, or asking questions, what do they find?  We hunters fighting amongst ourselves over benign and simple issues.  Could or would that be a turn-off to you?

How does this situation get fixed?  First, we as hunter-conservationists stop fighting amongst ourselves over such benign issues as the personal choice to hunt on Sunday, Saturday, or any other day of the week.  We stop arguing over the use of crossbows, compounds, and longbows.  We recognize no one has lost anything with rifle deer season opening on Saturday.  We quit fighting the change of purchasing a doe license electronically.  We cease pitting ourselves against the other on what weapon we choose or what season or species we decide to hunt.  At the end of the day, we are hunter-conservationists participating in the world’s best wildlife system, The North American Model of Wildlife Management.

Our country was founded on the bases of life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and freedom of choice.  That is what the hunting culture is all about.  This may very well be what is attracting all the newcomers.  As a hunter-conservation community we have a choice; embrace what makes us great and showcase that or struggle against it risking turning people off or away.

The path is plain with Hunters United for Sunday Hunting.  We will remain steadfast in our mission to help bring seven days a week hunting opportunities for everyone's personal choice of enjoyment.  This is the way to advance and keep our sport alive, interesting, and growing so future generations can enjoy what we provided to them.

From the Hunters United for Sunday Hunting team.  Hope your hunting season is going well.   Have a safe, happy, and enjoyable new year. 

Sincerely; Kevin B. Askew

Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

SUNDAY HUNTING NOT ABOUT SPECIES OR SEASON

Statement to Pa. Game Commissioners, January 25, 2020
Executive Director Burhans, Deputy Executive Directors Grohol and Palmer, Commissioners, and Staff:

Good morning commissioners. My name is Kevin Askew, I am the Executive Director for Hunters United for Sunday Hunting. Let me first say that my organization, as well as the 20 other conservation organizations, remain focused on the mission and task to remove the prohibition of Sunday hunting in Pa Title 34 Game law, through education and influence the legislatures to change the law accordingly.

As commissioners, you are now faced with what do you do with the three Sundays of hunting opportunity for the upcoming season. It is not your fault that lawmakers anchored two of these Sundays - one in archery season and one in deer rifle season. It would have been best for all three Sundays to be set by you, the subject matter experts. But here we are today, with three additional days of hunting opportunity as dictated by Senate Bill 147. So what do you do?

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 your agency's resource first model and the North American Model of Wildlife Management.

Reports have indicated that in setting the upcoming seasons you are considering adding a Sunday for bear and as dictated by law the Sunday for deer rifle and the Sunday in archery. What has not been reported is what other species will be available to hunt on these Sundays. Will any of the small game or furtaking species be available to hunt on these Sundays? If not and there is a biological reason that is fine. Just let us know why a species can’t support additional hunting. We as hunters definitely will understand. But if there isn’t a biological reason, then let us hunt any and all available species. The time afield is very valuable to us, as you know. 

It is important that you get this as correct as possible from the beginning. There are still many nay-sayers among us who think the sky may fall when these three Sundays are implemented. These people, politicians included are just lying in wait to have another thing they can blame on you as the Pa. Game Commission. So, do all you can to not give them that satisfaction.

The conservation and hunting community supports the wildlife management decisions made by this agency. Sunday hunting is no different. All we are asking is that you maximize and set the upcoming seasons and bag limits for as much hunting opportunity as possible on these precious few Sundays. 

In closing, I want to take the time to thank the commissioners and PGC staff for the way you have handled the information regarding Senate Bill 147 as it went through the final steps. You kept people informed, were transparent, and educated as much as possible on what was happening. This helped my organization as well as others. For that I thank you. 

Again, as one of the leading organizations for Sunday hunting. Hunters United for Sunday Hunting asks that you maximize these three Sundays by allowing as much hunting opportunity that is biologically permitted. 

Thanks for your time;

Sincerely; 

Kevin B. Askew

Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

EDUCATION SERIES 1 OF..... WHAT HARM DOES SUNDAY HUNTING DO?

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

Education Series 1 of……

What Harm Does Sunday Hunting Do?

This article was originally written for Pa. Outdoor News.

“It’s always been that way, why do we need Sunday hunting now?”  This is a comment and question I get frequently from those who don’t understand or support removing the legislative barrier to Sunday hunting and conservation efforts.  So, starts the education and why removing the prohibition of hunting on Sunday in Pennsylvania actually will do.

Here are some of the common objections:  All game will be shot off; Pa. Game Commission will be hit with higher costs; trespassing will be a problem; poachers will have another day to wreak havoc in Pa.; non-hunters need a day too; animals need a day of rest; the land will be posted; Sunday should be only for church activities.

Fortunately, there are facts that address these concerns.  

The health of the 480 species of wildlife found in Pa. and their habitat is why we need to consider Sunday hunting. Both depend on a strong conservation commitment from all Pennsylvanians, hunters, and non-hunters.  Hunters foot the bill for wildlife management.  It is referred to as the North American Model of Game Management. Here in Pa. 62 game species are hunted, but yet monies from sportsmen and sportswomen support all 480 species.  

Unfortunately, we are facing a big threat to that model's success.  The most common reason people who want to hunt can't is TIME. Work schedules, youth Saturday activities, single/shared custody parents are some of the reasons we aren't hunting.  We need more TIME. 

If our legislators remove the prohibition, the PGC can consider adding TIME [Sunday] using resource first science-based management to ensure our game species remain healthy and are not ‘shot off’, as some say. Proof of this is the recent recognition earned in the journal Science Advances on April 2 by the PGC for their species management plans.  https://www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaGameCommission/posts/1819133508118533

On the concerns that costs will increase.  Valid point, but the PGC already operates seven days a week.   And what better way to deter poachers and trespassers than to have legal hunting on Sundays, more eyes to spot and report law violators.

For all the non-hunters who are already sharing Penn’s Woods with us hunters.  We know you are there, the law permits you to be there, just keep doing it safely to limit problems.

The argument that animals need a day of rest.  Animals live in the wild, their instincts keep them alive, just ask any hunter.   Of all the game I have observed over the years, I have not seen a single animal carrying a calendar.

Those who say the land will be posted if Sunday hunting is permitted. Farmers need hunters, hunters need farmers.  We assist with crop damage and predation of livestock.  Do you truly believe a farmer that permits hunting during the weekdays would stop all hunting if the PGC implemented management efforts on Sunday?  As a private landowner, post it, don’t post it.  This is a conservation and a management effort for Pennsylvania wildlife, not a land war on private property.

Lastly, to the cliché argument.  Sunday should be only for religious activities.  This is a ridiculous, laughable and insulting statement that doesn’t deserve a response.  What they are really saying is 'there is an entire group of people who do not know what is important in their lives, nor do they know how to manage their time.'

As the author of this article, what is the harm in giving more TIME for people to enjoy the activity that they love? Is there irreparable harm in removing the prohibition language in Title 34 Pa. Game Law ‘Hunting on Sunday Prohibited’ and changing it to ‘Hunting on Sunday’?  

Written by Harold Daub, Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

IT IS ELECTION TIME IN PA....WHO WILL WE ENDORSE?

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,

Harold Daub, Executive Director Hunters United for Sunday Hunting Blog Link:

HOW DOES SUNDAY HUNTING MAKE THINGS BETTER

Executive Director Harold Daub receives a lot of questions regarding Sunday hunting and why a change in the law is needed. 

Here is a recent response to a concerned hunter and conservation group. 

Don and others, I can’t tell you it will get better for you or I personally, it sounds like we get enough opportunity to hunt. But the fact is that surveys of Pennsylvanians who are interested in hunting but aren’t hunting show the number one reason is: TIME.  

For those who work 6 days a week, those who have kids in sports, those with kids in split parent homes....Sunday will make a huge improvement in their hunting.

For all Pennsylvanians, having the strongest possible hunting community has a lot of benefits. Pennsylvania wildlife management responsibility falls on the PA Game Commission. There are 480 species the PGC is charged with management responsibility for, as stipulated in our Commonwealth constitution and Title 34 Game Law. This management system is referred to as the North American Model of Wildlife Management. The basis of that model is: hunters pay to hunt, that license revenue provides the funding needed to promote and protect healthy wildlife populations and habitats.

Another funding source comes from the Wildlife Restoration Act, have you ever heard of Pittman-Robertson (P-R) Funding? This is money collected from an excise tax on firearms and ammunition. A tax that was ASKED for by conservationists about 80 years ago. That funding is reimbursed back to states using a calculation that considers two things: a state’s land mass and the number of licenses sold.

With PA now surrounded by states offering 7 day hunting opportunity, and only 2 other states (Maine and Massachusetts) being more restrictive than PA, the risk is real that PA will see the continued decline in the number of active hunters.

Less hunters = less funding. Funding needed to control things like CWD, EHD, study declines in populations like grouse and bats, reintroduction efforts like the Bald Eagle, and ensuring healthy habitats on our 1.5 million acres of state game lands.  

You see guys, it’s much more than your personal experience. If you’re able to hunt enough today, you are lucky. Many can not.

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

Executive Director, Harold Daub