LETTER TO PGC COMMISSIONERS - SUNDAYS TO SEASONS IN VIRGINIA ARE BENEFICIAL - NAYSAYER CONCERNS NOT REALIZED

 

CONTACT: Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

TELEPHONE: 717-350-6741

EMAIL: huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com

WEBSITE: facebook.com/HuntersUnitedForSundayHunting

         Dear Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners,

Please find attached a letter I was provided some time ago regarding the impact of adding Sundays to hunting seasons.  I thought this would be good information for all of you to have in preparation for your upcoming meetings as you look at how/when to implement Sunday hunting here in Pennsylvania.  Please feel free to share as you feel appropriate.

 

I've taken the liberty of highlighting what I felt were the important comments contained in the letter, which was sent from Executive Director Bob Duncan of the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation in 2016.  This was written after the Virginia Sunday hunting inclusion had been in place for about 2 years.

 

Executive Director Duncan stated the following:

 

Virginia elected to largely leave hunting seasons in place as they had existed previously.  They also elected to not change bag limits.

 

Sunday hunting had no detrimental impact upon their deer herd.  And he went on to write that average deer harvests for Sundays more closely approximated the averages for weekdays and far less than Saturdays.  He details that archery and muzzle loader Sundays realized about 50% of a Saturday harvest.  And the Sunday harvest in rifle season in Virginia was roughly 20% of a typical Saturday.

 

He also stated that turkey harvests on Sunday approximated weekday averages.

 

Also included in his comments are Virginia's findings regarding law enforcement activity.  Many had/have concerns about the undue burden Sunday hunting opportunity might have on law enforcement.  In Virginia, those fears were not realized.  Hunting related calls to law enforcement dispatch on Sundays were similar to an average weekday, and in fact only increased modestly from the amount of calls that were received on Sundays prior to the change.  Hunting related arrests trended similarly as well.

 

He closed by stating "In Sum, I can say that Virginia's experience so far with Sunday hunting is that of additional opportunities for sportsmen and women in the field without unacceptable impacts upon our wildlife resources, notable increases in citizen complaints, or other serious law enforcement concerns."

 

I would like to close by saying thank you to each of you for your sacrifice and dedication to conservation.  The efforts each of you put into your position as a PGC Commissioner are appreciated by so many of us Pennsylvania hunters.  Thank you!

 

Kindest Regards,

 

Harold Daub

HUSH Legislative/PGC Advisor

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.”

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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

  

HUNTERS UNITED FOR SUNDAY HUNTING OPPOSES HB2440

CONTACT: Hunters United for Sunday Hunting
TELEPHONE: 717-350-6741
EMAIL: huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com
WEBSITE: facebook.com/HuntersUnitedForSundayHunting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE & DISTRIBUTION - MAY 3, 2020

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting is issuing the following statement regarding  Pa. House Bill 2440 Outdoor Sportsman Clubs Guidelines In Response To Covid-19.

As a grassroots organization representing hunter-conservationists throughout the state that uses sportsmen clubs and in communicating with other conservation organizations Hunters United for Sunday Hunting OPPOSES HB2440 and Amendment 0583.

The overwhelming response from the hunter-conservation community is NO WE DO NOT NEED OR SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION.

This legislation singles out sportsmen’s clubs for no real or good reason.  Managers of outdoor sportsmen clubs, ranges, clubhouses, and other shooting activities are capable of determining measures to put in place based on the relative guidance at the time as it pertains to the COVID 19 situation. 

There may also be an infringement on federal and state constitutional rights to consider with HB2440.

The best thing the Pennsylvania Legislature and the Governor can do is treat sportsmen clubs the same as golf courses and have them open and operate with current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Pennsylvania Department of Health.

The current and ongoing CDC and PADOH guidance is sufficient for sportsmen club managers to make an intelligent decision. 

Opposition to  HB2440 include:

Gun Owners of America - Oppose HB 2440. Leave Outdoor Sportsman Clubs Alone

Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen & Conservationists -  PFSC Issues Call to Action on HB2440 Sportsmen Club Legislation

For more information about this topic, please contact

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting at 717-350-6741 or

email at huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com. 

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

Executive Director Kevin B. Askew

PA FARM BUREAU EFFORTS ENDANGERING SHOOTING ACTIVITIES

Dear Pennsylvania Sportsmen, Hunting, and Recreational Shooting Facilities

THE PA FARM BUREAU LOBBYING EFFORTS ARE ENDANGERING YOUR CLUB.    Read Release: Pa. Farm Bureau Continues To Impede Second Amendment Rights.

This letter is to inform all Pennsylvania facilities that conduct and have active rifle, handgun or other weapon shooting activities on Sundays; be it target practice, clay pigeons, pistol or other shooting competitions, YOUR SHOOTING ACTIVITIES ARE BEING THREATENED!  As part of the Pa. Farm Bureau's stance on Senate Bill 147.  The PFB is pushing for ‘gunfire-free Sundays’ so hikers, bikers, horseback riders, birdwatchers, and others can take part in outdoor activities without hearing gunshots.

Mark O'Neill, Media & Strategic Communications Director, Pa. Farm Bureau stated on PCN Call-In February 19, 2019 ”When you are shooting the gun, the noise doesn’t stop at the property line, the bullets don’t stop at property lines.”

If your club is near or within earshot of farmland.  The PFB is doubling their efforts on this by telling legislators “farmers don’t want gunshots ringing across their property on Sundays.”

The Pa. Farm Bureau is doing this under the guise of opposing Senate Bill 147 and the expansion of hunting opportunities here in Pennsylvania.  This lobbying effort and tactic of the Pa. Farm Bureau is a direct assault on their own members, gun owners, hunters, recreational shooters, and commonwealth citizens Second Amendment rights.   It poses the question, what is the main goal and where will the Pa. Farm Bureau stop in order to not hear gunshots on Sunday?   When you have to close your shooting range on Sunday?   When all Pa. citizens are not able to exact their Second Amendment rights?

Regardless if you support removing the barrier to hunting opportunities in Pa. or not.  This is a very real and serious threat that needs to be taken seriously.  Politicians listen to the Pa. Farm Bureau to the detriment of the commonwealth.   If you think the PFB cares what happens to your club or your ability to shoot you are sorely mistaken.  It is time to realize your organization, its members and legal shooting activity is under assault.  The Pa. Farm Bureau is seeing to that.

Now is the time for action.  We as sportsmen and conservationist can’t take the chance of ignoring the statements and the talking points of the Pa. Farm Bureau on this?  The cost will be way too high.  Think about it for a second.  There is truly only one way to not hear gunshots!  The thought of that is unconscionable!

Don’t let the Pa. Farm Bureau lobbying efforts to not hear gunshots make you close your ranges on Sunday.  Now is the time for action.  Please inform your members.  Take action now.

Contact Your Legislator let them know the Pa. Farm Bureau should not be infringing on Pa. Commonwealth Citizens rights;  Second Amendment or any other.

Contact Pa. Farm Bureau let them know to stop infringing on the rights of Pa. Commonwealth Citizens. Pennsylvania Farm Bureau | PO Box 8736 | Camp Hill, PA 17001-8736 | 717.761.2740 Sign Petition Allow Sunday Hunting In Pennsylvania.

Sincerely; Kevin B. Askew, Acting Executive Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - HUNTERS UNITED FOR SUNDAY HUNTING SUPPORTS THE PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION CHANGES AND UPDATES TO THE LICENSE YEAR 2018-19 HUNTING AND TRAPPING SEASONS.

CONTACT: Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

TELEPHONE: 717-350-6741

EMAIL: huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com

WEBSITE: facebook.com/HuntersUnitedForSundayHunting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HUNTERS UNITED FOR SUNDAY HUNTING SUPPORTS THE PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION CHANGES AND UPDATES TO THE LICENSE YEAR 2018-19 HUNTING AND TRAPPING SEASONS.

    

PA GAME COMMISSION 2018-19 SEASON CHANGES, UPDATES, AND APPROVAL CAN BE VIEWED AT:

http://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Game-Commission-Details.aspx?newsid=208

https://read.nxtbook.com/pgc/huntingtrapping/20182019/index.html#update

Halifax, Pa. July 5, 2018 – Hunters United for Sunday Hunting recognizes and supports the Pa. Game Commission in their wildlife management efforts.  Their science and biological-based wildlife management programs have proven effective year after year earning a second place ranking in the nation as written in the journal Science Advance. https://www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaGameCommission/posts/1819133508118533

Pa. Game Commission modifications approved for the 2018-19 seasons include: extending the statewide archery deer season to Monday, Nov. 12 to include the Veterans Day holiday; eliminating the hen pheasant restriction in WMUs 2A, 2C, 4C, and 5B; implementing a new four-day extended black bear firearms season in WMUs 4A and 5A; increasing from four days to six days the length of the extended black bear firearms season in WMU 3A; extending hunting hours for mourning doves from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset in all season segments; and opening WMUs 4B and 4C to fisher trapping.

The Pa. Game Commission has been managing Pennsylvania's wildlife for over 100 years.

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting asks:

• All hunters, sportsmen, sportswomen, outdoor enthusiasts, conservationist and all other like-minded people to trust the PGC as the subject matter experts and to understand without them, we would not be able to enjoy nature and our sport as we know it.
• Pa. legislatures to recognize and understand that you as lawmakers have no experience or expertise in the arena of wildlife management, non-hunted or hunted species. We encourage you to support legislative action to transfer full regulatory control to Pa. Game Commission and strengthen PA Title 34 Game Law.  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.

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting is asking for 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, not the Pa. legislatures.

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting is a conservation group that supports all conservation efforts for all wildlife in Pennsylvania, both hunted and non-hunted species.

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

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For more information about this topic, please contact Hunters United for Sunday Hunting at 717-350-6741 or email at huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com.  View our Blog - https://huntersforsundayhunting.blogspot.com/

Executive Director Harold Daub, Communication Director Kevin Askew