STATUS UPDATE & ASK - SENATE BILL 147

Status update and ask for Sunday hunting and Pennsylvania Senate Bill 147 supporters.
At this point in time, the only thing that we are certain of is that Senate Bill 147 has passed out of the Pa. Senate Game and Fisheries Committee with a vote of 8-3 and is now in the Pa. Senate Appropriations Committee.  The bill has about six more legislative steps to go through involving over 200 politicians across the state.
To track these politicians on where they stand day-to-day or week-to-week is impossible, many of them are still becoming educated in order to make a decision.  This is why Hunters United for Sunday Hunting urges everyone to continue the calls, continue the emails, continue the visits letting the representatives know that SB 147 and the repeal of Sunday hunting prohibition is a good thing for hunters and the conservation community.
We fully understand everyone’s frustration and wanting to know who supports and who doesn’t. We are as frustrated as you are with not getting specific and decisive answers.  Hence why we have not published any names with positions.  We don’t want to say or print information that is wrong and may not be correct.  We will not risk damaging our goal and support of SB 147 by being perceived as ‘throwing stones.’   
The only true way to tell who supported and who didn't is when that particular Senator or House Representatives cast the final committee or session vote of Yes or No regarding Senate Bill 147.
That being said here is how everyone can help at the present time to get SB 147 moved to the next step, the Pa. Senate.   There are two individuals that can make this happen.  Senator Patrick M. Browne, Chairman Senate Appropriation Committee, Senator Jake Corman Majority Leader of the State Senate.  Both gentlemen are interested in hearing why Senate Bill 147 should be moved out of the Senate Appropriations Committee and considered by the full Senate.
Please take time to contact both Senator Browne and Senator Corman; tell your story, explain how removing Sunday hunting prohibition will help you, your family and the reason it should be considered for a vote and not held up in the legislative process any longer.

Remember, Senator Browne and Senator Corman are not our enemies, please do not treat them as such, save that for Pa. Farm Bureau.  Both gentlemen are looking to do the right thing.  We just need to educate them on what that is and why Senate Bill 147 is a positive piece of legislation for hunters, landowners, and the agricultural community.

Feel free to use this: LETTER TO PA. LEGISLATORS - SUPPORT SENATE BILL 147 for reference and to email with a personal note why SB 147 is beneficial. https://huntersforsundayhunting.blogspot.com/2019/02/letter-to-pa-legislators-support-senate.html

Senator Patrick M. Browne contact information: https://www.senatorbrowne.com/

Harrisburg Office Phone: (717) 787-1349

Allentown Office Phone: (610) 821-8468

Email contact form https://www.senatorbrowne.com/contact-me/

Senator Jake Corman contact information: https://www.senatorcorman.com/

Harrisburg Office Phone: (717) 787-1377

Centre County District Office Phone: (814) 355-0477 / Toll Free: (800) 828-7300

Mifflin County District Office Phone: (717) 242-2410;

Email: jcorman@pasen.gov Email contact form: https://www.senatorcorman.com/contact/

Sincerely;

Interim Executive Director

HUSH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ACCEPTS NEW POSITION

CONTACT:​ Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

TELEPHONE:​ 717-350-6741
EMAIL​:​ huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com
WEBSITE:​ facebook.com/HuntersUnitedForSundayHunting

                                                     

FOR RELEASE

HUNTERS UNITED FOR SUNDAY HUNTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ACCEPTS NEW POSITION Hunters United for Sunday Hunting is announcing the departure of Executive Director Harold Daub effective April 8, 2019.  Mr. Daub has been selected to lead the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen & Conservationists as their Executive Director. The work and dedication that Harold provided Hunters United for Sunday Hunting is undeniable and will not be forgotten.  His successful leadership resulted in the education, gathering, and consolidation of sportsmen and sportswomen of all ages; conservation organizations, small and large; farmers and landowners to help correct four words to a flawed law - ‘Hunting on Sunday Prohibited.’ It is this work and recognition that made him the prime candidate for PFSC. Though it is bittersweet, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting understands and is glad to see PFSC has selected a passionate, knowledgeable and visionary thinker to help bring their organization into the 21st Century. Rest assured there will be no disruption to the mission of Hunters United for Sunday Hunting.  Kevin Askew, Communications Director has been named the interim Executive Director.  He has been instrumental in the past ‘year-of-action’ with Hunters United for Sunday Hunting. Interim Executive Director, Kevin Askew -

“As we go through this transition period.  I ask all HUSH members and Sunday hunting supporters to continue doing what you are doing.  Everyone involved in this historic activity is ‘Keeping The Needle Moving’.  We still have a fight ahead of us as Senate Bill 147 makes its way through the Pa. legislatures.  It is your actions and engagement, your phone calls, your emails, your letters that are getting attention and causing action.  Please continue and do not give up.  If we all pull the rope in the same direction, we can correct this antiquated blue law once and for all.”

Reach/Contact your legislators: - let them know to support SB 147 and removal of Sunday hunting prohibition.

THE PA GAME COMMISSION HAS A ROBUST PROCESS

The PA Game Commission has a robust process in developing regulations.

Section 2102 of PA Title 34 Game Law states: Pa Game Commission shall promulgate such regulations as it deems necessary and appropriate concerning game or wildlife and hunting or furtaking in this commonwealth, including regulations relating to the protection, preservation and management of game or wildlife and game or wildlife habitat, permitting or prohibiting hunting or furtaking, the ways, manner, methods and means of hunting or furtaking, and the health and safety of persons who hunt or take wildlife or may be in the vicinity of persons who hunt or take game or wildlife in this commonwealth.

The Process:  All agency regulations are voted on by an eight-member board of commissioners.  The board of commissioners is nominated by the governor and approved by the Pennsylvania Senate.  These commissioners are solely responsible for all agency regulation setting.

The Game Commission’s regulation setting process collects public comments for consideration by the board of commissioners in a number of different ways:

•    Comments are received through email and distributed to the board of commissioners.

•    Letters received by PGC are forwarded to the board of commissioners for review.

•    The public has the opportunity to make public comments at the agency’s commission meetings.

As referenced above; Pa. Game Commission is responsible for all wildlife in the commonwealth and those hikers, bikers, horseback riders and all others that come in contact with hunters.  This regulation setting process is completely transparent and open to all.  The process is designed to take comments from all citizens of Pennsylvania, not just hunters, and trappers, but all stakeholders, no one or group is excluded.  In addition, and as part of the commission’s regulation setting process, a press conference is held at each commission meeting to allow the press to ask questions about regulation proposals and use this information to help better inform the public.

Any regulation which the agency proposes is presented at a commission meeting.  Any proposal must be voted on by the board of commissioners at two public commission meetings before the regulation is adopted, or rejected if a “no” vote prevails. 

The agency also uses, where appropriate, scientifically-based surveys to better understand the attitudes and preferences as part of the process.  Often, individuals opposed to a specific regulation proposal are more inclined to voice their opinion as opposed to individuals who support a proposal.  Science-based public surveys are critical to evaluating actual public opinion.  The results help the board in their decision-making process for particular regulations. 

Pa. Game Commission Process At Work:

Recently, the Pennsylvania legislature authorized the Game Commission to regulate the use of semiautomatic rifles in hunting.  After surveying wildlife agencies in various other states, it was clear that semiautomatic rifles have been used safely without issue, even for big game.  However, when Pa. Game Commission sent a survey to hunters and reviewed all public comments, it became clear that the use of semiautomatic rifles was not supported by hunters, landowners, and other citizens.  As a result, the board of commissioners decided to not allow semiautomatic rifles for big game at this time.  This example reaffirms the agency’s robust regulation decision-making process in considering all comments from the public, and in using valid surveys to better evaluate the opinions of segments of our state’s citizens.

In closing, if given the ability to regulate hunting on Sundays.  It will go through this very same process prior to implementation in order to make the best decision possible.  Please be assured that Pa. Game Commission regulation setting process works and can be trusted.  We have been able to accomplish many wildlife management goals with it.   The task of hearing, considering, developing and implementing regulations is not taken lightly.   All eight commissioners understand their duty to the citizens of the commonwealth and its wildlife.   

Sincerely, 

////Signed////

Bryan Burhans

Executive Director

  

Read Signed Letter: The PA Game Commission has a robust process in developing regulations.

HUSH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HAROLD DAUB - MESSAGE & CALL TO ACTION -

Message from Executive Director - This is an ALL HANDS ON DECK CALL TO ACTION Sunday Hunting and Senate Bill 147 Supporters,
This is a very critical week and I need your help.  If you truly want to see the prohibition on Sunday hunting lifted in Pennsylvania and Senate Bill 147 move to the next steps, I need you to give 15 minutes of your time today and tomorrow. The Pa. Farm Bureau will be descending on Harrisburg this Wednesday, March 27, 2019. The PFB leadership autocracy has issued talking point directives to be used.  One of the first on the list is Senate Bill 147 and Sunday hunting.  The PFB is requesting when their members speak to legislators on Wednesday they specifically mention opposition to Sunday hunting as well as trespass legislation being part of the discussion on this wildlife conservation issue. The important thing to remember and note as you make calls and speak with State Representatives is Pa. Farm Bureau has been requesting for over 10 years that trespass laws be strengthened. Hence, why it is also important to understand many rank and file members of the PFB support SB 147.  The trespass language contained in Senate Bill 147 is what PFB has been wanting.  But yet, now that it has support and momentum they [PFB leadership] are still not supporting.  Makes no sense. In regards to wildlife management.  Bottom line is Pa. Farm Bureau has no experience or expertise. The Pa. Game Commission is charged by law with the management of the states wildlife not Pa. Farm Bureau. There are very few active farmers that will be at the capitol building.  I have been told the people selected or asked to participate by PFB on Wednesday are mostly legacy farmers, retired farmers and very few active [making a living] PFB farmers.  In talking with PFB active farmer members they will not be attending because of doing what farmers do this time of year - farming.  Many of these active farmers support SB 147. Though we do not know how many PFB members will be at the state capitol on Wednesday we must realize the PFB is once again using deception to bully Pa. legislators by ‘stacking the deck’ so to speak.  It is a fact that Pa. Farm Bureau only represents 22,648 farmers in Pa. the other part of their membership does not count. What we can be assured of is Pa. Farm Bureau to continue to misrepresent itself and intimidate legislators.  Please have no illusion, the PFB autocracy thinks they control the issue of removing the prohibition on Sunday hunting and SB 147. This is an ALL HANDS ON DECK CALL TO ACTION.  We need to make our intentions known and our voices heard starting today on Senate Bill 147.  If we don’t, the only message that will be reverberating in the halls of our state capitol building is that of naysayers. Let’s not let that happen.  We need to “Keep The Needle Moving” make the halls come alive with our message of resounding support for SB 147 and the removal of Sunday hunting prohibition here in Pa. This is why I am asking and need your commitment to making the following calls: First - call your Representative and Senator using these links: FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR - BY PA COUNTY Or https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/  In addition to recording your support with both of your legislators. I also need you to place a call to all of those who occupy important leadership positions. Senate President Honorable Joseph Scarnati - 717-787-7084 Senate Majority Leader Honorable Jake Corman - 717-787-1377 Senate Minority Leader Honorable Jay Costa - 717-787-7683 Senate Appropriations Majority Chairman Honorable Patrick Browne - 717-787-1349 Senate Appropriations Minority Chairman Honorable Vincent Hughes - 717-787-7112 House Speaker Honorable Mike Turzai - 717-772-9943 House Majority Leader:  Honorable Bryan Cutler - 717-783-6424 House Minority Leader:  Honorable Frank Dermody - 717-787-3566 House Appropriations Committee Majority Chairman Honorable Stan Saylor - 717-783-6426 House Appropriations Committee Minority Chairman Honorable Matthew Bradford - 717-783-1540 House Game & Fish Majority Chairman Honorable Keith Gillespie - 717-705-7167 House Game & Fish Minority Chairman Honorable William Kortz - 717-787-8175 Thank you for your active participation in bringing an end to the ban on Sunday hunting and the upgrade of our trespass laws. It is with your passion and effort that we will be successful in our mission. Sincerely,

Harold Daub, Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting P.S. Comment below on the responses you get.