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PFSC Votes to support hunting license increase Asks PA Game Commission to focus herd reduction efforts
on trouble spots, take lead on developing new initiatives to improve habitat
for all our wild resources throughout the state The Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs
(PFSC) met for its semi-annual (fall) convention, September 17 – 18, in On Friday, members attended PFSC, PA Wildlife
Federation (PWF) and PFSC Endowment Foundation Board meetings, then enjoyed
an evening of fun, fellowship and fundraising at a dinner sponsored in part
by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), US Smokeless Tobacco, and
Sierra Nevada. Dr. Paul Knepley, from
the Dept. of Ag addressed the PFSC board and provided an update on the CWD
Response Plan. On Saturday, attendees were presented with
information by PFBC Executive Director Dr. Douglas Austin and staff, PGC
Executive Director Vern Ross and staff, and DCNR wildlife biologist Dr.
Merlin Benner. Also there speaking
were John & Monica Kline, giving an update on the Mentored Youth Hunting
Initiative, Denise Raum with the National Archery in the Schools Program
(NASP) seeking financial support to provide schools with funding for the
program, and Dennis Lantz with the Atlatl Assoc. seeking support to include
the Atlatl as an approved hunting device.
They also provided a demonstration, and allowed anyone willing, to try
their dart (spear) throwing techniques. On Sunday, the PFSC delegates voted 37 - 6 to
support a hunting license increase. They also voted on eleven
Conservation Resolutions presented by member clubs. Five were approved. Three
were requests for the PFSC to petition the PGC to 1) focus herd reduction efforts on trouble spots and take the lead
on developing new initiatives to improve habitat for all our wild resources
throughout the state; 2) allow either sex pheasant hunting in 6 southeastern
counties; and 3) allow live fire in HTE classes with NRA certification. One was a request to work for permitted
handgun “concealed carry” on State Parks in PA, and one was to petition the
NWF to help pursue the authorization to establish the Greater Cherry Valley
National Wildlife Refuge in In other action, after lengthy discussion, the
PFSC delegates voted 15-26 (with 2 abstentions) against supporting a
resolution to seek legislation that would remove prohibitive language dealing
with Sunday hunting. Several other
motions relating to Sunday hunting also failed by close margins. Rick Spencer of the National Wildlife Federation
gave the group an update on our mercury reduction initiative. Mercury assumes
a toxic form in the environment and accumulates in fish and wildlife,
resulting in reproductive and nervous system problems in humans and animals.
It can be passed to people who eat fish, with children and women of
child-bearing age especially vulnerable. The Pennsylvania Environmental
Quality Board has been petitioned to have the Department of Environmental
Protection adopt regulations to reduce mercury emissions, and this process is
moving forward, however a few legislators do not want to see it do so. Rick also presented information on Global
Warming. However, PFSC has not taken a
position on Global Warming. Committee Reports can be viewed here. The next PFSC convention is March 10 -12,
2005, at the Ramada Inn, With
more than 98,000 members, the
mission of the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Inc. is to
provide a statewide, united voice for the concerns of all sportsmen,
sportswomen and conservationists, to ensure their rights and interests are
protected, and to protect and enhance the environment and our natural
resources. The PFSC has over 70 years of experience fighting for
Pennsylvanians’ rights and privileges to hunt, fish, trap, shoot and boat,
and for the conservation of the Commonwealth’s natural resources. |