Pennsylvania Federation Of Sportsmens Clubs

PFSC’s 2007 Fall Convention Wrap-Up

For Immediate Release:

09/21/06

Contact: Jeff Souders or Melody Zullinger

http://www.pfsc.org

PFSC FALL CONVENTION WRAP-UP

The Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs (PFSC) held its semi-annual convention (fall), September 7^th-9^th, in Harrisburg. 40 of 53 eligible delegates attended the Sunday voting session.

Members attended PFSC, PA Wildlife Federation (PWF) and PFSC Endowment Board meetings, and then enjoyed an evening of fun, fellowship and festivities at the Fundraising Banquet on Friday.

On Saturday, the Fish & Boat Committee was attended by Dr. Doug Austin, Leroy Young, Laurel Anders and Gary Moore from the PFBC. Leroy Young gave a presentation on the Susquehanna/Juniata Creel Survey, New State Trout Management Plan and Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS). Dr. Austin discussed Agency Reorganization, Lake Erie Access Program and Youth Fishing License.

The Game & Trapping committee was given a presentation by Dr. Walt Cottrell, a PGC Veterinarian, on current knowledge and trends, risk factors and amplified risk factors of CWD in Pennsylvania. Dr. Cottrell also discussed the parts ban and other ways to avoid spreading CWD through the states deer population. He stated that Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHO) is also a major concern in Pennsylvania; it is killing deer in the western part of the state. PGC Executive Director, Carl Roe, reported on the upcoming deer communication sessions and Citizens Advisory Councils (CAC). Rob Sexton, US Sportsmen’s Alliance, spoke about what is being done to stop the proposed Dog Kennel Regulations, and asked individuals to contact their Senators and Representatives to oppose this regulation. Ed Perry updated the group on the pending legislation of 1800 acres of land along Spring Creek in Centre County. Michael Barton gave a presentation on wind energy.

The joint Environmental and Conservation Education Committee Chairman Ed Zygmunt noted two recent successful efforts by PFSC in partnership with other conservation groups. The first one, the PA courts ruled in favor, in the long running case, regarding the coal-mine bonding requirements by the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection. Secondly, Governor Ed Rendell recently signed into law the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP). Jeff Krause, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, presented a slide program on the Corps’ deer management program at Raystown Lake. Rick Spencer, Regional Organizer for NWF, reported U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the 2007 Farm Bill. Rick also reported on the status of other federal legislation, including the Clean Water Authority Restoration Act, the Aquatic Invasive Species Act, and various clean energy and global warming proposals. Ed Perry briefly discussed the proposed sale of Commonwealth owned property at Spring Creek in Centre County to Penn State University. Finally, Bernie Spozio briefly discussed the need for upgrades to municipal sewage treatment plants and suggested PFSC should become more involved in this issue.

The Firearms Committee, Chaired by Mike Protz, discussed the ever present firearms issues. The meeting was attended by John Hohenwarter of the NRA and Kim Stolfer from the Allegheny County Sportsmen’s League. The Committee and its guests discussed pending legislation and the need to stay alert to the continuing assault on our 2^nd amendment rights.

At Sunday’s General Session, delegates voted on resolutions brought before them.

The first resolution, to allow both male and female pheasants to be harvested, failed by a vote of 6-30 (1 abstention). Voting for the resolution: Armstrong, Cambria, Crawford, Northampton, Susquehanna, and Wyoming. Abstaining: Clinton

The second resolution, to ban spotlighting the week before opening day of rifle season, passed 18-17 (2 abstentions). Voting for the resolution: Adams, Bedford, Columbia, Indiana, Lebanon, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Venango, Washington, Wyoming, PA Trappers, PA Bass, and Pheasants Forever. Abstaining: Centre, Member at Large

The third resolution, which would end PFSC’s affiliation with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), failed 13-23 (4 abstentions). Voting for the resolution: Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Lackawana, Lancaster, Lawrence, Luzerne, Mercer, Westmoreland, and Wyoming. Abstaining: Adams, Indiana, PA Trappers, and Pheasants Forever

PFSC’s Spring Convention will be held March 28^th-30^th in Scranton.

Representing nearly 100,000 sportsmen and women, the mission of the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, Inc. is to provide a statewide, united voice for the concerns of all sportsmen and conservationists, to ensure their rights and interests are protected and to protect and enhance the environment and our natural resources. The PFSC has 75 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.