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Protecting Sportsmen’s Interests For Over 75 Years PFSC’s Spring
Convention Committee Reports At the
********************************************************************************************************* Environmental Committee Report Ed
Zygmunt, Chairman The PFSC Environmental Committee met A proposal to increase the amount of wilderness
areas in the The Monroe County Federation reviewed a
proposal to create a new National Wildlife Refuge in the NWF Regional Organizer Rick Spencer
provided updates on federal legislation including the Clean Water Authority
Restoration Act, the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact, the Coast Guard
Authorization Act which would regulate ballast water discharges in Rick Spencer also addressed the
Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act, which would reduce carbon dioxide
emissions by 2% per year and potentially provide billions in funding to state
wildlife agencies to mitigate the impact of global warming. Jim Connors, president of the Monroe County
Federation of Sportsmen, spoke at length about the importance of the PFSC to
take a stand in support of climate change legislation. The pros and cons of
this issue were discussed by the committee. Other issues brought before the committee
included an update on the Farm Bill, the EPA’s No formal action was taken by the committee
on any of the above issues. ************************************************************************************************************** Firearms Committee Report Mike
Protz Chairman The meeting
was called to order at Mr. Hohenwarter
updated the group on the The next speaker was Kim Stolfer, Chairman of Firearms Owners Against Crime. Kim emphasized the power of each person in
contacting their Senator and Representatives.
He said there were 76 new gun laws that were brought up since
1998. The instant check system was one
of them and so far has been proven ineffective. He also asked Allen Keyes to be present at
the Kim was followed by Michael Kelly, Legal
Supervisor of PA State Police. He said
straw purchases are the most difficult laws to enforce, but four individuals
were recently caught and prosecuted.
Michael spoke about the recently passed NICS improvement act, which
sends all information to the FBI.
State Police can remove a person from the list only if a judge
agrees. Then, he explained that social
security numbers are not mandatory on forms. Richard Smith, NSSF, plans to attend a meeting
in Joe Kleiner
suggested, there should be more emphasis placed on joining the PFSC & NRA and
registering to vote. There are
currently only a couple of clubs that make this mandatory. ************************************************************************************************************* Fish and Boat Committee Report Bernie
Spozio, Chairman Present: Southern Northwest Member at Large Southeast Present for PA Fish and Boat Commission: Doug
Austen, Executive Director Dave
Milko, Chief Division of Fisheries Gary
Moore Sally
Corl Walter
Dietz Present for John
Berry Dave Milko discussed: 1.
Water Quality Study on the 2. Expanding early opener for trout to the Southwest of PA 3. Trout residency study update 4.
Wild trout streams survey Water Quality – John Arway is leading a study to
assess smallmouth bass health in the Susquehanna. Columnaris
disease was found in 2005 and 2007 samples.
Disease seemed to coincide with low flows, however in earlier years
(1990’s) it did not coincide necessarily with low flows. In 2007 a large algae bloom took place. This depleted oxygen levels when the sun
went down. It is driven by phosphorus
levels which were up during this period. More studies are needed to gather what PFBC needs to
know. They will be looking at
temperature, nutrient loading, dissolved oxygen levels and juvenile bass
microhabitats. They will also try to
identify patterns and do comparables with other PA rivers. Expanding Early Trout Opener to Southwest: Angler acceptance of the program is high in the southeast
(70%). PFBC is considering Preseason Stocked Trout Residency Study: PFBC found that trout do move out. Less than 20% remain in some streams. Others had good residency retention. It will take a number of years to complete
the residency study. All preseason stocked streams should be evaluated. Some recommendations could be stock close to opening day and
stock in season only on some waters. Wild Trout Initiative There are numerous unassessed wild
trout waters. PFBC decided to do study
by starting with highest risk waters for degradation. This will involve extensive GPS use and
will take decades to complete. Douglas Austen, Executive Director PFBC talked on: 1. Marketing 2. Expanding youth programs 3. Assess programs 4. Dam repair 5. Alternative license options 6.
The challenge of climate change Marketing: The PFBC is looking at data and issues concerning licenses
and bringing people back into fishing.
As an example, “Who fishes for muskies?” What was found was that the typical muskie fisherman is someone with 25-30 years of fishing
experience and thereby an older angler. They are also looking at the issue of lapsed anglers. Only 10% of anglers bought licenses 5 of
last 5 years. PFBC is looking at a cooperative marketing campaign timed
with the opening of bass season and Father’s Day. Expanding Youth Programs: Expanding youth programs is a priority. Youth fishing license who produce
$2,176,000 minimally to help promote fishing.
Federal matching dollars are now approximately $5.00 for every license
sold. Access Programs: Access programs both for statewide areas and the The potential challenges of climate change are a concern
that fish and game agency managers are watching and discussing. John Berry – John helped discuss the 13 resolutions presented on the Attendees had various questions answered and voiced concerns
with some resolutions. John gave an excellent account of the shad history in the ******************************************************************************************************* Game & Trapping Committee Chuck
Lombaerde, Chairman 5 divisions and 3 state organizations present Carl Roe,
PGC Executive Director, addressed the four WMUs
(2D, 2G, 3C, 4B) that will have a 5 day antlered deer only season starting
the Monday after Thanksgiving followed by one week of concurrent antlered or antlerless deer season.
This would be maintained for three years to get good scientific data
for any changes in the future. He also
spoke about legislative issues; there are currently 80 different bills
concerning Title 34. Carl was
confident HB 2205 (the poaching bill) would move forward in the
legislature. This bill would “give
teeth to” Title 34. Point-of-Sale will
not happen this year. The PGC
fiscal situation was also covered. The
PGC will have $32 million at the end of the year. $22 million is needed on Seth Cassell, from DCNR, updated the committee on DCNR’s mission and programs. He stated tree composition of state forests
are changing; oaks are being replaced by Maples, Cherry and Black Birch. DCNR does not plan on making anymore ATV
trails. They will just add to existing
trails. Also, Gypsy Moths were a major
problem in the central part of the state and in the Poconos. 558,094 acres were hit hard and 123,341
acres had moderate damage due to Gypsy Moth infestation. DCNR doesn’t have the legislative authority
to implement wind energy development, but 37,753 acres of state forest have
potential to be used in this capacity. Matt Ehrhart, from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, spoke about
REAP and how this program helps save farms and the environment by preventing
stream bank erosion. Over 260
applications have been received, requesting $11.3 million in projects, which
would max out the first year budget of $10 million. REAP hopes that Govenor
Rendell and the legislators recognize this program, and increase next year’s
budget to the originally proposed $50 million. For more information: www.cbf.org Emily
Brodsky, from Wildlife Leadership Adventures, stopped by to explain this
program. Ms. Brodsky says youth will
learn wildlife biology, habitat, management research, monitoring techniques,
role of hunting in wildlife management, nature photography, community
outreach and education. Wildlife
Leadership Adventures will be held July 8th-12th and
will be offered to youths between 14-17 years old in Rick
Spencer, NWF Regional Organizer, spoke about NWF’s
mission and how they work with different organizations. The rest of Rick’s report was carried over
to the Environmental Affairs Committee. Representative
Ed Staback, Majority Chair of the House Game and
Fisheries Committee, stopped by, and addressed several bills, including HB
779 dealing with Sunday Hunting. He
also said all attention will be on the Deer Audit Resolution. His committee meets Monday Morning
3/31. He assured us that he plans on
moving this right through his committee and the House by Wednesday 4/2. ********************************************************************************************************** Membership Committee Report All divisions were represented. A majority
of the Membership Committee meeting centered on Credential Sheets and to how
to make sure they get distributed and returned properly and efficiently. Those attending the meeting stated a desire
to have the credential sheets sent to the county, and they would get them out
to their respective clubs. The state
office would provide credential sheets to the county delegates at the fall
convention in the delegate packets.
The state office would then send out a reminder post card to the clubs
to have them contact their county delegate if they hadn’t already received
the renewal forms. A motion was made
to have delegates vote on this at Sunday’s general delegate session. It was seconded by the Southwest Division. The county delegates voted positive on this
motion. Don Heckman,
PA Chapter of the NWTF, asked about a way to make it more palatable for chapters
under a State-Wide Organization to become involved with the federation at the
county level. Steve Preston suggested
charging them the same as a 10 member club fee ($50 at this time). This would be a good way for local chapters
to become members of the Federation.
Others felt this would not be fair to other clubs paying higher fees
for the same representation. Steve
Preston made a motion to change our name from Pennsylvania Federation of
Sportsmen’s Clubs to Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen. He feels individuals not affiliated with a
sportsmen’s club are alienated by our name.
He stated, some people think a sportsmen’s club is just a place to
drink, so they will not become involved.
The motion was tabled, but Steve mentioned it again at the delegate
session. |
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