Pennsylvania Federation Of Sportsmens Clubs

The Pennsylvania State Police have announced a shutdown of the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) set to go into effect Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007 at 6 p.m. until Thursday, Sept. 6, 2007 at noon. During this time period no transfers of firearms will be allowed and no concealed carry permits will be issued. This outage also coincides with the beginning of the mourning dove season which opens Sept. 1.

"While no one opposes upgrades and improvements to the state police criminal records databases, we are very disappointed that the state police are providing just short notice of this outage, that they have scheduled the outage at the beginning of the dove season and that the outage will last for four days," said NSSF Senior Vice President Lawrence G. Keane. "We will be working with NRA, the Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus and the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs Inc. to inform the state police of our concerns and to try to find ways to lessen the inconvenience to Pennsylvania firearms dealers and their customers. We will explore whether dealers can temporarily conduct background checks through FBI-NICS and whether the outage can be scheduled to be done during the overnight period or at a less inconvenient time of year."

NSSF urges you to please contact your state representatives and Lt. Gary L. Schuler, director of the Pennsylvania State Police Firearms Division, immediately to express your disappointment and concern.

Contact your legislators:

Pennsylvania retailers click here

Pennsylvania residents click here

To contact Pennsylvania State Police Firearms Division Director Lt. Gary L. Schuler, call the Firearms Division at 717-783-5593.

Landowner liability protection major victory for hunters

July 3, 2007 Pennsylvania sportsmen scored a major political victory over the weekend when Gov. Ed Rendell signed into law legislation that protects property owners who allow hunting on their land.
The new law, formerly known as House Bill 13, makes it clear that landowners cannot be held responsible for personal injuries or property damages caused by hunters allowed on their properties -- so long as no access fee is charged. More…..

Groups Call for Audit of PGC’s Deer Management Data

Urge House Committee to Look Before Leaping to Make Fundamental Changes at the Game Commission and in Wildlife Management Programs

Philly Police Detective Speaks Out on Gun Legislation

Pennsylvania Gun Registration Legislation Introduced!
Please Contact Your State Legislators Today!

This misguided proposal would require every gun in Pennsylvania to be registered with the state, and each firearm would have to be re-registered annually. The registration would cost law-abiding gun owners $10 per gun each year. Of course, criminals won’t pay anything BECAUSE CRIMINALS DON'T REGISTER GUNS! In fact, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Haynes v. U.S. (309 U.S. 85 (1968)) that since felons are prohibited from owning firearms, compelling them to register them would violate their 5^th Amendment rights against self-incrimination. However, if a law-abiding gun owner fails to register it, he or she will be jailed and lose his or her rights FOREVER.

Read some of the responses from Legislators on HB 760

Sign Rep. Sam Rohrer’s On-Line Petition Opposing HB 760

Click on the Legislative Alerts Tab Above to View All the Legislation PFSC is Tracking.

2007 Spring Convention Reports

Proposed Dog Kennel Rules Cause Stir (Updated 4-18-07)

New statewide dog kennel regulations proposed on December 16, 2006 http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol36/36-50/2452.html have been widely circulated, but they're impact hasn't been well documented, nor has a plan to defeat them been formulated. IRRC extends deadline for comments to March 16, 2007

House Ag Committee will Schedule a Hearing on the Proposed Kennel Regulations

Court Affirms Public Access to Little Juniata
Judge Stewart Kurtz of the Huntingdon County Court of Common Pleas has reaffirmed the public's right to fish and boat a previously disputed 1.3 mile stretch of the Little Juniata River. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) , Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission filed a lawsuit in 2003 against members of a private fishing club that closed the section of the river.

PennFuture did the preliminary work on the case on behalf of itself, the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs and Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited. In 2002, we submitted a letter to DEP on behalf of these parties requesting that "if the public's right to peaceable use and enjoyment of the Little Juniata is not respected, the Commonwealth must stand up for itself, and for the interests of ‘all the people,' by seeking a ruling from the courts that it is the rightful owner of the bed of the Little Juniata, and that the river is open to the public without fee or hindrance."

House Judiciary Committee to Hold Hearings on Gun Violence

Hearings to seek input on handgun violence
State lawmakers schedule 11 Hearings.

22 firearm bills have been filed already.

State lawmakers plan to look at the handgun violence plaguing Reading and other Pennsylvania cities during a series of hearings set to start next week, Rep. Thomas R. Caltagirone said Wednesday. The hearings planned by the House Judiciary Committee include a March 29 session in Reading, said Caltagirone, a Reading Democrat and the committee chairman.

Click here for the hearing schedule.

Legislative Committee of the Whole on (Gun) Crime & Violence

Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives met on September 26^th , 27^th & October 3^rd, to discuss legislation that could infringe on our 2^nd Amendment Rights. Thanks to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules and came to the Capitol to show our opposition to any such legislation. Click Here for Details & Results of the Event

Convention Fall 2006 Wrap-Up (Updated 11-7-06)

Youth Fishing License Legislation Introduced (Added 8-9-06)

Hunting License Increase Legislation Introduced (Added 3-28-06)

Rep. Bruce Smith (R-York), Chairman of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, today introduced a package of legislation to increase hunting license fees. Rep. Smith explained license fees were last increased in 1999 and in the past eight years the cost of running the Game Commission has increased, necessitating an increase.

PFSC’ Deer Management Statement (Added 3-34-06)

There’ve been some recent rumors floating around that PFSC is not listening to its members and that we are asking the PGC to “stay the course on the deer management program.” Accusations also abound that we think the deer situation is fine just the way it is. Some of these rumors and accusations are due to misquotes and some are due to intentional twisting of PFSC’s position.

So, just what is PFSC’s position? Read more…..

PFSC Spring 2006 Convention Press Release & Committee Reports (Added 3-17-06)

Read the full wrap-up of the weekends events

Pennsylvania Governor Signs Families Afield Bill

Pennsylvania has become the first state in the nation to pass legislation designed to encourage more young people to take up hunting in an effort to increase sportsmen’s numbers.

PFSC Announces Spring 2006 Resolutions

These resolutions were approved by the Resolution Committee and are to be voted on at the General Session during the PFSC Spring Convention on March 12, 2006 in State College.

Draft Hunting License Increase Proposal Created

At the PFSC Fall Convention held this September, delegates from around the state voted in support a hunting license increase. Based on that support, PFSC, along with a coalition of hunting/trapping organizations, developed a draft license increase proposal. That newly created draft proposal can be viewed here.

The Need for a Hunting License Increase

The financial need for the agency is real. That need should not be tied to antlerless allocations, or any special interest group’s desire for species-specific regulations.

Carl Roe Selected as Next Game Commission’s Next Executive Director

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today voted unanimously to select Carl Roe to serve as the agency's new executive director. Roe will succeed Vern Ross, current executive director, when he retires on Dec. 31.

10 Worst States for Auto-Deer Collisions

Pennsylvania ranks first among the top ten worst states for vehicle-deer collisions, according to an insurance survey published by auto insurer, State Farm.

Game Commission Institutes Carcass Parts Ban

Using newly-granted emergency powers, the Pennsylvania Game Commission issued an order banning the importation of specific carcass parts from states and Canadian provinces where CWD had been identified in free-ranging cervid populations.

Sunday Hunting Impact Study Results

Here are the results of the study conducted to determine the social, economic, philosophical and practical impact in providing expanded hunting opportunities, including hunting on Sunday, in Pennsylvania.

Latest CWD Updates

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), found in elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer, is an area of concern for sportsmen and public health officials. It is a continuing threat to PA’s wild and captive deer and elk.

First Round of Growing Greener Grant Allocations Announced

PA’s Governor said PA is taking aggressive steps to clean up its rivers and streams, improve parks, revitalize abandoned industrial sites and protect open space and preserve farmland. The Governor announced an investment of $65 million in environmental projects that will help scores of Pennsylvania communities.

PFSC and Others Provide Testimony Regarding CWD

PFSC and a host of other stakeholders testified before a Joint Committee involving the Senate Game & Fisheries Committee and the Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committees to voice their concerns regarding Chronic Wasting Disease. PFSC’s comments, as well as, the testimony of other organizations can be viewed here.

PFSC Fall Convention Wrap-Up

PFSC’s annual Fall Convention was recently held in Harrisburg, PA. This report contains on overview of the topics discussed and decisions made over that weekend.

Youth Council Looking For a Few Good Young Men & Women

Pennsylvania’s Governor is currently looking for ambitious students to make up the Governor’s Youth Council on Hunting, Fishing & Conservation.

U.S. Senate Passes Senate Bill 397

This is a major first step toward ending the anti-gun lobby's reign of extortion through reckless lawsuits against the firearm industry.

House Game & Fisheries Committee Holds Hearing on HB904

On June 6 the Committee held a public hearing regarding HB904 which relates to Sunday Hunting in PA. Among those giving testimony at the hearing was PFSC. Click here to view PFSC’s Testimony

Growing Greener II Passes

The state budget was passed by the State House shortly before midnight last night and approved by the State Senate about an hour and a half later with little Floor activity surrounding the voting in either chamber. Included in that budget is $27M for PFBC and $20M for PGC.

PFBC Presents Annual Report to House Game & Fisheries Committee

The Committee held a public hearing for the PA Fish & Boat Commission to present its Annual Report to the Committee.

PGC Presents Annual Report to House Game & Fisheries Committee

The Committee held a public hearing for the PA Game Commission to present its Annual Report to the Committee.

PA Fish & Boat Commission to get desperately needed funding.

Governor Edward G. Rendell has signed House Bill 2155 into law, providing much-needed operating revenue for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission through modest increases in the fees charged for fishing licenses and boat registrations.

New Research on Attitudes Toward Wildlife and Natural Resources

Responsive Management is a public opinion and attitude survey research firm specializing in natural resource and outdoor recreation issues. Over the past two decades, Responsive Management has conducted more than 500 surveys on opinions on and attitudes toward natural resource and outdoor recreation issues.

Creation of NASC to help promote sportsmen’s interests at State Capitols

An ambitious agenda to address hunting, angling, and conservation issues in state capitals across the country was set into action this past weekend with the creation of the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses.

Secretary Norton announces more than $70 million in grants to support acquisition and conservation planning for endangered species

Interior Secretary Gale Norton today announced more than $70 million in grants to 28 states and one territory to support conservation planning and acquisition of vital habitat for threatened and endangered fish, wildlife and plant species.

Past News

PFSC Official Press Release Regarding HB 2155 and Sunday Hunting

The Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs (PFSC) voted unanimously at its fall convention to work with state legislators to have amendments it objects to in HB 2155, current fishing license increase legislation, revised or removed.

PA Game Commission Announces Final 2005-2006 Seasons & Bag Limits

The PCG gave final approval to hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for 2005-2006, including expanded hunter opportunities through the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP); more bear hunting; increased elk hunting; and new and expanded youth-only hunting seasons. The new seasons take effect July 1.

Plenty of Opinions at Town Hall Meeting

Philly Burbs writer, Dale Machesic, reviews the first of the Town Hall Meetings sponsored by Commissioner Isabella and the PA Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs.

PFSC Provides Testimony at April 25^th Game Commission Meeting

The Federation relayed it’s position on deer management and also urged the Game Commission to take protective measures against CWD.

PFSC Announces 2005 Poster Contest Winners

The winners of the 2005 poster contest were announced at this year’s PFSC Spring Convention. A complete list of winners is here.

Recent Flooding Has Different Effect on Fish

While many communities and individuals across Pennsylvania continue to flounder in the wake of devastation wrought by recent flooding, the rushing streams and rivers are little more than an inconvenience for some populations accustomed to water in their homes – fish populations.

US Forest Service Proposed a National Program to Govern “Off-Highway” Vehicles

U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service today extended its public comment period 60 additional days for a proposed rule on protecting roadless values in national forests and grasslands based on several requests from the public.

Archived News

¨ Sportsmen Against Merger” Night hosted by Northwest Division

PFSC hosted a Sportsmen's Forum on the Merger Issues (HR 15 & HR 22) in Franklin, Venango Co. on April 29th

¨ Merger – At What Cost

In the past, and again today, PFSC leaders told the members of the House Game & Fisheries Committee that they would have to prove to the sportsmen & women that a merger would substantially benefit the resource and the hunters, trappers and anglers, before they would even consider the idea.

¨ Joseph Leppert Wins Youth Turkey Hunt Essay Contest

Read Joseph’s Winning Essay

¨ Pioneering Sportsman Honored

After dedicating 55 years of his life to promoting, protecting and preserving our outdoor heritage, the founder of the Adams County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs (ACFSC) was honored for his years of service.

HR15 – Complete Merger Information Here

Find everything you need here regarding HR-15; the study conducted by the House Fish & Game Committee to determine the feasibility of merging the PA Game Commission and the PA Fish & Boat Commission.

¨ Zogby Values Poll – A Special Poll on Firearm Owners and Hunters

The highly respected research firm Zogby International has conducted the first installment of its 2004 Zogby Values Poll, surveying 1,200 voters nationwide on issues that included firearms and hunting.

¨ Sportsmen & Women Make Voices Heard at Annual Fall Convention

Sportsmen and women representing counties across the commonwealth gathered in Scranton recently to take a stand on the issues affecting hunting, trapping, fishing, and the environment.

¨ FWS Proposed Hunting & Fishing on Seven Refuges

On August 27, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it has proposed adding hunting and fishing programs to seven refuges in Louisiana, Minnesota, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oregon and Virginia. The Service annually reviews hunting and fishing programs on National Wildlife Refuges to determine whether to add, modify or remove them. If approved, the proposal will bring the total number of refuges with public hunting programs to 315 and public fishing programs to 274. The proposed rule was posted in the Federal Register on August 14 and there is a public comment period open until September 15.

¨ Acid Drainage Problems at I-99 Construction Site

The departments of Environmental Protection and Transportation are working cooperatively to solve an acid drainage problem coming from a recently constructed fill area for the Interstate 99 highway at Sky Top in Patton Township, Centre County.