Sportsmans orgs and Sunday hunting

Todays post on http://www.skunkinthewoodpile.com I sincerely hope that other sportsmans organizations take a position on the issue and let thier thoughts be known. There has never been more movement on this issue than recently. This statement was mailed to every commissioner and the Executive Director. Below is the entire blog.




Today’s post about Sunday hunting is brought to us by the Pennsylvania Crossbow Federation (PCF). The sportsmen’s organization was founded in 2008 to promote the use of crossbows as hunting tools to manage wildlife. The organization uses education and outreach to advocate the use of crossbows, foster meaningful landowner relationships, and create partnerships among hunting organizations. To learn more about the PCF, visit their website at http://www.pacrossbow.com.

We encourage other sportsmen’s groups to support the repeal of the ban on Sunday hunting and for the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) to be able to regulate Sunday hunting. – Roxane Palone

“At the core of the mission of the Pennsylvania Crossbow Federation, is the objective to increase participation in hunting and to recruit new hunters into our sport. Our organization believes that the inclusion of crossbows into our archery seasons has resulted in positive gains in both areas. We also believe that there are many options to further add to these positive gains. Sunday hunting has long been a point of contention among many groups, including the sportsmen of this state. Unfortunately the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s hands are tied on this issue as our state’s General Assembly currently regulates Sunday hunting.

The Pennsylvania Crossbow Federation has been made aware of a willingness from some of our state’s representatives to consider legislation that would essentially give regulatory control of Sunday hunting to the PGC. As a result of this movement, the PCF swiftly polled its membership on this exact scenario. The results of our poll revealed overwhelming support for the PGC having regulatory control of Sunday hunting.

The PCF feels very strongly that the issue of Sunday hunting is a “seasons and bag limits” issue and that the PGC should have regulatory control. Our organization also believes that allowing hunting seven days of the week will provide much needed opportunities for those who struggle to find the time to enjoy our sport. With hunter numbers decreasing and our youth being subjected to many distractions, Sunday hunting will help to slow the loss and bring sporting families further together on the weekends.


If legislation does pass, the PCF would urge a slow, guarded approach. While the benefits of Sunday hunting are numerous, many factors must be considered before the addition of Sundays to a particular season is implemented. The PCF trusts that the PGC would weigh all factors with due diligence before adding additional potential high harvest days to a season.

While this issue is currently controlled by the state legislature, the Pennsylvania Crossbow Federation would like the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Board of Commissioners (BOC) to consider passing a formal resolution that supports our state’s General Assembly, through legislation, relinquishing regulatory control of Sunday hunting and passing the torch to our state’s game agency. This opportunity has never been better and the time for action is now. If this resolution is passed at a PGC meeting, a clear message will be sent to our representatives that the PGC is prepared and willing to assume this responsibility. Again, the PCF urges the PGC’s BOC to pass this resolution in support of regulatory control. The future of hunting in Pennsylvania would benefit immensely from this potential action.

Thank you for your time and consideration in this important matter.”

With two of the biggest complaints of hunters being the lack of game and lack of places to hunt why do we want to put more pressure on the game and pizz off the people who own most of the land we want to hunt on? As for the PGC and BOC, With the number of folks that hold a less than stellar view of them now I can think of no reason for them to want to jump in the middle of that can of worms at the present time.

ORIGINAL: Outdoor Adventures

Is the Pennsylvania Game Commission willing to make this commitment ?

 
As far as I can tell, there is a slight majority on the BOC that supports regulatory control.  Past history shows typically they punt to the legislature. That may change as there is a push for the BOC to pass this resolution.  Why a game agency would not want regulatory control is beyond me.

ORIGINAL: Outdoor Adventures

 Write your legislators to approve Sunday hunting.

 
Better yet, write the BOC asking them to pass a resolution supporting regulatory control.  The PGC must want it before the legislature considers it.  It will go no where unless the PGC steps up to the plate.

For once I have to agree with a couple folks that I do not usually agree with...


Personally I am not in favor of Sunday hunting... and the LAST thing I want is the PGC making the call..

The politicians want the PGC to make the call so it will not effect their re-elections !!. plain and simple --- they know the MAJORITY OF PA RESIDENTS DO NOT WANT SUNDAY HUNTING... even the hunters themselves are divided on the subject...

so they say let the PGC make the call === let them get the "threatened land posted"... pizz off those hunters not allowed to hunt there anymore... pizz off the hunters thinking we need to "save" more deer not add another non-work day or two to kill more.. etc..etc...

just get more and more people P.O.ed about hunting and hunters and their (politicians) hands are clean as a whislte.. it's the PGC's fault will be their battle cry....

Luckily (in my opinion) most staff at the PGC realize this is what "the deal" is and don't want to touch making the call on more Sunday hunting...

and the worst part is if the threats about posting land holds true.. it will be too late after the fact to change ..

the other choice = make it just SGLs.. then that would immediately become the last place in the world I want to be on Sunday rifle season hunt... and if many think that would improve the deer popultaion all those guys with no place to hunt but SGL on a "day off" would benefit the deer population... and improve Pa deer hunting then what can I say ... Bring it ON

Gene I know you have talked to the game fisheries guys as much as I have and some of those I talk to tell me STRAIGHT UP they are not making the call on Sunday hunting it would be suicide...
let the PGC take the heat..

Maybe it's an area thing, religion, trespassing, what ever but the PA hunters will loose a lot of land to hunt.. remember just because it did not happen in other states with the threats does NOT mean in will NOT in PA... remember these are PENNSYLVANIANS... clinging to their relegion and guns according to the Prez... and once done it will never be reversed... the hunters will lose in the long run... and the PGC will suffer and THEY KNOW IT....

are you really sure you are willing to take on that responsibility of pushing for closing land to fellow hunters just because you want to hunt on Sundays... ???

IMHO === could be and probably would be a very very very dangerous move...

Although I personaly don't take'polls'too seriously,I say to those who don't approve of Sunday hunting DON'T HUNT. As far as the Farm Bureau saying that thier members don't approve of hunting on Sundays, I say that they must not have the problem with deer numbers that they say they do or they would welcome more free pest control.Also why shouldn't we be allowed to hunt at least on 'Our' gamelands, which we hunters purchased?Also I don't think anyone should want the legislators to have any control of hunting regs at all considering thier past efforts. sam

I say to those who don't approve of Sunday hunting DON'T HUNT

I would be willing to bet anything i own, that i and several that i know hunt more than 90%+ of those that voted for or against.

Its not that we wouldnt like to have sundays legal. We just can look past it and logically assess the results of the decision. Give Carl, Cal, And Rosenberry another high harvest day each week of the season? -- HA!-- Thats all i have to say about that.

exactly...this inst about sundays being wide open to go shoot anything in any season, this is about who should regulate if hunting of any kind should be permitted...why should legislation control this and not the game commission?

Differences of opinion, Wayne. While I am a concerned citizen and hunter, I don't buy into your conspiracy theories.  I support game agencies managing wildlife, not politicians.  In Pennsylvania and everywhere else.
 
The antis would much rather have the politicians doing it, though.

I support game agencies managing wildlife, not politicians. In Pennsylvania and everywhere else.

And i agree thats opinion based and we will agree to disagree. My position is i support it just about everywhere that im aware of anyway, except pa. Not coincidentally, im also not aware of as much extremism in any other states deer management team, a worse recent track record, worse credibility, or one approaching Pa's level of hunter dissent and controversy.

I would support Donald, Daffy and Bugs managing our game animals before some of the current crew. And i dont mean that towards everyone at pgc. Just a select few that have far too much power than their obtuse views should permit.

What if fish and game was controled by the DCNR would that make a differance ?
What if WMUs went back to counties and then Sunday hunting was voted on by county ?

Let me ask you this. Who do you feel should have regulatory control of Sunday hunting. Politicians or state game agencies? Not a Pa. specific question.

Since things are not going to change regarding Sunday hunting while in the hands of the politicans what possible reason would you have for wanting it in the hands of the BOC "OTHER" than your feeling they will change course and allow Sunday hunting?

ORIGINAL: S-10

Since things are not going to change regarding Sunday hunting while in the hands of the politicans what possible reason would you have for wanting it in the hands of the BOC "OTHER" than your feeling they will change course and allow Sunday hunting?

 
I am of the opinion that game agencies should regulate hunting.  Currently the PGC regulates it six days of the week and not seven, with politicians regulating the seventh. 
 
If and when that changes we can debate how and when it should be implemented.  Most likely slow and cautious would rule the day with the only folks aware of the changes are a few hunters taking advantage of the extra opportunity.  Personally, I don't think deer would be on the radar for a very long time. 

ORIGINAL: dpms

ORIGINAL: S-10

Since things are not going to change regarding Sunday hunting while in the hands of the politicans what possible reason would you have for wanting it in the hands of the BOC "OTHER" than your feeling they will change course and allow Sunday hunting?

I am of the opinion that game agencies should regulate hunting.  Currently the PGC regulates it six days of the week and not seven, with politicians regulating the seventh. 

If and when that changes we can debate how and when it should be implemented.  Most likely slow and cautious would rule the day with the only folks aware of the changes are a few hunters taking advantage of the extra opportunity.  Personally, I don't think deer would be on the radar for a very long time. 

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