Welcome to Armstrong County Sportsmen and Conservation League Web Site

Phone and Fax No. (724) 545-7114

E-Mail acscl@windstream. net

Web Site - http://home.windstream.net/acscl

   This Site updated 09/06/2007

Take a look at some of the things the league does

Welcome to the Armstrong County Sportsmen and Conservation League Web site.

This site will give you a look at how the league was formed, who makes up the league and the things the league does in the County, Division and State. Its involvement with the young and older people. Its educational value to the County. Its involvement with the mentally and physical challenged people of the County which we know as (Special Friends).

Armstrong County Sportsmen and Conservation League Pledge

  I give my pledge as an American to save and faithfully defend from waste the natural resources of my country. Its Soil, Air, Minerals, Forests, Water and Wildlife.

Armstrong County Sportsmen and Conservation League officers for the year 2007

President -----------------------------------------------------Bruce Godleski

1st Vice President----------------------------------------------- Doug Wing

2nd Vice President-------------------------------------------- Earle (Bud) Floyd

Treasurer-------------------------------------------------------------Stanley Rupert

Assistant Treasurer--------------------------------------------Earle (Bud) Floyd

Corresponding Secretary----------------------------------------William Krafick

Recording Secretary-----------------------------------------Robert F. Galbraith

PFSC. Delegate-----------------------------------------------------------Rocco Ali

PFSC. 1st Alternate Delegate---------------------------------Earle (Bud Floyd

PFSC. 2nd Alternate Delegate-------------------------------------Stanley Rupert

Policy Statement Purpose and Objective

        The Armstrong County Sportsmen and Conservation League is a county wide organization comprised of conservation and sportsmen clubs. Joined in a common cause to protect our constitutional rights to keep and bear arms and ensure the wise use of our natural resources. The league is made up of hunters, anglers, trappers, farmers, hikers, campers, and people who just enjoys the out-of-doors

         As conservationists we believe in the wise use of our natural resources. We believe that we can and should use our natural resources, but we should do so in such a manner that we do not, contaminate the water we drink or pollute the air we breath or ravage the land we live on. We affirm the right to hunt, fish and trap both as a recreational sport and as a sound and proven wildlife management practice. The league co-operates with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. 

        The Armstrong County Sportsmen and Conservation League strongly supports the second amendment of the Constitution of the United States. To ensure, the rights of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed on. We believe that all law abiding citizens should be able to own firearms. We support the enforcement of those gun laws within the sponsors criminal justice system targeted at the criminal. We favor effective crime control measures, but oppose additional gun control laws that have little or no impact on the criminal, but instead hamper and harass honest citizens. 

Gun Control Statement

      The Armstrong County Sportsmen and Conservation League, The South west Division  and the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen Clubs have adopted the following gun control statement.

       We believe it is time that the sportsmen of Pennsylvania and of the United States of America need to take a stand on all the violence that is occurring in our schools. Our children are being exposed to a lack of morality that will lead us to the demise of our country. Issues of firearms control do not address the problem, it is only a symptom of the disease. The real problem is lack of respect for authority. We do not need more laws we need the laws be have reformed. Make our laws have meaning by granting uniformity of interpretation and punishment -(Lets not confuse abuse with discipline.)

        Does a child of 6 years have the ability to know acceptable social behavior? Can a child separate violence on TV from real life? We believe not. By allowing uncensored video and internet exposure a child experiences life's violence without proper guidance. By letting our children be exposed to these tragedies of our society we have perpetrated the moral degeneration of our country. 

The League has several activities it sponsors

Special friends fishing day

        Special Friends Fishing Day will be held on June 02, 2007. It will be held at the out flow of the Crooked Creek Dam at the special challenged persons fishing area. This day is held for the physical and mentally challenged people of Armstrong County. (These people are our special friends).

     There were approx 75 people attended  the fishing day on June 03,2006. Prizes were awarded to the three largest fish. Lunch was provided and all who attended received a T-Shirt. All seemed to have a very good time.

 Youth Field Day

         The day is open to all children from the ages of 8 to 15. The day consists of learning about boats and water safety, learn how to safely handle firearms ( Shotguns, muzzleloaders, and 22 rifles). Learn about trapping, compos reading , archery , fishing, and a station to learn about wild turkeys. Lunch will be provided by the Armstrong County Sportsmen and Conservation League. There will be T-shirts  for all given away. 

        The Youth Field Day will held on July 14, 2007 at the Apollo Spring Church Sportsmen Club grounds. It start at approx. 7:45 AM. and end at approx. 4:00 PM. 

        Thank you goes out to all who helped make this day possible. Thank you to some organizations that helped. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Armstrong County Trappers Association, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pennsylvania Deer Association, Conservation Officers of Pennsylvania Association, NRA. and the Kit-Han-Ne chapter of the NWTF.

       This is a great day for the young people to have the opportunity  to participate in some of the out door sports that they may not  have ever had the chance to do. 

Poster Contest

        This is a contest where all young people in Pennsylvania are given a chance to compete. This contest is announced to all the schools in Armstrong County and are ask to introduce this contest to their students the contest is also open to individuals that meat the age requirements. The contest is judge at the County level  use (Armstrong) then at the Division (Southwest division, Each division is made up of several counties)   level and then at the State level. The contest is divided into three levels of judging they are Junior level 4thru 6 graders Sub- Junior level 7 thru 9 graders and Senior level 10 thru 12 grades. There will be 8 posters picked at the County level these 8 posters will go to the Division. Then 8 posters from the division level will go to the state judging at the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen Club spring convention.

      The theme for the 2005 poster contest is ( Sportsmen Continuing Tradition ). For more information contact Robert F. Galbraith. (724) 545-7114 or E-Mail  acscl@alltel.net or 232 Calhoun School Rd. New Bethlehem, Pa. 16242.

Scholarship fund

        This scholar ship fund was started from gifts that were given to the Armstrong County Sportsmen and Conservation League. These gifts were put into a savings plan. Now the League gives away scholarships.

     There were three $500.00 scholarships awarded for 2008 The went to Janessa Muir, Kayley Shankel and Shana Kilgore.

Grade averages and other things are ask for and one of the thing that is ask for is a Essay written on the subject selected by the Scholarship board of the Armstrong County Sportsmen and Conservation league. The subject of the essay for 2008 was (Does the Right to keep and bear arms have a place in today's society. The following  are the essay's submitted by the winners of the Scholarships.

Janessa Muir Essay:

Amendment II states that a well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

  To me, this amendment is the most basic reason that this country has prospered and is looked up to by the rest of the world. ;there are some that will argue that it means only thise people who are in a militia, but i would disagree. I believe that our founding fathers meant that every citizen has the right to keep and bear arms in their homes and on their person so as if necessary for them to be called upon to protect themselves, families or country, they will be ready to do so.

     Every country in the modern world that has fallen in the hands of a dictatorship either extremely liberal ( Communist) or extremely right (facist) has had firearms registered that ultimately led to confiscation as their earliest or not their first official act of their government. This should scare those people that do not have an opinion one way or the other on this subject, and about those liberal politicians who are trying to pass legislation to take away this right. Australia is living proof that a ban on the right of the ownership of firearms does not work. Since the strict laws banning the public ownership od firearms, the murder and crime rates have risen. Just the opposite of what the supporters of such laws were trying to cause.

     I have read stories written by Japnese historians that during WWII, when it was evident that Japan was about to invaded, the government told its citizens to arm themselves with pitchforks and scythes to defend themselves and their country, On the other hand, German historians have said just how tough it would have been to invade our country because of the armed citizenry. Evidence the first flag of the colonies, The Rattlesnake: with the words: Don't Tread On Me!

      As for an answer to whether the 2nd amendment right belongs in today's society, well nothing has changed. This right is just as important as all the others. As stated in the beginning, those precious words will remain now and forever, words without end.  

Kayley Shankel Essay

     According to the second amendment of the United Sates Constitution, Americans have the right to keep and bear arms. This is among one of the most contested amendments within the constitution. When the second amendment was drafted, it was thought to be necessary for Americans to be able to keep and bear arms to securely remain "free state". However, times have changed greatly since the second amendment was made. Does the right to keep and bear arms have a place in today's society?

     Many people today would like to see the second amendment to the constitution thrown out,. However, I feel that Americans should still have the right to keep and bear arms. Firearms are often thought to only bring harm; however, that is not the case. Guns can be used for hunting, recreation purposes, and self defense. When taught the proper safety techniques to gun handling, much can be accomplished. Many people use hunting as a way of feeding their family. Also organizations such as sportsmen's clubs. gun are often involved within leisure activities. For example, a few activities include target practice and clay pigeon shooting .As for self defense, what would officers of the law do without firearms?

    Within today's society, many people do inflict harm to others with firearms. However, I do not believe that removing guns wouls stop this problem. If guns were not available, people would train themselves in other ways. Some examples include marshal arts training, deadly knives and swords. It is impossible to remove all harmful things from the world.

      The second amendment od the United States Constitution states American's have the right to keep and bear arms. Our society was brought up with firearms, and shall remain that way.

Shana Kilgore Essay:

     The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution summarizes that the people have a natural right to "keep and bear arms" to protect and defend their state, including self -defense and also defending family and friends. It recognizes the right of every "able-bodied " and able-minded" individual to use this right when threatened. Today, people are taking advantage of this right and purchasing guns for personal protection. Many people have became more interested in hunting and most choose a particular model of gum to partake in the sport. Hunting is one of the great staples of Western Pennsylvania culture and also an important milestone in every child's life.  

     Hunting can be a great opportunity to bond with your children. However, when owning a firearm, parents must be responsible and know the consequences of keeping firearms in the homes. According to national data, around 3000 children and teens in the United States are killed every year by gunfire. This ia an obvious reason as to why politicians and organizations often have a problem with the average citizen owning a firearm. parents who own a firearm must be responsible when it comes to their child's safety. Action, such as placing weapons out of the reach of children or teaching them how to safely handle a gun once they are old enough to partake in hunting, are just a few ways to practice and maintain safety.

     The  'right to keep and bear arms" does still have a place in today's society. Many responsible individuals today own firearms and use them safety and morally. It is only when the non-responsible individual misuse their right to own and use a gun and threaten the second amendment. By incorporating gun-safety lessons into those who own firearms, we can maintain and protect our second amendment rights.     

       For  information contact Ron Reedy 489 Ridge Road Templeton, Pa. 16259 or call (724)548-7941. 

Banquet

        The league sponsors a banquet each year usually in the early spring. The past few years it has been held at the Kittanning Twp. Fire Hall. It is one of the largest banquets in Armstrong County. The banquet was held on March 4, 2006 at the Kittanning Twp. Fire Hall. The speaker was  Mr. Ben Jones he will be speaking on Wild life habitat. There were approx 350 people attended the banquet. Conservationist of the year award went to Rocco Ali. Special Award went to Barry Seth.

This years banquet will be on April 5,2008. No speaker has been chosen as of yet. 

Member Clubs

        The Armstrong County Sportsmen and Conservation League is made up of 14 Sportsmen Clubs in Armstrong County and is affiliated with the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen Clubs (PFSC).

        To learn more about each organization click on each underlined word.

          Click on the underlined word  minutes to receive the monthly meeting minutes.