Correspondence Secretary There was a letter written by the corresponding secretary to all eight of the Pa. Game Commissioners expressing the Armstrong County Sportsman and Conservation League support of the 3 point antler restriction in all the Pa. WMU. There are 17 WMU with a 3 point restriction and 5 WMU wit the 4 point restriction. Rocco Ali read the testimony he gave as president of the PFSC in support of the 3 point antler restriction. Pine Creek Sportsmen Club made a motion that the Armstrong County Sportsmen and Conservation League renew it $ 25.00 membership to the U.S. Sportsmen Alliance. Motion Seconded. Motion carried. Michigan reported it first case of CWD. it was found in a deer farm. Minnesota Anti hunters are trying to stop all trapping again. They are basing their case on the fact that Minnesota has 3 endangered species animals in the state and one of them may be caught in a trap. This did happen but the animal was released unharmed. Pennsylvania Game Commission. ( Gary Toward)
Small game season opened on Saturday Oct 25 it was a wet morning. But hunter turn out was good.
Turkey season come in on Nov. 1 2008 Then goes out depending on the WMU on Nov. 7,2008, Nov. 15,2008 and WMU 2 B-D on Nov. 22,2008.
Coyotes were added to the list of animal that Mentored youth are allowed to hunt.
The PGC at their meeting gave preliminary approval for the use of Cross Bows by anyone who would like to use them in the annual archery season. But there will be at a later date a period for public comment on the issue.
Bear archery season in Pa. will be Nov 19 & 20. Bear Rifle season will be Nov. 24 thru 26.
Mistake kill of buck will be handled different this year, you will be charges the $25.00 fee but you will not get the deer. It will be take and turned in to the share the harvest program. The game commission will donate $10.00 for the processing of each deer. Remember you must tag the deer you shot legal or illegal. If it was a mistake kill you will be issued another tag to get another deer.
You can pick up road kill deer for our use. You must call the PGC and they will issue a number over the phone to use if you are checked.
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (Bruce Gunlatch) Money from the Norfolk Southern settlement will be available for habit improvement work in the Sinnemahoning area. Grants will be awarded up to $100,00.00. details on applying to come out in the next couple weeks. The fall young of the year walleye survey on Pymatuning shows number twice as high as in 2007 and four times as high as in 2006. Average size of 8 inches. Should reach 15 inches buy 2010. The Commission will be purchasing easements for access along one and two thirds miles of Elk Creek in Erie County. It usually takes 6 month to 12 month to get things finalized. And easement approximate cost is $50,000. Early Trout season opener will be considered at a later time for inaction in 2010. Armstrong County was removed from consideration.PFSC (Rocco Ali)
H.B. 1845 Amends Title 18 (crime and offences) and 42 (Judiciary and judicial procedure) further providing for sentence for murder of an unborn child, for the homicide of a law enforcement officer, for assault on a law enforcement officer, for false report to law enforcement authorities by adding that if the false report relates to a firearm the offense would be graded two steps greater, providing for persons not to posses, use , manufacture, control, sell or transfer fire arms by adding to the list of enumerated offenses: providing for emergency prohibitions by limiting seizure to instance that would be authorized absent the emergency. providing for licenses by adding that persons on active duty would have 90 days after the end of deployment to renew a licenses.; providing for tempura emergency licenses; providing for possession with altered manufactured number by increasing the grading of the offense.; providing for sale or transfer by requiring the purchaser to ask a question regarding the purchaser is actual buyer, providing for registration; further providing for limitations of actions; and abrogating a regulation. (This is the section that over rides DCNR's self imposed ban on concealed carry in state parks) The bill stipulated a conviction of first degree murder of a law enforcement officer carries a sentence of death or life in prison, while a conviction of second degree murder of a law enforcement officer carries a sentence of life in prison. Further, the mandatory minimum sentence for murder of a law enforcement officer where serious bodily injury results is set at 40 years. The bill included other sentences for offenses committed against law enforcement officers. the bill also provides for firearm license applications for challenges, and for establishment of the Straw Purchase Prevention Education Program. The program's objective and the powers and duties of the Attorney General. This bill was approved by the Governor on Oct 17,2008. The NICK system is expanding it hours on Nov, 28 2008 at 6AM EST. This system will return to regular time on Nov. 29, 2008
H.B. 1214Amend Title 34 (Game) Reduce the term of Pa. game commissioners from 8 years to 4 years This bill was brought up for vote and the bill failed by 12 to 14 vote . The bill is dead for now.
H.B. 747 Amend title 34 (Game) creating a special licenses and licenses auction to hunt one elk. This is the bill that amended in the Senate with language that would strip deputy wco officers of their powers. but these amendments were withdrew from the bill. This bill will allow a conservation organization (Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation ) to auction off one elk license each year. 80% of the funds raised will go back to the PGC for elk habitat work.
The Pa legislature passed H.B. 2525, the dog kennel bill with major changes required but the US sportsmen Alliance's sporting dog defense coalition. The bill was signed by the Governor on Oct. 10, 2008.
There is talk about starting 4 pheasant restoration areas in Pa. These areas there would be no hunting or dog training.
Discussed a proposed hunting license increase it would be a $5.00 over 5 year and another $5.00 over he next 5 years and another $5.00 over the next 5 years.
Conservation District)
No ReportBanquet
Need a speaker. Bruce Gunlatch is to check with Fish Commission to see if they have program that could be use at the banquet on March 14, 2009.
Special Friends Fishing Day (Bob Galbraith)
No report
Scholarship
No Report
Youth Field Day (Rocco Ali)
Rocky Mountain elk foundation grant has been applied for.
Dayton Fair
We may have to do something different with our 50-50 drawing. 50-50 raffles are not legal according to the Liquor control board and they are going to start enforcing the law on them.
Old Business
There was a motion by Apollo Spring Church Sportsmen club that the Dec 30, 2008 Christmas party and meeting be held at Pittzer Crooked Creek inn. Motion seconded . Motion Carried.
Discussed having our monthly meeting at the environmental learning center at Crooked Creek Lake. This was to be taken back to the clubs for discussion. Bob Galbraith to check with environmental learning center personnel. and Bud Floyd to check with Pittzer Crooked Creek Inn on a price to castor food.
New Business
Apollo Spring Church Sportsmen Club made a motion that the Armstrong County Sportsmen and Conservation League donate $250.00 toward the the PGC WCO convention that will happen in 2010. Motion seconded. Motion carried. Also it would be nice if all the clubs would make a donation.
Pine Creek Sportsmen Club made a motion to renew our $ 60.00 membership to the Armstrong Tourist Bureau. Motion seconded. Motion carried.
President Bruce Godlesky appointed Bill Sheasley, Doug Wing and Bud Floyd. to the 2009 nonimating committee.
Slate of officers for the year 2008
President Bruce Godlesky
1st Vice President Doug Wing
2nd Vice President Earle (Bud) Floyd
Treasurer Stanley Rupert
Assistant Treasurer Earle (Bud) Floyd
Correspondence Secretary William Krafick
Recording Secretary Robert Galbraith
Delegate to the PFSC. Rocco Ali
1st Alt. Delegate Earle (Bud ) Floyd
2nd Alt. Delegate Stanley Rupert
Meeting Dates and Places for the year 2008
All meeting start at 7:30 PM.
November 25, 2008 Cherry Run Rood, Reel and Gun Club
December 30, 2008 Pittzer Crooked Creek Inn (Christmas Party)
Submitted by
Robert F. Galbraith