HB 71 Rep Godshall - Sunday Hunting 2017-2018 sesson efforts

[WhiteFeather]

Well here is another attempt to bring PA into the 21st century to remove the 1873 legislative ban on hunting on Sunday and give full authority for the PA game commission to regulate.

https://foac-pac.org/Proposed-Pennsy...State-Law/2726


MEMORANDUM

Posted:
December 1, 2016 12:03 PM
From:
Representative Robert W. Godshall and Rep. Pam Snyder
To:
All House members
Subject:
Sunday Hunting
*
In the near future, we will be introducing legislation that would amend Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statues to authorize the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) to provide for Sunday hunting. We are one of only 11 states that severely restrict or ban Sunday hunting.

Specifically, this legislation would amend Section 2303 of Title 34 by adding a subsection that reads:

(d) Expiration.—This section shall expire upon the publication of the regulation under section 2303.1 (b) (relating to hunting on Sunday).

§ 2303.1. Hunting on Sunday.
(a) General rule.—The commission may institute Sunday hunting by regulation promulgated in accordance with section 2102 (relating to regulations).
(b) Applicability.—It shall be lawful for any person to hunt for any furbearer or game on Sunday on and after the publication of the final regulation under subsection (a).

Providing an additional day for hunting would provide a means to recruit new hunters, and most importantly today’s youths, while retaining existing hunters who are unable to hunt during current game seasons due to a lack of time. In addition, it is believed that the expansion of Sunday hunting would provide a boost to economies at both the state and local levels.

The prohibition on Sunday hunting is the only game management decision given to the General Assembly. Under this legislation, the promulgation of regulations governing Sunday hunting would fall under the jurisdiction of the PGC.





IF you want a batch email list of former co sponsors to Sunday hunting or list of Reps names that may co sponsor (usually are or vote pro gun)

say the magic words.



Without lots of co sponsor this effort with HB 71 probably won't move this session for the same reasons as it hasn't for the last several session (at least back 2003 session that we been directly tracking Sunday hunting effort)

WHY?

Because unless someone has spent the time to address the farm bureau concerns and a few others so called “stake holders” issues with Sunday hunting that are VERY vocal against SH, don't just hope this is going to change with your help, as it won't.

Lots of hunter that would like to have the choice, are silent about SH while those opposed are very loud and very active contacting the Reps to express their view points on SH. Some are valid points and are real problems especially with people disrespecting private property. Other point usually raised are based on fear and drama that doesn't have factual support, still it makes the emotional debate raise the opposition levels against SH.



Trouble is this SH issue pits people against people, even with landowners that can't hunt their own property on sundays or hunters prohibited from hunting state game lands that was bought from hunting license fees that are prohibited from its use..

What a individual private property owner can say who can be or is allowed to be on their property to hunt what is fair and right, after all its their property, they bought the property and pay the taxes (rent) so its their rules including no hunting if that is their wish. What is NOT even close to Fair is them saying how their neighbor can use their property or state game lands.



the biggest SH reason of WHY?

After all …….we got tradition to overcome!

same problem we finally overcome with semi-auto rifles for hunting in late 2016 after they have been legal in 49th other states for years, Not just PA till 2017-18 license
Read about that several session effort here about lobbying to change semi-auto for hunting

HB 263 allow Hunting with Semi automatic Rifles in PA – Rep Saccone 2015-2016
http://forum.pafoa.org/showthread.php?t=276039


In my opinion for whatever its worth is... The PA farm bureau and other land owners against are wasting another golden opportunity to horse trade opposition on SH for concessions with a much needed upgrade to the PA trespassing laws for the added protection for private property rights. Maybe like requiring hunters to hunt private property to have written permission prior, and empowering the PGC to enforce and patrol private property open to written permission for hunting, would be a major win.


Some Past threads on Sunday hunting

Public hearing on Sunday hunting Oct, 27, 2011 HBG
http://forum.pafoa.org/showthread.ph...ng+Oct%2C+2011


Hunters United For Sunday Hunting
http://forum.pafoa.org/showthread.ph...Sunday+Hunting


Sunday hunting article GOOD historical background on ban since 1873
http://forum.pafoa.org/showthread.ph...unting+article



Also keep in mind the PGC is looking for a big increase on what a PA hunting fee is going to be, at least IF you could hunt on Sundays it would double most people hunting opportunity, so when you hunting license fee is doubled OUCH! you won't mind it much as you got something to show for the cost.

[WhiteFeather]

reserving for future updates

will delete if not used

Freedom is not Free someone got to fight all the political battles, how about doing your part and coming to HBG for annual 2nd Amendment lobbying event or at least contact the elected Reps

IF you want to help change SH prohibition and want a batch email address say the word

[raxar]

Is there really a point? Considering how much effort there was into getting rid of the semi-auto ban and all we're going to get out of it is the game commission telling us to fuck off.

[Bang]

Wish someone would give a fly-on-the-wall report on PGC attitudes exhibited when discussion is had. Maybe it might be productive to unseat bad members and seat good ones. What would that take?

[WhiteFeather]

Is there really a point? Considering how much effort there was into getting rid of the semi-auto ban and all we're going to get out of it is the game commission telling us to #$%* off.

Freedom is not FREE some has to all the work required to keep it!

IF you want Freedom to choice you personally have to fight for what you believe in



Let’s review what it takes

1873 The Sunday hunting legislative ban still exist right now because we allow it (everyone that voted for passage is dead now, including the original reason for ban)

Just like the early 1900 semi-auto rifle ban to be repealed, the case has to be made for change, public hearings have to be held!

then enough political motivation to advance legislation has to be generated in government and by the people (US)

we have to get numerous votes from Reps in several G&F committees to vote yes

we have to get a majority of 203 house Reps to vote yes

we have to get a majority of 50 state senators to vote yes

then we need a governor to willing to sign the change into law

AND ~ OR

Do a veto override or another try under another governor next session



AFTER the legislative ban has been removed

The only opposition to remain is just a majority of 8 PA Board of Game Commissioners to approve the change in regulation

Lobbying, Flipping and Replacing several of the 8 PA Board of Game Commissioners is a VERY easy..... as compared to repealing a legislative act.

As it stand the PGC say o yea we are for the change and in most cases (like semi-auto rifles) won't lift a finger to do anything to help out unless it bring in coins for the to expand their government business concession.


Right now the PGC is looking for a BIG hunting license fee increase for everything! so they are very motivated to support by anything that might bring in more cash to their coffers with less complaints from license buyers.


I have personally spoken to several of PGC BOD over the years they would welcome having SH option freedom of choice, as they hunt as well.



BTW many people enjoy the FREEDOM to ride motorcycles in PA without a helmet Now ONLY because a very small minority did all the legislative hard work as outline above to repeal an over 35 year old prohibition from the 1960’s that felt good at the time of enactment. Someone had to pay the cost to have freedom to choose, SH is on the same level