By Brett Stayton, Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator Earlier this month the Pennsylvania Game Commission strengthened the Keystone State’s existing regulations aimed at combating the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Beginning this fall, hunters who harvest deer in Maryland, New York, Ohio, and West Virginia will no longer be allowed to bring deer carcasses back into…
By Brett Stayton, Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator On April 18, the Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted an organizational breakfast and policy meeting to discuss key policy issues and upcoming events in the Keystone State. Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator Brett Stayton delivered a presentation outlining the benefits of being a member of the Caucus,…
Recently, two members of the bipartisan and bicameral Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), hosted an Open House on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The Open House took place at Oliver Township Volunteer Fire Company, in Coolspring, Pennsylvania, and provided citizens with the opportunity to ask questions and easily access…
On Tuesday, June 13, the bipartisan Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted their Annual Cigar Reception at Sawyer’s in Harrisburg, PA. The evening’s event brought together over 50 members of the Caucus, key staff from both the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Game Commission, as well as staff from Governor Wolf’s office, who…
On May 9, the Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted a policy briefing on Senate Bills 30 and 192, legislation that would provide the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) and Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) the authority to establish license and permit fees. Members of the Caucus were joined by representatives from Hunters Sharing the Harvest; Pennsylvania…
On April 26, the Pennsylvania House Committee on Game and Fisheries unanimously voted to pass House Bill 485. The bill, sponsored by Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus member Representative Neil Goodman, would expand Pennsylvania’s mentored hunting program to include hunters that are 12-16 years old. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, Pennsylvania Federation of…
On March 28, the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) announced that hunters will be able to use modern sporting rifles to harvest small game and furbearers in the 2017-2018 hunting seasons. The decision comes after the Commissioners preliminarily approved a proposal in January that would have allowed semi-automatic rifles to be used in all seasons where…
On March 20, the Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation hosted their quarterly meeting, which focused on Chronic Wasting Disease and hunter recruitment. The Council is comprised of 20 individuals who provide input on ways to promote and enhance Pennsylvania’s outdoor heritage, along with an advisor, Robb Miller, who oversees administration of Council…
Pennsylvania legislators kicked off the 2017 legislative session by re-introducing two bills to provide sustainable conservation funding for the state’s fish and wildlife commissions – Senate Bills 30 and 192. This legislation would provide the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) and Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) the authority to establish license and permit fees. Both bills…
On January 31, the Pennsylvania Game Commission voted unanimously to approve the use of modern sporting rifles for hunting. The authorizing legislation (HB 263) was sponsored by Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Representative Matt Gabler, and was signed into law by Vice-Chair of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus, Governor Tom Wolf. HB 263 authorizes the use…
On October 27, the Pennsylvania House overwhelmingly voted in favor (160-25) of Pennsylvania House Bill 263, which will provide hunters the opportunity to use semiautomatic handguns and rifles to harvest game. PA HB 263 was introduced in February 2015 by Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus member Representative Matt Gabler, and co-sponsored by six other Caucus members….
In 2015 alone, Pennsylvania’s sportsmen and women generated over $99 million in conservation funding through the “user-pays, public-benefits” program known as the American System of Conservation Funding. These funds are essential for both the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission as they carry out their work to protect and enhance Pennsylvania’s…