PPHA Forums
General Outdoors => Legislation => Topic started by: Rosko on March 05, 2007, 12:25:06 PM
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I was just looking at PGCs proposed changes for 07_ 08 and seen nothing on gun mounted lites. Please keep trying guys I appreciate what your doing.
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Rosko
The meeting is next week about the gun mounted light, but it sure would be nice if the law was already there. However, this type of hunting light change there is no guarantee or set time or if this change will ever take place. We will however continue to pursue this to its conclusion and our strength in numbers will surely help. Thanks, and I have received you application.
Ernie
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Buckwheat Thanks for the info. keep us posted on how the meeting go,s.Maybe a patition signed by the hunters would help. Rosko
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Do we have anybody from the club going to the meeting?
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yes there are three members going. the past and present officers of the club are responsible for getting the meeting date. and those members that are helping with the presentation thanks.
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I would like to announce the names of the PPHA members that are representing PPHA in favor of the gun mounted light next week. These guys are not just an asset to there communities they live in they are good predator hunters to boot. What more could a club ask for. Elwood Wilson has over thirty years working in law enforcement as a deputy game officer and just received an award for doing 30 years of hunter safety training will help by explaining safety and target identification. Joe Zaffuto has made a career also as a law enforcement officer for around 20 years and as a deputy game officer for 5 or more years. Both these PPHA members are trained in proper gun handling. Joe will be demonstrating the proper gun mounted light method us predator hunters should have able for us to use wile predator hunting at night. I will be there to represent PPHA stance for the gun mounted light and to express also how safety and target identification and beyond can also be afected. This gun mounted light is user friendly in the field and would also help to in crease chances for a humane kill for predators and hunter success.
Ernie
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It sounds like we have the right guys representing us. Who'd be better than fellows who carry weapons to make a living. Good luck! ...and THANKS!
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So how did the meeting go?
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Hope everybody is safe. Sounds like the snows pretty deep over there. :shock:
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The meeting went great, but it is too soon for anyone to know what the end results are from the meeting.
I can say we were represented as good as we could have hoped for. Your new officially appointed PPHA VP Ben Woods was there for club support. This team of people sent there to represent PPHA did a great job. Joe Zaffuto and Elwood Wilson did a great job to say the least; they were right at home there. We were represented in the most professional manor possible. I am proud to have been with these fellow members. They need a standing applause for there job well done and they should be thanked by all predator hunters, not just PPHA members for there efforts.
Ernie
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Thanks fellows and may common sense prevail. :wink:
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Thanks guys! We really appreciate your efforts.
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c96/TrappinJohn/smilies/action-smiley-033.gif)(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c96/TrappinJohn/smilies/action-smiley-033.gif)(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c96/TrappinJohn/smilies/action-smiley-033.gif)(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c96/TrappinJohn/smilies/action-smiley-033.gif)
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Thanks guys for being the reps. for the PPHA. And for all you do to help .
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good deal... if this flies, it'll be a great day for the woods hunter, or someone who doesn't use a tripod or rest of some other type...
thanks guys for a job well done...
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Thank you very much for your time and efforts....Tim
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Thanks for a job well done
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Thanks to all the members that made this meeting. Thank You.
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Graet job guys
I sure am thankful for your time you all put into this.
Rosko
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without saying too much...as we are uncertain what the outcome will be.....
i must say, that the reception and enthusiasim from the two gentlemen from the Commission that met was real good. they were anxious to hear what we had to say and show them. we showed them all the configurations most predator hunters are using to illuminate and shoot with, without the safety of a light attached to a firearm. they listened with great interest, and they asked some very good questions to us and after it was all over...the four of us from the PPHA walked away feeling pretty optimistic.
i feel we are on the right path and we've started the ball rolling in the right direction.
i'd like to say more, but will hold off till we hear back from the Commission about what direction we need to go next.
thanks again Joe and Elwood, your presence at the meeting was immeasurable.
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I attended the PGC Board of Commissioners meeting 04/17/2007 this morning in Harrisburg.
I was very surprised to hear the comments from the represenatitive of the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Inc. that were presented to the Board of Commissioners on a Gun Mounted Light.
Their speaking represenatitve reported that the PFSC State delegates voted at their State Convention on the Gun Mounted Light recommendation. The vote ended in a tie and in that case they consider the recommendation as failed.
I spoke to the represenatitive afterwards and asked what the delegates concerns were. It came down to some of the delegates bringing up the old issue of scanning, pointing a loaded rifle and identification of a target.
I explained the PPHA positon. how the light is used and all of the positive safety aspects of having a supplemental light on a gun. I also told him of the recent meeting & demonstration with the PGC Bureau of Wildlife Management and that the PPHA is awaiting a reply. I asked if it could be brought up again for discussion at a future PFSC meeting with PPHA members making a presenation and doing demonstration for the PFSC Trapping & Furbearer Hunting Committee. He is going to check into this request and see if it can be brought up again. The represenative also mentioned to me that he is a predator hunter and voted in favor of a gun mounted light. He felt in his opinion, that if the T & F Committee had some additional information before hand, the delegates would have had a better understanding of the recommendation.
I also spoke with the PGC Legislative Liaison and he informed me that a new Bill that deals with the use of a light; Bill No.881 Session of 2007 was introduced on March 22, 2007.
Here is a summary of the newly proposed changes to the Bill:
Section 2310. Unlawful use of lights while hunting.
(b) Exceptions.-- The provisions of subsection (a) shall not apply to:
(1) A person on foot who uses a flashlight or spotlight held in the hand or worn on the head if the sole source of power for the light is contained in the light or on the person to take furbearers.
You can view the entire content of HB881 by typing in the Bill Number at www.legis.state.pa.us
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What could have factored in here is the timing of this vote. The morning after (Virginia Tech shooting.)
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I took a look at the HB881 text. Notice that it does not reflect the word coyote in numbers 13 & 14. It relfects racoon, skunks, foxs and opossum only.
I hope we will be able to hunt coyotes at night with a light??????
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Buckwheat says-
There will be further discussion and ideas gathered at the next PPHA meeting.
When and where is the next PPHA Meeting?
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Th Pennsylvania Game Commission, Board of Commissioners only heard testimony from the public yesterday. They did not take any action nor did they turn it down.
The recommendation was voted on and turned down by the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Club delegates at their State
Convention. This was the PFSC stance on the recommendation.
In my view we are still in the running on the light issue. Suggest that the PPHA contact the Bureau of Wildlife Enforcement and check to see if any decision was made on their part on the presentation and demo that was done.
Comments, pro or con have to be submitted by the PPHA and it members to the House Game & Fish Committee and our local representatives in regard to HB 881, otherwise if they decide to move on the Bill it will be sent to the floor as written for a vote . The underlined sentences in the Bill are what is being proposed to be changed.
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Hern, our next officers meeting is on Tuesday the 24th. we have monthly meetings via internet-conference type call. all officers have headphones with microphones attached and hook up to their computers and log into a secured server. its almost like an internet chat site without all the typing.
sure beats emailing and calling everyone all the time...saves money and milage for all officers to meet and talk whenever need arrises outside of designated meeting dates. everyone can speak their minds and discuss matters very efficiently.
as for the Gun Mounted Light issue being shot down :? ...we will discuss our options on the 24th. i was as surprised as the rest of you....we will continue to pursue this as best we can. :wink:
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just to point out something it was only voted down by the PHSC not the PGC. :wink:
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i was informed of this earlier today....i think i jumped to conclusions too quickly, simply because i'm still wet behind the ears to all this legislation protocol and formality...but i'm learning quickly. the light issue is still on the table.....no worries just yet everyone.
Buckwheat made some calls today and will briefly fill everyone in sometime soon as to what is going on..........
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Thats some good news Buckwheat
Good luck guys, I think your doing a great job for everyone.
Rosko
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Thank you for the good news Buckwheat.
I would like to say thank you also to Joe Zaffuto and Elwood Wilson for representing the PAPHA at the fixed light meeting. I appreciate your efforts. I also passed on a P. M. to the other two members of PAPHA since I knew there forum names. Again Thank You All.
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Just made a check of the House of Representatives, House Committee Meeting Schedules, The Game & Fisheries Committee will convene in open session on Tuesday April 24, 2007 in the Ryan Office Building, Harrisburg.
They will be working on HB 881 (Unlawful use of lights while hunting) along with HB 747 (Elk Hunting License) and HB13 (Limiting Liability of Owners of land & water areas.)
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The Game & Fisheries Committee took action on HB 881 and it passed unanimously on April 25, 2007.
The bill now goes to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote.
The bill passed as written - no amendments were offered to allow for a supplemental gun mounted light. The proposer of the bill Represenatitive Haluska would have to be contacted with a proposed amendment.
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HB881 was taken off of the table on April 30, 2007. We have to keep an eye on the bill to watch for any movement and to see if there is any action regarding a proposed amendment being added to allow for a gun mounted light.
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HB 881 - Second consideration was presented to the House of Representatives today (May 8, 2007) and was agreed on. It was also re-committed to Appropriations, May 8, 2007.
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http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/HS/2007/0/20070508.htm
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HB881 comes back out on the house floor Monday morning for the last time. I and others have talked to any House representative that was willing to listen, however, if no representative from the Game and Fisheries fights on our behalf Monday; it will head to the senate.
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Well I was out having fun taking some nice wild life video pictures of some fence lizards I found; when George Rue calls me on my cell and asked if I had seen this weeks schedule for the Senate Game and Fisheries. Tuesday 10:30 HB881 is out on the floor, I hope you guys called your Senator, if not you only have tomorrow.
Thanks George
Ernie
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Sorry Ernie, I thought that I could take the weekend off and just not think about anything. But as I just found out, you can't let some issues ride. :roll:
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Beside contacting our Senator's; will the PPHA be presenting testimony and request an amendment to HB 881, today in person before the Senate Game & Fisheries Committee hearing on this issue?
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Just keep watching for updates. I think this is gonna happen soon. Which way it goes, I'm not sure. But I just got off the phone and was assured that the amendment was gonna be added. Until I see it in writing it won't be a sure thing. I'm on this people !!!!! I've put too much time and effort to let this slip between my fingers.
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Nightlight
I can understand your concern about some one making our statement known to the senators since you have been out of the loop. but PPHA has made it views known to anyone that would listen. The end result is PPHA has Representatives and Senators that have heard our request. A lot of these guys are hunters too and like to help all the hunting sports. So, I do not know anyone else who can add the amendment besides them. Today I was read the amendment for HB881 so it has been written but will need to be brought to the floor tomorrow, there is some laser light and other wording included that was necessary. Some of this writing is spawned from PPHA statements on the gun mounted light and our discussion on its use with the PGC.
So tomorrow, if these elected officials can add an amendment to HB881 tomorrow they will. But it will still need voted on and needs to pass in its amended form to make this a good bill.
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I just received this information from the PGC this morning.
Here is the new wording for the Amendments to House Bill NO. 881 to allow for a gun mounted light.
Section 2308. Unlawful devices and methods.
(b) Exceptions.-- The provisions of subsection (a) shall not apply to:
(iii) (A) A flashlight or spotlight may be mounted on a firearm to take furbearers , if the sole source of power for the flashlight or spotlight is contained within the flashlight or spotlight or on the person.
(B) For the purposes of this subparagraph, a flashlight or spotlight mounted on a firearm shall not include a device that projects a beam of laser light to indicate the intended point of impact for one or more projectiles discharged from the fire.
Amend Sec. 1 (Sec.2310), page 1, line 12, by inserting after "(1)"
(i)
Amend Sec. 1 (Sec. 2310), page 1, line 15, by striking out "or worn on the head" and inserting
, worn on the head or mounted on a firearm to take furbearers,
Amend Sec. 1 (Sec. 2310), page 1 lines 16 and 17, by striking out all of said lines and inserting
the flashlight or spotlight is contained within the flashlight or spotlight or on the person.
(ii) For the purposes of this paragraph, a flashlight or spotlight mounted on a firearm shall not include a device that projects a beam of laser light to indicate the intended point of impact for one or more projectiles discharged from the firearm.
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I'll keep my fingers crossed until noon. Let us know when/if you hear something. Good work everybody!
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Do they have the final vote today?
I was planning on supporting this amendment
at the PA trappers convention.
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they (Senate) are voting this morning on the addition of the amendment, IF passed in the Senate the bill will go back to the House for yet another final vote on any amendments that the Senate created. IF the House votes and passes HB881 with the amendment that we asked forl, it will then go to Rendells desk for final signing.
we have been in constant contact with many Senators since this bill went to the Senate and most were very willing to work with us for this amendment. in fact some Senators went over & beyond to lend us assistance.
this amendment still has some hurdles to overcome before becoming law...meaning the Senate vote, House vote and the goveners signature.
we are told by many people of authority in both houses and the PGC that this should go through without a hitch....so it looks good...but dont start doing backflips just yet...lol!
again...thank you to all the hunters who have taken the time to write, email, fax or call our Rep's since this all began back in January. you must know that your efforts have really worked!
~Woody
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Thanks 220
Again, great job to everybody involved.
You are doing a great justice to all predator hunters in this great state.
whether they know it or not.
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you