Well here we are a week before the July meeting and Commissioner Weaner's proposal to roll back inclusion made the agenda that was posted on the PGC site.

For those that have not read it, here is the lead in to the proposal;

PROPOSED RULE MAKING
F. Amend 58 Pa. Code §§139.4, 141.43 and 141.44.
Commentary: The use of crossbows in the archery seasons has been a difficult issue for the Board of Commissioners to address. The crossbow was included in all archery seasons by the Board of Commissioners in January 2009. Since that time, the composition of the Board has changed and some Commissioners believe the vote in January does not reflect the views of the current board. As a result, the agenda item below has been introduced to change the season in which the crossbow can be used. This will result in less time available for the use of crossbows in the archery season.

By all indications, it appears that Director Roe, staff and the PGC in general is distancing themselves from this one.  

By coincidence, the House G&F Committee will be meeting the very same day the BOC votes on this proposal to possibly move HB965 out of committeee which changes the definiton of a bow to include crossbows.  

Where do the sitting commissioners stand on this.  There appears to be 4 votes in support; Weaner, Boop, Schreffler and Delaney.  Isabella is a firm no.  Schlemmer has been on record as saying he is pro crossbow and Putnam has assured me that he will vote against this as well.  Nominee Martone is not confirmed yet.  So it appears that the vote will go 4/3 to grant preliminary approval to roll back inclusion.

Now if that occurs, it would take a second vote for final approval which would be in October, after the season has begun.  There is a chance of a notaional vote which would fast track this proposal in time for this fall.  Would be a nightmare to enforce and the PGC would have alot of explaining to do to those that made purchases of crossbows and licenses.  

There is much riding on the direction the current BOC plans to take and it spans way beyond the crossbow issue.  I am concerned on many fronts.

It is not to late to send your comments in to the commissioners.  I have been told that comments are running close to even.

I testified on behalf of the Pennsylvania Crossbow Federation at the April meeting.  Most likely I will not make this one but the PCF will have a representative there.  Hopefully there will be a good turnout from crosbow enthusiasts at the meeting.

Stay tuned.  

--Last edited by dpms on 2009-07-03 20:31:14 --

Thanks Gene,

Sent...

If hunters are not already upset with the PGC.. a reversal will really get them up in arms....

They are already fired up Doc about this, in a big way.  I have even heard from those that do not support crossbows in archery season that feel that the current proposal is a mistake.

It seems that the sunset with the deer section ready to go to monitor this through 2012 is a good plan with checks in place to assure that this issue will have to be revisited.

Last summer,before crossbows were given prelim, the pro crossbow folks asked the UBP to sit down and work this through with the BOC. It did not happen as they opposed crossbow in archery season by anyone but those with disabilities.  I was not involved with the PCF at the time and tried my best to get interest in a compromise.  

Now after full inclusion was adopted, the UBP and their supporters want to support a compromise agenda for partial inclusion.  The time has passed and the risks, if this proposal gains steam, are large.  Very unfortunate but I will not let the pending train wreck lie at the feet of crossbow supporters.

As I said before, we may see a 4/4 split on this in October once Martone is confirmed(unless a notational happens).  His feelings on the issue are not yet known.