[quote]

Unified Sportsmen need help



Uniontown Herald-Standard, Letter to the Editor – Feb. 19, 2009



Dear Editor:

For almost two years now the Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania has been engaged in a lawsuit against the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The main objective of the lawsuit is to obtain better deer management. The lawsuit is being heard in Commonwealth Court by a three-judge panel.

The Unified Sportsmen's legal defense committee and its lawyer have been working with persistence and determination to achieve what Keystone sportsmen want the most, namely a deer management system that meets the expectations of hunting license buyers of all ages. Of course, protecting and restoring our hunting heritage is what it's all about, except the emphasis of the lawsuit is on deer management.



With the support of sportsmen from far and wide, an approving membership, a capable lawyer and an honorable court, the lawsuit may soon earn sportsmen distinction as it prevails against what once appeared to be insurmountable odds.

Knowing right from wrong and injecting honest, sincere and logical arguments based on hard data is proving advantageous toward winning the lawsuit. More hard work needs to follow, as well as financial support from well-meaning people.

Within the past month or so, the Pennsylvania Game Commission attempted to throw its weight around in a familiar, but yet legal fashion by requesting that the court compel the USP to provide a list of the names of all USP members, plus tell the court how many deer there are in each Wildlife Management Unit. If the USP did not comply, then severe sanctions should be imposed by the Court on the USP, thus end of case. Not so fast, was the reaction of the honorable court and the proposal to compel was denied. The case will go forward in the heat of legal maneuvering and eventually reach a conclusion.

The Unified Sportsmen are in this battle to win on behalf of better deer management for sportsmen/women of all ages. Our goal is to do so in an honorable manner based on reliable data and not presumptions. All sportsmen are encouraged to join this noble effort in one way or another by supporting our legal activity required to get the job done and convince the court to grant injunctive relief to the many sportsmen and their families who have seen deer hunting slide too far down hill.

To help this effort of sportsmen helping sportsmen please send a donation to the USP Legal Defense Fund, Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania, 260 Orchard View Drive, Leola, Pa. 17540. Thank you.

N. Charles Bolgiano

Legal Defense Committee, USP

Lancaster


[/qoute]

 

i really see no major problem with the current der management.  besides I dont want a forest of just deer its all about a balance eco-system when will these guys learn.

Where are some of you guys coming up with all these hilarious little icons ?????????????

   

like these?

YEAH.....

Doc,

They are in the pulldown menu on the left side when you write a post.

Thanks I found them.. you have to use the post a reply not the quick reply box that I always use..

back to check them ALL out.....

Over the years the USP, with their past public and political influence, have done more harm to the habitat, sound deer management research, the financial stability of both wildlife and habitat management and the entire future of hunting then anti-hunter group have ever been able to accomplish.

Now they want hunters to support their misguided and destructive direction and mission by sending money so they can do even more harm? I would surely hope that most of our hunters have better sense and judgment then to send any financial or moral support to such a distructive organization.

Dick Bodenhorn

 

--Last edited by Dr Trout on 2009-02-19 17:53:38 --

I'll hold my comments on that issue until the completion of the--"Outside study of the Pennsylvania Game Commission deer herd program". I will say that for what you folks call a "very small" number of misguided *&%^* you sure let them get under your skin.  

I won't speak for RSB but they get under my skin because of the harm they do ( even though very small) to the image non-hunters have of hunters a whole..

IN MY OPINION ----

I mean seriously..

if you were not a hunter and heard on the news .. radio... or read in the paper that a group with this as a name ---

the UNIFIED SPORTSMEN of PA

were filing a suit againt the agency in charge of managing wildlife, hunting seasons etc....

and had already LOST once and wasted all that money from their members.. but just said the hell with it let's try again... and do not even have the support of the majority of hunters in the state..

what would you think...


hopefully most non-hunters (as do most hunters) realize this is and has ALWAYS been a group of combative, angry, disgruntled, and untruthful people in Pa ..  they are never happy about anything... and definitely are a "black-eye" to the sport of hunting in PA...

S-10.. you can hold your comments on the law suit or what ever else you like..

in fact you do not even have to answer this but I'll ask anyhow...

Can you name ONE THING the USP has done that was in favor of the PGC or hunters in this state.... just even one positive thing they have done ?????????

I know for a fact I can't....

Naw--I'll wait for the report. We have different views on the issue. No sense in another pi--ing match. Wasn't always that way--I used to think they walked on water--even had a WCO and DWCO in the family and was considering becoming one myself. Did a lot of ride alongs back years ago.

s-10  I am going to say you will never see the days like they use to be there is no habitat to support it.  It is obvious that you are in the USP just come out and say it.  If you are not with them I would be very suprised.  I hate this its all about deer BS there are a lot of other animals in the woods that need to be managed too.  Its not an easy job and i would never want it.  I know that Deer hunting is what makes money but we really can not beo only condcerned with the deer heard it is not fair to the overall healty of teh forest.  There are plenty of deer in the woods right now you just have to actually hunt to get one.  I know I for one have seen a lot more Quality deer out there now than you would see 5 or 10 years ago.  The USP is not the majority opinion they just get there name in the news.  The law suit is total crap they are nuts!  Like I said you can't just manage for deer!!!!!  I am sorry about the rant I am just totally disgusted that there are people out there that to me seem to not get the idea of WILDLIFE MANAGMENT not deer management.  Go ahead and attak my stance all you want but the close minded deer herd is miss managed lets sue happy crap is total crap.  

--Last edited by Flyfisher on 2009-02-20 09:36:59 --

S-10 claims to not be a member of the USP, he should be though and he should probably support them... he does share most of their thoughts and beliefs... and they need the money as the letter states...

they are out of money and I am told the the law suit is actually falling apart and more money is needed because of that too, though it is not presented as such in the letter to the editor above

Do all these folks in the article below belong to the USP? Do all the folks that forced the PGC to agree to bringing in an outside group to evaluate the PGC Deer Herd Program belong to the USP? Did the folks that pressured the DCNR to do aerial studys of the deer herd belong to the USP? Is the USP responsible for all the pressure brought on the legislators to hold up the license increase until the PGC's actions are reviewed? Did the USP p-ss off the UBP? Did the USP p-ss off the RMEF? Isn't there just the slightest chance that maybe some of the blame lies with the PGC and that more people than just hunters and just the USP don't agree with what is happening within the PGC? For the record- I don't belong, nor do I know anyone who does belong to the USP. I do agree we were told some lies and given some incorrect information and many mistakes were made in selling the deer program to all Pennsylvanias citizens.  

WCSA Stand on Deer Management
Deer Management
Responding to wide spread concerns voiced by hunters in North Central Pennsylvania, WCSA president, Ray Werts, in cooperation with the presidents of the Southern Clinton Sportsmen’s Association and the Sinnemahoning Sportsmen’s Association, met to coordinate a unified approach seeking an acceptable solution to hunter complaints. President Dough Desmond of Southern Clinton Sportsmen’s Association, and president Dale Woods of Sinnemahoning Sportsmen’s Association, and others, discussed a variety of concerns over current PGC-DCNR policies impacting the number of deer on state forest lands in North Central Pennsylvania. Those in attendance at this meeting were in general agreement that the deer numbers are down to the point where large numbers of hunters are justifiably concerned.

The representatives of the sportsmen’s clubs indicated that they could not speak for the deer situation in the entire state but that they certainly could speak for the situation as it impacted Wildlife Management unit 2G. All at the meeting agreed that it was time to re-evaluate the approach made by the PGC-DCNR deer management team under the leadership of Mr. Alt, who recently resigned his position.

The representatives at this meeting, speaking for several thousand dues-paying members, will approach their members, the PGC and area legislators to suggest specific changes to current PGC-DCNR policies. As of this date, Western Clinton Sportsmen’s Assn. and Sinnemahoning Sportsmen’s Assn. voted in support of the proposed changes. Southern Clinton Sportsmen’s Assn. is taking them under consideration. The clubs’ positions indicated that while they fully understood the need for a balanced approach to habitat versus deer numbers, the current policy does not have the appropriate checks or balances in place that would address the overkill of deer in many WMU’s. Following is a list of specific suggestions representatives of the various clubs would like to see implemented:

In an effort to promote youth hunting, we would like to see the youth 12-16 years of age get first chance at the doe allocations state wide. Also to get first chance should be the hunters in the military, seniors and the handicapped.

The "one size fits all" approach to Deer Management Unit 2G needs to be changed. The changes should reflect the difference between deer numbers and doe permits aimed at private lands around 2G and those numbers within Deer Management 2G’s state forestlands. We believe the majority of doe hunters in 2G are hunting state land, which is creating an overkill situation on state land and overlooking private property.

Bonus licenses for 2G should be eliminated

DMAP permits should be eliminated on state forestland, as we believe it is being abused by DCNR. The DMAP areas are being created without any real scientific proof as to what deer numbers are at any given time.

The current two week Doe Hunting Season should be reduced to a maximum of one week comprised of the second week of deer season.

The issuing of doe licenses for Deer Management 2G should be reduced by a percentage that would reflect the need to increase our deer herd.

All in attendance agreed that the PGC and DCNR should do much more to increase the quality of habitat in this region as it impacts deer and all other wildlife. DCNR manages the vast majority of land in our area and it is time they see the deer as having great economic value in our area and react with the local economy in mind. Many small business survive the winter because of deer hunting season

There was also agreement that DCNR and legislators fail to fully understand the multi-billion dollar impact hunting has on Pennsylvania’s economy in general, and the vital role hunter’s have on rural communities in particular.
Another concern voiced at the meeting was to question just how the PGC arrives at its deer statistics concerning the number of deer "they say" exist in 2G as well as Pennsylvania.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the sportsmen’s representatives urged all of their members to contact their respective legislators, the PGC, and DCNR voicing their concerns. The officers in attendance at the meeting indicated that they would use every means at their disposal to address these problems, and that meetings involving the leadership of all area sportsmen’s clubs should take place on an annual basis.


Sorry, I meant to attach this to the post above

2-G has been over hunted for years the current program is working I feel.  Improvements do not happen over night that is one thing that some hunters don't realize you will not see it.  I feel it is not a population or deer herd size issue it is a habitat issue most of 2-g is big standing timber and lackin in cover and food sources for deer.  Why did this happen their use to be too many deer!!!  Also I will admit it was over hunted in the 1990's and the herd can not revocer due to lack of habitat.  It is all about quality habitat.  That is onw thing you need to look at is there good deer habitat and aside from small areas that there is over all it is big timber that is not suited to support a large deer herd.  

The first thing that jumps out at me is that I saw not threat of a law suit......

they met and will meet and present their opinions...

I have done the same for our club using the PFSC and I belong to that organization both as a club delegate and an individual memember... that group has at times suggested things that were not 100% in line with the deer program too..

AND again.. did not file or threaten legal action.... when it did not go their way...

there is a big difference between folks at local sportsmen's club getting together to air their differences and then expressing their opinions to the BOC or PGC.... and the vast majority of USP members.....