This page was forward from "The Allegheny Sportsmen's Association". Like many groups, although
not officially associated with the PGOA, we share information, similar goals, support, and an
ongoing healthy relationship. A large number of these groups would be much more inclined to
unite with us, if our Board were larger and more active. If you want to help make a difference,
get involved!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEVEN RED FLAGS IN PENNSYLVANIA:
A HEADS UP FROM THE "PENNSYLVANIA SPORTSMEN'S ASSOCIATION"
1. Governor Ridge first gave sportsmen cause for concern when he insisted that a gun control
bill be part of his special session on crime. Special Act 17 of 1995 was a 44 page disaster.
Winning praise from Sarah Brady, Act 17 deprived Pennsylvania hunters of the ability to buy
rifles and shotguns from dealers in other states and mandated the lifelong loss of gun rights
for any gun owner who failed to "retain forever" a copy of the Application/Record of Sale
form for guns that he bought from a dealer. It took a grass roots revolt and lots of legislation
(most notably Act 5 of 1997) to remedy MANY of the problems caused by Act 17.
2. Sportsmen are now beginning to look at some recent activities of Governor Ridge. Firearms
registration has proven to be confiscation in due course (See New York City and California).
When several Pennsylvania legislators wrote the Pennsylvania State Police asking them to comply
with Pennsylvania law and stop using instant check to compile an illegal firearms registry,
the Governor asked the legislators to back off.
www.nauticom.net/www/acsl/register/pennsylvania_state_police_gun_da.htm
3. Outdoor writer Jim Slinsky proved that for the first time ever, a Pennsylvania Governor has
improperly and perhaps illegally removed a sitting member of the Pennsylvania Game Commission
because he was doing a good job. Game Commissioner George Venesky, the Commissioner who really
cared about the future of Pennsylvania sportsmen was removed, apparently for asking questions.
http://www.outdoortalknetwork.com/art38.html
4. Jim Slinsky also reported that the Game Commission is, in 2001 making very questionable
and dangerous decisions that may ultimately cause adverse consequences for hunting.
http://www.outdoortalknetwork.com/art46.ht
5. Outdoor Writer Karl Power proved that Governor Ridge had appointed a "game poacher" to his
Sportsmen's Advisory Council. Karl Power uncovered the coverup and forced the removal of the
Governors Poacher Advisor. At the same time, a Sportsmen's Advisory Council member who is not a
poacher was removed, apparently for asking questions.
www.nauticom.net/www/acsl/pgcadhoc/SpecialFeature-Haden.PDF
If this link didn't work for you, to see Karl Power's article go to
www.fishinghunt.com then go to MESSAGE BOARD then click on THE OPEN DOOR
then click on TRUST BETRAYED.
6. Allegheny-Washington County. 3000 acres of state game lands are located on commercially
viable property near the Star Lake Amphitheater. Developers propose a land swap - acre for acre
for non-commercial land in Washington County. Sportsmen doubt that acre for acre really comes
close to dollar for dollar. Pennsylvania Sportsmen ask who will really benefit from this deal?
7. Hunters paid for Pennsylvania Game Lands. Now sportsmen are concerned that Pennsylvania
Game Lands may become multi-purpose lands, eventually leading to a takeover.
See the Allegheny County Sportsmen's League take
The Game Commission's Official Press release