For information no matter how you feel on this topic - here's a copy of an email dated yesterday from the VP of the PA Flyers Association. Unless there's some major intervention by Monday, it looks like Live Bird shoots will become illegal in PA. Also note the comment about chukars toward the end of the email.
URGENT REQUEST
October 16, 2014
Dear PAFA Member,
Last night PA House Bill 1750 was passed in the state senate with a vote of 36 to 12 and 2 non-votes. With the passage of this bill, comes an amendment that puts a ban on pigeon shooting, as defined as a non-game bird, and the method by which the birds are shot.
Here is an excerpt of the amended bill:
(C.2) USE OF DOGS, CATS OR OTHER LIVE ANIMALS OR FOWL FOR
TARGETS AT TRAP SHOOT OR BLOCK SHOOT PROHIBITED.--
(1) A PERSON COMMITS A SUMMARY OFFENSE IF THAT PERSON
OPERATES A TRAP SHOOT OR BLOCK SHOOT IN WHICH DOGS, CATS OR
OTHER LIVE ANIMALS OR FOWL ARE USED AS TARGETS.
(2) NOTHING IN THIS SUBSECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO
APPLY TO ACTIVITY WHICH IS AUTHORIZED OR PERMITTED UNDER 34
PA.C.S. (RELATING TO GAME) OR A SPECIAL PERMIT UNDER 58 PA.
CODE CH. 147 (RELATING TO SPECIAL PERMITS).
* * *
(Q) DEFINITIONS.--AS USED IN THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING
WORDS AND PHRASES SHALL HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN THIS
SUBSECTION:
* * *
"BLOCK SHOOT." AN EVENT DURING WHICH PARTICIPANTS SHOOT OR
ATTEMPT TO SHOOT TARGETS WHICH:
(1) FROM A FIXED LOCATION WITHIN A PREDEFINED SHOOTING
FIELD, ARE MANUALLY OR WITH ELECTRONIC OR MECHANICAL
ASSISTANCE LAUNCHED OR OTHERWISE IMMEDIATELY PRESENTED TO THE
SHOOTER; OR
(2) WHEN PRESENTED TO THE SHOOTER, ARE:
(I) AFFIXED TO A TETHERING DEVICE; OR
(II) OTHERWISE IMPAIRED FROM ORDINARY MOVEMENT.
* * *
"FOWL." A BIRD, AS DEFINED IN 34 PA.C.S. § 102 (RELATING TO
DEFINITIONS). THE TERM EXCLUDES A GAME BIRD.
"GAME BIRD." AS DEFINED IN 34 PA.C.S. § 102 (RELATING TO
DEFINITIONS).
"TRAP SHOOT." A BLOCK SHOOT.
20130HB1750PN3859 - 3 –
(Chukars (like pigeons) are not considered a game bird, and therefore will also become a target as the antis go after game breeders, dog trainers and their methods of training bird dogs.)
Having watched the entire proceedings on PCN last night, what I found most disappointing was the representation by our legislative “supporters” and their feeble attempts to present their opposition to the bill as amended and dissuade the vote to pass the bill, thereby sending it back to the house for ratification. The proponents of the bill did a superb job of not only stating their view as to why pigeon shooting is not considered a sport or hunting activity, but clearly animal abuse with all its ugliness.
On Monday, October 20, 2014 the bill will come up for a final vote and ratification. Today and tomorrow will be our last opportunity to contact members of the PA House of Representatives to voice your opposition to the passage of this bill.
We urge you and any sportsman you know to contact their representative and ask them to vote no on Monday.
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