I posted this in the Politics form, but though some Northeasterners might have interest.

I read in my local paper that PA sportsmen are trying to pass a right to hunt ammendment to the state's constitution and the process is underway. Good luck and hope it goes through. The article stated that there are only a handful of states that have such a law (maybe 8 or so). They also had some quotes from the lovely anti-hunting group (I think society of humane.... or something). I found the quotes laughable - these aren't exact but here are is the jist - ""we are not really opposed to regular hunting"", ""we just oppose unethical and inhumane acts like steel jaws in traps and hunting exotics on preservations"", and we think that this ammendment is unecessry, unwaranted, and a waste of time""

again, good luck PA - if you can get it to pass, maybe NY will take a good look and do the same


more info:

states with such a law: Minn., Alabama, Cali., N. Dakota, RI, VT, VA, Wisc., Fla., Georgia, & Louisiana

guarentees the "right of the people to hunt and fish".
amendment sponsored by Rep. Matt Baker, R-Tioga
it was passed by the House Monday and sent to the senate
needs to pass 2 successive legislative sessions before it will go to a statewide, public vote

"....one legal expert said it could have unintended consequenses and possibly end up conflicting with Federal endangered species laws." (do we hunt , trap, & fish for endangered species?, i wonder if he is an anti?)

"But the animal rights groups say they just want to stop what they consider the most inhumane practices, ...."

"... we are trying to curb the more inhumane and unsportsmanlike practices." - Wayne Pacelle, senior VP of the Humane Society of the United States (how would they know??)

"[the bill] would be meaningless anyway." - Pacelle (because we support hunters and hunting and even if we could we wouldn't want to put an end to that!! - yeah right)

I hope this bill does get passed. However I hope it included trapping. To
some people trapping may seem cruel, that I understand, but they fail
to realize that rabies is kept under control by trappers.

this is what our constitution says about hunting:
This is from the Vermont Constitution, Section 67: The inhabitants of this State shall have liberty in seasonable times, to hunt and fowl on the lands they hold, and on other lands not enclosed, and in like manner to fish in all boatable and other waters (not private property) under proper regulations, to be made and provided by the General Assembly.
thank god they had sense enough to protect us so long ago. it even goes so far as to say that we are allowed to hunt in every town in the state, we can't be denied by the government from doing so. and. we can carry any weapon of our choosing virtually anyplace we choose, concealed or not.

Good luck PA!

Here in Massachusetts we have no such law. Because of this, certain towns have passed local laws making it illegal to hunt in any way, shape of form. Even on your own property! I know a man with 20 acres of land .. 18 of it wooded, abutting a Federal Wildlife refuge, that has LOADS of deer and turkey .. but can not legally hunt them, even with a bow.

This same small town had 100 deer/car collisions last year.

The real sad part .. the refuge, The Great Meadows Wildlife refuge was a gift 90 years ago by a hunter to the state of Massachusetts to allow waterfowlers a place to hunt. The local communities have taken the gift and banned the very reason it was given to the public in the first place.

I find it hard to believe this is anything but political posturing in an election year since just a few months before, the G&F Committee totally ignored treating hunting fairly, much less like a Right, and voted to keep our last Blue Law in place, that continues to single out only game hunters as criminals for doing otherwise legal activities on Sundays.