HARRISBURG, Pa. – PA BHA Officers and board members joined leaders from many of Pennsylvania’s major hunting, fishing and wildlife organizations – groups representing tens of thousands of Keystone State outdoorsmen and women – at the state Capitol today to hear from lawmakers and discuss conservation priorities. In attendance on behalf of BHA were Chairman Nate Fronk, Secretary Don Rank, Treasurer Josh Stewart, board member Matt Nabhan and BHA Regional Manager Chris Hennessey.
Begun in early 2018, the Sportsmen’s Policy Working Groupis comprised of a dozen organizations working in unison on shared policy interests, including Trout Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP), National Wild Turkey Federation, Ruffed Grouse Society, and Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen and Conservationists.
“Hunters and anglers want a stronger presence in Harrisburg. Our goal is to create a positive chorus of sportsmen and women around issues that affect us all and use that voice to let our lawmakers know where we stand,” said PA Chairman Nate Fronk.
Today’s events began with a breakfast briefing attended by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, plus natural resource agency staff and volunteers affiliated with the Working Group. Among those who addressed the 30 people in attendance were Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) Executive Director Bryan Burhans and Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) Executive Director Timothy Shaeffer.
Following the breakfast, the hunters and anglers fanned out across the Capitol to meet with an additional 13 legislators and legislative staff in their offices. They spoke about how the Environmental Stewardship Fund and the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund help restore streams, conserve clean water, and protect public access to hunting grounds; how sportsmen and women rely on properly funded fish and game agencies to support fishing and hunting opportunities in the state; and how expansion of Sunday hunting will help stem the declining numbers of sportsmen and women.
About Pennsylvania BHA
The Pennsylvania Chapter of BHA represents a diverse and enthusiastic group of outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen who seek to protect and improve wild places in the Keystone State and beyond.