Laughlin’s Sunday hunting bill approved by Senate

WILKES-BARRE — The state Senate this week approved Sen. Dan Laughlin’s legislation that would end Pennsylvania’s prohibition on Sunday hunting.

“While Pennsylvanians are allowed to hunt on three Sundays every year, hunters should have the right to hunt on any Sunday they choose,” said Laughlin (R-49). “The Sunday hunting prohibition is one of the last vestiges of our commonwealth’s antiquated ‘Blue Laws,’ which were created a very long time ago, some dating back to colonial times.”

Authored by Sen. Laughlin and Sen. Jim Brewster, Act 107 of 2019 allows hunting on three Sundays each year. These specific Sundays are designated annually by the Pennsylvania Game Commission: one during the deer rifle season, one during the deer archery season, and one at the Commission’s discretion.

Laughlin’s Senate Bill 67 would have Pennsylvania join the 39 states that have no limits on Sunday hunting. Even some of the 10 states that, like Pennsylvania, limit hunting are far more lenient in their restrictions than Pennsylvania is. Only two of those 10 states – Maine and Massachusetts — still have a complete ban on Sunday hunting.

Hunting provides economic benefits to the commonwealth. It supports jobs, generates revenue, and sustains businesses, from sporting goods stores to rural diners.

“We know from surveying hunters and potential hunters that the top reason people have walked away from hunting is a lack of time,” Laughlin explained. “It’s clear allowing hunting on only three Sundays hasn’t provided enough freedom to encourage more people to purchase hunting licenses. Hunting is a tradition passed down through families, a bonding experience between generations, lifting this restriction will not only preserve this tradition but also ensure that it can be fully enjoyed and passed on to future generations.”

Though some have raised concerns about the safety of increased hunting, there haven’t been reported safety issues arising out of the three days of Sunday hunting since it started in 2020, or from the hunting of the few types of game (foxes, crows and coyotes) currently allowed on any Sunday.

“My bill gives the needed latitude to the Game Commission to increase hunting and trapping opportunities, and rebuild interest in hunting, which will end up benefiting all of Pennsylvania,” said Laughlin.

Sen. Langerholc bill benefiting veterans, sportsmen, farmers heads to the governor

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35) to benefit farmers, veterans and sportsmen in Pennsylvania was approved by the Senate today and sent to the governor for his signature.

Senate Bill 916 authorizes farmers to make deliveries directly to homes using registered farm vehicles. Under current law, products can only be delivered from a farm to a home using a registered commercial vehicle, placing an unnecessary burden on Pennsylvania farmers by requiring them to maintain a commercial vehicle to meet home delivery demands.

In addition, the bill requires PennDOT to reissue military registration plates at no cost to veterans while also approving the creation of a new license plate to celebrate hunters and fishermen.

The Pennsylvania Sportsman plate would cost $40 plus a registration fee, with $14 of the proceeds being deposited into a new Youth Hunting and Fishing Restricted Account to support youth hunting and fishing activities promoted by the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

“Assisting our farmers with delivery is an issue presented to me during a local legislative Farm Bureau tour several years ago,” Langerholc said. “It is a priority for the Farm Bureau, who I worked alongside with to make this a reality. I’m proud to sponsor this legislation that removes unnecessary barriers for our veterans and farmers while promoting the rich outdoor heritage of our Commonwealth.”

PGC Board of Commissioners to meet July 12 in Harrisburg

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners will meet Friday, July 12 at the agency’s Harrisburg headquarters.

This meeting is one day only, and will begin at 10 a.m. with staff presentations.

Public comment — limited to five minutes — is scheduled to be accepted beginning at 11 a.m. The board plans to take up its regular agenda after lunch, likely around 1 p.m.

Public comment is accepted on a first-to-register, first-to-speak basis. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. PowerPoint presentations are not permitted during public comment.

The agenda for this meeting is available at — www.pgc.pa.gov. Under “Information and Resources,” click on “Upcoming Events,” then click on the “Draft Agenda” link.

The Game Commission’s headquarters is located at 2001 Elmerton Ave., just off the Progress Avenue exit of Interstate 81.

Those unable to attend the meeting can watch it from home. The meeting will be livestreamed on the Game Commission’s YouTube channel.

Bassmaster names 25 lakes in Northeastern United States to Best Bass Lakes rankings

Since 2012, Bassmaster Magazine has released annual rankings of the country’s best bass fisheries.

The 2024 Bassmaster Magazine 100 Best Bass Lakes list provides anglers with a bucket list of the nation’s top bass-producing waters, 25 of which came from the annual poll’s Northeastern Division.

The St. Lawrence River (Thousand Islands) (N.Y.) was the No. 1 pick overall in the Top 100, and the Northeastern region had three fisheries in the Top 10 list — St. Lawrence River (Thousand Islands) (N.Y.), Lake St. Clair (Mich.) and Lake Erie/Upper Niagara River (N.Y.).

“Our goal with this project has always been to offer a current list of bass fisheries that the weekend angler, someone who doesn’t get to fish but a few times a year, can visit and have the best chance at being successful,” B.A.S.S. Vice President of Content James Hall said. “Bassmaster’s 100 Best Bass Lakes rankings continue to offer fishermen the ultimate bucket list of lakes and rivers that are hot right now.”

The St. Lawrence River took top honors in the 2022 rankings. After slipping to No. 2 last year, the St. Lawrence has reclaimed the coveted title — and rightfully so. In 2023 the unrivaled smallmouth fishery gave up more than 100 pounds to the top four competitors in the Bassmaster Elite Series tournament held there in late August — it took a staggering 105 pounds to win the event. The unrivaled smallmouth fishery appears to be getting even better, as five-bass tournament limits of more than 20 pounds now seem to be commonplace.

After taking the top spot in 2023, Texas’ O.H. Ivie Lake dropped to No. 2 in this year’s rankings, but the fishery is clearly no slouch. The 20,000-acre lake produced 35 Toyota ShareLunkers (8 pounds or heavier) in the first four months of 2024. Twelve of those fish qualified as Legacy Class bass — 13-plus pounds — caught between January and March and loaned to Texas Parks and Wildlife for use in its selective breeding program.

Florida’s Orange Lake made the Top 10 in the nation last year, placing eighth, and checks in at No. 3 this year. The 12,550-acre body of water features extensive aquatic vegetation such as lily pads and periodic hydrilla that give bass ample cover to thrive on forage and grow to massive proportions. Orange Lake has given up 33 bass over 8 pounds to the TrophyCatch program since January, 14 of which were in double digits.

The rankings identify the top lakes in the nation based on head-to-head comparisons, as well as the Top 25 lakes in four geographical regions — Central, Western, Southeastern and Northeastern.

Bassmaster Magazine’s Top 10 Best Bass Lakes of 2024

St. Lawrence River (Thousand Islands), New York

O.H. Ivie Lake, Texas

Orange Lake, Florida

Lake St. Clair, Michigan

Lake Fork, Texas

Lake Murray, South Carolina

Lake Erie/Upper Niagara River, New York

Clear Lake, California

Bussey Brake Reservoir, Louisiana

Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota

Best Bass Lakes — Northeastern Division

St. Lawrence River (Thousand Islands), New York

Lake St. Clair, Michigan

Lake Erie/Upper Niagara River, New York

Lake Erie, Ohio

Burt/Mullett lakes, Michigan

Best Bass Lakes — Central Division

O.H. Ivie Lake, Texas

Lake Fork, Texas

Bussey Brake Reservoir, Louisiana

Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota

Caney Creek Reservoir, Louisiana

Best Bass Lakes — Western Division

Clear Lake, California

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, California

Roosevelt Lake, Arizona

Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

El Capitan Reservoir, California

Best Bass Lakes — Southeastern Division

Orange Lake, Florida

Lake Murray, South Carolina

Jordan Lake, North Carolina

Santee Cooper Lakes (Marion/Moultrie), South Carolina

Lake Guntersville, Alabama

Back Woods Bass Results

Week of June 24

Bob Strunk reports results from the Back Woods Bass Harveys Lake Wednesday night Lunker Tournament, the Back Woods Bass Harveys Lake Friday Night Tournament and the Monday Night River Tournament.

Monday Night River Tournament

1st Place: Joe & Wyatt Fredrick/Dan Lukashewski 6.51 lbs

also won Lunker Award 1.66 lbs

2nd Place: John Centak/Chet Williams 5.35 lbs

3rd Place: Bob & Sheldon Strunk 3.20 lbs

Harveys Lake Wednesday Night Lunker

1st Place: Ryan Rekalitis 4.00 lbs

2nd Place: Joe Simko 3.65 lbs

3rd Place: Dave Brill 3.29 lbs

4th Place: Jake Seymour 3.27 lbs

5th Place: Ryan Spencer 3.04 lbs

6th Place: Joe Kosloski 3.04 lbs

7th Place: Greg Mikulski lll 2.93 lbs

8th Place: Barry Sult 2.76 lbs

9th Place: Bobby Avery 2.69 lbs

10th Place: Stephen Bell 2.51 lbs

Harveys Lake Friday Night Tournament

1st Place: Pete Sulla/John Colwell 11.81 lbs

Also won Lunker Award 4.19 lbs

2nd Place: Aaron & Gary 10.81 lbs

3rd Place: Johnny Niezgoda 8.41 lbs

4th Place: Jake & Alex Seymour 7.20 lbs

5th Place: Josh Colarusso/Larry Armbruster 6.49 lbs

6th Place: Joe & Joe McGraw Jr. 6.15 lbs

7th Place: Tom Williams/Adam Frantz 4.10 lbs

8th Place: Gary & Gary Jr. Collins 2.55 lbs