Spotlight on PA Game Commission Audit

www.irwinsportsmen.com P.O. Box 225, (995 Oakside Dr.)

Irwin, PA. 15642 Issue 19-07

July 2019

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) -- Even when you're used to seeing deer, sometimes you must do a double take. This rare "pitch black" deer was recently spotted and photographed in northern Michigan by viewer John Roach.

Steve Griffith, a Wildlife Biologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), says the black deer spotted is a rarity, called a "melanistic whitetail.” He says they’re even harder to spot than albino deer.

"I’ve never seen one, and I have been working for the DNR for 20 years. My understanding is it's rare, I’ve seen several albino deer including at least one in the Traverse City area,” said Griffith. "So, this will be the other end of the spectrum from an albino deer. This is the first one." Griffith said melanistic deer have a genetic mutation that causes their bodies to produce too much pigment known as melanin, which gives them their dark coloring.

The state Auditor General’s office today released findings from its recent audit of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The audit did not reveal the misappropriation of any funds, but identified a number of procedures the Game Commission can strengthen to ensure sound and transparent fiscal management. The 136-page report on the audit makes a total of 40 recommendations on Game Commission procedures that could be improved. Because the audit reviewed the Game Commission’s performance from July 1,

2014 to June 30, 2017, some of these recommendations already have been implemented independently, and the Game Commission has agreed to work toward implementing nearly all of the others. The only recommendation with which the Game Commission disagreed involves the documentation of employee hours related to a requirement in the Game and Wildlife Code.

Section 521 of the code requires $4.25 from each resident or nonresident license sold, and $2 from each antlerless license sold, be used for habitat improvement. The Game Commission has always complied with this requirement, and routinely sets aside significantly more than the required amount to use for habitat improvement, with the salaries and benefits of some habitat-management employees covered under the set-aside. The Auditor General’s report recommended those employees’ holiday, sick and annual leave should not count toward the set-aside, but the Game Commission contends these costs are benefits related to the cost of habitat work, and nothing in Section 521 excludes these costs. Otherwise, the Auditor General’s recommendations will be implemented, if they have not been already. The Game Commission will ask the state Department of Treasury to monitor escrow accounts used to secure money to offset development-driven impacts on state game lands, and will clearly identify the monetary amounts being held in escrow and reserve when reporting the agency’s year-end revenue and expenditures.Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans said audits like the one that recently was completed always are beneficial. By identifying areas where improvement can be made, the agency can become better as a whole, he said.

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ISA Activities

NEW Trap Shooting, Every Sunday, 1 PM Action Pistol, 5 PM, $3, 1st/3rd Thurs Daisy BB: Training Classes - 2nd Saturday

each month 2-4 PM. Open Shoot - 2nd

Saturday 5-7 PM

Ladies Instructional Pistol Shoot, 1st and

3rd Tues 6:30 PM

Pistol Pin Shoot 5 PM, $3, 2nd/4th Thu Silhouette Shoot, 9 AM, 1st Sat monthly Work Party 9-11 AM second Wednesday Work Party 5-7 PM each Wednesday Zombi Shoot, starts in Fall Officers Meeting, 7:00PM, 2nd Thursday Member Meeting, 7:30PM, Last Thursday Hunter Safety Course - hopefully August All Times, No Dumping on Property without

approval Gate open whenever anyone is on property Gate closed if you are the last one to leave Interested in Trap...contact Lauren West at

724-244-9053

Musings from Our President

We are a small club – a family oriented club – not too many rules but with safety as our first priority. We don’t want to have a thick manual of do’s and don’ts on how to conduct ourselves and as a member we trust that you would conduct yourselves as the good sportsmen and sportswomen that I know you are. Due to the recent damages to club property: to list a few, metal post at the pistol range was shot at, 223 rounds at the silhouette range (no bottleneck cartridges), shot up glass at the lower pistol range, etc…For safety reasons we had to take the metal gongs down at the rifle range because of the risks of ricochets (gongs were shot up and looked like Swiss cheese) and now the pistol range gongs and the post holding the gongs were shot clear through and need removed. Fellow members have spent their time and monies to make the ranges a fun and safe place to shoot. It brings us no joy to be put in the position of having to place the grounds and/or facility under video surveillance. The few rules that we have are clearly posted at all ranges and on the bulletin board inside the clubhouse. The explanation that “this happens at other clubs” – so it must be the normal thing? Does this mean that we need to be complacent and allow it to happen here? I believe that we have the responsibility to ourselves, each other and to the club to fix the problem – to keep our ranges safe and to stop the damages done to the club property. Joyce

Articles Published weekly in Jeannette News Dispatch in the

mid 50s to 60s. From a column written by Hal Sharp and

titled the “Sportsman’s Digest”.

Cinnamon colored black bears are rare. This

one was trapped and released into a better

environment.

Handgun Grip

My first advice received about handgun grip was from the salesman at my local gun shop. He asked me to grip his hand with the same strength I’m going to grip my future 1911. I gave him a nice firm handshake while he proceeded to crush my hand. A smart-alecky move, but a great lesson. I’m now an advocate of gripping as hard as you can but not so much that you have tremors. I’ve found that having a crushing grip on the gun reduces the movement of your non-trigger-fingers, which is a good thing.

There is no need for anyone to work alone. Please call one of the following so that they can assist and provide additional safety.

Joe Curran 412-610-3692, Except Thurs

Smokey Burdin 724-396-9627 M-F 9-5 Kevin Kennelty 724-640-0726

Rich Boehm 724-953-4778

ITEMS FOR SALE, FOUND, LOST OR WANTED

Sig Sauer 516 AR15, Ten Point Crossbow, and 8 sealed tan bags of PMC 5.56 62gr ammo, 120 rounds per bag, so 960 total. Eric Betz 815-315-2206 (7/19)

Send info to ourisanews@gmail.com to list. Items will be posted for 3 months unless renewed.

WORK PARTY HELP NEEDED - THIRD NOTICE

Even though a work party is only worth $10 each on your next years dues, we need your

help throughout the seasons. It is not a chain gang, but a group of guys and girls sharing

the work needed to keep your club looking respectable and safe. Please consider coming to

help at our work parties. When we have 1 or 2 regular members and several officers/

council, it is not enough to keep up. Come dressed for work wearing long sleeve shirts and

pants, gloves, and a great attitude. You will enjoy the fellowship and can see the

improvement you will make. Make sure you sign the work party sheet for credit. Thanks.

Membership Meeting 5/30...Seven new

members….$29 won in the 50/50 drawing...No

winner in the membership drawing so next

month $105. Extended discussion about

damage to various ranges and what to do

about it. Please treat the ranges like your

own.

There has been a rash of break-ins at our county & state parks

again this year into visitors vehicles. When you go to these places

make sure that you do not leave purses & other valuables in plain

sight. Lock them in the trunk or at least cover them with

something. Walkers seem especially vulnerable, because a lot of

women just leave their purses on the front seat & leave. It only

takes seconds for someone to break a window & grab your stuff

Welcome New Members

David Hough North Huntingdon

Joshua Hough North Huntingdon

Jamie Walters Jeannette

Avery Sandor Irwin

Robert Riazzi Irwin

Dean Sacramento Irwin

Our Great Sponsors

Bell-View, Lee-Thompson-Fawcett Co, Robert Fawcett, 724-523-5406

Vasko Tree Service, Robert Vasko, 724-515-

7823

A Better Choice Inc., Richard Pack 724-516-5000

ChooseAVintageLife, Bill & Rose Omalacy,

724-880-5832

Dominic Surace Automotive, Dominic Surace 724-527-5011

Buchanan’s Auto Repair and Sales, LLC, Bill Buchanan, 724-744-3055

David L. Holloman Tree Service, Dave

Holloman 724-863-9082

Fix’s Body Shop, Inc., Insurance, Collision Work, 724-863-9305

Harper Electric, Tom Harper, 412-378-4757

Howard Gasoline & Oil Co, Thomas Howard,

724-864-5210

Industrial Tractor Parts, Jim Lindsay II, Bev or Jon 724-424-1200

KC Express Vending, Ken Carasia,

724-527-5233

Lenhart’s Service Center, Nick Lenhart, 724-863-4000

Manor Grille, Derek Gutkowski,

724-861-3404

Norwin Rental & Outdoor Power Equipment, 724-864-1150

Pete’s Firearms, Larry Weightman, 724-515-

5417 and 724-787-1023

Varine-Slavin Insurance, Niles Slavin, Agent, 724-527-2802

RE/MAX Realty Access, George/Dana

Kendall, 724-864-2200x20

Revolation Arms, Charles Laughery, 724-527-2045

Scott Electric, Chuck Konkus, 412-389-9181

Westmoreland Equipment, Rental Sales &

Service, Ernie Graham 724-744-3130

Varine-Slavin Insurance, Eric Slavin, Agent, 724-527-2802

All Vehicle Service, Shawn Mason,

724-863-6424

***** 2019 ISA OFFICERS ***** PRESIDENT JOYCE LICHTENFELS 724-863-6940 VICE PRESIDENT KEVIN KENNELTY 724-640-0726 FINANCIAL SECRETARY SMOKEY BURDIN 724-396-9627 RECORDING SECRETARY DAN NAVE 724-863-1392 TREASURER MICHAEL SERLO 724-523-3748

***** 2019 ISA COUNCIL *****

***** 2019 ISA Contact Persons *****

JOE CURRAN (21) 412-610-3692

JON GILMORE (21) 724-433-9854

LAUREN WEST (21) 724-244-9053

AL CEOL (20) 724 396 7010

JIM FISHER (20) 724-863-3764

RICH WEAVER (20) 412-638-3063

JOHN RUFFNER (19) 724-744-2514

ED GOLLINGER (19) 724-864-0687

LARRY LICHTENFELS(19) 724-863-6940

RICH LINDH(19) 412-817-4074

RON COINER (21) 724-396-4971

KEN GRAY (21) 412-610-2963

ACTION PISTOL Vince Benkovich 724-744-4437

ARCHERY John Reed 724-864-2488

COUNTY LEAGUE Samuel Petrill Smokey Burdin Kevin Kennelty

724-523-9216 724-863-7365 724-640-0726

JR RIFLE TEAM Paul Angelicchio 724-864-2026

KITCHEN Lauren West 724-244-9053

LUCKY BB SHOOT Al Ceol 724-396-7010

MEN’S PISTOL/SELF DEFENSE Larry Lichtenfels 724-863-6940

NEWSLETTER/WEBSITE Ron Coiner 724-396-4971

NRA Smokey Burdin 724-863-7365

PISTOL PINS Rich Weaver 412-610-2388

PISTOL SILHOUETTE Ed Onder 724-989-6595

RIFLE John Ruffner 724-744-2514

TRAP SHOOT Lauren West 724-244-9053

WOMEN’S LEAGUE Joyce Lichtenfels 724-863-6940

YOUTH DAISY BB COURSES Ken Guidas 724-864-7318