Coincidentally, the very same weekend the Unified Sportsmen of PA conducted their spring meeting so did the PA Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs (PFSC).  Since the close of the deer season, PFSC management had consistently refused to officially comment on the PGC’s deer management program.  Word was a membership vote would be taken at the spring meeting and their position declared.  Well, it’s official.  The Federation voted 40 to 1 in support of the PGC’s current deer management program. 

Needless to say, my jaw hit my keyboard when I read the news.  How could this be?  With the harvest and sightings plummeting across the state, how could the vote be 40 to 1?  I personally know many PFSC members and a few membership clubs.  Not one is happy.  I would estimate 80% of our sporting class has had their fill with the current deer program.  Is the PFSC really in touch with their grassroots membership?  Has politics invaded this organization so deeply, they are unable to stand tall and disagree with the PGC?  Has the PFSC become an organization of trophy hunters or private land hunters to such a point that the fate of the public-land hunter is of no concern to them?

I do not know the answers to those questions.  What I do know is the PFSC seems to be a “go along to get along” organization.  I sensed this years ago.  They seem to defend the PGC when the PGC blunders and come to the PGC’s aid in times of controversy.  I suppose this vote is consistent with their behavior throughout many issues in the last decade.

Perhaps, the PFSC is changing from within.  We all know the PA Wildlife Federation (PWF) is under the PFSC umbrella, but maybe the PWF is more influential than many realize.  PWF was successful at securing substantial grant money from the state.  Has the ability of PWF to obtain grants increased their clout over PFSC policy?  I can think of at least one notorious deer-hater associated with PWF.  Could there be more?  Is it all about money, again?  PWF and Audubon are best of buddies. 

Ray Martin recently resigned his Game Committee Chairman position with the Federation.  I know and respect Ray.  He has always been straight with me.  However, when a 30-year man resigns his position in the middle of the greatest deer controversy in the last 50 years, something very contentious is probably going on inside that organization.

Additionally, the PFSC now finds itself embroiled in the Jeremy Valentine controversy.  Apparently, this man was hired as their new Membership Coordinator and penned a column for their recent “On Target” newsletter.  Jeremy writes “If given the opportunity to see a “Sex Pistols” reunion concert, or spending a morning in a treestand for a guaranteed 10-pointer, I would choose the “Sex Pistols.”  Fascinating.  He goes on, “I think people owning a handgun is completely ridiculous.”  Interesting.  He buries himself, “So why would I stay here and read emails at least once a week from the National Rifle Association that make me cringe?”  Powerful stuff.  I can see how Jeremy is rapidly becoming one of their star employees.

To paraphrase Ronald Reagan, the PFSC no longer appears to be part of the solution.  They are now part of the problem.  From absurd votes to hiring an anti-gun employee, maybe the leadership of the Federation is in need of radical surgery.  Let us not forget the PFSC endorsed the removal of Commissioner George Venesky, which set the wheels in motion for the enormous deer management debacle we now face. 

It is easy to see that the PFSC is torn between political alliances they have constructed and the rights and wishes of their membership.  They are caught in that political trap of trying to be all things to all parties, specifically the PGC and their PFSC membership.  History has proven posturing of this strategy always fails.             

Many have asked me why the Unified Sportsmen of PA and the PA Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs can not unite into one large powerful sportsmen’s organization that can make a difference in PA.   I must admit I have asked myself that same question.  Detailed analysis is unnecessary.

In view of these recent events the Federation appears to be on a course of self-destruction.