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Pennsylvania Unveils New Sportsman’s License Plate That Benefits Youth Hunting and Fishing

Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Written by YAH Staff
Categories: News
Tags: #congressionalsportsmensfoundation, #pennsylvaniafishing, #pennsylvaniahunting, #youthfishing, #youthhunting

Why It Matters: On Tuesday, October 1st, the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) and the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC), along with the Chairs of the House and Senate Game & Fish Committees (Sen. Greg Rothman; Co-Chair for the Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and Caucus member, Rep. Anita Astorino Kulik. n addition to the bill sponsor, Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr., unveiled the new “PA Sportsman” license plate which provides additional funding to the Youth Hunting and Fishing Accounts which assists in the Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation (R3) of youth sportsmen and women.

Highlights:         

  • The “PA Sportsman” plate was unveiled at the Pennsylvania State Capitol during a press conference at National Hunting and Fishing Day event hosted by the PGC and the PFBC.
  • The specialty license plate sports artwork featuring a fishing scene on a lake, a white-tailed deer, and a ruffed grouse.
  • The plate will cost $40 plus the registration fee, of which $14 will be deposited into a Youth Hunting and Fishing Account which will be allocated evenly to the PGC and the PFBC to be used for the promotion of hunting and fishing activities for youth.

In the United States, participation in sporting traditions has been generally declining since the 1980’s. Sportsmen and women generate billions of dollars annually for the national and local economies and support hundreds of thousands of jobs while hunting license sales provide funding for wildlife conservation and habitat restoration through the American System of Conservation Funding. In response to the declining number of sportsmen and women, state fish and wildlife agencies, conservation organizations, shooting sports organizations, and hunting/fishing/shooting sports industry have invested heavily in recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) initiatives. With the introduction of the “PA Sportsman” license plate, Pennsylvanian’s can proudly show other motorists that they are a sportsman or woman while providing some additional funding for youth hunting and fishing programs within the state.

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) applauds the legislature and Governor Josh Shapiro for passing and enacting this legislation to bring attention to provide critical funding for youth hunting and fishing programs. If you are a resident of the Keystone State, and wish to purchase the “PA Sportsman” specialty license plate, please visit the PennDOT website, choose Special Fund, and select the “PA Sportsman” option.

Shimano to award up to $30,000 in college scholarships

Monday, October 07, 2024
Written by YAH Staff
Categories: Briefs, News
Tags: #shimano, #shimanovarsityprogram, #youthfishing

Students majoring in biology, fisheries, wildlife, or natural resource fields may qualify

Expanding the qualifications to include both graduating high school seniors and those already enrolled in undergrad and graduate programs, Shimano North American Fishing, Inc. will now award up to $30,000 in scholarships as part of its ‘Shimano Varsity’ program. The expansion of the program was officially announced to state DNR professionals and bass club leaders by Shimano Youth Fishing Director Frank Hyla at the biannual B.A.S.S. Conservation Summit held in conjunction with the recent Bassmaster Classic.

“Being one of the cornerstones of our Varsity program, the scholarships provide needed financial assistance to future leaders in conservation, fisheries and wildlife sciences and management,” said Hyla, “where we hope those talents help with work done by state, regional, provincial and national natural resource agencies.”

Along with the scholarships, Shimano’s Varsity Program helps younger anglers learn about fishing tackle and techniques, provides industry networking opportunities at Shimano ‘Career Seminar’ events, and stresses the role anglers have in fishing conservation and advocacy. “Since our program began in early 2017, those anglers participating in our program have been active with the Keep America Fishing Pitch It program keeping used plastic baits out of our lakes and rivers,” said Hyla, “and have picked up thousands of pounds of trash at boat ramps and other areas through our ‘Leave It Better’ projects.”

For their studies beginning in fall 2018, Shimano will award up to fifteen (15) $2,000 scholarships to U.S. and Canadian high school seniors, college undergraduate and graduate students who are members of B.A.S.S., and majoring in biology, fisheries, wildlife or a natural resource related field. A specially selected panel, including Shimano’s Phil Morlock, B.A.S.S. Conservation Director Gene Gilliland, and Chris Horton with the Congressional Sportsman’s Foundation, will determine the scholarship winners. Application forms – with a May 31 deadline – are available on the Shimano website at Shimano Varsity Program Scholarship.

Successful applicants will be notified by July 1. The award is made directly to the student winner and can be used as needed for tuition, textbooks or living expenses.

For more information about on the ‘Shimano Varsity’ program, visit: http://varsity.shimano.com.