3 solutions for PA happy deer hunters

germain · 03-01-2005, 06:16 PM

This ones for you bullmoose.

1-listen to what the public land hunters are saying.They are fellow hunters that have passion for hunting and care about it's future.Yes some of these folks maybe so called one day wonders but we need hunters to stay with the game.With anti hunting groups putting on the pressure we need all the help we can get to fight against them.Strength is in numbers.

2-Instead of calling unhappy hunters whiners,take some time and travel to their areas.Take a hike and see for yourself what the area is like they are complaining about.

3-Don't regret them or call them names.It only divides us and makes our voice smaller as a group.Organizations like the audabon society and such don't give a rat's ars about our favorite pastime.In fact they prefer all the deer be killed.They don't want a balance,they;re just trying to push their agenda and it aint hunting.So instead of listening to groups like this listen to what your fellow hunters are telling you.Alls not well in deer management in PA.Some changes are needed in certain areas so support the folks who hunt these areas.Don't turn your backs on them now.
And maybe just maybe in the end we can all get along and unite once again against these anti hunting groups.Right now hunters in PA are like the political climate in the country,split down the middle.If we don't get it together the antis will eat us up.

bullmoose38 · 03-01-2005, 06:39 PM

Good post germain. I know there are parts of the state hurting. But this part here puzzles me. In 2g I hear quite a few people saying there are no deer. Obviously I didnt hunt all of 2g but the area my hunting camp hunts we have alot of success. In the last 3 years we have 39 buck kills out of maybe 60 guys. And the other hunters that didnt bag one in 2g got theres in other parts of PA. Thats all on public land. The thing that amazes me is we dont run into any hunters. Is it because its tuff hunting I dont know. But where are all the hunters. And in those 3 years we took 8 buck that rank in our cabins top 10. Our cabins been around for almost 60 years. Anyway you are right we all need to work this out together. But for some reason there will always be contraversy. After the deer herd situation is settled. You will hear rifle hunters complaining about archery. You will hear archery hunters complaining about the muzzleloaders and so on. I will agree we all need to work together!

BTBowhunter · 03-01-2005, 06:59 PM

Lets face it, 99.9% of our differences are based on the fact that we seem to have hot/cold spots. Those of us who have access to the hotspots could simply say that the other guys need to change tactics but we still need to hold the PGC's feet to the fire on this. On the other hand, IMHO, there are some places that simply wont support near as many deer as they used to because there were too many deer there for too long. We need to keep numbers down in those areas for a while (much as it may hurt). We also need to make sure it doesnt happen to more areas in the future.

More than anything else, what we ALL have to push for is smaller WMU's.

bullmoose38 · 03-01-2005, 07:04 PM

Smaller wmu's... I will second that.

germain · 03-01-2005, 07:04 PM

You guys did good moose.We're also seeing a drop in hunter numbers for deer anyway.I can't explain it,the license sales are steady yet fewer and fewer hunters each year.
I feel bad for the folks in areas like clinton county around renova.Very few deer in a giant area.Granted the habitat isn't the best but I think the DPSM is lower then what they are estimating.
With some good scouting I can still find a few buck to hunt in our area.It's tough for the older hunters though because you have to get back in and hit the thick stuff.
But you're right there's always disagreements between hunting groups.But man this deer issue is dangerous I think.Hopefully somewhere down the line it gets worked out for the sake of all of us.

muzzyman88 · 03-01-2005, 08:44 PM

BTBowhunter has about the best statement I've heard in a long time here. Most of the arguement is about hot and cold spots.

Here's how to help your area get better deer pops. Don't shoot them all! Just because you have a tag doesn't mean you have to squeeze the trigger. Self control goes a long way.

wingbar · 03-02-2005, 06:49 AM

here's a great suggestion...stop doe season for a year all together in "cold spots" that will force more hunters into "hot spots".....hmmmmm wonder why those boys in Harrisburg can't figure that out (could it be they want the doe tags $$)? Most every state in the country has split season for rifle hunting, different zones opening an closing at different times. Yet Pa has what???? extended doe hunting dates at some places,unlimited tags in areas with little public access, WOW! what progressive management by the appointed wonders in Harrisburg.
I thank god every day that I have my own property those bufoons can't foul up now that I began to post!!

germain · 03-02-2005, 06:00 PM

muzzy,I personally haven't shot a doe in 6 years now.

germain · 03-02-2005, 06:04 PM

BT,While I agree in part what you say there's two problems with hunters moving to better areas.

1-many have money invested in camps in the state land areas.And 99%of those better areas are private land with little acess.

2-The plan is to reduce the deer herd on state forest land.Hunters moving away from these areas and heading south would put a dink in the deer management plan.

ddear · 03-02-2005, 06:13 PM

Quote:

More than anything else, what we ALL have to push for is smaller WMU's.

When we had 66 WMU's ( counties) the herd was managed the same way it is today , except that we didn't have AR's. Smaller WMU's will make abasolutely no difference unless the PGC begins assigning habitat value to non-forested habitat