ORIGINAL: buckeyebuckhntr
In the new edition of Field & Stream there is an article about the "PA deer wars".
I don't understand how some PAn's could argue with RESULTS. Imo Gary Alt was the best thing to happen to Pa's deer huntingsince reintroduction in the 20's.
If Pa could have its way they would be back to "whacking and stacking" the spikes and annihilating the fork horns tomorrow.
My question is WHY?
Here is a graph F&S provided.... antler restrictions started in 2002-2003 season.
Season Antlerless harvest Antlered harvest % bucks over 21/2 years old
2001-2002 282,767 203,247 20%
2002-2003 352,113165,416 32%
2003-2004 322,620 142,270 44%
2004-2005 284,910 124,410 50%
SO, what is the problem PA? 50% of harvested bucks are 21/2 or older? That may be the highest ratio in the nation???
Please explain.....
Fact is that PA hunting is MUCH better than a lot of the hunters will lead you to believe. There are areas that have had too many does taken but the majority of the state the hunting is still excellent. I had almost no time to scout PA last year when I hunted there and still managed to see 2 seperate 3 1/2 year bucks in a week of hunting. I have thousands of pics from my leaf river that will show you differentely as well.