I hunted more than half the available days in both archery and gun season and only know of one buck left to rot. It was a 4 pt in Allegheny Co (a legal buck there) that was shot by a muzzleloader in the early antlerless M/L season. I did just read in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review that there was a substantial number (maybe as much as 10% of the buck kill) of mistake kills turned in and the $25 fine paid. Personally, I think 10% is way too high but it does appear that these hunters did the right thing in turning themselves in. Hopefully the numbers will go down each year. I'm sure that the kind of guy that would turn himself in for this kind of mistake is likely to treat it as a learning experience and be more careful next year. I would also hope that the Deer cops wouldn't be as lenient on repeaters.

Member of NRA, BASS, Buckmasters and Life member of UBP.........Kill a big doe, Let the little bucks grow

Edited by - btbowhunter on 12/17/2002 16:17:40