Joe, It was a big turn out for sure. We cancelled our smallbore rifle league for that evening because most of the guys wanted to attend. I remember some complaints, but for the most part I think everyone was supportive at that time. I feel that the hunters have a right to complain about the doe numbers, but they still don't understand completely the situation at hand. If hunters would just realize that PA has been fighting the same fight since the 1930's when Richard Gerstell warned of the impending problems from too many deer. Noone wanted to listen then and they are only beginning to listen now. So in fact this has been an issue since the 1930's not 2001 like people in these forums are complaining. They think Gary Alt was the first one to try to get the deer "MANAGED", he was not. In fact a few folks were saying the same things. Robert McDowell chief of the Game Commission Wildlife Research Divisionin the 1950's,Ross Leffler President of the Game Commission wrote a letter in 1944 saying the same things we're hearing today. Finally Roger Latham was fired for suggesting trimming Pa's deer heard back in 1944. So this is far from a problem of today. This goes back to the original lack of education by the PGC to Pa's hunters as to what a healthy deer heard is. But I'm sure you know all this. Others I'm sure don't know much of anything about the efforts of the PGC to "FIX" the problem. Pa' hunters just won't let them.

Before any of you attack me on my statements. I will admit I'm a bit wishy washy on the whole thing, but I'm taking the time to try and educate myself on the Pa deer issue so I can make an educated decision, not just spout off about the PGC without any real facts. I'm no expert by any means, but I'm learning every day.