DennyF

Here's a response to similar questions raised about the topic CH posed, from the Exectutive Director of the PFSC:[/align][/align]Nothingwrong with admitting that we have members "concerned" about the effects the declining deer herd is having on hunters' and theirattitudes. The negative comments and fighting amongst hunters is not good for anyone....let alone the young kids whom we are trying to teacha love and respect for hunting,the outdoors and wildlife management. [/align][/align]Anyone who doesn't admit the herd has declined is a fool. But that doesn't mean we still don't support scientific wildlife management. That's what the program was all about....herd reduction.What it does mean is thatwe are acknowledging the concerns of many of our members.Members who for the most part, still support the professionals doing what is right for our wildlife resources, even if it's not what's best for hunters in the short term. But they are still concerned with where it all goes from here. [/align][/align]As to the reports about ourmembership declining.....we did lose a few clubs last year because they didn't agree with PFSC's policy of supporting scientific wildlife management. And we'll probably lose a few more this year. We lose a few clubs every year,but we also picked up a few new clubs last year, and hope to pick up a few more this year. Our overallmembership numbers have only declined slightly. We still represent over 95,000 sportsmen & women. Six years ago, we were below 50,000 members. We were up to just over 100,000 membersa little over a year ago.[/align][/align]And with a membership base of over 95,000, it would be pretty hard to put a number on what percentage the "many" encompass. We won't knowactual numbers till our convention. In some areas, we are getting reports that "many" of the clubs are concerned. In other areas, we aren't hearing any complaints at all. Most of the calls or emails I've received (a half dozen or so)from people complaining aren't even members.[/align][/align]The majority of our members understand that deer are not the only issue we have to worry about. This is going to be an extremely busy year in our legislature. With the Democrats in the majority in the House, our anti-gun legislators feel empowered and have already submitted a package of anti-gun legislation. They believe they will be able to get more bills out of committee and on the floor for votes. Rep. D. Evans has announced that he will be holding at least 6 hearings across the state on Gun Violence. The anti-hunters are forever waiting for us toslip so they can slide their agendas into the mix. We will not be able to let our guard down for one minute.[/align][/align]Will we be strong enough to counter all these attacks, or will we be too busy arguing amongst ourselves over how many deer we expect to see every time we are in thefield, or how many weshould have per square forested mile,or whether or not we ever had 1.6 million deer?[/align][/align]Melody Zullinger[/align]PFSC Exec. Director[/align]