ORIGINAL: PABuckbuster12
My gripe with it is simple. We dont have the deer to warrant this so called organization. If we had the over population to warrant it. Then I wouldnt be on here pitchin a stink. The simple fact that they use scare tactics which is a joke, in order to give them more hunting periods is my problem. If they like to hunt, do it ethically and the proper way like the rest of us. Dont feed people trash about them being over populated and doing damage, when they know damn well right they arent. Anyone who hunts PA anymore knows the deer population isntan over populationproblem.Its the opposite.I havent been able to come to grips with the fact that many of farms in SE PA that I used to hunt are now housing developments for the people spreading out from Philly. The deer have no where to go. But this does not mean they are over populated, we have less now then we did 20 yrs ago, but we have even less land for them to occupy. So using the smoke and whistles to convince people they have a deer problem, is my problem with the whole situation. I'd prefer them come right out and say, hey im lazy I dont want to scout, I dont want to go get permission to hunt areas in season, ill use this BS to try and expand my hunting season and load my freezer and wall. Thats what their website should really say. IMO. Sorry if I got worked up about this, but I am sure anyone else who has grown up hunting an area and seen the changes, and then seen people trying to compound an existing problem that directly effects their own passion, will ruffle up their feathers as well. O well takes all types of people to make the world go around. Ethical and Schematic.(is that even a word? if not should be.)
This forum is a tough crowd.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being professional and organized in order to get access to urban areas. In fact, it is the smart way to approach it, and often the ONLY way to do it. I see no evidence on their websiteof wanting to be exterminators, or any desire to not have to abide by normal regs or any push to get additional "periods". I do see a group of guys hoping to capitolize on what is probably some of the best hunting available.
There are a whole lot of urban and suburban areas all across the country that are being accessed now thru org's just like this one. It is quite often the case that the property owners and at times, the local government need to be shown that deer can be bowhunted effectively by hunters that are considerate, conscientious, and tuned into the special conditions that suburban settings often bring about. Trust me, there is no need to convince anyone in these areas that there is a deer problem, but there IS a need to convince non-hunters to let us hunters be the ones to implement some control measures. If you are right that these areas don't have deer problems now...they will in the near future, you can count on that. You say yourself that there is urban sprawl, and less space for the deer. That doesn't mean they will quit reproducing in those areas. You certainly cannot make generalizations about your state's deer herd and assume those hold true for all urbanized areas - which is exactly what it sounds like you are doing.
We have tons of deer within city limits of StL and surrounding municipalities. While some allowed hunting early on, others have implemented specific regs to allow it (big hoops to jump thru), while others have stayed on their chosen path and not allowed it but yet opted for sharp shooters, trap and transplant, etc. In the areas that have some great suburban hunting...who do you think theyuppies will allow to comeshoot deer - organized hunters with"professional" appearances or redneck joe blow wanting to come "stick some deer"?