ORIGINAL: the outsider

Has anyone else seen this? Sounds like the next thing DCNR will advocate to reduce the herd is road hunting. I hate the fact that I try to get way back in to avoid other hunters, and they open up more roads.

ADDITIONAL STATE FOREST ROADS OPEN FOR START OF DEER HUNTING SEASONS

HARRISBURG (October 1, 2008) — Deer hunters heading into Pennsylvania’s state forests Saturday for the start of archery season will find additional roads open in 17 of the 20 state forest districts, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis announced today.

“A total of 415 miles of newly opened forest roads will be available to archery hunters when they take to the woods in search of deer on opening day,” DiBerardinis said. “By opening normally locked gates, the Bureau of Forestry hopes to improve accessibility while promoting hunting in often remote areas where hunting pressure is needed to benefit forest regeneration.”

During archery season, which closes Nov. 15, and the state’s other deer hunting seasons running into January 2009, hunters will find more than 3,030 miles of roadway open in state forestlands.

“Hunters seeking whitetail deer in our state forest will find more than 90 percent of all state forestland is now within one-half mile of an open road,” DiBerardinis said. “We view the archers and other deer hunters as invaluable partners in wildlife management and forest stewardship.”