ORIGINAL: DougE

blkpwdr,Good post.The problem is,most sportsmen are not educated enough on the issues to have solid input.Most hunters want more deer but they don't understand how deer impact the habitat.Most hunters expect the PGC to fix the habitat but they don't understand what they do and what it takes to do it.It's easy to sit back and say what needs to be done.It's another thing to know what it takes to actually do it.

I've been to alot of informative seminars and habitat tours hosted by the PGC,DCNR,PSU and the US forest service.I've done pellet counts,population analysis studies and browse impact studies along side many of these professionals.These things are all open to the public and they're very informative.Funny thing is,99% of the people that show are guys that just want to learn.Very seldom does a naysayer every show up.It's too bad because eventually you come to realize that these guys really do care and they are trying to do what's best for the future of hunting.Education is the key.Unfortuantely,those most opposed to the PGC really don't care tolearn.All you have to do is listen to some of the off the wall posts on these message boards.One admistartor on another board slams the PGC at every opportunity.He was stated that he didn't care happened to the habitat as long as he saw enough deer running through the open timber to keep him excited.Yep,the PGC should really listen to someone with that mentality.Funny thing is,I heard his family had a pretty good year killing doe this year,something he strongly opposes.Although,his sentiments are scary,many feel the way he does.those are the one's crying the loudest.

I've went to enough hearings and meeting about the deer to understand what most hunters want.Most want alot of deer at any cost.I sat through the Legislative hearing two years ago in Dubois,sponsored by Hanna and Surra.We had many sportsman and politicians complaining that they don't see 60 deer a day anymore.I saw sportsmen stand up and say they should sell game lands and take pay cuts before there was a lisence increase.I saw hunters complain that they cut too much timber.I heard hunters complain that they didn't cut enough.I heard hunters complain about DCNR spraying beech brush.I heard the complaints about coyote and mountain lion stocking.This year we have a sportmen's group sueing the PGC.Theirconsultant said we'd be down to 50000 deer by this year.They represented a crazy Amish guy thatformed an elaborate hoach about being attacked by a mountain lions.three years ago at another save the deer meeting,I heard a guy threaten to burn down a taxidermists house because he supported the PGC.This crap all makes me embarrased to call myslef a hunter at times.It's no wonder the PGC doesn't listen all the time.

Cardeer,OK you spend 4 moths on SGL 52.B.S as usual.

Sproulman,I've owned blazers,half ton pu's and 3/4 ton pu's.My half ton's got better gas mileage than the blazers and the repair costs were no where near as bad.Too bad the PGC doesn't listen to you.You'd be a real savior.