I hadn' t heard the proposal you are talking about. In the past they have discussed moving the muzzleloader season before rifle (instead of after it) in an effort to decrease the herd and increase interest in the sport. But, they have always decided against it. I wouldn' t be surprised if nothing happens. I think, being the owner of a muzzleloader, it would be a good move. I have little interest of trying to muzzleload after x-mas when the deer are real gunshy. It' s too cold, the deer don' t move and the trees no longer present any cover for hunters.

The commission needs to understand that it is not the " short" length of the season that is causing the increase in the herd. It is the urban sprawl that is taking away valuable hunting lands and the cost of the licenses increasing to the point that people don' t see the value of getting their kids involved. The heaviest concentration of deer are in the big city suburbs where it is difficult to obtain permission to hunt.

If they are going to increase the rifle season, they should consider doing it for seniors, disableds and youth, only. Maybe even females. But for the most part, the set up is fine the way it is. If they are interested in decreasing the herd they should require a hunter to " earn" a buck license. The biggest problem is that most hunters are only interested in harvesting a buck - I know lots of them.