IF the deer were really hard on the habitat on SGL's then why has the PGC not enrolled one single SGL into its OWN program DMAP to address it???? I guess we all know the answer to that.... because the PGC does not use science alone to manage deer. Never have, never will.

They have always managed to a social carrying capacity based on some hunters input. They know hunters would have a cow if a SGL were enrolled, if its a state forest the PGC can always point at DCNR as the bad guy.

Some PGC zealots claim that going to the PGC meeting this year will be a waste of time as the PGC is not listening to hunters. (They pretend the PGC is only listening to biologists anymore which is a joke).

Last year not enough momentum had swung, the trip up to Harrisburg was not a real impact, but this year is different. The momentum IS shifting and if hunters turn out in good numbers to speak about the dismal hunting the commission WILL react. Its just whether enough hunters will show up. Last year there was a small turnout. The PGC invited several dozen people from conservation groups, nonhunters and DCNR employees to speak and it offset the hunters opinions.

The state of Pa has always listened to what hunters want.
When the fad of QDM drifted around the east the commissioners did what was normal, they listened to QDM'ers promises of wonderfull hunting in a small herd and combined that with timber companies and convservationists desires for a small herd and put pathetic regs into affect, like AR.

and as is normal, and has happened many times before, hunters sit back and show apathy and take a 'wait and see' attitude.

well.........now they have waited, and they have seen the suky hunting that a smaller herd with the tacky use Antler Restrictions provides. Lowered buck harvests, decreased sightings, lowered hunter satisfaction, and AR is turning off some hunters who don't like the loss of freedom to take a deer of thier choice just to appease some wannabe trophy hunter.


Attending this years meeting will make a difference. The amount of hunters who show up and spleak will directly relate to the regs for the next year. Remember that there are many Alties out there who will be very quick to point it out if only a handfull show up.

Dr. Alt did that last January. After many speakers spoke against his deer plan he dis'd hunters by saying that "we only heard from 50 hunters today, there are a million still out there we have not heard from".

What a snotty slap in the face to those who did go last year. If for nothing else, go to show that he was wrong.

....and take a friend.

....and ask why the commission is not looking for a new Executive Director. This one has led us to 5+ years of lies, misleading, poor communications and smoke and mirrors. Is that what hunters of pa deserve??