I noticed that the PGC has been a little quiet on the estimated deer kill this year. I understand that it is still the first week, but they posted Bear kill estimates almost immediately. Yes I know the bears have check stations and the PGC gets a better count than the deer numbers from processorswith the bear check stations.I guess what I mean is that most of Pa had warm temps on Monday and blinding rains on tuesday...then a foot of snow in some areas yesterday. Not exactly favorable hunting conditions for the best 3 days of the hunting year. Maybe they are being cautious to release any estimates yet. We had a problem finding a processor on tuesday who would take a deer in, but I think it is due to the warm weather and not a big kill. Most guys who cut their own deer didn't have the conditions to let in hang a day or two in the garage. I will throw out my own estimate of the kill being down 53%. Anyone else got a guess?

I have no guess about the kill, but it will be interesting to see the numbers for sure!!

They will probably say it was another record kill like they do every year.

GEEZE, this comment seems to come up every year about this time. Somebody is always complaining that the numbers aren't posted yet. But you all forget that they NEVER ARE! It always takes them a while. So quit jumping on there backs after the first week. It seems to serve my memory that it usually takes a couple of weeks to get an idea of how the season went. Remember, just because there are no deer in your little pocket of habitat...doesn't mean its like that everywhere.

That being said...I have too noticed less shooting yesterday. Monday was a different story though....more shots than I've ever heard before. Like I said...it just depends on where the deer are.

If you re-read my post you may see that I'm not complaining. I said, "I noticed that the PGC has been a little quiet on the estimated deer kill this year". AND...."Maybe they are being cautious to release any estimates yet". Not exactly jumping on their backs. I'm not try to insult you or offend you, but being 17 years old and hunting for 5 years hardly gives you an idea of how us older hunters are making comparisons on the deer numbers of now and of years ago. I agree with most of what the PGC has tried to do the past 5 years or so, but some things they have gotten wrong.

Anyway from your previous posts and knowing your from Greenfield township I would assume you hunt around alot of farmlands in and around Erie County. Your hunting conditions don't exactly mirror the guys who hunt public game lands . Read some of my posts you'll see that I don't blame the PGC for everything like some others do. But I think some of their managment techniques need to be adjusted. Check stations maybe would benefit all those involved in Pa Whitetail management.The numbers would be a little more accurate. Mail in harvest cards are not working.And online registration won't either. And deer processors are a little better indication of the deer kill, but there are still alot of folks who butcher their own deer. Somewhere along the line the Game Commission needs to listen to hunters and compromise like Gary Alt asked all of us to do 3 or 4 years ago.

fight4yourguns....sorry I wasn't trying to be mean or rude in any manner. I was just stating a fact that I've seen this post over and over since AR and HR started. And I have known that in the 6 years I've been hunting that the numbers don't come out for a while. PLEASE don't discredit me for my age or my experience. You don't know me at all, so you have no idea as to what I am like. More than likely, I've spent more hours in the woods this year than most other PA hunters. Also, just because I've only hunted for 6 years doesn't mean that I haven't paid attention to the past. It took my dad 25 years to get his first deer...and my grandpa took 55 years. So I have a pretty good background in whats been going on.
-Maybe I'm lucky that I began hunting with the new regs and never had to learn the old ones. But hey, thats life.

Yes you are correct, I hunt in Greene township, Erie County....along with Crawford County. Both of those are farm country for the better part. That is why I put in the statement about just because the deer aren't in one place doesn't mean they aren't somewhere else. An example: At my house...I haven't seen a deer all year. At my unlce's house two miles down the road...I've seen 4 bucks and about 10 does.

I don't believe that check stations would work because all of the older gents and gals wouldn't like that idea due to them growing up in the olden days and not accepting change very well. Just as most of them are having trouble accepting the new way of managing the herd. I do feel that AR is working...but I also feel that HRhas gone a little overboard. Whatever the case though...people need to learn to accept it and get on with it.

Granted, some things do need to change but we do need to give repect to the PGC. They care about wildlife just as much as the next person. Thats why they chose that line of work, to protect and aid them.

Again, sorry I wasn't trying to be rude to you personally, its just that I've seen this same statement every year.
Steven

**After re-reading everything written here..I figured out where my tone came from. One spot is where you stated that the kill would be down 53%. Do you realize that that is more than half? Instead of taking 200,000 deer....it would be 100,000. Thats is outrageous and I got the tone that you were disgruntled with the PGC from that statement. Also When CAMPFOURCORNERS said it would be "another record harvest" I got more into the idea that you guys were really complaining about it, and that is where I felt the need to jump in.

Are you sure the reason they are there is because they care about wildlife? The board just selected a new replacement for Vern Ross. We didn't have a choice in their decision. I'm sure the paycheck has alot to do with it. I do respect the PGC, but don't have to worship every decision they make. I'm justBEGINING to think that because of the financial troubles they are facing that the deer harvests are part of their solution. The license fees are going to 30.00 from what I've heard. I don't have any problem with a increase, but we need a voice that we don't have right now. I don't know you ! Your right, and I don't know of your skills or capablities in the field. You sound like a good person and dedicated hunter. Anyway I'm not here to argue with you or anyone else. I just think we need to pay close attention to any further decisions by the PGC.

GOOD! Me neither and I'm glad we both agree that everything that happens with the PGC needs to be watched so the hunting heritage will be passed on for many more generations.

See, this is why I love PA hunting...no matter what everyone thinks on one certain issue...in the end its all about hunting and loving the outdoors.

GOOD LUCK FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON!
Steven

http://www.outdoortalknetwork.com/art247.html

Same to you Steven!