RE: Pa. "Wilds"
 

That's fine T,I don't blame them for promoting year round activities.But some keep using a couple of days as the useage for hunting.Archery season usually starts the first week in October.There are more archery hunters on these state lands then boaters,birders,hikers,and skiers put together.From October 1 through the end of December there's more hunters in the woods then any of those groups.Of coarse bear and deer rifle reach the peak.Then there's a month of spring gobbler hunting.So basically the state forests are being used by hunters four months out of the year.Never once ran into a bird watcher out there.I see a few hikers in the summer or fall but their numbers don't even come close to the hunters.The DCNR has made a statement that hunting is no longer a recreation.Some of you may not use the state forests to hunt on and don't think this will affect you.But when a state agency like the DCNR is making comments like this it's time to wake up!This is a dangerous situation for all of us as hunters.And I'm like the snowmobile riders,birders,flower sniffers,hikers,atv riders,etc.I'm interested in my thing and that is hunting.This is not a good situation when our governor and the people he appointed are dismissing hunting as a form of recreation when there's dang near 1 million hunters in the state.It can and will affect all of us down the road if we don't get off our heels and wake up.

RE: Pa. "Wilds"
 

Thats my Point T, what Germain said, he just said better then I did. Its dangerous some of these comments they're making and I as a hunter take offense to them and as I said before I don't think enough of these birders and such use the lands for recreation that often.

RE: Pa. "Wilds"
 

I feel that the problem here is the fact that several individuals in powerful positions within the DCNR have made some ouylandish remarks, and need to be held accountable for them. To even think, let alone publicly decry that hunting is not to be considered an outdoor activity in State forests and State parks shows the total lack of knowledge these people possess.
I ask you to take a ride through Mosshannon State Forest The day before deer season, and take a note of the number of camps full of guess who----- those declining hunters they talk about. It's just so much baloney that we can't believe it.Bear season is a big draw also----- ever driven past the gate to the left on Shagger's Inn Rd. the first morning of bear season? Spring and fall turkey seasons fill the woods with those absent, declining, on-the-way-out hunters.
I guess it's just the pure, unadulterated audacity that the aforementiond individuals express that boggles my mind. They need reigned in.

RE: Pa. "Wilds"
 

The times when birders are likely to be in the woods would be during spring, summer, and fall. Any conflict would be during the fall migration. Frankly, I don't see a problem with multiple use. I am in the woods during most of the fall from the beginning of September through the first week or so of January and have not seen a bird watcher in the past ten years, and I seldom see other hunters. This argument that the woods are dangerous to birders simply does not hold water. While I don't mind sharing the woods, I see no reason to shorten hunting seasons because of it. Let the others who use the woods be careful just like I am during hunting season.

RE: Pa. "Wilds"
 

????????????? I can't believe any true hunter could go along with these nincapoots !!!!

RE: Pa. "Wilds"
 

T, one more thing I want to add is you said we need to be good stewards in the name of habitat, well what about our great higher ups making these remarks, why can't they come up with anything other then make deer numbers unhuntable, then say its not a recreation. I'd be glad to work together, but right now it doesn't appear that way!!! Look where we are at now, Just keep letting Philly run the show, yeehaw!!!

RE: Pa. "Wilds"
 

Actuallyturkeyhunter I don't mind sharing with the other groups either.Afterall the state forest land was set aside for recreation.Now the gamelands are a different story.Hunting should always be the main function on there.
But I have to say I've never seen a birdwatcher in the woods.The way everybody keeps mentioning them these a days you would think they are everywhere.I honestly believe Rendell and his appointees from Philly are trying to diminish or in time prevent hunting on state forests.Their comments lately sure appear that way.
He'll never get my vote.I'll pass these statements along to other hunters.
Ed Rendell,the anti hunting governor of the state with 1 million hunters.

RE: Pa. "Wilds"
 

It is absolutly sickening what is happening to hunting in this part of PA. I used to live on Pine Creek in Pine Creek Valley. They already ruined a lot for hunters there when they put in the Pine Creek Trail. I still live in the area but now all I hear is more and more liberals and yuppies coming in to change our way of life. VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

RE: Pa. "Wilds"
 

Tell ya what Otter,it sounds like they want to turn Potter county into the Poconos.

RE: Pa. "Wilds"
 

Watch out Otter, next thing you know they'll fence off everything and then you'll have New yorkers bussing in to take pictures from the outside. Liberals love that sort of nature viewing.