In my area we have lots of reclaimed strip mines. in the last 5 years the cover out in these fields are amazing. i have been noticing a lot of rabbits. now seems like we have lots of predators also, coyotes are up and the hawks are out of control. but seems like enough cover for the bunnies to keep it up. now how would this area do for pheasants? have they tried any areas like this? not just stocked but to try and get a wild pop. going

I honestly do not know the answer to this question BUT do other states have problems with their small game populations?

Are they doing something different?

I know habitat is the key. I also know that predators take their toll.

I just think if pheasants would roost in trees and not on the ground like the stocked birds do, they'd have a much better chance of survival. I wonder if there is something they can do to get the pen raised birds to roost off of the ground?

I buy corn for my deer feeder for $6.50 for a 100lb bag. Its pretty cheap. I wonder why the PGC can't plant corn on some areas of State Game Land, and leave it standing throughout winter to feed game animals.It wouldn't be that costly to try on a few SGL and see what would happen. There are already many acres of brushy fields to provide nesting cover on SGL already.

Plant corn

Stock " roost trained pheasants" in the spring

Talk some sportsmans clubs into having predator hunts on these SGL

Allow a year round season on fox, raccoons

Trap and transfer rabbits.


Put it this way, I just don't see any effort to improve small game populations in PA. There are many things that can be tried that aren't.

This, and the other topic about the "other" PA issues, makes me think that the best and possibly only thing that will improve the management is if "all" or at least many of the hunter in the state and those that frequent it were to find an organization willing to question the Comissions lack of followthruon a state level. Although the other topics may best be served by petitioning the Legislature instead of the Comission.

I would say that if enough State Legislators were to find a significant number of people voicing theirdoubts regarding the conduct of Officers, you would see that concern for their own continued existance in the LegislativeBody would bring a quick review of conduct and statute interpretations concerning the PGC.

(frankly, I have already done my own write-in to my Senator about the very thing. Not that one voice will be heard, but better one than none.)

Quite frankly, I think it is the "politics" of hunting that got us into this mess and I wish for them to stay out of it. Decisions should be made on the data, not on some feel-good publicity seeking politcian's OPINION. IMHO

ChuckS

What choice does one have when the agency will not control it's officers?

What choice does one have when the agency will not respond to hunters inquiries and wishes?

The legislators are the oversight factor in the scheme of things. It's only too bad the PGC did not have any oversight over Dr. Alt. If it had, Pennaylvania would not be in the poor (Game [No pheasants, por grouse numbers, large areas with severe low deer numbers, areas with far too many deer]) situation it now is in.

I do not want my children to believe,it is the law that they have to let enforcement officers search them or their property when they get older without a court order.. I will not allow them to be corrupted this way and our constitution mean nothing to them...In 10 or 20 years many children growing up won't know what the constitution is...I am not goanna let my children be sheep by these unlawful acts of law and for them to think it is allraight and lawful to do.... Not this man and I would advise many to think the same on your childrens future when it comes to these kinds of acts....

This is my biggest problem with the PGC is the fact they do not have the facts and data nor are they using a progrm to even come close to the facts of there management. Everything the PGC seems to do is on estimated data. They do not even truely know how many deer was harvested last yr so how can they possible have any idea the condition of the herd truely is. I hunt Ohio and WV besides PA and neither of these states seem to come close to the problems that PA has in trying to manage the deer. Both these states use a deer check in so I feel they get better data on the deer killed. It is also so much easyier on the sportsman that it just doesn't even compare to PA. I go to wal-mart and buy my tags no mailing in and hoping crap if I want additional tags some over populated areas have them. And for those saying well everyone will hunt in the same areas for does and kill all the deer in those areas it just doesn't happen. Ohio has been using this system for many yrs now and we don't got anywhere in the same condition as Elk, Forest county region (2G I think it is) The deer herd up there has been slaughtered. Just my opionion and you have the right to disagree with me but I wish the PGC would be torn down and a new system put into place that actually focused on facts and the well being on the wildlife being there biggest concerns.

Trytan

The problem Pennsylvania has with check stations is that they don't have the manpower to man them. You see, their interpretation of a check station is a location that is manned by a Game Warden. They don't trust the merchants or the public to be able to fill out a simple questionaire such as:

Buck or Doe?

County?

WMU?

Points on antlers?

Date of Kill?

Weight?

License #

What most of us common people neglect to understand is that only a (trained) Game Warden has the knowlege and expertise to fill out such a form. Just because you may have been fortunate enough to graduate high school or obtained a degree from a college (that probably was not officially approved by the PGC) or possibly have the skills to manage a business does not mean that you have the required ability and common sense to fill out a questionaire as shown in my example.

What you have to understand is that a (less than)40% return report card result is entirely acceptable to the agency. In fact, it's scientific and they have the proof.

It's just oe more thing we suspicious hunters have to get used to.

Windwalker7, I just read an article in Deer & Deer Hunting magazine that said when deer destroy the habitat it directly effects rabbit and grouse populations.

My girlfriend and I at the time (now my wife) where doing some naughty things in my truck. I decided that I should plug in my spot light, just incase. Shortly after we finished our fun, the lights started flashing as the warden pulled up. He asked us what we were doing. I lied and said spotting of course. He asked to check out my truck, which I let him. all was fine after that.

You all have to remember, if somebody is out doing something illegal, such as poaching, what else will the do? How many wardens and deputies had a gun pulled on them or aimed at them? At times, you just can't blame them. If your not doing anything illegal, then you shouldn't have anything to worry about! I'm sorry for those that have had bad experiences, but they ( PGC) are only looking out for the best interests.