Update: Pennsylvania Game Commission Releases ' Mistaken Deer Kill' Report
 

Got this in a weekly NAHC email...

RE: Update: Pennsylvania Game Commission Releases ' Mistaken Deer Kill' Report
 

Here is what NAHC had in their magazine.

" Preliminary results from the PGC indicate hunters in the state illegally killed nearly 1,900 white-tailed deer this past season-a number officials attribute to the state' s new antler restrictions. The restrictions implemented this past rifle season require most hunters to shoot deer with at least three points on at least one antler. The final numbers won' t be ready until spring, but officials say preliminary figures show the PGC succeeded in getting hunters to kill more does than bucks in an attempt to balance the herd. For more information, call (717) 787-4250."

It' s a step in the right direction.

RE: Update: Pennsylvania Game Commission Releases ' Mistaken Deer Kill' Report
 

The numbers are surprisingly low if accepted at face value, but I do not think that any of us believes that the actual number of " mistake kills" is the same as the reported number of mistake kills.

RE: Update: Pennsylvania Game Commission Releases ' Mistaken Deer Kill' Report
 

Frank, I think you' re probably right, unfortunately. I know the local boys where we rifle hunt felt us " city slickers" could hold out for a 6 point, but they were dropping anything with horns. As time goes on though, they will fade out and the numbers of bucks being shot that don' t meet the standards will become fewer.

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RE: Update: Pennsylvania Game Commission Releases ' Mistaken Deer Kill' Report
 

Your right shed, there were probably many unreported kills. But on the brighter side, I' m sure there were probably many deer saved for next season:D

RE: Update: Pennsylvania Game Commission Releases ' Mistaken Deer Kill' Report
 

Oh, I do agree with that and do not want to appear entirely pessimisitic...just somewhat more realistic than what the game commission posted. :)

Sadly, I saw quite a few does left to rot in the woods this year after rifle season was over. One was even gutted. No excuse for that whatsoever.[:@]

RE: Update: Pennsylvania Game Commission Releases ' Mistaken Deer Kill' Report
 

thats what I figured is that they just post something like that but never would mention about how many were left to rot or feed coyotes. I know at least the coyotes ate good this year.

Brian

RE: Update: Pennsylvania Game Commission Releases ' Mistaken Deer Kill' Report
 

I think we all agree a lot goes unreported. But the game commission has to report what figures they have to work with. That is the job of any government agency.

Even if everything was reported there isn' t enough manpower to investigate every claim or to remove every carcass. Hence they are always telling us to support SPORT. (Sportsmen Policing Our Ranks Togeher) I don' t know about you but it sounds great in theory but I know I am not going to rat out folks on neighboring properties. I keep my group ethical and responsible but other than that I won' t step into someone else' s business. Something about a guy with 5 teeth and a gun and reporting him to game commission seems like a deathwish.

More importantly it was a safe season. One of the safest on record, I think we are all thankful for that. Especially weird if you consider the fact that the doe season has run at the same time as the buck season. I know that created a real concern about safety, " brown and down" had the potential to turn lots of woods into a shooting gallery. I say to All PA hunters that it is great news and we all must keep doing our part.