Tom Venesky speaks to PA hunting license sales trends.

http://www.timesleader.com/sports/outdoors/Hunting_may_be__on_target_for_rebound_in_Pa__TOM_V ENESKY_OUTDOORS_02-22-2009.html

Certainly good news.

Thanks for the post Denny!

Looks like ar might save hunting in PA.

Odd there is no mention of an actual increase in license revenue in that article.

Based on the: "Nonresident license sales also decreased from last season by 2,283". According to my cyphering, and just based on General Licese sales numbers, the license revenue actually decreased by roughly $130k.



"The drop in nonresident license sales is a surprise considering the increase in large bucks due to antler restrictions ought to be a draw for out-of-state hunters."

And given the fact that gas prices duringmost of DeerSeason were the lowest in several years.

I have cousin from Ohio, also a buddy and his two son's who live inSW- NY, that come to PA. to hunt.It was the economy in general that kept them from coming to PA.this past season. My cousin is a professional fishing guide.His business was down last year. My buddy from NY. owns and operates produce farming along Lake Ontario, hehad a tuff year also. This is why they didn't spend to hunt in PA.[/align]

So harvesting fewer 2.5+ buck than in 2002 ,is going to save hunting? I don't think so.

It sure seems the economy isn't slowing down some PA Folks from hunting or looking tohunt elsewhere.

http://www.huntingpa.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1022838&amp ;Board=2&fpart=all&gonew=1#UNREAD

Yeah, you are right there.For some guys, the economy,possible lost wages or even divorce,are not going to stop them.

Anybody ever consider maybe guys went back to hunting to put some meat on the table.With the state of the economy and the ability to kill a multitude of deer,trying to fill the freezer was the only reason they bought a license and hunted again.If that's the case,I wouldn't get all warm and fuzzy about the sales increase if in fact there was one.

Use a three and five year average, like RSB always does, this slight increase has little effect on the overall picture.

The only positive that I see on the license sales, up to and including 2007, resident senior lifetime renewals keep increasing. This means moreseniors are renewing there licenses than dying or quitting hunting.Resident senior and resident senior lifetime licenses are decreasing, even though the Baby Boomers are comingto retirement age and beyond, lets keep with positives.