Screamin Steel

Yes, PGC issues the tags. But they also give DCNR free reign in just about every facet og wildlife mgt, in the SF's.....not to mention in light of the blackmailing tactics used by the DCNR to help spur statewide HR, the PGC is basically afraid of the 800 lb gorilla. If the DCNR asked for 300,000 more DMAP tags next year, guess how many they would get?

bowhunter2117

This is where the PGC made a drastic mistake if they would have held their ground and not caved in, if they would have approached hunters through their web page and the media and made the average Joe aware of what was going on I think you would have seen a ground swell of support for a license increase or a call for a game lands stamp, a mandatory 5$ stamp where all money obtained would have been used only for game lands purchases then hunters would have respected the commission. Even now as Doug so often points out the PGC is a lame duck by forfitting their obligation to DCNR. Personally I feel if such a gesture were made today it would go a long way to restoring creditability between the agency and the only group supporting them PA hunters. It would show hunters that the agency is looking for ways to get out from under big brother DCNR and his profit driven motives and terror tactics and retake their obligation to the hunters of this state and the deer. I’m not saying the habitat is not important but deer management on any state grounds should never be profit driven. Even on private ground before dmap tags are issued proof of their need should be addressed. It’s not the game commission’s job to maximize a private land owners timber profits and place those profits above the animals they are sworn to oversee

DougE

I gotta disagree with you tess.Gamelands should be managed for game(not just deer) and they are.No private landowner should have to put up with any animal costing them income.There's no reason that anyone should bear a financial loss to fund someone else's hobby.As a hunter,I'M NOT CRAZY ABOUT dcnr'S MISSION but I understand that what we want as hunters effects the other 92% of residents that don't hunt.The PHGC did not cave into DCNR.They wanted a whole lot more than they actually got.I was involved with setting up a dmap plan for several years.If you want more than 1 tag for every 50 acres of forested land,you do have to show a deer management plan and proof of why you need more dmap coupons.DMAP is one of the best things the PGC has come up with.

DougE

Other than applying for and getting dmap tags,give me examples of how DCNR manages every other facet of game management.You are very,very wrong about that.Dcnr wanted,group hunting,tag sharing,baiting,longer seasons,the ability to transfer tags and rifles allowed in all seasons.They got none of that.You guys that hate the PGC and complain about everything they do have no idea what will happen once the PGC goes belly up.

Cornelius08

There we go with the perpetuating of anti/enviromentalist extreme sentiment/statement again! Cant you guys make a legit argument without reverting to the "we are only 8% why does anyone listen to us" speech? I can show that statement as having been made for years on antihunting message boards and enviro-flake sites, like audubon....Why on earth is it necessary here??? Especially when it is hardly meaningful in any way towards the topic.

Also, please don't pretend that those few who pushed for less deer speak for 92% of the residents! 92% of the residents werent polled. 92% of the residents didnt ask for this extreme deer program, and a helluva lot more than 8% support us as hunters in our positions. I guess none of us 8% have dozens of friends and family members who do not mind if the friggin deer herd is increased a reasonable amount? I guess everyone not including that ton of people oppose us doing so? C'mon doug. Give me a break. Thats ridiculous.

Sure they did. The pressures applied are well documented and we all, including you, have seen the proof as its been posted umpteen times on a few boards.

And thats proof? Hardly. Though Id agree currently that not much pressure is necessary when ecoextremists are currently onboard at pgc, so no, i dont completely blame dcnr.

Screamin Steel

Then answer me why the DCNR has to have their own wildlife biologists, and while you're at it, shoot a PM to your buddy Merlin Benner (who has been absent for some time on the message boards, ironically ever since BB handed his a$$ to him on another board) and ask him to give you the details of his job desctription. I believe you'll find that his jurisdiction goes beyond deer.

Cornelius08

I agree SS. There is so much overlapping management going on its ridiculous. Look at how many of pgc and dcnr's duties overlap...heck even fish & boat! They're all members of the biodiversity partnership, and also all take responsibility for some of the same species. Reptiles amphibians & such would be one example that all 3 claim responsibility. We know how involved both pgc and dcnr are with the deer.....and pgc gives law enforcement support to both of the other 2 agencies. And with species management Pgc is responsible for wildlife including those found on stateforest...and dcnrs interest dont stop with the stateforest boundaries either.

It makes no sense for the citizens of Pa to be paying 2 or 3 agencies to do the same jobs double or in triplicate!

Pgc says they dont have enough money when they take in more than any other game agency im aware of in the nation. In some cases double or triple other states. Not to mention the money the other Pa agencies are recieving to do many of the same jobs. Our situation in Pennsylvania is a complete joke.

bowhunter2117

I stated all landowners state and private should be responsible to show proof of deer damage and a true need for dmap coupons ill also include presenting a valid reason that their goals can’t be met through the regular anterless allocation. Proof of damage is a far cry from a management plan. Please explain to me what a management plan consists of? And what the qualifications are needed to draw up a plan? there are none any land owner can sit down and in 20 minutes draw up some half baked plan.

please Doug show me where the pgc is responsible to ensure a higher profit margin for any section of land, the game commission is there to manage the game within this state for the benefit of the states citizens they are not there to maximize profit

bowhunter2117

longer seasons, the ability to transfer tags tag sharing- give it a few years in the near future passing tags will be here it will start with youth then extend to all hunters

baiting- already here on SRA’s and if weren’t such a money maker thru citations you can bet your butt it would be legal state wide

longer seasons- what are mentored youth, early muzzle loader, early rifle for JR and SR hunters

Screamin Steel

If there are so many deer that a landowner and his neighbors/ family/ friends can't control them through general antlerless allocations, they should consider allowing a few more hunters than their little clique. Plenty enough doe tags and willing hunters out there that most private landowners would probably never have to DMAP.