I have an unused tag (antlered or flintlock either sex). I also have a muzzleloader stamp. As I understand it, I can shoot a doe and put that tag on it. Is that only if I use my flintlock? If I decide to use my bow, can I only shoot a buck? If this is the case, it doesn't really make sense. It's the late/primative weapons season, the tag can be used for either sex, but only if you use the more advanced of the primative weapons? How would this benefit the herd? I would use my flintlock if I were hunting in a rural area. However, since I'm hunting in a more populated area I'm using my bow. That kind of protects the does living in heavily populated areas but does not in more rural areas. Am I missing something?

Scott Meier
White Oak Lodge

Scott,

Yes, the PA muzzleloader stamp allows you to shoot either sex but the bow, only buck. I never thought about it but you are right. They should also make the late bow season the same way and not favor rifles, even flintlock rifles.

I would think that the reason to allow for both only in late ML was to stimulate more rifle hunters to shoot ML flint. I don't know if it worked but I do enjoy that season. Less hunters in the woods and more opportunities to hunt, even a longer season.

T

It seems kind of backwards. They want to thin the does and save the bucks. However, I will be forced to shoot a buck tomorrow. I guess I can live with that.

Scott Meier
White Oak Lodge

My guess is that the number of people who would find themselves in your situation Barnes is quite small and the PGC wouldn't even bother with addressing that case.

The use of your buck tag for an either sex tag in late flintlock was set up when the flintlock season was first introduced. If you bought a ML stamp then you had to forfit your doe permit.
Being this is no longer ths practice some hunters are asking the same question as you. If the game commission would give the flinters an early season for them only to hunt bucks like archers have I could see archers having the same use of their buck tag in the late season.