I have hunted the same farm for the past 21 years. About two years ago I noticed a lot of new hunters, at least eight, on the property with Pa plates. When I had a chance to talk to some of them they all talked about the liberal bag limit in MD compared to PA and the fact that they can shoot any buck that they see.

They also say that they are seeing bigger bucks in PA than they ever have in the past. They acknowledge that the antler restrictions are working but still come to MD to shoot our deer before they can mature. Also, apparently there is a culture of deer drives in PA. These guys sit still until about 9:00 and then every deer on the property is running. By 10 they have chased everything off the grounds and the hunt is finished for the day.

I know they have the owners permission to hunt the land and that they buy a license and are perfectly legal but I am tired of them. I wish MD would raise their non-resident license fees to make it less attractive to these characters. OK, you can flame me now. Just try to put yourself in my shoes for a moment before you unload on me.[:-]

As a Maryland-born Virginia hunter who pays $140 for a non-resident license, I have to disagree. Yes, MD has high bag limits, but that's because of all the deer running across the place and damaging property and causing accidents. There's plenty to go around, and how can you fault a true hunter for pursuing his game? If you want to get angry, point the finger at slob hunters wherever they come from, not simply all non-residents.

Not much of a flame, but maybe a belch of smoke.

I love the PA hunters, deer driving is a big thing in PA. When they come down to our land and drive, if your setup in the correct areas they will run deer past you all day long. On a day when deer movement might be low, you can count on deer running all over the place by 9-10am. I just sit tight in my stand and let them chase all the deer to me, I think its great.

Aught Six,

Nowhere in my message did I call them "slob hunters". Please do not put words in my mouth.
SteveFinMD

Steve F. as a PA hunter you'd think I'd be offended but I feel for you. You are right about the driving, but as Lefty said if you put yourself in the right spot you'll be golden while they play dog for you. Maybe you can try to talk these guys into holding off on smaller buck so you Maryland guys can have some nice bucks too. Hopefully they'll listen and you guys can all work together. Good luck.

Hey , all you guys can come to Jersey & hunt our bears ....wait we cant even hunt our bears Those outta state licences put alot of $$$ into managing your MD deer herd.

You can come up to PA and hunt whenever you want. We should all be sharing the resource. I owe you a couple because I've eaten a few Chesapeake striped bass in my day. Sorry we can't offer you any sika deer, though.

HuntingBry,

So far, everyone of them has been friendly. I'm not trying to be critical of them as individuals. If I had their situation in PA I would probably be looking for somewhere else to hunt too. I'm just indulging is some good old self pity wishing things could stay the way they were. Some of us old far?s just don't accept change as well as we could.

It'll all be good.

SteveFinMD

After this year in Pa ,get ready there will be more coming your way. I talked to a guy from tioga county .they have 43 hunters in there big camp and got 5 deer

I heard that NY didn't do too hot this year either. Something else is up besides all the deer being wiped out. I agree that the system needs to be revamped, but I think this season would have been slow no matter what.