Things not likely to change in PA... at least not this year.
#31
Tell that to your fellow archers who have been relying on the rifle hunters to control the herd ,while they hunted for their trophies. The antlered to anterless PS ratio is around 1:5 ,but the archery harvest B/D ratio is 1:1. If archers were the least bit concerned about balancing the B/D ratio our harvest rate would be one buck for every five anterless deer harvested.
The commisioners shot it down due to heat from the unified crowd and jealousy from some rifle hunters.
#32
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From:
I'm surprized the UBP didn't force it thru, guess the MAJORITY of hunters in Pa just didn't want a longer archery season,I mean don't they have a 6 wks already and more after Christmas???
#33
One thing we bowhunters have learned is patience...
and make no mistake, It's a comin.
Th e two week extension took time, the 50 yard safety zone took time...
Yep, its a comin!

and make no mistake, It's a comin.
Th e two week extension took time, the 50 yard safety zone took time...
Yep, its a comin!


#34
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From:
actually when faced with similar situation, the hunters of arkansas with AR/HR had thier archery season shortened...... and everyone had their bag limit dropped. That was about six years into it.
#35
Why don't you name the archers that don't want anymore doe killed. Most that I know of just want the number of antless tags reduced in areas like 2 G that are 3 DPSM below the OWDD goal.
I think you know who they are and I'm not going to single anyone out and risk steppin on the rules.
edit:
I just double checked. 2 G is the only WMU under goal
#36
Spike
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Williamsport PA. USA
Makes for some damn tough hunting also. I hunt Lycoming Co. in 2G and its not fun to try to pattern deer for archery when your not seeing them. Even in the area I live and hunt with farm lands the herd is down. Food isnt the cause lots around good mast this past season. Habitat is there lots of wood patches and brushy areas. Not even sure it the harvest . I usually know roughly how many are taken in my neighborhood. So you tell me why its down.
#37
Dont hunt there so I have no clue. It does kind of stand out though. why is 2G way down and all the rest of the WMU's are over goal?
#38
Spike
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Williamsport PA. USA
BT you hit the nail on the head.You dont hunt here and many of those who dont or wont realize that things are totally differant than their area. Same for me I dont hunt the SW corner or other areas of the state. Even I am not sure about other areas of 2G. Wish I had time to explore some of the other places but dut to things just dont have it. So I really cant say why some areas have deer and others dont. Is it due to habitat or something else all together. No clue. Could be a factor of poor habitat and hunter harvest combined in some places. This is where further refining of the WMUS need to be addressed. Will we see it? I doubt it. All I see in the future at least for this year is more doe tags and more dmap tags. Hope I am wrong.
#39
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 0
From: PA
I've been hunting the area all my life.The number one reason there are few deer is because most of the land is public-overharvesting.The lack of acorns in some areas and last year's winter played a very small role in it.
The deer that didn't survive were some fawns.A double wammy from Alt you could say.He says to shoot the mature does which leaves fawns which can't survive the severe winters,kinda like killing two birds with one stone.Being on the ground and actually in those areas I'd say the DPSM is below the 12 they're estimating.
The deer that didn't survive were some fawns.A double wammy from Alt you could say.He says to shoot the mature does which leaves fawns which can't survive the severe winters,kinda like killing two birds with one stone.Being on the ground and actually in those areas I'd say the DPSM is below the 12 they're estimating.


