The State of hunting in PA
 

Hopefully, this will not get locked or deleted.

I have been watching, occasionally posting and reading other articles about the situation here in PA. In all the years of hunting I participated in I have never seen this state in such turmoil. Yes, the changes were very dramatic and a lot of people were directly affected. Our heritage here in this state is at stake. Not because of one managers decision to cull the herd back into a normal balance, but because of the reaction of sportsman across this state. Just because we are told we can harvest more antlerless deer doesn't mean we have to. Self control goes a long way.

I am very concerned about our sport, our lifestyle, that so many of us love. Comments about conspiracies and derogatory remarks about individuals does nothing for us but make our fellow hunters look bad. Now, we are turning on one another, not in constructive critisism, but taking cheap shots at each other just because we disagree. There's nothing wrong with disagreeing on topics, I do all the time. But lets think before we speak. Others, not just the people you are responding to, but those from outside hunting.net, maybe even the Game Commission itself could be viewing these threads. I for one don't want PETA, or any other anti-hunting organization taking a quote from something i said here and using it as a campaign slogan showing how hunters are blood thirsty villains upset because we don't have anything or not enough of something to kill. Now, who wants that?

Its our sport, we can either take matters into our own hands and show self restraint or continue to harvest as much as they allow us. Us as hunters have an image to uphold to the general non-hunting public. Arguing, fighting, and in some cases shooting people over a deer does nothing but convey a bad image for us. We have to stick together or we may be in serious trouble in the futere. Not from the game commission, but from anti-hunters just dying to get their hands on our heritage.

RE: The State of hunting in PA
 

I agree whole heartedly Muzzy, I left this forum for quite awhile after I replied to a post my very 1st time because (in my opinion) of the treatment I got from another member. And told myself I wouldn't return (there are other forums) because of some of the stuff I was reading from attacks on other members. We have to remember we are all in this together. We will always have disagreements, that's only natural, but we need to move ahead as one.

RE: The State of hunting in PA
 

It's ashame how hunters who foot the bill have lost our voice.

RE: The State of hunting in PA
 

I hunt several states in the northeast and can't believe the way hunter/sportsman argue. I'm a union carpenter and our motto is stand alone fight alone. Stand together and fight together. We are a minority both, the union and sportsman. We as sportsman are always on the defensive let change that and become the offense as it puts all of us back in controll. They have controll, because we let them. It's our money, our vote, and our heritage. Here in the Northeast it is the birth place of the revolution. All these sportsman organizations are good at keep our heritage but, are always waiting for the state to make the first move. Here in NJ we shouldn't try and fight for just one bear season. We should fight for a bear and dove season. Make the anti's fight more then one issue it spreads their resources thin. Divide and conquer. PA you should be doing the same. Along with NY, WV, ME ( by the way great job at sticking together and defeating the anti's on your bear hunts) If all of us would spend half as much time fighting the enemy(anti's) as we would spend sitting on our a$$, we would all be in better shape. If you noticed, I said "WE" not I, you, or them. A bundle of sticks is harder to break the just 1 twig.

RE: The State of hunting in PA
 

I dont think I will leave this board ,but leave Pa has become a priorty in my life.The state is

really going down the tubes when it comes to high taxes,loss of open land,infiltration of city slickers, and the future of hunting looking terrible. I have no argument with the hunters ,just the higher powers. If I was not disabled I would not even buy a license next year. But thank God I'm disabled and have the opportunity to hunt private corporation owned lands.I really feel sorry for the rest of you.May God watch over you.

RE: The State of hunting in PA
 

I understand your position on standing together,it merits attention. Being a realist, I see with opened eyes exactly what's happening, and we're (hunters)slowly losing ground . This is to be expected, as more city dwellers move out to the "country" to live, as more high-tech games are introduced to our youth, a combination of many variables attribute to the falling away in our sport. The in-fighting only speeds the demise.
It's not feasible, or even sensible to believe we can have multiple tags for every hunter...expect many to be filled...and still have a properly balanced herd of ANY type animal.The conflict arises between hunter and conservationists(scientists) when the goals of both are in direct conflict with each other. Sorta like having your cake and eating it too.The solutions are as complex as the problems, but never doubt that $$ is TOP priority, for without it, the State programs don't run. Fact of life,and most here are mature enough to understand that. Most decisions are trade-offs in one way or another. there's NO miracle solution where EVERYONE'S staisfied..and that isn't restricted to any State boundries.The heritage of hunting is not dead, nor will it really ever be. It's gonna change alot, and we better get used to that idea,right now. The minority has ALWAYS had to fight harder, and we're no different. It's a shame that things are changing, but at least we can still pursue the game we respect more than any politician could understand. Just realize WHAT you're facing, and HOW MUCH involvement it's gonna take...it means actually DOING something like sending emails or writing letters. Just don't be irrate when pre-made decisions are announced that go against Ya. THAT too is a fact of "Government"life.

RE: The State of hunting in PA
 

Isn't it ironic how the environmentalists want to kill more deer and the hunters want to kill less?

RE: The State of hunting in PA
 

One of the things that make this country great are private property rights.Alot of people bitch about city slickers moving to the country.That land they bought was for sale to any body.Maybe more hunters should look into buying that property they have been hunting on.With timber values oil & gas leases and just the constant increases in property value buy land can be a great investment.Hows your 401 K doing?Some of the least popular parcels ie. swamps or low lands,old strip mines.are a great value as hunting lands go.Get family members , friends or just like minded people to buy several smaller tracks and manage the land as you see fit.The tree huggers are not with us they are against us. The future of hunting will be decided buy the people that own the land.

RE: The State of hunting in PA
 

It's amazing with all the supposed hunter organizations like UBH, and the plethora of other HUNTING lobbyists in Pa. that the only progress made in the past few years was to reduce the safety zone from 150 to 50 for archers. You join these organizations to show your support for them to help voice your opinion on hunting issues and when it comes time for their input we get come Tiny Tim spokesman that has no idea on how to approach a resolution or compromise. This is absurd![:@] All the negative comments on doe harvest allotments in Pa. over last years limits and our illustrious PGC is considering extending the doe season. Where are these organizations that are to be lobbying OUR views?

RE: The State of hunting in PA
 

I think you guys might be over-reacting when you try to characterize hunting as a "tradition" in "turmoil."

They're not taking our hunting rights away, just kicking around a management program. PGC isn't trying to undermine an American tradition.
PETA hates us anyway - we don't have to TRY or BICKER to put us at the top of their deathwish list.
I don't see this earthquake cracking the foundation of hunting as we know it. Frankly, I'm a little more worried about the price of my fishing license next year.

RE: The State of hunting in PA
 

quiksilver's right, the anti's are always gonna have us at the top of their list when it comes down to any kind hunting management. They're not gonna give up because they lose 1 or 2 battles, it just pisses them off even more. Let's face it, they apparently believe deer and skunks talk to each other and have lovely tea parties by the brook, whilst us evil-doers are trying to kill their kids- how Walt Disney of them. All we can do is tackle each issue as it presents itself, and deal with it then. Although, they obviously haven't been listening up this point about deer herd levels so far. I can't understand why they barrel along blinded about the issues when state gov. officials are taking notice. I don't think the deer levels are as bad in most areas as proclaimed in some of these forums, but I have noticed in my area, the herd size is reduced to a lower point than I can remember. I've looked at the PGC booklet for a website to send my objections and complaints too, but up to this point, have been unable to find one. Let's face it, not all of us can get to the meetings they hold, but through local hunting clubs we should be able to send a message(s) they will hear loud and clear. I see chickory has gone to this last one and posted some of the areas they covered, but unless you're there, you can't get all of it.

Does anybody know of a website I can send get into to send my 2 cents to the PGC?

RE: The State of hunting in PA
 

arrowchucker
The deer dont have tea partys
and bombfires dang i wasted all
that tea
anyway someone made the commet
about buying land and i have about 500 acre itake care of
right now but 1 old guy died
about 6 weeks ago his son took
a bus in from NYC and is going
to sell his 100 acres there is
a 18 acre lake on it they are
asking 200 thou for it so when you whoever said that anyone can buy it i cant i am a 26 yr
old cabinet fac supeviser that comes from a poor family and couldnt afford it
one of my other neighbors went in a nusring home last winter
and there daughter said already to me that she will sellwhen her
parents die thats 200 acre of prime deer hunting and i am sure i wont be able to buy that
soon enough my 50 acre will be
surronded hopefull the farmer next to me can hang in there
my point just because its for sale to anybody dont mean anybody can buy it

RE: The State of hunting in PA
 

Several other posters have hinted that we are headed towards a "Texas-style" hunting state. Maybe we should be petitioning the legislature/PGC to raise basic license fees and put more money into land acquisition? They only pay, by law, $400 an acre I believe.

RE: The State of hunting in PA
 

Land is going for 40,000 a acre around here. Cheaper the more you buy. A farmer near bye sold 276 acres last month.a developer gave him 3.1 million

RE: The State of hunting in PA
 

cardeer move to crawford county land can be had most in areas for $1000.00 or less per acre.Pieces that have just been timbered can be had for alot less.

RE: The State of hunting in PA
 

I agree

I hunt in CT and our bowhunting organization's name is UNITED BOWHUNTERS OF CONNECTICUT. I underlined the word United because that is what we as hunters must stay!

RE: The State of hunting in PA
 

State of hunting in PA:D

I think its better than ever....Lets look.

1. AR...am seeing bigger and better bucks all over our countie(s) that I hunt. I killed the biggest buck I have ever killed in PA this year
2. Fewer deer...Yah but I can live with that!! (still decent #s)
3. Turkeys everywhere!!! 2 spring birds in 06
4. They are going to let you bear hunt this year during the first week in my area!
5. More opportunities (if you want to hunt) early muzzy, crossbows etc! Keep it coming!

What I would like to see......
1. Extend bow season 1 MORE WEEK IN NOVEMBER!!! Why are we the only state that about consistently misses the best part of deer huntin.
2. I think the WMU's could be made smaller at least in some areas. I actually think they did a good job of makeing up the WMU's in our area based on geography, deer #s etc.
3. Continued habitat improvement to Gamelands and more logging (at least in my area...the timber is getting HUGE!

& YA Mike I agree with ya about the $/acre the PGC pays,,,that sucks!! that needs to be updated! (YES YOU ARE CORRECT $400/acre) that dont buy squat in todays real estate market!!