I have read a lot of the posts on here and elsewhere regarding the current situation of PA's deer herd.

Having hunted in PA for the past 24 years, I have noted a significant change in the deer population, and through my own personal observations (& the observations of my family members/friends that also spend countless days afield every year), there is definitely a problem with the deer DISTRIBUTION in the state.

I truly belive that Gary Alt dida good thing with regard to antler restrictions, by allowing bucks to get older before being shot. For too long, spikes and 4's were the bread and butter of the antlered deer harvest in the state. There are now more bucks living longer, and consequently, they are getting better and bigger racks.

However, I also believe thathe sold out all PA hunters with the increased allocation of doe tags, and the change to allow does to be harvested during the entire 2-week regular firearms season. There are simply too many does being killed every year, and I don't belive the PGC truly has a handle on just how many are being illegally harvested every year throughout the season.

The counties of Berks, Bucks, Chester, Montgomery, and Philadelphia that are predominantly made up of private land and land near residential areas that are off limits to hunting are teeming with deer. However,the "big woods" areas that have lots of ground open to public hunting in areas such as Lycoming, Bradford, Potter, and Sullivan county have become virtually barren of deer.

In years past, we used to see herds of deer numbering in the dozens. During the past 4-5 years, we typically are lucky to see a dozen deer all day. Typically, we will see 5-6 per outing & this includes standing, still hunting, and driving.

For those of you that claim, we aren't hunting hard enough to see more deer, I offer the follwoing photos as my "resume." All of these deer were harvested on state game lands open to public hunting in the Williamsport area (Lycoming County.)

First, is the 8 pointer with a 20" spread my brother shot this year:


Next are two 8 pointers my brother and I harvested in 2003:


Last, is the big 8 pointer that I shot in 2000:


- Gr8ful Deer

I could not agree with you more. AR is super! Wanton reduction of does on public land was underestimated. I too have seen many folks get the best bucks of thier lives, others not see a deer. 4 weeks of long range weapondry is just too much, given the amt of pa hunters on these lands.

we all agree.the INLINE early oct season is wiping deer out here in clinton county.also 2 weeks of doe .archery hunters used to wait for buck, now they shoot a doe because of lack of deer. here is what we saw this year.crews of 20 hunters got 3 deer for 1 week.some only saw a deer.others, no deer. i only heard of 2 fawns being seen by hundreds of hunters in rifle season.very few saw bucks under the 3 point restriction.we feel that the little bucks are being shot to much also,legally and illegally.some adults are shooting the little bucks and having kids tag deer.maybe more than we are aware of.any way you look at it, are bucks and fawns going to be there in future ,so we can hunt nice ones like you got. i heard of some big bucks killed but not to many .the doe hunting should be stopped in 2g completetly and the 3 point restriction should be for all of us,kids and older adults included. if not, i dont see the little bucks getting old enough to become adults.again, very few saw a deer this year ,let alone a small buck or fawn.THATS DISTURBING .take care.

Sproulman:

You are right on with your observations!

I would love to see no gun hunting for any big game such as deer or bear before the regular firearms season. Especially now, since they allow bear hunting during the regular deer firearms season. Why have a separate bear season beforetheregular firearms one? ... just have a 2 week season concurrent with the first gun season.

Having guys blasting with muzzleloaders and hunting bear before the opening day of buck definitely screws up the activity and patterns of big bucks and makes them more nocturnal. The only time we see big bucks nowadays is when you stalk up to them in their beds, or when they are driven. Years ago, you used to be able to see big bucks in their normal daytime routines which made them easier to hunt.

I also don't see why they don't go back to the 2-day doe season after the 2 week buck season. That system worked for years before Gary Alt put out the regulatory changes that allow the all out slaughter of any deer for 2 full weeks.

It is not fair to allow people (including youths) to shoot does when the the woods have their highest concentration of hunters to chase them around. It is not very sporting if you ask me.

- Gr8ful