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30K views 363 replies 95 participants last post by  Mike M. 
#1 ·
Well now that the first week is over I’ve decided I would like the opener to go back to Monday. Camp was not the same this year, everything felt rushed. Traditionally in my family, we all go get our Christmas trees the morning after thanksgiving, then all go out for lunch. After the trees are up the guys always left for camp, usually around 3 or 4. This year we did the same, but it was stressful as heck for some of us who wanted to get it done so we could get camp during daylight. Usually guys would all show up Friday evening, some Saturday morning. We always hunted turkeys that day, and guys would go get their spots ready. There was always plenty of time to do little chores around camp that needed done, it was just a good relaxing time. Plus being at camp all weekend, with anticipation building up to the big day on Monday was pretty cool, I really missed that this year. I’m all for increased hunting opportunities, but honestly the trade off, one extra day of hunting vs losing the tradition of deer camp, not worth it. We have plenty of deer hunting opportunity here in PA, more then ever actually. I love deer hunting, and I work hard at it, but the time at camp, the camaraderie with friends and family, that is what made rifle season so great. The Saturday opener really put a damper on that. I noticed a lot of guys at local camps hunted Saturday and went home. Most of the guys at camp are really slowing down with age, and a few have passed on to the happy hunting grounds above. I don’t want to see this tradition die. Some of my most cherished hunting memories are of camp life, not actual hunting. It really makes me sad to think the kids in my family may never get to experience it. I know I can make new traditions and adapt to the times, I just don’t want to. Maybe it’s nostalgia, or maybe I’m just stubborn and set in my ways, I don’t know. Anyway, thanks for letting me rant, it’s been weighing on me.
 
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#170 ·
I actually enjoyed the Sunday layover. As mentioned in original post, I felt kinda rushed. Sunday was a nice relaxing day, skinned and cut up deer too! I am okay with whatever. I really feel opening on Saturday then having Sunday only makes sense if there is a full doe inclusion. Which it doesn't make sense to me that the seasons are not concurrent from day 1. It would increase the success rate, which would keep and encourage more hunters. Isn't that what the Saturday opener was meant for??
 
#8 ·
a couple guys at camp I only see once a year, at deer camp. Another thing I noticed was a huge decline in hunters in the woods on Monday. Most guys used to take the first three days off at least, usually the whole first week. With all the deer hunting opportunities before rifle season these days, plus Saturday opener, why “waste” vacation days? So many camps were empty by Monday this year it didn’t feel like deer season at all. That was another tradition I loved, visiting the neighboring camps, the poker games, the deer stories. Camp next to us was empty for the opener this year, first time ever. I know it’s different for everyone, and some people were very happy with the new opener.
 
#13 ·
I seen on another thread on here that work places took away the Monday after thanksgiving because of the Saturday opener ( Most, if not all, the people I know always had to take a vacation day to hunt the opener on Monday except for some school districts). I doubt that a Sunday opener would change that, but a Sunday as the second day may be beneficial.
 
#16 ·
My point with the Sunday opener is the kids still get an extra non school day to hunt, or extra non work day for adults who don’t want to burn vacation to go hunting. And it gives the guys with camps a day of breathing room. And we could still hunt turkeys on that Saturday. Starting on Sunday next year would be the same as starting on Sat this year, without the day off between.
 
#20 ·
I don't like the Sat. opener. But I tell you this its here to stay. For the GC to change it back would be admitting to the mistake it was in the first place and that will NEVER happen.

That being said, I have looked for and found something good to say about Sat. opener. Shoot your buck opening day and you have Sunday to take your time and enjoy processing it. My wife and I always enjoy getting the meat cut and canned or froze.
 
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#49 ·
I don't like the Sat. opener. But I tell you this its here to stay. For the GC to change it back would be admitting to the mistake it was in the first place and that will NEVER happen.
This is 100% correct. For those of you who wish it will go back to a Monday, all I can say is keep dreaming because it isn't ever going to change back. Changing to the Saturday ticked a lot of people off. The only thing that would tick even more people off would be to change it back. It ain't gonna happen. The whole "we're going to look at it again after this year" statement was nothing but a ruse to get people to shut up and stop complaining about it.

The Saturday opener is here to stay no matter what anyone thinks about it.
 
#21 ·
It seems like in this debate it's a lot of the "go to camp" crowd verse those who do not have big travel logistics for camp.


My solution - leave the opener on Saturday, keep the first Sunday off, and the "Deer Sunday" would be the first weekend when the whole state goes concurrent antlered and antlerless.


Those who are unhappy with a Saturday start, just start on Monday like you used to, enjoy your long weekend going to camp just like you used to. And no whining because others chose to hunt Saturday. Keep your traditional Monday opener that you feel so strongly about. No one is stopping you but yourselves. On one hand, you have a camp tradition that you want to keep, so the heck with the rest of the population that could care less about camp or when it starts. But on the other hand, instead of just adjusting to the times and starting some new traditions, you also have to complain that everyone else is out there killing all the bucks before you get out there.



After all, so many complaints about no hunters, no shooting, camps boycotting out of spite, well then, there can't be THAT many hunters out in the big woods killing all the deer now can there? So very few will be hunting, 99% of those bucks will still be there.


Why not go to camp on Friday, hunt Saturday, camaraderie on Sunday, and hunt Monday just like you used to?
 
#23 ·
Myself and those I hunt with are going to be out there on opening, as long as we have a tag. Just wait until Monday to keep your tradition is one of the dumbest things I’ve heard, no offense. Those who don’t go to a camp, or never have, well I guess I can’t expect them to understand. I wish more people got to experience it, because try as I may, it’s not something that is easy to explain. You won’t hear me complain about not seeing game, too many/too few hunters, etc. I had a blue ribbon day on the Saturday opener, missed a bear and killed a nice buck. My issue has nothing to do with the actual hunting aspect. I’m all for getting kids out there and into hunting. Pull them out of school for few days. Not only do they get to go hunting and have fun, but they get to miss school as well! What kid wouldn’t love that. Pennsylvania gives all students three excused days to go hunting, no questions asked. Across the state a lot of schools were closed that Monday anyway. School districts are no longer going to do that with a weekend opener. It’s just sad we’re killing a huge and time honored tradition to gain one day of hunting, catering to a generation that quite frankly could use less catering, not more. To all those who don’t go to a camp, I’m sorry that you never experienced it, you missed out on something special.
 
#22 ·
Many camp owners in the northern tier opposed and continue to oppose the Saturday opener. But it’s become more evident every year that the effects of the traditional opening day mobs on deer movement are quickly disappearing. With low hunter turn outs, the popularity of treestands and the disappearance of deer drives it’s getting harder to recognize that it’s even opening day anymore in the big woods. Opening day of “rifle” season is soon going to resemble opening day of archery or spring gobbler season. And that’s a shame.
 
#24 ·
For me personally it does not matter what day the season starts on. But; IMO more people benefit from a Saturday opener vs a Monday opener, and I do appreciate the extra day.

Since the PGC received such a small amount of negative feedback from when it was proposed until it was implemented, I really doubt they will change it back to Monday.

Good luck, Tony
 
#32 ·
Tony, I don't know where you were hiding but the feed back they got was a lot more negative than positive on the Saturday opener! It also continued after the BOC passed it and the general assembly came to them about the complaints they were getting as well.
 
#25 ·
I hear so many people commenting that they don't want to use vacation days to hunt. If your job affords you vacation days, and you dont decide to use ONE of those days hunting. Then hunting is obviously not a priority for you. If you have a young family or other obligations and you'd rather use those days some other time, that's entirely your decision and you're free to do so. Be thankful your employer is granting you vacation time to do nothing , and use it how you feel comfortable.

That being said, who cares when the opener is? People will still complain. I have no trouble seeing and harvesting deer on public or private land year in and year out. Being self employed, I've had to miss some great hunting days like the opener or the Saturdays with perfect weather, but I never let it stop me from enjoying myself when I get out there. And when I worked for the " man" I chose my hunting time wisely.

I'm also sick of hearing about the added opportunity, when that Saturday opener came at the expense of every turkey, rabbit, pheasant, squirrel, and grouse hunter in the state.
 
#27 ·
I said before it didn't matter to me because I'm retired and can hunt anytime. Now that we've had a Sat. opener I didn't much care for the idea. As the OP said it seemed rushed to go hunting Sat. right after Thanks Giving. We all have our traditions and I really can't see any good reason to change them.
I always took vacation time off the first week and the kids always had the first day off school and I would keep them out another day or two if needs be. I can't see why if somebody really wanted to hunt the Monday opener they couldn't save some vacation for that purpose and keep the traditional Monday opener.
 
#28 ·
Saturday opener was Okay. I've seen less hunters this year and fewer shots heard. I'm seeing a lot of deer. Not pressured at all. I did like the Sunday off. I don't think I'll be hunting any of the Sundays but that's my choice. I liked the days in between Thanksgiving and the Monday opener. Got things done, took the wife out shopping or whatever, got my stuff ready. She was happy and which made me happier. The Friday this year was crazy. If the Saturday brings more younger hunters into the sport I'm all for it but I don't see that happening. Rural areas are shrinking, farms are folding. Growing up I'd race home from school, run to the top of the hill across the road to get in a 20 minute squirrel hunt. I don't think hunters are made from a one or two day hunt. They have to have family or mentors getting them out year round. Groundhogs, crows, trapping etc.
 
#31 ·
First of all the first Sunday of deer season is not a gimmee or is another Saturday opener. I like the Monday so instead of being called names on this site what we are going to do is start a letter writing campaign to the PGC. This may not help since I read 81% were against the Saturday opener. If it works that's good if not we will adjust . This year we kept the monday opener but we will never quit hunting.
 
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