Hunter opportunity

5329 Views 44 Replies 26 Participants Last post by Likarok, Jan 18, 2013

eyefromthesky

Discussion Starter · Jan 15, 2013

I see some 'groups' of hunters wanting more opportunity for whatever reasons, especially for deer. I hunt with a bow, inline, flintlock and rifle and have about ten plus weeks to do so. I only limit my opportunities if I choose to limit them for myself.

Can anyone explain to me how any hunter in this state, in this day and age, is being denied opportunity? Anyone?

1 - 20 of 45 Posts

4c_game_chaser

· #2 · Jan 15, 2013

Nope, I'm with you 100%. If it is legal, I hunt it, with every weapon possible. I don't feel at all like I am being denied, if anything I feel like we have way too much opportunity for the low price we pay.
In fact, a few months ago I was contacted by the state of Utah to discuss a few things with them pertaining to adding opportunity in their state. The one thing their wildlife director said that stuck out was "WOW, with all the seasons and tags you guys give out coupled with the license sales, how do you even have enough wildlife left to enjoy across the state?".
I laughed, explained our current situation with quite a few species. He responded with "We want to allow opportunity, but not at the expense of the future of our sport".
so before anyone bashes PA for what they don't allow, consider in other states that even RESIDENTS aren't guaranteed a tag every year for every game animal

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dpms

· #3 · Jan 15, 2013

IMO, I think we are at a stage that pretty much no group is denied opportunity. With that said, I do believe that we have some opportunities that exist that would not cause any legitimate concern for our resources.

If that makes any sense.

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Esox_Hunter

· #4 · Jan 15, 2013

I do agree with you that there are lots of deer hunting opportunities available at this time and I am certainly not complaining as a bowhunter and slugger.

However, I still believe that additional opportunties are a good thing in general, provided that they don't hurt the resource. I still haven't figured out why so many hunting "groups" are opposed to such ideas as SH, Saturday rifle opener, and inlines in late Muzzy season. All of which would increase opportunity, while having a minimal impact on the resource as evidenced in numerous other states.

irishxc

· #5 · Jan 15, 2013

I love the oppurtunities we have. I just think that the seasons are too long and we have too much time to hunt. With the advent of crosss bows and the fact that we have until mid november to hunt deer, we are taking too much away from the rifle hunter, who does buy the most licenses in the state. If you are going to hunt from Sept 28th, make the first 2 weeks of archery doe only. Then that one week early muzzloader period. That means no buck killed until the 3rd week of October. Most bowhunters I know dont really get zeroed in till around Halloween which is generally when the rut kicks in. This would save some buck from not being killed in the first 3 weeks of the season and they would be around for the rifle season. I know where I hunt the pressure is down in rifle because so many are already tagged out. JMO

R.W.J

· #6 · Jan 15, 2013

There is nothing stopping the rifle hunter from picking up a bow,

buckmasters243

· #7 · Jan 16, 2013

I could say elk, but that is limited not denied. But I guess your talking about deer opprotunities,if so then at least give them another saturday or sundays to hunt for rifle for the people who don't have time to hunt during weekdays. Just a suggestion it would be nice,but I know that it won't happen.Also keep in mind the old grandpas and other older hunters that can't always go out when they want because there bodies can't keep up with their heart. There bodies hurt and such

Woods walker

· #8 · Jan 16, 2013

Really? Now seasons are suposed to be set for people who don't have time to hunt! If anyone in this state doesn't have time to hunt deer they probably should stop hunting them with all the seasons with various sporting arms we have in this state if a person cannot find the time to hunt, they don't want to find it..

.204

· #9 · Jan 16, 2013

+ 1 John

buckmasters243

· #10 · Jan 16, 2013

I was just saying who doesn't who doesn't hunt archery. Or has a bow or muzzleloader.

Q2XL12

· #11 · Jan 16, 2013

+2

ICAREDOYOU

· #12 · Jan 16, 2013

Esox_Hunter said:
I do agree with you that there are lots of deer hunting opportunities available at this time and I am certainly not complaining as a bowhunter and slugger.

However, I still believe that additional opportunties are a good thing in general, provided that they don't hurt the resource. I still haven't figured out why so many hunting "groups" are opposed to such ideas as SH, Saturday rifle opener, and inlines in late Muzzy season. All of which would increase opportunity, while having a minimal impact on the resource as evidenced in numerous other states.

With all the opportunities to hunt, I don't see why we need MORE.

irishxc

· #13 · Jan 16, 2013

RJ..as i said this is jmo...but i have seen it on this site about pgc members stating that the majority of license purchases come from rifle hunters. You are correct...they can always pick up a bow, but if we cut back those 3 weeks of killing bucks there probbaly would be more available in rifle season. And yet not cut back on sesons lengths. I am worried that that we are killing to many buck...these xbows are doing a number on the herd. again, i am always worried about the deer herd. I just wonder is the oppurtunity to kill buck too long.

outofstater

· #14 · Jan 16, 2013

I listen to a very close friend and hunting buddy whine, complain, etc about to many and too long of seasons. My responce is and he can well afford it go buy yourself a bow, muuzzy and join the fun. I see the bashing on here at times about x bow at times and it isnt like Pa. just invented them. There is opertunity and if its legal weapon or season i will enjoy. I have hunted the last 3 years early season with my inline. But i have not fired a shot not because i didn have the chance but i enjoyed the hunt. I have been going to Colorado last 4 years hunting. You could be aresident out there and not be able to walk across the road to go deer hunting for 5-6 years because of tag draw. Also you would have to pick the season and weapon, if you drawed bow you would not be hunting rifle. We have it pretty good back here. One reason why i dont whine for changes.

outofstater

· #15 · Jan 16, 2013

Season lengths? I live in Md. and our bow season starts now Sept. 1 thru rifle season. We have a early muzzy season same time as Pa. and can take bucks. Late archery comes back in after rifle thru Jan. 31. This is what you call lengthly seasons and we still have deer. The x bow is not going to ruin your state it just brought them up witht he times of other states.

dpms

· #16 · Jan 16, 2013

jrya said:
RJ..as i said this is jmo...but i have seen it on this site about pgc members stating that the majority of license purchases come from rifle hunters.

Just to add to the discussion that rifle only hunters do not have the great majority that they once had. Of all deer hunters, firearms only hunters comprise about 58-60% of our deer hunters according to the PGC. If the trend continues, we will see a 50/50 split with half of our deer hunters archery hunting.

irishxc

· #17 · Jan 16, 2013

stater...i am not saying to cut back the length of the seasons. if the pgc wants to start on sept 28th so be it... i will be out there with my bow, then the inline, then the bow again, then the rifle, then the flintlock....i love them all. I just worry about the number of deer killed, especially buck. Hunt to your hearts content the first 3 weeks, fill your doe tags, then go hunt the rut with the bow.

Woods walker

· #18 · Jan 16, 2013

If you were really worried about deer numbers you wouldn;t be hunting in bow season rifle season and muzzleloader season.

rugered

· #19 · Jan 16, 2013

Here's a few: There is no opportunity to hunt buck with an inline unless you do it during rifle season. This year there was only one day with an opportunity to big game hunt with a bow (deer, bear, turkey). That was fun and what would it hurt to have a few more days of that. What about an opportunity to just let people hunt where they want with flintlocks instead of just where they have a tag. Why not get a tag with your license like some states do? Oh, why not a few days of either sex inline season after Christmas like MD has. So there are a few opportunities.

eyefromthesky

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jan 16, 2013

Here's a few: There is no opportunity to hunt buck with an inline unless you do it during rifle season.

That makes no sense, an inline is a rifle, so is a flintlock. It's called rifle season, not high powered centerfire rifle season. How is it not an opportunity to hunt buck with those weapons in rifle season?

Thank you for bringing that up btw.

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