[LostAgain]

The vast majority of people tracking after dark are carrying a weapon, legal or not;. how do you dispatch a deer if its still alive when you find it? Does it really matter unless the weapon is loaded? If they are gonna shoot a deer illegally, there are far easier ways to do it.

 

[bohunr]

Still whining?

Not illegal if you first call to let them know you're doing it. But just like tree stands left after the season, tracking after dark might be a law on the books but not enforced. Are you suggesting the start enforcing that law and confiscate every deer recovered after dark?

not at all, just wondering if its legal. i was always under the impression that it is illegal.

so...in your opinion if a hunter calls the PGC they can walk around the woods at night, with a light, during deer season with a gun, while tracking a wounded deer or any big game animal.

technically thats hunting after hours.

 

[dce]

The vast majority of people tracking after dark are carrying a weapon, legal or not;. how do you dispatch a deer if its still alive when you find it? Does it really matter unless the weapon is loaded? If they are gonna shoot a deer illegally, there are far easier ways to do it.

If you find a deer after dark and dispatch,you clearly broke the law.There's no dispute and the only reason to carry a weapon after dark is if you plan on doing so.I'm actually shocked that the guides allowed him to bring it and get it all on film.

 

[blackpowder]

I have watched his hunting shows since day 1. Am I a big fan? not really, but I like hunting shows and there is always something to possibly be learned. I have seen him with uncountable kills before, but his overall excitement and enthusiasm for this hunt and harvest is nothing like his others. Congratulations to him and his crew for an awesome hunt which I am sure will be one of their top hunts of a lifetime.

 

[WOL]

The vast majority of people tracking after dark are carrying a weapon, legal or not;. how do you dispatch a deer if its still alive when you find it? Does it really matter unless the weapon is loaded? If they are gonna shoot a deer illegally, there are far easier ways to do it.

It is technically illegal. I don't fault anyone for dispatching a wounded deer after dark. Sometimes you have to weigh the letter of the law against what is morally right. I imagine the spirit of the law is to prevent people from hunting after dark. A deer that is shot in legal shooting hours and dispatched after dark does not fit under this criteria and I feel is morally OK. Even though it's technically illegal.

 

[zak406]

We are debating some really inconsequential things here. At the end of the day they probably never left the flat up there so of course he is still going to have his bow. Just be happy that these opportunities exist here because otherwise the fate of pa hunting looks pretty bleak elsewhere.

If the pgc wants to fine me for dispatching an animal that is going to die a terrible death because its 5 minutes after hunting time then ethically I will pay that fine day in and day out. I don't hunt to wound and mame animals. Fortunately I don't wound them often but when I have I have made every attempt to rectify that.

 

[TrashPanda]

We are debating some really inconsequential things here. At the end of the day they probably never left the flat up there so of course he is still going to have his bow. Just be happy that these opportunities exist here.

Amen.

The rest of this nonsense is just mud slinging over a NR celeb getting an elk tag. Get over it already.

 

[zak406]

Amen.

The rest of this nonsense is just mud slinging over a NR celeb getting an elk tag. Get over it already.

I have openly stated I believe it was fair and square. However even if it wasn't I don't see anyone doing anything about it just bitching that he got it. If you remain jealous and upset over it that bad energy is going to ensure you never draw a tag.

 

[WOL]

I don't really care if he got it fair and square or not. I've never applied for a PA elk tag and never even saw an elk in PA. If you just posted a picture of the guy with an elk, I wouldn't even know he was a celeb.

 

[bohunr]

not slinging any mud or whining. just pointing out the obvious. you know, sorta like violating the law when they draw the names and allow us to apply more than one time to get a elk tag. (pa title 34)

seems a lot of laws are "bent" when it comes to elk hunting here in PA. what ritz did was illegal phone call or not.

No, it is illegal to carry a bow and attempt to track or hunt big game after dark in Pennsylvania
. While tracking a wounded animal after hours requires calling the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) for notification and a special exemption, possessing a weapon like a bow while tracking after dark is prohibited and will be considered prima facie evidence of hunting. Hunting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, with specific exceptions for certain furbearers.

 

[Swissman]

CONGRATS to hunter on that fine trophy!! As far as tracking after dark with a weapon one would think all laws were complied with in such a high visibilty hunt as this.

 

[TBrom]

Frank says it's impossible. Maine or Vermont must've cheated.

What are the odds of someone drawing a bull archery elk tag in Pa, a Maine bull moose tag and a Vermont archery moose tag in a period of time of three years.

Achieving all three within a three-year window is where we leave probability and enter the realm of statistical miracles.

 

[dce]

I heard the PGC uses Dominion machine for the elk draw.

 

[Bigbrownie]

I never carry a weapon in archery season when I recover deer, day or night. I want my hands to be free when tracking. If I didn’t think the deer is dead, I wouldn‘t be looking for it. One time, many years ago, I came up on one that was still alive, killed it with my knife.

 

[triggercreep]

I don't really care if he got it fair and square or not. I've never applied for a PA elk tag and never even saw an elk in PA. If you just posted a picture of the guy with an elk, I wouldn't even know he was a celeb.

Deer season 2021. I saw three bulls that day

 

[LostAgain]

not slinging any mud or whining. just pointing out the obvious. you know, sorta like violating the law when they draw the names and allow us to apply more than one time to get a elk tag. (pa title 34)

seems a lot of laws are "bent" when it comes to elk hunting here in PA. what ritz did was illegal phone call or not.

No, it is illegal to carry a bow and attempt to track or hunt big game after dark in Pennsylvania
. While tracking a wounded animal after hours requires calling the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) for notification and a special exemption, possessing a weapon like a bow while tracking after dark is prohibited and will be considered prima facie evidence of hunting. Hunting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, with specific exceptions for certain furbearers.

You're whining worse than a school girl that got her first period.

Phone call any different than people getting pics from cell cams during hunting season; think people dont quick get out to hunt if a photo comes to their phone with their "target" buck? Dont think people are using phone to call or text about movement while hunting? While we cant ban phones, they could ban cell cams during hunting seasons, how well do you think that would go over.

Maybe we should have GWs working night shift to catch all those tracking deer after dark without making a call; when caught they lose their deer and hunting license for a few years, how well do you think that would go over?

 

[TrashPanda]

My God, just lock this thread already. Just start a Bash Ritz thread.

 

[dpms]

Many of those complaining about what Ritz have also done the exact same thing.

 

[RatherBeHunting]

What an awesome animal!! My heart would've been pounding out of my chest watching him heading my way. Great camera work and the guides made it all happen. Congrats to all involved........what a fantastic PA trophy!

 

[bradford13]

In 47 years of hunting we put down 3 wounded deer with weapons we were hunting with after dark. I could care less what anyone thinks, and I’d do it again in a minute.