WOW ----

According to the PGC website... as of 2pm on Friday there were still AT LEAST 2,000 tags left in EVERY DMU in the state...


????

I have to disagree..

On other boards "Eastern" guys are just as "split" as to the number of deer they are seeing....

If I had to guess I'd say another couple thousand guys reached that age that they feel (admit) they are no longer are able to hunt the way that is necessary to be successful with a smaller deer herd...

In fact in the 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E areas they harvested an average of 1,000 more antlerless in each than we did here in 2F last year..

no shortage there

They harvested less bucks but MAYBE they are finally believeing the facts that you have to harvest does to get more bucks....  ??  

To take it one step further..

there were only 8 DMUs that harvested less antlerless than in 2F but as you can read here those of us in this area still feel we have ample does available for harvest...  

--Last edited by Dr Trout on 2007-08-12 21:32:46 --

Doe tags seem to sell more slowly, that is for sure.  They will sell out in most units when all is said and done.  

I think alot of it is the tradition is dying.  The days that everyone used to look forward to camp and the meat pole at the end of the day are long gone for alot.  Hunting for many isn't what it used to be and the rush to get licenses and tags isn't in the forefront of many minds.

I still put my license in the mail the saturday before they are due and I hunt in 2A with 60,000 licenses this year.  I could wait 4 weeks and still get all the tags I want but, for me, the tradition is still strong and my passion is higher than ever but I realize that I am in the minority these days.

I wouldn't say you are in the minority there dpms....

You're just one of those that realize that whitetail hunting in Pa is not a "sure thing" that so many got accustom to in the late 80s and 90s...

You have to work ( HUNT ) now to be successful....

You can no longer just walk into the woods on opening day and EXPECT to get a deer or even SEE a deer....

It's called HUNTING DEER ....

Monday - 8-13-07 UPDATE --



WMU 2G SELLS OUT OF ANTLERLESS DEER LICENSES
HARRISBURG - Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 2G, covering a large portion of northcentral Pennsylvania, has exhausted its entire antlerless deer license allocation as of today, Aug. 13, announced Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe.
Roe noted that this does not mean that hunters, both residents and nonresidents, are out of options when looking to hunt on public lands in this WMU thanks to Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) coupons that remain available for antlerless deer hunting opportunities on several of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' (DCNR) state forests in WMU 2G.
"While DMAP permits may be used only on the specific property for which they are issued, they do offer hunters additional antlerless deer hunting opportunities on large tracts of public lands in WMU 2G, which has exhausted its antlerless deer license allocation," Roe said. "DMAP was developed to provide a way for hunters to help landowners achieve the type of deer harvest they require to better manage their lands. We encourage hunters to contact these landowners and take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity."
Landowners can't charge or accept any contribution from a hunter for a DMAP coupon. While hunters may obtain up to two DMAP permits per property, DMAP permits do not impact a hunter's eligibility to apply for and receive antlerless deer licenses issued for WMUs.
DMAP permit allotments are not part of the annual general antlerless deer license allocations for WMUs.
Resident hunters must mail DMAP coupons in a regular envelope, along with a check for $10 made payable to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, to the address listed on the coupon to receive their DMAP antlerless deer permit. Nonresidents must include a check for $35. The permit can be used to harvest one antlerless deer on the specific DMAP property. Maps for the properties are to be provided to hunters by the landowners.
Hunters may not use DMAP permits to harvest an antlered deer.
For more information on DMAP, visit the Game Commission's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) and click on the "DMAP" box in the center of the homepage.
Of the 865,000 antlerless licenses originally allocated, agency employees have distributed to county treasurers 412,334 applications. Following is a listing of the remaining Wildlife Management Units antlerless deer licenses as of today (along with the initial allocation for each WMU): WMU 1A, 21,800 (42,000); WMU 1B, 3,097 (30,000); WMU 2A, 45,600 (60,000); WMU 2B, 64,892 (68,000); WMU 2C, 25,129 (49,000); WMU 2D, 29,994 (56,000); WMU 2E, 4,200 (21,000); WMU 2F, 1,191 (28,000); WMU 3A, 13,380 (29,000); WMU 3B, 22,900 (43,000); WMU 3C, 7,315 (27,000); WMU 3D, 18,820 (38,000); WMU 4A, 7,197 (29,000); WMU 4B, 1,901 (23,000); WMU 4C, 12,892 (39,000); WMU 4D, 7,799 (40,000); WMU 4E, 23,900 (38,000); WMU 5A, 14,500 (22,000); WMU 5B, 34,900 (53,000); WMU 5C, 72,000 (84,000); and WMU 5D, 19,259 (20,000).

I agree that the idea of buying them and not using them hurts NO ONE.... that was a stupid idea from the start.. same as buying them and throwing them at a PGC commissioner...

Maybe folks are just to busy this summer and have not sent for them yet      

I'm just happy to know I'll have two to fill again this year...and have 100% confidence in my abilities to know I'll fill them both for the third straight year...  

--Last edited by Dr Trout on 2007-08-13 17:58:38 --

I'm also looking for 2 doe tags.

There's always room for more sausage and bologna.

And that big buck TOO.

You are so right Buff...

There is always room in the freezer for a buck TOO

I'm just not that lucky to pick the right spot for bucks... but of course.. as I have said since day #1... I don't eat antlers...      

August 13th Update --

---------

WMU 2F SELLS OUT OF ANTLERLESS DEER LICENSES Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 2F, covering a large portion of northcentral and northwestern Pennsylvania, has exhausted its entire allocation of 28,000 antlerless deer licenses as of today, announced Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe.   WMU 2G sold out of its allocation of 26,000 antlerless deer licenses on Aug. 13.
Of the 865,000 antlerless licenses originally allocated, agency employees have distributed to county treasurers 412,280 applications. Following is a listing of the remaining Wildlife Management Units antlerless deer licenses as of today (along with the initial allocation for each WMU): WMU 1A, 20,697 (42,000); WMU 1B, 502 (30,000); WMU 2A, 43,989 (60,000); WMU 2B, 64,591 (68,000); WMU 2C, 13,870 (49,000); WMU 2D, 19,141 (56,000); WMU 2E, 3,678 (21,000); WMU 3A, 11,541 (29,000); WMU 3B, 21,079 (43,000); WMU 3C, 6,155 (27,000); WMU 3D, 18,413 (38,000); WMU 4A, 6,641 (29,000); WMU 4B, 1,137 (23,000); WMU 4C, 11,714 (39,000); WMU 4D, 6,391 (40,000); WMU 4E, 23,349 (38,000); WMU 5A, 14,356 (22,000); WMU 5B, 34,199 (53,000); WMU 5C, 71,579 (84,000); and WMU 5D, 19,258 (20,000).
For more updates on the availability of antlerless deer licenses by WMU, visit the Game Commission's "Doe License Update" in the "Quick Clicks" box in the upper right-hand corner of the agency's homepage (www.pgc.state.pa.us).
The timetable for applying for remaining antlerless deer licenses is:
Monday, Aug. 20, the Game Commission will accept regular antlerless deer license applications through first-class mail from nonresidents.
Monday, Aug. 27, the Game Commission will accept, only through first-class mail, applications for the first round of unsold antlerless licenses. Hunters may apply for and receive only one antlerless deer license during this first round in any one of the WMUs, except for WMUs 2B, 5C or 5D. Applying for and receiving more than one "unsold" antlerless license prior to Sept. 10 - except in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D - is against the law.
In WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, during the first round of unsold antlerless deer licenses, hunters may apply for multiple antlerless deer licenses, provided they submit no more than three applications per envelope, in addition to the one unsold antlerless deer license they may apply for in the 19 other WMUs. However, they may mail as many envelopes as they desire for unsold antlerless licenses in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D.
Beginning Monday, Sept. 10, the Game Commission will accept, only through first-class mail, applications for the second round of unsold antlerless licenses. Hunters who applied for an unsold antlerless license during the first round may apply for and receive only one antlerless deer license during the second round. Those hunters who did not apply for an unsold license during the first round may make separate applications for and receive up to two unsold antlerless licenses during the second round. The separate applications may be submitted to one or two WMUs.
Regular antlerless deer licenses and first-round unsold licenses will be mailed by county treasurers to successful applicants no later than Monday, Sept. 17. Second-round unsold licenses will be mailed no later than Oct. 1.
Also, beginning Monday, Sept. 17, applicants may apply over-the-counter at county treasurers' offices in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D. Beginning Monday, Nov. 5, hunters may apply over-the-counter for unsold antlerless licenses in all other WMUs.

I would just caution all who think the sky is falling and hunters are dropping out like flies.  Remember last year when the USP went nuts thinking that license sales were down 41% according to the first set of figures released?  They of couse were wrong and there was a reason the figures appeared off.  Please remmeber that the antlerless license figures you are seeing is what has been counted and sent to county treasurers - NOT what has been received. Big difference.

I keep thinking what an interesting bunch hunters are.  Why is it that the PFBC has lost 2.5 times more license buyers than the PGC over the last 10 years, has no clue how many fish are out there but manages by "estimates" and no one seems to care?  Aint life great!!

Quote :

Neville wrote : Aint life great!!

Sure is fer me ... I'v already got my 2 buck tags, 4 doe tags, and will have round $130+ more change in my pockets for "entertainment" by staying in here this year. Gave the cousin the keys to the camp & 4-wheeler and said have blast either hunting or chasing of tresspassers.    

Only problem is, he starting to talk like he wants to come down here next year ... can't say I really blame him !!  


99er

Quote :

Neville wrote : I keep thinking what an interesting bunch hunters are.  Why is it that the PFBC has lost 2.5 times more license buyers than the PGC over the last 10 years, has no clue how many fish are out there but manages by "estimates" and no one seems to care?  Aint life great!!

It is all about tradition.  As long as the PFBC keeps stocking trout, everyone is happy.  There is no mass exodus to camp for the first day of bass or walleye or muskie.  The only tradition in fishing is opening day of trout, and it is stocked.  Everyone is happy if they catch a few.  Say they decreased the stocking by 1/2 or 2/3 and you were lucky to catch 2, you would see the complaining.

Penn - I don't have the numders in front of me but I do know from discussions that success per tag varies by WMU.  The deer team takes that factor into account when making recommendations.

The last numbsers I saw (a couple years ago) showed roughly a 45-47% success rate by hunters.  That included both buck and doe.  

--Last edited by neville on 2007-08-16 06:25:36 --

THURSDAY UPDATE ----


WMU 1B SELLS OUT OF ANTLERLESS DEER LICENSES
HARRISBURG - Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 1B, covering a large portion of northwestern corner of Pennsylvania, has exhausted its entire allocation of 30,000 antlerless deer licenses as of today, announced Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe.
WMU 2G sold out of its allocation of 26,000 antlerless deer licenses on Aug. 13, and WMU 2F sold out of its allocation of 28,000 antlerless deer licenses on Aug. 14.
Of the 865,000 antlerless licenses originally allocated, agency employees have distributed to county treasurers 464,931 applications. Following is a listing of the remaining Wildlife Management Units antlerless deer licenses as of today (along with the initial allocation for each WMU): WMU 1A, 19,997 (42,000); WMU 2A, 42,653 (60,000); WMU 2B, 64,213 (68,000); WMU 2C, 12,865 (49,000); WMU 2D, 18,124 (56,000); WMU 2E, 3,246 (21,000); WMU 3A, 11,340 (29,000); WMU 3B, 20,822 (43,000); WMU 3C, 5,757 (27,000); WMU 3D, 17,512 (38,000); WMU 4A, 6,099 (29,000); WMU 4B, 828 (23,000); WMU 4C, 11,151 (39,000); WMU 4D, 5,789 (40,000); WMU 4E, 22,343 (38,000); WMU 5A, 13,916 (22,000); WMU 5B, 33,399 (53,000); WMU 5C, 70,826 (84,000); and WMU 5D, 19,189 (20,000).
For more updates on the availability of antlerless deer licenses by WMU, visit the Game Commission's "Doe License Update" in the "Quick Clicks" box in the upper right-hand corner of the agency's homepage (www.pgc.state.pa.us).
The timetable for applying for remaining antlerless deer licenses is:
Monday, Aug. 20, the Game Commission will accept regular antlerless deer license applications through first-class mail from nonresidents.
Monday, Aug. 27, the Game Commission will accept, only through first-class mail, applications for the first round of unsold antlerless licenses. Hunters may apply for and receive only one antlerless deer license during this first round in any one of the WMUs, except for WMUs 2B, 5C or 5D. Applying for and receiving more than one "unsold" antlerless license prior to Sept. 10 - except in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D - is against the law.
In WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, during the first round of unsold antlerless deer licenses, hunters may apply for multiple antlerless deer licenses, provided they submit no more than three applications per envelope, in addition to the one unsold antlerless deer license they may apply for in the 19 other WMUs. However, they may mail as many envelopes as they desire for unsold antlerless licenses in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D.
Beginning Monday, Sept. 10, the Game Commission will accept, only through first-class mail, applications for the second round of unsold antlerless licenses. Hunters who applied for an unsold antlerless license during the first round may apply for and receive only one antlerless deer license during the second round. Those hunters who did not apply for an unsold license during the first round may make separate applications for and receive up to two unsold antlerless licenses during the second round. The separate applications may be submitted to one or two WMUs.
Regular antlerless deer licenses and first-round unsold licenses will be mailed by county treasurers to successful applicants no later than Monday, Sept. 17. Second-round unsold licenses will be mailed no later than Oct. 1.
Also, beginning Monday, Sept. 17, applicants may apply over-the-counter at county treasurers' offices in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D. Beginning Monday, Nov. 5, hunters may apply over-the-counter for unsold antlerless licenses in all other WMUs.

Dpms, I didn’t understand your response to Neville’s post about fishing license sales.
The numbers Joe posted indicate interest in fishing has declined at a rate 2.5 times greater than interest (license purchases) in hunting.
To me that can’t be interpreted as “everyone is happy” with fishing if on-the–other-hand people are saying hunting license sales decreases indicate that hunters are dissatisfied.
I think Joe makes a good point.
My thought is that if we compared to the national average, we would see a similar decline across the board, in both hunting and fishing, that simply reflects an aging population.