Endangered
POSTED: December 21, 2009
Dear editor:
It seems the PGC deer biologist have accomplished their goal. Deer are close to being put on the endangered species list to satisfy the insurance and major logging companies who own vast lands that are timbered or are going to be timbered. It looks that way from the deer population in this area so it seems.
I did not hunt all over Warren Co., but it's obvious when you hear only 15 shots the first day and all were far off in different directions. I have spoken to friends who have hunted and some of them didn't even see a deer the first day. Can anyone tell me how the biologists actually know how many deer are in a specific area?
They don't and they really don't care. It's politics even though PGC will deny it. When I was a kid I just got excited just seeing deer, and many. I didn't even care if I got one. Now, the kids now and future young hunters won't get to experience that and thats ashame.
Now don't get on your local conservation officer about the lack of deer, they have nothing to do with it and frankly they don't want to hear it. It's just a shame that we as hunters have no say so in any of this. We can just complain. That's about it.
I believe this all started when they introduced the combined season and did away with the 3-day antlerless season. Many hunters have chosen not to kill a doe until they got their buck and that is their option but most will kill a doe first if that is what they see and frankly just to get any deer around here is an accomplishment in itself. I think maybe contacting your local senator may change the way PGC has their deer seasons but then again sometimes their hands are tied too.
Jerry Cataldo
Youngsville
Member Comments
View Comments: | 1-25 | Post a comment
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Morrison
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12-24-09 8:58 AM
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Good for you sami. This country is noted for bringing in stuff that becomes a problem. I suppose the decision makers on that are all holders of doctorates. Why would a fisher hunt a porupine when a good meal without quills was handy?
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samibigelow
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12-23-09 1:56 PM
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Morrison, it is a known fact that they imported coyotes here and in NY. Those ugly orange lady bugs were brought into this area too, I read an article about it, they were imported to kill aphids. I spent many hours killing them when I was on the roof of my garage a couple of years ago, they were biting me while I was putting on the roof. The hammer sure came in handy. I am always careful when aiming at game, a kill shot or no shot at all. I agree on the shortened doe season, you always see more doe than bucks any way. Easier to shoot them, too. Right now I prefer the camera to the rifle.
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brianhagberg
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12-23-09 1:24 PM
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Just an FYI, the PGC may be heading back to the shortened doe season. There were four or five WMUs that only had doe season for the last week, not the entire time like it was around here. I, for one, hope that they do go back to a shortened doe season. Most people don't realize that every time they take a doe, they are essentially taking three deer (most doe are pregnant during the season and will typically have two fawns). It would also cut down on the number of button bucks that are mistakenly shot because they look like doe from a distance.
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Morrison
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12-22-09 9:27 AM
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I'm waiting for the "I have a buddy truck driver who took a load of turkeys out West and brought back coyotes for the PGC sponsored by the insurance companies" story....same buddy that found man-eating catfish at the d a m.
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Morrison
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12-21-09 7:19 PM
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The PGC has too much power. They don't need probable cause to stop you. It's enough that you're on a country road. I got stopped once and it wasn't even dark.
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samibigelow
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12-21-09 6:24 PM
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The conduct of some hunters has always been bad, no matter where you are hunting or what. I ran across a couple of them years ago who were trying to change a buck to a doe in the field. This was when there was two separate seasons. I kept on walking because one of them had a side arm and I am sure I would have had an "accident" if I had stopped or said anything. Some people are crooked no matter what they do. I also call them poachers. It is sad that they get away with what they do. I did not know that the PGC has so much power. Wow.
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Morrison
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12-21-09 4:43 PM
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It's not what it used to be. Not just plentiful game. The conduct of the hunters. We've always had outlaws, but the attitude toward property, safety, and the respect for the animal itself are lacking. I figure one or possibly two shots for a deer. No more. I never shot off a jaw or leg. I didn't shoot at runners. I figured I owed them a clean kill. I'd rather buy meat than torture wild animals with poor shooting. That's not sport. I can't drag them out now, so I don't shoot anything. I still like to look.
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Cataldo
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12-21-09 3:41 PM
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My apologies. Just sounds like your anti-hunting. I sure hope not. Pelosi, should be on a Wanted List or should I say Not Wanted. Whatev !!
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Morrison
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12-21-09 2:43 PM
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What the heck is with the filter on this site?
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Morrison
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12-21-09 2:41 PM
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Pelosi would be worth losing my license for. If I had my way democrats would be open season. The old way of hunting was fine, but I never could sit all day. After an hour I'd go into the bottoms or laurel to kick something out. That way folks who could sit all day had a chance to see something. I don't consider a stand hunting. Cataldo-I agreed with you. Doe should be taken on the two Saturdays of the season. Every other year. It would save a lot of buttons so they could live another year. What makes you people think you are superior hunters over anyone who hunts Tidioute? Like I said..****e on down and show me all this game.
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samibigelow
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12-21-09 1:46 PM
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ooops, deer, not dear. I have hunted all day and have not seen deer and that was a few years ago. Sometimes you just don't see them. I don't think our deer population is in danger of being extinct, unless they keep trying to get killed on the roads.
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samibigelow
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12-21-09 1:30 PM
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Maybe the dear can read the posted signs and stay only in those areas when they start hearing gun shots before the season starts. LOL I think there are too many road hunters.
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Cataldo
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12-21-09 1:09 PM
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Well I expected some bad "reviews. I get into the woods just before light and leave just before dusk to get that straight. Because of age and health problems, I don't walk. I hunt on my daughers property and it's posted because of idiots shooting deer close to her house. She only posts part of her land. Proof read. Seems like I did pretty good with the good comments I received. I take it Morrison you are a liberal democrat. A Pelosi fan!
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patoky
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12-21-09 12:04 PM
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I was born and raised in Pa and was taught to hunt the good ole fashion way. We would start checking the area a two to three months before the season started for rubs and sign of deer. After we found a good area we would then pick a spot where you could see for a good 75-100 yards minimum. We would return numerous times to clear fallen trees and branches out of the way. The morning of the hunt we would leave at 4:30-5:00 AM from the vehicle to walk anywhere from 1/2 -2 miles back in the woods. We would sit in that spot all day until dark. My first year of hunting I shot at a beautiful 8 pt. I remember seeing at least 25 deer that day. Between the age of 12-18 I shot 6 deer. My father spent the time to show me how to hunt and I have shown my children the same. He is now 65+ years old and continues to show the same thing to his grandchildren. There are not many peaople like him anymore. Great article DAD!
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writer10
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12-21-09 11:24 AM
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Could it be that there are just too many hunters?
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Morrison
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12-21-09 11:08 AM
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SSSSTR-how do you figure the PGC was responsible for so many deer just to sell more licenses in the "good old days"? You just said it is a biological fact you have to have the habitat to suport them. Also, are you saying they don't want money any more?
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Morrison
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12-21-09 11:03 AM
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Seriously. Locals born here, hunters who've been coming to camp for many years all say the same thing. The last couple of years have been so bad, a fair number just aren't bothering anymore. PGC says we're up 4% this year. Yeah. From a near record low of the last ten years. The more deer there are, the higher the "harvest" numbers. It ain't there, guys.
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samibigelow
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12-21-09 10:27 AM
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Maybe the PGC uses helicopters or low flying planes to count them, lets see, one, two, three-four-five-six, seven , oops was that a deer or a stump? I have had to stop on 62 for deer crossing the road, that's as close as I want to be for now. Thanks for the invite,Morrison.
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Morrison
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12-21-09 10:22 AM
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Any time you super hunters want to spend a day around Tidioute counting deer you see, let me know. I'll arrange it. Get away from your private posted properties and see the real woods.
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samibigelow
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12-21-09 10:18 AM
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Amen, reader and citizen, you have to actually walk into the woods to see the deer, Jerry. The like to hide there in the thickets and under the low pines. But, then maybe you are not a skilled hunter. You actually have to track them and lie in wait. They don't come on command , sit and stay. LOL
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WarrenCitizen
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12-21-09 9:58 AM
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oopps...I meant out of your truck..I guess I am the pot calling the kettle black
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WarrenCitizen
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12-21-09 9:56 AM
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Jerry, you have to get our of your truck to see deer. I saw plenty, and better quality deer too! On another note, you might want to have someone proof read your letter before you submit it.
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reader
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12-21-09 9:51 AM
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and sometimes one has to walk a little farther than getting out of the car and walking less than 100 yards to a post.
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SSSSTR
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12-21-09 9:41 AM
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There are fewer deer... and that is a good thing. They are finally getting in balance with what a healthy habitat will support. That is biological fact. The reason there were so many deer in the "good ole days" past was purely, unequeivocally political - to satisfiy greedy hunters who always want more deer despite the cost to the environment. The PGC was all too happy to oblige because happy hunter meant more license sales which equals more money in the PGC coffers. I am a hunter. I saw plenty of deer this season including one monster buck that got away. I am also a Warren county forest landowner and over the past 2 days I saw lots of tracks in my woods indicating there is no danger whatsoever that deer are in danger of disappearing. I also saw more grouse than in many years which is also a positive result of fewer deer.
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justobserving
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12-21-09 8:58 AM
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I guess it all depends where you hunt. I know three people who got both a buck and a doe.
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