Since approximately 2000, the PGC has increased the harvest of antlerless deer. While there have been other deer management goals initiated during the time period (e.g.: antler restrictions, urban deer management, diversification of weapons and seasons), the underlying goal of reducing deer density has been the primary management policy. Beginning in 2005, permit allocations were reduced as the PGC moved to stabilize deer populations at lower population levels.

Tools used by the PGC to conduct management include estimation of harvest, sex ratio, and age distribution, and research to document mortality and movement patterns of deer. All of the tools are integrated into a management model – the Pennsylvania Sex-Age-Kill (PA SAK) model – that generates numerical estimates of population parameters. Based on estimates derived from PGC sponsored research of the PA SAK model, statewide deer populations have declined approximately 25 percent between 2002 and 2007, from 1,280,000 - 1,520,000 in 2002 to 850,000 - 1,280,000 in 2007.

ORIGINAL: wayne c

You mean like INCREASING the deer herd instead of further decreasing it? Remember that was the NUMBER ONE reason given for hunters not buying licenses, "lack of game" according to the PGC survey done by Jagnow.

honestly....ive hunted since the mid 80's, only western pa and only on sgl's..... with the exception of a few trips to elk county.....and ive seen a growing herd population...leading up to last year when i saw multiple groups of 15+ .....i really havnt seen a decline.....ever.

no, i dont follow the pa deer management....no need to. clearly id have to write you a book about how to hunt.....especially if your only seeing 1 or 2 deer a year.

The "unknown" is precisely my point with the politicians. The legiscritters serve terms and while they all strive to be career politicians, their constituents often say otherwise. The same hunter friendly politicians in office now may not be there after the next term. It is impossible to predict if their replacements will share the same beliefs. Additionally, even if we do have a few hunting advocates in office it certainly does not represent a majority and you will have many others with no interest in hunting whatsoever getting a say in the matter. One again, this is not something I can support.

However, despite your disagreement with the PGC's current policies, they will always be out there supporting and promoting hunting.

You may not like the seasons, game, or bag limits, but at least the people making the decisions will continue to provde opportunities to hunt.

ORIGINAL: fisher98

i support sunday hunting and antikius what planet you from duud?

common knowledge? are you sayn most people read that population crap?.....

i couldnt care less about a guy that has to read population reports to find deer.

and good job lil fella!

2 + 2 does = 4!!!!! congrats! you found something that IS a scientific fact!!!!! but somehow im sure youll find a way to try and proove your 4 is more correct than anyone elses 4

ummmmm....heres the post that sent you into a tailspin