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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2014 15:08:40 GMT -5
By Bob Frye Published: Monday, Feb. 3, 2014, 10:36 p.m. Updated 16 hours ago There will be no extra time for hunters to pursue squirrels this fall. Fear of accidents that never occur and population stresses never seen apparently are the reasons why. When Pennsylvania Game Commissioners recently met in Harrisburg to discuss seasons and bag limits for the 2014-15 hunting season, the package before them called for a youth squirrel season that would run from Oct. 11 to 17 and an opening day for everyone else of Oct. 18. Those got preliminary approval. A vote on final approval is set for the board's next meeting in April. Commissioner Ralph Martone of New Castle proposed a change, however. He suggested opening squirrel season statewide for everyone on Sept. 13. That would bring Pennsylvania into line with other states, he noted. This past year, Ohio and New York opened their squirrel hunting seasons on Sept. 1, Maryland its on Sept. 7, Delaware and West Virginia theirs Sept. 14 and New Jersey its Sept. 28. An earlier opener would give people more opportunity to chase a species that's “underutilized,” Martone said. Children in particular might benefit from the extra time, he said, when few other seasons are open. “This is one of those opportunities where we can extend the calendar and offer that opportunity,” he said, noting that commissioners had received letters of support for the idea from the public. The board rejected the idea by 6-2 vote, with only commissioner Charles Fox of Bradford County joining Martone. A couple of commissioners who voted against the idea said they did so for safety reasons, worried about the possibility of squirrel hunters shooting camo-clad archers at a time when the leaves are still on the trees. Brian Hoover of Delaware County, said that's “a significant enough safety issue at this time” for him to reject the idea. Statistics provided by the commission's hunter safety division show there has not been a case of a squirrel hunter shooting anyone between at least 2003 and 2012. Spokesmen from Ohio, New York, Maryland and West Virginia said last summer they never have had a squirrel hunter shoot an archer, so far as anyone knows. Still, commissioner Jay Delaney of Luzerne County said he was worried about safety, too, as well as with the possibility that hunters might shoot nursing squirrels. Commissioner Dave Putnam of Centre County said that's not a real worry because the timing of the season “doesn't make any difference biologically,” even as he voted against a September opener. “It's just a social issue,” he said. Read more: triblive.com/sports/outdoors/5523717-74/squirrel-season-sept#ixzz2sNyssACZ Follow us: @triblive on Twitter | triblive on Facebook
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2014 15:24:06 GMT -5
I can't believe that all of us can go out in the woods to hunt and come back unharmed. These people need to start using there heads.
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Post by Dutch on Feb 4, 2014 19:51:50 GMT -5
This was payback for Martone asking questions about the success or lack of, the WPRA's. Delaney made sure this was voted down.
To say or suggest that hunting is unsafe, is anti-hunter crap from people who are supposed to SUPPORT hunting!
Resign you anti-hunting cowards!
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Post by ridgecommander on Feb 4, 2014 19:59:18 GMT -5
"Fear of accidents that never occur and population stresses never seen apparently are the reasons why."
Bout sums it up! Archers should be concerned with themselves as the number one concern to archery hunters is falling out of trees which result in deaths every year. Their own faults and yet some archery hunters and an archery hunting commissioner want to play the safety card, lol. Delaney says he needs science yet ignores the science out there on this issue. Putnum says no biological concerns but votes no saying it is a social issue. What social issue is it? Are their non hunters weighing in that squirrel seasons should not start in September? Martone points to every surrounding state that starts their seasons earlier than ours with absolutely no issues yet can get only one other vote to support expanding our stinkin squirrel season.
This BOC should be hanging their heads in shame. I hope that most hunters can see through the charade.
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Post by Dutch on Feb 4, 2014 20:01:30 GMT -5
IF THE COMMISSIONERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY, THEN MAKE A REGULATION REQUIRING SAFETY HARNESSES!!!
THAT is how hunters now die.
Idiots, just silly idiots.
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Post by Dutch on Feb 4, 2014 20:03:22 GMT -5
Gene couple this with their desire to restrict the MY program, and if I was Governor, they would be removed.
I once thought Putnam was a good guy, but no longer.
SIX voting against HUNTING.
Shame on them!
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Post by ridgecommander on Feb 5, 2014 7:47:35 GMT -5
Gene couple this with their desire to restrict the MY program, and if I was Governor, they would be removed. I once thought Putnam was a good guy, but no longer. SIX voting against HUNTING. Shame on them! Six voted against expanding a no brainer with few having no reason why other than "I don't wanna! I remained confused by Putnam's comments. Why does he oppose socially after just stating there are no biological concerns. Delaney, not surprised as we were not talking pheasants or predators. Weaner, no surprise there as he opposes anything that might interfere with "his" season and get kids out there. Hoover says there is a significant safety issue yet his own bureau says there is nothing to support that assertion. The rest? It's may be a pretty rough spell for the next 6-8 years on the BOC for hunters.
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Post by bawanajim on Feb 5, 2014 8:26:06 GMT -5
I know of no man whom succeeds with these doom like attitudes, its a small set back, its spilled milk, a short delay that a child like response and name calling does little to reverse.
Theres no need to burn bridges and make enemies, its time to over come and convince the opposition you are right.
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Post by Dutch on Feb 5, 2014 9:03:37 GMT -5
I know of no man whom succeeds with these doom like attitudes, its a small set back, its spilled milk, a short delay that a child like response and name calling does little to reverse. Theres no need to burn bridges and make enemies, its time to over come and convince the opposition you are right. Well Jim, this was payback, nothing more, nothing less.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2014 10:00:52 GMT -5
A BOC that was pretty much praised for their efforts are now being chastised. Be interesting to see how this all plays out down the road!
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Post by Dutch on Feb 5, 2014 10:19:12 GMT -5
A BOC that was pretty much praised for their efforts are now being chastised. Be interesting to see how this all plays out down the road! Much different BOC TBO.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2014 10:34:52 GMT -5
Gene couple this with their desire to restrict the MY program, and if I was Governor, they would be removed. I once thought Putnam was a good guy, but no longer. SIX voting against HUNTING. Shame on them! Not all sportsman view these ideas a bad thing. Establishing a minimum MY age was an oversight from the get go. Mentoring a young hunters doesn't have to mean "squeezing da trigger". Unfortunately, that what it has been reduced to. Good job BOC. Now just rein the 6 week crossbow season and we will see an increase in rifle deer hunters. thumbsup
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Post by ridgecommander on Feb 5, 2014 10:44:42 GMT -5
Gene couple this with their desire to restrict the MY program, and if I was Governor, they would be removed. Not sure if I would go that far on this issue. Certainly over Sunday hunting, when a commissioner feels it is not their job to regulate hunting every day of the year.
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Post by Dutch on Feb 5, 2014 10:53:35 GMT -5
Gene couple this with their desire to restrict the MY program, and if I was Governor, they would be removed. I once thought Putnam was a good guy, but no longer. SIX voting against HUNTING. Shame on them! Not all sportsman view these ideas a bad thing. Establishing a minimum MY age was an oversight from the get go. Mentoring a young hunters doesn't have to mean "squeezing da trigger". Unfortunately, that what it has been reduced to. Good job BOC. Now just rein the 6 week crossbow season and we will see an increase in rifle deer hunters. thumbsup Yes, the MY program is fraught with so many accidents and safety issues, it needs to be curtailed. The call for an age limit is simply from those that don't want someone else killing "my deer". Sat at the HUSH booth and the ones that were against SH were mostly against due to someone else shooting their deer or to many deer being killed. Just sad.
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Post by Dutch on Feb 5, 2014 10:55:48 GMT -5
What we are seeing is a BOC that lives by these words. "We didn't do it like this when I was growing up".
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Post by Bill on Feb 5, 2014 10:58:39 GMT -5
I understand why some are upset about this but at the same time we have about four months, minus the two week rifle deer season, to hunt squirrels. Add on to that the week long youth/MY season and I don't see a real lack of opportunity here.
I think some, certainly not all, want this so that they don't have to give up deer hunting time to pursue squirrels. If that's the case, and it involves hunting with a youth then I would say shame on them.
That's my opinion, I can't get excited about this one way or the other. If there was a real lack of opportunity then I would feel differently I guess. If there was some sort of 'political payback' involved with this vote I don't agree with that at all, but I still feel the same way on the issue.
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Post by bawanajim on Feb 5, 2014 11:07:43 GMT -5
Some of the deadliest people in the world defend our country and are not old enough to buy a bud lite or a can of cope, every thing has an age limit and hunting is no different, little spencer will not loose his desire to hunt if he goes to preschool before he shoots "my buck", some believe Spencer should not be required to ride in a booster seat on his way to kill "their buck", I think they are over protective myself, I think seeing and peeing should be the only requirements to do anything the big boys are allowed to do, any other restrictions are discriminating and should be subject to review.
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Post by Dutch on Feb 5, 2014 11:08:03 GMT -5
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Post by Dutch on Feb 5, 2014 11:11:09 GMT -5
I understand why some are upset about this but at the same time we have about four months, minus the two week rifle deer season, to hunt squirrels. Add on to that the week long youth/MY season and I don't see a real lack of opportunity here. I think some, certainly not all, want this so that they don't have to give up deer hunting time to pursue squirrels. If that's the case, and it involves hunting with a youth then I would say shame on them. That's my opinion, I can't get excited about this one way or the other. If there was a real lack of opportunity then I would feel differently I guess. If there was some sort of 'political payback' involved with this vote I don't agree with that at all, but I still feel the same way on the issue. Here's the thing Eye, look at quitting times for hunting in September vs say, late October or November. Lots easier to get out in September than later in the season. I remember hunting doves in Septmeber. Long evenings, and good times. Why can't we have the same thing for squirrels? Say a dad gets off work at 4:30, he still has time to get junior out, if junior doesn't have anything to do, to hunt some squirrels. Is that bad? Or, heck, what if dad just wants to go alone. Its an opportunity that should be allowed and allow hunters to decide how they use that opportunity. Instead, we just say "no".
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Post by bawanajim on Feb 5, 2014 11:36:33 GMT -5
If we use the "resource first" method of deciding things, and we remove age why not remove dates, is there really a need for seasons on all game? Doves for instance? How about rabbits? could we really hurt the population? Or would they like deer adapt and reside closer to our homes, unhunt able and safe? There's no season on woodchucks or coyotes and they don't seem to receive excessive hunting pressure. With a single buck tag does it really matter when you shoot it? Some guys have to work Saturdays?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2014 12:49:21 GMT -5
Gene couple this with their desire to restrict the MY program, and if I was Governor, they would be removed. I once thought Putnam was a good guy, but no longer. SIX voting against HUNTING. Shame on them! Not all sportsman view these ideas a bad thing. Establishing a minimum MY age was an oversight from the get go. Mentoring a young hunters doesn't have to mean "squeezing da trigger". Unfortunately, that what it has been reduced to. Good job BOC. Now just rein the 6 week crossbow season and we will see an increase in rifle deer hunters. thumbsup I agree Frey, a shorter archery season wouldn't hurt, 3 or 4 weeks is plenty. but seriously-- what would it hurt to have a longer squirrel season?
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Post by ridgecommander on Feb 5, 2014 14:20:56 GMT -5
Some of the deadliest people in the world defend our country and are not old enough to buy a bud lite or a can of cope, every thing has an age limit and hunting is no different, little spencer will not loose his desire to hunt if he goes to preschool before he shoots "my buck", some believe Spencer should not be required to ride in a booster seat on his way to kill "their buck", I think they are over protective myself, I think seeing and peeing should be the only requirements to do anything the big boys are allowed to do, any other restrictions are discriminating and should be subject to review. Yet Three year olds can deep hook fish, yank the hooks out, watch them suffocate on a stringer, gut them, filet them and eat them but there needs to be a age limit on hunting.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2014 15:43:36 GMT -5
The way I see it is-- it's not up to me to tell you when your child is mature enough to sit in a blind or a tree stand or on a stump and hunt or gut hook a fish-- That's that child's parents decision and if something goes wrong, that's the parents problem, not mine. IMO, that's the way it should be!
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Post by Dutch on Feb 5, 2014 16:36:10 GMT -5
Heck Tom, yer making to much sense!
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Post by Dutch on Feb 5, 2014 16:40:22 GMT -5
Does anyone remember when they wanted the early ML/Junior/Senior season in October?
The cry back then was the safety issue. To much foliage, hunters were gonna die, blah, blah, blah.
Guess what, didn't happen, just like so many other things that so many feared, didn't happen.
Kath was talking about anti-Sunday hunters at our booth. She said she loves it when a hunter from NY or Ohio walks up and tells the anti's that NONE of the stuff they are spouting off about happened in their states. The anti's look deflated after that.
We worry to much about the "boogeyman" and to have Commissioners spouting anti hunting garbage is of great concern to me.
The fact is, this was payback of the worst kind. Payback against hunters and hunting.
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