PA Traditional Archery Season

[Ron Vought]

Wanted to see if there is any interest in a October through January none stop traditional only archery season here in Pennsylvania. I can tell you there is interest brewing with this and a proposal that may see some support. Just want to see the interest in this and gather your thoughts.

Thanks,
Ron

[Keith Zimmerman]

I would love that.  Always thought that should be the case. Esp after hunting KS and MD that have similar seasons.

[Steve D]

Keith whats the dates and for the "Trad" season in Kansas?

[Mojostick]

I can't find anything about a trad season in Kansas. I've suggested the idea for years, since most states seem fine with muzzleloader seasons, but I don't know of states that actually have it.

[Ron Vought]

With the crossgun now being introduced to the archery seasons across the US maybe its time to push for traditional only seasons that runs non stop from October through January.

Ron

[JMG]

I have thought about this subject for several years now. I would love it!! It would be nice to have the state put land aside for "traditional methods" only, similar to a "flyfishing-only" stretch on a stream. But I surely believe that the opposition to a season would out weigh it because to many people want instant gratification now a days. That's why they pick up such things as a crossbow or a wheelie bow, because it is easier and takes less time to learn as well as perfect. I don't like crossbows and I especially do not like it when someone consider themselves a bowhunter when using such a contraption. But if a person has a handicap, that is a completely different story. Just my opinion and thanks for listening me rant.

[Ron Vought]

JMG - Interesting you made mention to "flyfishing only" areas on the stream. PA is actually pushing for bait to be used in the artificial lures only areas. It's another area where they are looking to include all fisherman. Pretty soon those areas will go away just like our archery season already has in PA.

Ron

[monkeyball]

Ron,
        Just curious,  what would make one think that we would be able to have a Traditional Only season for that length of time ?

  The season starts now in Oct. runs thru the 2nd week of Nov. then Gun season begins the Mon. after Thanksgiving and is in for two weeks,which has just come to an end. Now in less than two weeks the late season comes in(the day after Christmas) and runs until Jan.10 in my area, Jan.24 in in a few other WMU's.

  Any of these seasons can be hunted with Traditional equipment if one chooses.

  Is the idea you are suggesting meaning to open up the few weeks between the already established seasons?


                                             Good Hunting,
                                                              Craig

[Ron Vought]

Craig -

Yes including the in between times where hunting is not allowed. We as traditional bowhunters would not have an impact on the deer herd. No reason why traditional bowhunters can't hunt non stop starting in October through January. The way I see it our archery season in PA is not really an archery season any longer due to all the intrusions and crossgun hunters.

Ron

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Sometimes you have to fight fore with fire.  Some radicals create even more radical  subgroups to make them not seem so bad.

If you were asking for a million dollars, it would sound like a  lot but if party B was asking for 10 million dollars, then a million wouldn't seem so ridiculous.

I like the idea you propose, But you should also have someone Push for a  year round Trad archery season also lol.

[Jayrod]

If there's such a season count me on for support on it

[Traditional-Archer]

Ron you would probably be more successful in the PA Legislator to ask for the seasons to overlap like most states that border our state, Have the archery season lead up to the rifle season and take up right after the rifle season and end at the end of the season in January.

[Ron Vought]

That is the ask however the crossgun impact is not helping this effort. Too many deer being taken prior to the rut due to crossgun implementation. This will never allow for us bowhunters to land more recreational opportunity. People just don't understand that bowhunting was never really a deer management tool in PA until the crossgun came along...now there seems to be some concern. We can't have our cake and eat it too.

Ron

[mahantango]

I had no idea any state had a "traditional only" season. Ive been dreaming of something like that for years as I've watched our archery season be chipped away at little by little. Count me in.

[Steve D]

For starters it might be more feasible to maybe have an area set aside instead of asking for a season.That in its self could take off from there. Just a suggestion.

[monkeyball]

Gun season is the big money maker here in the Keystone State,and the gun hunters are not a happy bunch. Archers have a chance to tag a big buck during the rut before the rifle season is here. Most years anyway.

   They are complaining right now to the Game Commission , and yes I know, they could take up bowhunting also. And we could all hunt with compounds huh????  

  Bottom line is you keep the "money makers" happy and in this state those are the gun hunters. You may disagree but it's a fact.

  If you can't kill a deer here in Pa.in the seasons that are available you might want to look at your hunting style or area. As far as I'm concerned we have a very long season and a fair amount of deer.

  Ask for more and you sometimes wind up with less.

                                               Good Hunting,
                                                              Craig

[Ron Vought]

Craig -

I think there is a lot less complaining from rifle hunters about the deer situation because they are now buying crossguns and killing them in archery season. Maybe this was the intent all along...please the die hard rifle hunter with another easy option of bagging their deer so they stop complaining.

Personally we should have a October through January non stop archery season however with the inclusion of the crossgun the chance at any extension to the season has diminished.

Ron

[cosgood]

I agree that we should have a traditional only season. We have chosen the hard path, and should be allowed the opportunity to hunt during the rut. I only know a handful of folks in my county who hunt trad. No significant impact on the deer herd will occur. And it may even draw more people to our side. However, the PGC should have a qualification course to ensure that those who wish to hunt this proposed season are proficient. Just my 2¢.

[BenSterhan]

that would be great for you guys i would love to see that happen here in montana, good luck

[Keith Zimmerman]

What I was saying, is having a nonstop season until the end of Jan.  No breaks.  Even hunt Sundays.