🦌 Changes for 2021-22 hunting season

[Qtrborecrazy]

That is really not true. It is just another camp rumor. I used to check traps on Sundays during deer season and they KNOW when it is Sunday. Take a walk on a Sunday morning and you can hear the difference. I worked nights for years and lived in a farming/scattered woods area. During the week deer will move around during the day when all the noise stops. On a Saturday you would not see them.
If I could only get a week off, the second week was my choice. A lot of deer move around on a Sunday to new places.

The deer in your area that knew it was Sunday, did they allow you to pet them?

[ar15jules]

That is really not true. It is just another camp rumor. I used to check traps on Sundays during deer season and they KNOW when it is Sunday. Take a walk on a Sunday morning and you can hear the difference. I worked nights for years and lived in a farming/scattered woods area. During the week deer will move around during the day when all the noise stops. On a Saturday you would not see them.
If I could only get a week off, the second week was my choice. A lot of deer move around on a Sunday to new places.

Could it simply be that there was traditionally a lack of human invasion on Sundays into the deer woods? Follow any archery hunting and you will hear guys talk about the "October lull". There isn't any biological reason that trail cams stop seeing deer that have been regular visitors or that hunters stop seeing deer. It's caused by hunters invading the woods. The deer know that we are among them. Guys make this worse by not hunting the wind, smoking cigarettes, yelling, walking their dogs, walking through bedding areas during the day etc.....Most people do "better" on private property because the deer go undisturbed.

[ar15jules]

This is an interesting study done by Penn State. Note that the buck hides during deer and bear seasons.

https://www.deer.psu.edu/the-life-an...-of-buck-8917/

[heatheroo]

One day (Sunday) off, gives the animals a 'rest' and a chance for non-hunters to enjoy PA state gamelands. 6/7 days/week is enough. Start the flaming.

I am ambivalent about hunting on Sundays but had to comment on this:

Why should non-hunters be considered in any decision relating to SGLs? That land is/was bought by/for hunters.

If you had said State Forests, I would have grudgingly conceded to your view.

[ar15jules]

I am ambivalent about hunting on Sundays but had to comment on this:

Why should non-hunters be considered in any decision relating to SGLs? That land is/was bought by/for hunters.

If you had said State Forests, I would have grudgingly conceded to your view.

I agree with this. I have to be honest though. Any of the SGL or even state forests that I hunt have little to zero "other" activity on them at least when I am there. (late summer through January)

[esh21167]

I am ambivalent about hunting on Sundays but had to comment on this:

Why should non-hunters be considered in any decision relating to SGLs? That land is/was bought by/for hunters.

If you had said State Forests, I would have grudgingly conceded to your view.

I agree with this. I have to be honest though. Any of the SGL or even state forests that I hunt have little to zero "other" activity on them at least when I am there. (late summer through January)

You're correct, my mistake. Game land does mean 'game land.' You've changed my opinion on that. I live near Blue Marsh, a large tract of Army Corps of Engineers land adjacent to PA state game lands. Hunting on both and the borders are 'blurred' for sure.

[heatheroo]

I agree with this. I have to be honest though. Any of the SGL or even state forests that I hunt have little to zero "other" activity on them at least when I am there. (late summer through January)

At the other end of the spectrum, I started hunting SGL145 near Mt. Gretna last season. That place gets a lot of joggers, hikers, berry pickers, mountain bikers, etc.

[mrat]

The deer in your area that knew it was Sunday, did they allow you to pet them?

Only when they are in church.

[Bang]

I (rifle) shot my first deer, a ten pointer, with a lit cigar going. I shot many more while smoking a cigarette. There's too much mythology on deer intelligence.

[Gunplummer]

Same here. I put cigarettes in the crotch of a tree while taking a shot. But, like dogs, they learn.