Penn’s Outdoors

Kudos to Chris Otto and the York Daily Record for doing an interview with newest Commissioner for the PA Game Commission.  They asked good questions that told us a lot about what we can expect from the new guy.  Unfortunately, it looks like more of the same for deer management.

Ronald Weaner is the newest Commissioner.  He is a teacher and Biglerville resident.  I have gone through the article and pulled information about how he may approach deer management.  I know there are a  lot more animals than deer but I believe that deer management is the #1 issue facing the PA hunter.  I also believe the deer management issue has the potential to shape the future of all hunting in PA.

We don’t even get past the background information, and I find a reason to be concerned.

Weaner’s extensive background includes a degree in agriculture education from Penn State University and 10 years as a dairy farmer in Adams County. He is a life member of the National Rifle Association and a member of the Quality Deer Management Association.

The Quality Deer Management Association is all about focusing on lower populations to improve the quality of buck.  I’ve read articles where they support PGC’s current deer management strategy.  I would love for a member of Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania to be elected to the Board.

Here’s my second reason for concern…

According to the Game Commission’s news release, you and the other seven board members “represent all Pennsylvanians and the state’s 467 species of wild birds and mammals.” Described in that way, does that aspect of the position seem overwhelming or daunting to you?

Many people think we only deal with game animals. Many think this is all we should deal with.

Our mandate, however, includes all birds and mammals. It can be overwhelming, but our job is to educate people to the fact that wildlife species are all interdependent. The health of every species is important to the ecosystem.

Also, the majority of Pennsylvanians are non-hunters. The duty of the PGC is to serve all citizens.

Mr. Weaner is right.  The majority of Pennsylvanias are non-hunters.  But I am tired of hearing Commissioners stress this.  I’m a hunter, and its my money that makes up the Commission’s budget.  All of their efforts are paid by hunters.  Non-hunting PA citizens don’t give one dime for what they get.  Only in government do I pay for others to have equal (if not more) influence in the decisions that affect what I am paying for.

Here’s the core of the issue…

Up until now, you’ve been an outside observer of Pennsylvania’s deer management plan and the antler restrictions that were enacted in 2002. What are your personal thoughts on deer management policy and the passionate ongoing debate surrounding deer management in Pennsylvania?

“Outside observer” is the key phrase. That still describes me. I still have a lot to learn about deer management policy and biology. Therefore, I expect my personal thoughts to evolve over time.

From my view now, I generally support the management plan in existence for the past few years. Excessive deer numbers had been a problem in parts of Pennsylvania for many years. We risked losing our desirable forest tree species and many other species of plants and animals if this problem would have continued.

Biologists had been telling the PGC for decades that the deer herd must be reduced. Within the last 10 years, the problem has been finally addressed and we are seeing positive results.

This is not an exact science and in some area of the state we may have reduced the herd too far. I am confident that our PGC biologists have a good handle on deer management. We will have to continually monitor populations across the state and possibly make adjustments to license numbers, season length, etc.

I do not agree with those who state that the PGC wants to wipe out deer hunting in Pennsylvania.

I like parts of this and not others.  He thinks that “in some area of the state we may have reduced the herd too far”.  “May have” is not the correct answer.  We clearly have in certain areas but perhaps that is the closest thing to an admission of guilt that we will get.  My main concern is that there is little to no acknowledgement that hunters have some legitimacy in their concerns.  He supports the PGC.  He supports the PGC biologists.  But the hunters’ point of view isn’t explictly supported.

I do like the following answer…

You are both a farmer and a hunter. Sometimes, those two groups find themselves on very different sides of the deer management debate. Do you feel your familiarity with both perspectives could help you bring the various sides closer together in the ongoing debate?

I don’t think both groups really are very far apart on the deer management debate. Many farmers are hunters and they want to see huntable deer numbers. Most realize that to have huntable numbers, they may have to tolerate some crop damage.

For those with significant damage, there are Deer Management Assistance Program and Red Tag programs (to name a few) available to them to reduce deer numbers. As a farmer and hunter, my experience should help me when working with these two very important constituency groups

This has been a contention of mine for a long time.  We should help farmers address crop damage but in ways that do not sacrifice a huntable deer population.

Finally, I wish Chris would’ve asked one other question.  He did ask…

How much hunting do you still get to do in an average year, and what’s the next hunting outing that you’re looking forward to?

I hunt deer primarily. I hunt nearly every day of the archery season and as much as possible during the rifle and late seasons. I hunt with a bow, in-line muzzleloader, flintlock muzzleloader and rifle. I went bear hunting the last two years and do a little turkey hunting.

Right now, I am starting to get excited for the first day of archery season.

The follow up question should’ve been.  “By the way, do you hunt deer on public or private land?”  I’m just curious…

My first thought is that I am not encouraged, but I will give Mr. Weaner the benefit of the doubt and hope that he will step into his job, listen to the voice of hunters, and make decisions based on what is best to achieve a balanced and huntable deer population.