The Superbowl of Pa. Deer Hunting

By: Randy Santucci

When the PGC commissioners decided to change the rifle deer season opening day in 2019 from Monday after thanksgiving earlier to Saturday, essentially moving it from where it had been successful for over 60 years, one would think an extensive amount of research would have been done prior. You don’t just arbitrarily change the most popular Pa. hunting weekend of the year, based on a hypothetical decision of 8 commissioners. They should have delved into why this weekend was the ‘Superbowl’ of Pa. deer hunting, but they did no such thing. The fact is, there was no significant degree of research, and the data and information they did have at the time, overwhelmingly identified staying with the Monday opening day. The proof supporting this statement is still available for review today. Although 5 hunting seasons have passed, Monday support is still in the majority. This mistake of changing the opening day, was in part, about helping SB147 (the three Sunday hunting days) get passed. Whether you like or dislike Sunday hunting, this was not the way to advance that legislation. As this article is being drafted, an unprecedented second legislative hearing on the opener controversy is being scheduled for this fall.

The biggest argument from many Saturday supporters is, that it gives more days to hunt. That position putting quantity over quality is shortsighted. Hunting is not about how many or how fast, it is unique sport we eased into. We enjoyed family, friends, fellowship, and nature at a relaxed pace. The older you get you understand that statement.

It is well documented that Hunters go through 5 stages of maturing:

1)     Shooter Stage…to see game and get a shot.

2)     Limiting Out Stage…to not only shoot, but to limit out!

3)     Trophy Stage…shifting from quantity to quality pursuing a trophy.

4)     Method Stage…choosing a more primitive or difficult method to harvest game.

5)     Sportsman Stage…emphasis on the hunting experience enjoying the outdoors and the company of others.

I’d like to add a 6th stage…..Giving back to the sport.

I believe many Saturday supporters are stuck in stages 1,2, and 3 of a hunter’s career. They currently have no concern for stages 4,5, and 6…. but in time they will, as they age as a hunter. It is troublesome that the PGC Board of Commissioners did not recognize this well-known hunter phenomena in 2019, or forthright enough to admit it today. This explains the hunter divide the board is so concerned with correcting today, the divide in hunters they created with the Saturday opener.

Survey after survey has revealed what the majority of Pennsylvania hunters prefer….Monday.

Likely because the average age of Pa. hunters is around 54 to 55. There are far more Pa. hunters in their later stages of their hunting careers. Moving the opening day has proven to be the wrong way to bring in younger hunters.

There is a ‘bigger picture’ that was not understood by the PGC commissioners of many peripheral circumstances that the Saturday start has damaged. They range from Thanksgiving family issues, economic losses, community impacts, hunting camp degradation, Black Friday and Small Business Saturday conflicts, High School and College sporting conflicts, and many more that are wide ranging and vary with each hunting group. These socioeconomic issues are ingrained in hunting, and are important binders to the sport.  Combine that with the loss of hunting related preparation time and traditions that many hunters hold very dear as part of their hunting experience.

You cannot replicate the positive aspects of the Monday opening day with any other day. It fit like a glove following Thanksgiving. The Monday opener provided just enough time with family and friends to build up the excitement and prepare together. Now there are only 9 hours of daylight from when you finish your Thanksgiving meal, and find yourself sitting in the wood’s pre-daylight Saturday Morning. Far less prepared and excited than you had been with the time and buildup before the Monday opener….the rifle season opening day event is now rushed and cheapened.

I hope all Monday supporters join the fight to return that cherished weekend that was stolen away from us like a thief in the night. Join the Facebook Group. “Pennsylvania Hunters Against the Saturday Deer Opener” to get involved and stay informed.