Pennsylvania Deer Hunting Opener Moved
OutdoorHub Reporters 04.22.19
For the first time since 1963 the Pennsylvania rifle opener has been moved. Opening day will now be held on the Saturday following Thanksgiving instead the traditional Monday.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission approved the decision with a vote of 5-3, and this change expands the firearms season to a total of 13 days. Because of the opener moving back, the season now contains three Saturdays when the public can hunt, instead of just two.
The thought behind moving the date was to encourage more hunters to get out into the woods. Pennsylvania’s hunting numbers have slowly been dropping since the eighties. When the commission surveyed lapsed hunters – those who bought a license twice in a five-year span, but not in the last two – to see if the change of date would encourage them to hunt again, they found that more than 60% said yes or maybe. By adding an extra Saturday into the season, the Game Commission is hoping this will encourage more people to hunt.
This change is certainly beneficial to many 9-5 workers who cannot get out on opening day, as well as students who were not given the day off from school.
The biggest concerns surrounding this change is how it will affect the local economy as well as many Pennsylvanians travel plans. Many people enjoy their Thanksgiving holiday at home with their families and then travel to deer camp on Saturday to ensure they are prepped for the Monday opener. This cuts the weekend short and is a concern for deer hunters that head to camp that weekend.
Many of the hunters take the week after Thanksgiving off from work and travel to hunt. It’s here they spend their money at local hotels, restaurants, and gas stations. The concern is that these people will no longer spend a full week and will just come out for the opening day.
If you hunt in PA, let us know your thoughts on the change.
