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Changes to Rifle Deer Season in the Poconos

BRODHEADSVILLE — If you see a doe on the first day of rifle deer season in the Poconos, you may not be allowed to pull the trigger anymore. The Pennsylvan...
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BRODHEADSVILLE -- If you see a doe on the first day of rifle deer season in the Poconos, you may not be allowed to pull the trigger anymore.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is proposing that only buck can be shot for the first five days of the popular hunting season. It's an issue hunters in the Poconos have talked about for a while.

"I think it will get some support. People like to see deer when they're in the woods, not just be out there," said Michael Fritz.

Fritz works at Dunkelberger's in Brodheadsville. He says many hunters prefer to take a buck anyway, helping the herd.

"It would certainly see more deer after that because they're not just allowed to shoot at anything running around, so it would be good for numbers. I don't know if it will be good for deer size," said Fritz.

Game commission biologists say sparing doe in the first five days of the 12-day rifle deer season will help build herd numbers. Their statistics show hunters always kill more doe in the Poconos.

Hunter Eddie Kiser of Effort is looking forward to the change. It's a rule that's been in place in other parts of Pennsylvania for years.

"I think it will open up doe tags, in all honesty because some guys will be like, 'Well, I'm not even going to put in for the first week, because all I'm going to be able to shoot is a buck anyway.' So they might not put in," said Kiser.

Curt Libold of Orwigsburg usually hunts during archery season. He thinks the change could help him see more deer, too.

"It's always good to get out and just enjoy the scenery and the outdoors but yeah, it's always nice to have a little excitement in your day and see some animals, too," said Libold.

George Ryerson of East Bangor has hunted for decades. He says the new rule will pose a challenge for hunters, but he still doesn't mind the change one bit.

"The doe you can shoot a lot easier than you can the buck. The bucks are smarter," said Ryerson.

The game commission will vote on the issue in April.

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