COOLBAUGH TOWNSHIP -- Rifle deer season is underway in Pennsylvania, and big changes are on the horizon when it comes to what type of gun you can use to hunt.
The season started just one week after Governor Tom Wolf signed a law allowing hunters to start using semi-automatic rifles. The new option for hunters is not in effect yet, but many are anxious to see how the new law changes things in Pennsylvania.
In Monroe County, it was a quiet day for hunters for the start of rifle deer season on Monday morning. Many hunters admit there wasn't a lot of success getting any deer.
"The weather is a lot nicer than it has been any other year, but it hasn't made the deer move. The deer seem to be staying put," said David Fehr of Easton.
These quiet mornings could get a little louder now that the ban on semi-automatic rifles for hunting has been lifted.
Even though the bill has been signed into law, the Pennsylvania Game Commission still needs to tweak the regulations and rules before hunters can start using semi-automatic weapons for hunting.
According to the game commission, the earliest that semi-automatic rifles could be approved and enacted would be April of 2017. Hunters we spoke with admit they're not too thrilled about the idea.
"They're not for hunting. They're for the target range and go have fun with them," said John McShaffery of Moscow.
"Personally, I don't think it's necessary for deer. For predator hunting, it's not a bad idea just because they're fast moving, but I don't think it's necessary for deer," said Trevor Faust of Bethlehem.
David Fehr of Easton has hunted deer in West Virginia where semi-automatic hunting is already allowed.
"When there's a deer running around, it sounds like a war zone. I'm in favor of it for coyotes, groundhogs, and stuff like that, but not for deer. The last thing I want to hear is rat-tat-tat. There's no reason for it," he said.
Those we spoke with don't think it'll add much more revenue for the state.
"I think the people that want to hunt, hunt right now whether it's rifle, archery, flintlock season. I think the guys that want to hunt are out here. I don't think people base it on the rifle they can use," said Dan McShaffery of Moscow.
The game commission meets in January where members will have to preliminarily adopt those changes, then advertise the changes, then bring it all up to a final vote.