Feb 4, 2017 4 min read

There are a few major issues the Pennsylvania Game Commission needs to address.

The subject of Sunday hunting has been a perplexing one for a few years and needs to be faced now.

One section of the hunting community favors changing the law and allowing Sunday hunting, while the other is vehemently opposed. I would say the population overall is about 50-50 on this subject.

The argument for those who favor Sunday hunting centers on the six-day work week. They believe that allowing Sunday hunting will put the brakes on the downward slide in hunter numbers. I am skeptical of this prediction.

But I have witnessed first-hand the frustration of those who work Monday through Saturday with only Sunday as a non-work day. He is completely omitted from the ranks of the hunter.

Legalizing hunting on Sunday would help someone like this. But at what cost?

After all, we do fish on Sundays, and that also involves killing, but the scene is much quieter.

Of course, archery is quiet but we already have conceded much of our deer hunting to archers and probably will give them a larger piece of the pie.

There are a great many landowners who want peace and quiet on Sunday and they deserve it. I personally like having a day to rest in the middle of the season and it gives the animals a rest too.

But that thinking is self-serving when this equation is thought out. Sunday hunting might help licensed hunters a bit but I doubt if the gain would be significant.

There are too many other factors, some of which lie at the feet of the commission and some at the feet of the hunters themselves.

Here in Southwestern Pennsylvania, much of the problem lies in the loss of hunting grounds. Gas drilling has gobbled up much more land than most people realize.

Posted land doesn’t help, nor does the lack of small game.

Let’s be honest and find out what really happened to the grouse. When was the last time you saw a grouse in Washington or Greene counties?

There are surely other factors but there are primary reasons for the decline in hunting. Do you really expect a young person to sit for hours in cold or rainy weather waiting for one shot?

I predicted a long time ago, and a retired officer of the Game Commission agreed with me, when I said children need to start with small game where they get to shoot more often.

It’s like taking a young child musky fishing instead of starting them out on bluegills.

Another issue which is a sign of the times is the use of semi-automatic rifles for deer hunting. I don’t understand the thinking of those who want to take a deer with an AR-15 but if that is what makes him happy then so be it.

My problem with this type of rifle is that it is usually chambered for the .223 (5.56) cartridge which is woefully inadequate for deer. I have hunted in states that allow such rifle-cartridge combos and have seen the inadequacies in person.

I don’t like crippled deer and do not see a place for the .223 when deer hunting. Take the same rifle and make it a larger round and I can accept it.

After all, I realize I am old and set in my ways. But I still want to put the buck down as quickly and efficiently as possible.

You don’t need fast-repeat shots and I have even hunted at times with a single-shot Ruger and never felt that I was at a disadvantage.

Another issue is the merger of the game and fish and boat commissions, but let’s discuss that later.

• Last week I wrote of the winter doldrums and some things that can cause the winter months to pass by quickly. One of the biggest events is the NRS Great American Outdoor Show taking place right now at the farm show complex in Harrisburg.

I believe this is the largest outdoor show held east of the Mississippi River. These shows offer something for everyone with over 1,100 exhibitors. Most, if not all, major firearm companies will be there, along with companies such as Leupold, Sierra and Berger. There also will be entertainment and safety talks for the future hunter.

I know it’s a bit of a drive but it is still worth it.

George H. Block writes a Sunday Outdoors column for the Observer-Reporter.