Hunters opinions vary on opening day change
Deer hunters can huddle in the woods with gun in hand on Saturday, Nov. 30, this year.
It marks the first time rifle season's opening day will begin the Saturday after Thanksgiving as opposed to the Monday after the holiday.
But the schedule change by the Pennsylvania Game Commission hasn't altered the plans of Jeremiah Allhouse of Cranberry Township.
“Remembering how excited I was the Sunday before and couldn't sleep at all,” he said. “The thrill of being out in the woods on a cold morning, not knowing what was going to happen, shooting a buck or not seeing a single deer.”
Allhouse said he plans to continue treating Monday as the first day.
“For me, it's the memories that I have and the people (who) I have shared them with,” he said.
Allhouse said opening day on Mondays is a tradition he has shared with his father and late grandfather.
“I am very lucky that not only do I get to have that bond with my dad to this day, but I got to have that with my grandpa as well during his life,” Allhouse said. “I like to keep my memories and their memories alive. I will never take that for granted, and that is why I have never missed a Monday since.”
The Game Commission made the change in January and said it could draw more hunters to the woods for the first day.
Chuck Montag, president of the Summit Township Sportsmens' Club, said he doesn't like the change, but he'll live with it, if it can draw younger hunters to the woods.
Montag said the number of young hunters decreases every year, and the change could appeal to them.
“You have no school and no school the next day. The parents are off,” he said. “There's benefits, there's no doubt about it.”
Montag said it is a little awkward for people to be able to hunt Saturday but are not allowed to hunt on Sunday.
He said the Game Commission is putting in an effort to bring hunting back.
“They're trying to do something,” Montag said.
Barry Jones of North Washington said he is open to the change.
“I generally think it's a positive thing,” he said.
Jones said people, especially children and parents, have difficulties with scheduling hunting trips in today's fast-paced society.
“Kids' schedules are tough enough because they don't get Monday off, but these kids are also relying on adult hunters to take them out,” he said.
Youth hunters, ages 12 to 16, must have an adult hunter accompany them at all times during a hunt.
Jones said opening day on Saturday was a good change, and he hopes the Game Commission opens hunting on Sundays as well.
He said it would help people better schedule weekend hunting trips around opening day.
“I really don't see a negative to opening more opportunity to people,” Jones said.
