Doe License 2012-2013 Season

From the Game Commission...

JULY 9 BEGINS 2012-13 DOE LICENSE PROCESS

HARRISBURG – With general hunting license sales underway, Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe reminded hunters that county treasurers will begin accepting antlerless deer license applications from resident hunters starting Monday, July 9; and from nonresidents beginning Monday, July 30.

For the 2012-13 license year, antlerless deer license fees are the same as they have been since 1999, except for the 70-cent transaction fee attached to the purchase of each license and permit, which is paid directly to Active Outdoors, the Nashville-based company that runs Pennsylvania Automated License System (PALS).  This transaction fee means that residents will need to write checks made payable to “County Treasurer” for $6.70, and nonresidents for $26.70.

By state law, antlerless deer licenses will continue to be sold only by county treasurers, so hunters will need to prepare and mail separate applications for antlerless deer licenses. A list of the mailing addresses for the 65 county treasurers that issue antlerless deer licenses is included in the 2012-13 Digest, which is provided to each license buyer.

A listing of antlerless licenses allocated by WMU, as well as the remaining allocation, can be viewed on the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), by clicking on “Doe License Update” in the “Quick Clicks” box in the right-hand column of the homepage.

Roe noted that hunters must use the official pink envelopes, which are provided to each license buyer by the issuing agents. For those who order licenses via the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), a new digest and two pink envelopes will be included in the package, along with the licenses, which will arrive in seven to 10 business days from the date of their transaction.

“As county treasurers are set up with PALS, hunters will be able to submit an application to any county treasurer,” Roe said. “Additionally, hunters have the option of listing up to three choices, in order of preference, for a specific Wildlife Management Unit antlerless deer license. If an applicant’s first choice of WMU has exhausted its allocation of antlerless deer licenses, the PALS system will move to the second preference – and third, if necessary. 

“This process will nearly eliminate the chance that a hunter will not be able to receive at least one antlerless deer license during the processing of regular antlerless deer licenses. However, hunters are not required to list more than one choice of WMU.”

Also, Roe said that the early start to the antlerless deer license application process will help ensure that county treasurers will be able to mail antlerless deer licenses back to hunters prior to the opening of the archery season.  The first such season opens with the antlerless archery season in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D on Sept. 15.  The opening date of the general statewide archery deer season is Sept. 29.

Under the 2012 timeline, residents will apply for regular antlerless deer licenses on July 9; nonresidents will apply for regular antlerless deer licenses on July 30.  After this, residents and nonresidents will apply for the first round of unsold antlerless deer licenses on Aug. 6, and residents and nonresidents will apply for the second round of unsold antlerless deer licenses on Aug. 20. 

County treasurers will have to mail regular and first round of unsold antlerless deer licenses no later than Sept. 10, and second round of unsold antlerless deer licenses no later than Sept. 24.

Beginning Aug. 6, for WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D only, there is no limit to the number of unsold antlerless deer license applications an individual can submit until the allocations are exhausted.  This must be done by mail only, and there is a limit of three applications per pink envelope.

Beginning Aug. 27, county treasurers will begin accepting applications over-the-counter for WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, and may immediately issue antlerless deer licenses.  Hunters may apply over-the-counter to county treasurers for any other WMU with antlerless license allocations on Oct. 1.

Roe noted that hunters may file harvest reports online for antlered and antlerless deer, as well as fall turkey, spring gobbler, bobcat, fisher and Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) permits through the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us).

PSAA SW FIELD/HUNTER CHAMPIONSHIP

Bow Hunting Illinois This Fall.

I will be hunting in Illinois this fall with my crossbow. I will be hunting with my good friend Ryan from L.E.D. Outdoors LLC . I have been thinking about this hunt since last year when Ryan made the offer to allow me to hunt on his property.

Ryan only allows bow hunting on his 2000 acres.  He runs a first class operation and is a great sportsman.  I have hunted with Ryan in Pa the last few years.  Oh and did I mention... Ryan is doing this FREE of charge for me?

Last night I purchased my Illinois hunting license from the department of natural resources online. I love how easy it is to purchase hunting and fishing licenses online these days.  It's one step closer to pursuing giant Whitetail deer.

I am really thankful to Ryan and I hope I have the opportunity to harvest one of these big boys that are on the property like he did last year.

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If you are looking for a new shotgun this year, check this new Weatherby out.  For $499.00 it seems like a good buy for two barrels.   Whats your thoughts? 

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Outdoor Life Article

http://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/guns/rifles/centerfire/2011/11/20-best-semi-automatic-rifles-big-game-hunting?photo=18#node-1001350874

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I spoke to the manager at cabelas and explained the whole situation to him. He listened patiently to the entire story and agreed it was poor customer service on Remington's part. He also said he had seen Remington take up to eight months to repair a rifle.

He offered me a $50 gift card to cabelas which I thought was very nice of him. After all, Remington had my rifle longer than I did at this point. Not to mention the disappointment in dry firing on two monster white tailed deer last year in Missouri.

Remington replaced the receiver and hopefully it no longer dry fires. I need to take it to the firing range and run a few boxes of shells through it to see if it is really fixed. One thing I did learn from the whole situation is if they replace the receiver on a rifle, you have to fill out all the paperwork again because it has a new serial number.

I used to really love Remington rifles and thought they were among the best. I can honestly say I will not be purchasing any new Remington's after my recent experience. What are your thoughts? What's your favorite rifle?

Fishing with the Wounded Warriors continued