Put more teeth in plan to boost deer population TOM VENESKY OUTDOORS

The intent behind a state legislator’s plan to increase the deer herd is commendable, but it won’t make much of a difference.

State Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-Fayette County) issued a release last week outlining his plan to introduce legislation to increase the deer herd. I know many hunters favor such a move, but Mahoney’s plan needs a different direction in order to work. Here is what Mahoney plans to do:

Such task forces are already established, although not in every WMU. Still, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is heading in that direction. They are a good thing, as long as the recommendations issued by each task force are taken seriously and not dismissed.

• Require Wildlife Conservation Officers in each WMU to hold biannual town meetings.

I don’t think this will work. When the game commission held a Deer Management Open House in September 2007 in Lehman Township, turnout was sparse at best. The agency’s deer biologists were on hand to answer questions, giving hunters a forum to pose questions and concerns directly to those in charge of the program. Few took advantage of the opportunity, and I doubt more will turn out for a town meeting. Besides, such meetings shouldn’t be held by the WCOs but rather the biologists and commissioners. The WCOs don’t set policy. Such meetings should be run by those making the decisions.

• The WCOs would forward suggestions and recommendations from residents to the PGC.

They already do it, each year with their recommendation to the board on seasons and bag limits.

• Require the PGC to adopt policies that would increase the deer population on State Game Lands.

That’s a commendable suggestion, but as of now Mahoney doesn’t mention exactly what policies are needed to do this. Considering regular antlerless tags can be used on public and private lands, it would be impossible to single out the deer population on game lands.

The PGC has taken steps to stabilize deer numbers in some WMUs by adjusting antlerless license allocations. Beginning last season, the agency also did away with the two-week concurrent buck and doe season in four WMUs, changing it to bucks only for the first five days of the season.

• Require the game commission to collect mandatory harvest report cards from hunters.

It’s already mandatory. Successful hunters are required to complete and send their report cards after deer season. Not many do (approximately 40 percent of all successful hunters), and I don’t know what the agency can do to make more hunters send them in.

After all, a harvest report card is supplied with each license; there is one available in the regulations handbook and they can be submitted online.

Report cards are critical in setting the antlerless license allocation for the following season, and it’s a shame more hunters don’t comply with this regulation.

But there is something legislators like Mahoney can do that may help. Currently, the fine for not sending in a report card is $25. Big deal. There’s no teeth with such a meager fine that most likely won’t make it through the district magistrate’s office. The state legislators can adjust the fine, and if it were raised to say, $200, I’m willing to bet more hunters would think twice about sending in their harvest report cards.

I commend Mahoney for his intent and I share his concern. There are some areas, primarily game lands, where a combination of hunting pressure and years of high antlerless license allocations have reduced deer numbers drastically.