Pennsylvania's biggest hunting season - the two-week rifle deer season - is just around the corner—running from November 27 to December 8— which annually leads to the harvest of more than a quarter million deer and pumps millions of dollars into the Commonwealth's economy.

"Preparing for deer season becomes a priority for most hunters as soon as the turkey is cleared off the table on Thanksgiving Day," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "Anticipation, reviewing scouting efforts and ensuring all the equipment is ready makes the preparation a weekend-long endeavor that doesn't end until they head afield opening morning.

"Deer hunting is important to Pennsylvanians everywhere. It's a tradition that was handed down by our forefathers and one that we will continue for future generations. It's a safe and time-proven way to manage this renewable resource and ensure its conservation. Deer hunting provides millions of days of outdoor recreation, millions of pounds of venison, and helps limit deer damage to forests, crops and vehicles by reducing deer numbers.

"Time spent deer hunting is invaluable to Pennsylvanians," Roe said. "It provides an escape from our fast-paced world. A chance to slow down, to enjoy the outdoors, to outfox the most-respected big game animal in the country."

The Game Commission strives to manage a healthy and productive deer herd that provides recreational opportunities within acceptable ecological impacts and human conflicts. It's a never-ending job, and one that will always be influenced by Pennsylvania's changing landscape and the varying viewpoints of its residents. But, the agency is committed to providing sound deer management.

Hunters must wear 250 square inches of fluorescent orange material on the head, chest and back combined at all times while afield. They also are advised that it's illegal to hunt, chase or disturb deer with a firearm within 150 yards of any occupied building without the occupant's permission.

All hunters who take a deer must fill out their harvest tag and attach it to the deer's ear before moving the carcass. The tag can be secured to the base of the ear with a string drawn very tightly, if the hunter plans to have the deer mounted. Cutting a slit in the ear to attach the tag will require additional work by a taxidermist.

A harvest report card - provided with every license sold - must be mailed to the Game Commission within 10 days after taking the deer. Hunters who lose or misplace a deer harvest report card are urged to use or copy the big game harvest report card found on page 33 of the 2007-2008 Pennsylvania Hunting and Trapping Digest, which also is provided to all license-buyers.

Deer hunters also are advised of the recent change in legal hunting hours. It now is legal to hunt from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. For more information, please see page 14 of the 2007-08 Digest for the legal hunting hours table.

Deer hunters with an unused bear license also are reminded they may take a bear from November 26 to December 1 in the state's extended black bear season. The extended season will be held in WMU 3C, portions of 3B, 4E, and 2G, from November 26 to December 1. In WMU 3D, an extended season will run November 28 to December 1.

Bear licenses must be purchased prior to November 26. Bear licenses may be purchased at any issuing agent or through "The Outdoor Shop" on the Game Commission's website. Web orders are provided a "web order number" that must be written on the current general hunting license and signed.

Facts from the Pennsylvania Game Commission: Do deer see color? Because deer eyes have more rods, which enhance night vision, than cones, which provide the ability to see color, for decades, the answer was no.

Recent research suggests deer do see color - especially on the blue-side of the color spectrum - but they have trouble seeing reds and greens. Camouflage patterns confuse a deer's vision, but they have an uncanny ability to see movement. If you want a deer to come closer, break up your outline by standing still or near a tree. Also, don't wear blue jeans and avoid having the wind blow your scent to the deer!

For more information, visit the Game Commission’s Deer Management Program webpage.

11/9/2007