Pa Squirrel Season?

[Stringbean]

Now that I have a squirrel rifle I'm chomping at the bit to get out and hunt them. We have a late start date (Oct. 17) here in Pa for squirrel season. All of the surrounding states have a much earlier season opener:

Pa: Oct. 17
New York: Sept. 1
Maryland: Sept. 1
Ohio: Sept. 1
Delaware Sept. 15
New Jersey Sept. 27

I wrote a letter to the Pa game commission expressing interest in an earlier opening date. Someone there kindly responded and stated that they would bring up my ideas before the board that handles such matters. If you are from Pa and interested in an earlier season as well I encourage you to e-mail the commission and express your interests. If there is enough interest expressed then we may just be granted an opportunity to start much earlier on our squirrel outings in future years. Here is the e-mail for the Pa game commission.
[email protected]

Thanks and happy hunting,
String

 

[faste350]

they have tried (last year), but i doubt it will ever happen because of the archery hunters. they don't want people "disturbing" THEIR season!

 

[Stringbean]

Hi BP62, We're not far apart. I'm over in Titusville, good to meet ya'. I received another response from the commission inviting me to appear before the board of commissioners on Sept. with 5 minutes to plead my case. If I had more time I would be prepared with a petition signed from fellow residents. Any advice or persuasive arguments supporting this request for an earlier season would be much appreciated. I will do my best.
String

 

[faste350]

its been discussed on another forum just recently and really beat to death. this state seems to want to cater to the archery crowd and doesn't want to step on their toes. i guess a 7 week long season just isn't enough for them. (sorry for the rant!) we should get together and go on a squirrel hunt some time.

 

[Stringbean]

Sounds like fun if only I can wait 'till October.
String

 

[FishDFly]

its been discussed on another forum just recently and really beat to death. this state seems to want to cater to the archery crowd and doesn't want to step on their toes. i guess a 7 week long season just isn't enough for them. (sorry for the rant!) we should get together and go on a squirrel hunt some time.

To no one in particular, nor in any particular state, but.

Folks in Texas have tried to be allowed to hunt with M/L in October, not going to happen, the archery group has a very strong lobby here and it is not going to happen.

Since 98% of Texas is privately owned I do not see a problem with joint hunting, but the archery group rules here in October.

If I were to lease my ranch it would be to be gun hunters, not to bow hunters.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

I know there are some groups here and there that do a squirrel hunter's rendezvous. My grandfather would camp out for a week of small game years back. Something I have been interested in since I was a kid. Maybe pushed back until small game is wide open. Find a place to camp next to some large tract of hunting area.

 

[palonghunter]

You could always go ground hog hunting if you just want to get some field time with your new rifle.

 

[Stringbean]

I did have a barrel of fun shooting chucks early in the summer with the new rifle. It is kind of funny, I have a non-mentionable that I have killed groundhogs out to 500 yards with but haven't even taken it out of the closet since I started hunting them with my flintlock. I read a quote from someone along the lines of: The older I get, the farther back I want to go.

 

[faste350]

You could always go ground hog hunting if you just want to get some field time with your new rifle.

shot one tonight at 90 yards down feeding with the .32, one of my better shots. give chucks a try, you'll be hooked!