Pennsylvania Game Commission opposes a new youth buck season

Harrisburg — A state legislator believes an early buck season strictly for youth hunters will benefit the sport, but the Pennsylvania Game Commission isn’t on board.

State Rep. Charity Grimm Krupa, R-Smithfield, has introduced House Bill 1915, which directs the Game Commission to implement a youth antlered deer season for junior and mentored youth hunters.

According to the bill, which has been referred to the House Game and Fisheries Committee, the commission shall establish a five-day youth buck season prior to the start of the regular firearms season. The bill has seven co-sponsors – all Republican state representatives. 

Although the bill doesn’t define season dates, Grimm Krupa’s memo to legislators states the season may overlap with the existing youth antlerless season, which runs from Oct. 23-25 this year.

If HB 1915 is approved, it could essentially create a concurrent buck and doe early season specifically for youth hunters – a segment that currently isn’t limited by antler restrictions. Junior hunters can harvest any buck with an antler greater than 3 inches or with at least two points.

MORE WHITETAIL COVERAGE FROM OUTDOOR NEWS:

The reality of the whitetail rut? Put time on your side

Target staging areas in late October for better bowhunting; here’s what they look like

Dealing with hunting pressure is often inevitable during a gun opener; here’s how to deal with it

In her memo, Grimm Krupa referenced two programs already in place for young hunters – mentored and junior licenses. She wrote the bill will provide both groups an additional tag to use for the special antlered season, in addition to the existing antlered deer tag that can be used during the regular season. 

Currently, all Pennsylvania hunters are limited to one antlered tag per year.

However, a statement issued by the Game Commission applauds the recognition of the importance of engaging young hunters, but the agency “firmly believes that all seasons and bag limits should be set by our board of commissioners.”

Youth hunting has been a primary topic of late as the Game Commission board has proposed a measure to issue big game tags to youth hunters under the age of 7. The proposal passed at the last quarterly meeting by a 6-3 vote and needs final approval at an upcoming meeting.

In addition to expanded opportunities for young hunters, Grimm Krupa outlined several other benefits of the early buck season, including safety and firearm education.

“More mentored and youth-focused opportunities also increase safety instruction and supervised experience with firearms. Pennsylvania’s own data show hunting-related shooting incidents have declined by nearly 80% since hunter education began in 1959, a trend attributed to hunter-education and safe-practice culture,” she stated in her memo.

Grimm Krupa also wrote that giving mentors and young hunters the added opportunity of an early buck season will help foster confidence, skill and a lifetime respect for the outdoors.

The season will also aid in conservation and deer management, she added.

“Our commonwealth faces significant deer overpopulation challenges, resulting in crop damage, vehicle collisions, and property loss. Allowing our youth to have an extra chance at harvesting antlered deer contributes to sound wildlife management while also giving them a safe, supervised introduction to the responsibilities of hunting,” Grimm Krupa stated.