8ptbuckpa Posted September 12, 2007 Report Share Posted September 12, 2007 Well the other day I was at the doctors office looking through one of only 3 outdoor magazines in the lobby and there was an article about the potential of some states. As I read along the authors and several biologists feel that PA is right on the border of being classified as a Trophy state for whitetails instead of noted for its abudance. I was just wonderin what you guys that hunt/live in PA think. I feel that although we are getting there I don't think there is enough bucks of that caliber for that classification and also should no longer be noted for the abundance b/c of the herd reduction we have went through IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodsman2230 Posted September 12, 2007 Report Share Posted September 12, 2007 I agree that there are some big deer here, but I dont know if I would call it a trophy state. Its not a Kansas, or Iowa, or Illinois or states like that, that produce monster bucks with year to year consistancy. But its home and I dont know anything thing else so I cant really say for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M00N Posted September 12, 2007 Report Share Posted September 12, 2007 Some parts of the state may qualify for the classification of a "trophy area" on some of the private lands, maybe. I do not feel the entire state as a whole, nor most of the public lands, would qualify for that classification though. Like woodsman said though this is my home and I don't know anything else other than what I'm told about the other "trophy" states, so I can't really say for sure. It would depend on what is needed to be classified a trophy state and that author's definition of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckbuster11 Posted September 12, 2007 Report Share Posted September 12, 2007 I don't think I would go that far, but there is definately some improvement from say 5 years ago. This year especially I think I am really starting to see the effects of AR. Of course, if you throw out the midwestern states, Ohio, all of Canada and compare PA to the rest of the country...we are sitting pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildthing Posted September 12, 2007 Report Share Posted September 12, 2007 I agree with most of the comments made thus far...I think PA is on the right track. I live about 25 miles west of the city of Pittsburgh, on a farm, and have seen some drastic improvements since the antler restrictions went into effect. I think there is good potential if the PA hunters continue to do the right thing. Unfortunately, there has been a recent outbreak of EHD in my area, putting the herd in jeporady. Hundreds of deer have been found dead. Thus far, I have not yet found any on my farm...I pray for cold weather and frost. Let's not forget either that the "deer industry" is one growing tremendously. By that I mean that a lot of the deer found and hunted in the midwest states have been brought in from outside breeders to spread the genes too. A friend / neighbor has a fenced in area that he breeds deer with a few of the 190-200+ class deer that he owns and sells the bucks once they hit 2 1/2, 3 1/2, or 4 1/2. Prices range between 2k-4k per buck. Yes these area have big deer and good nutrition, but also the outfitters are running a "for profit" business so you know they are going to continue to improve the genetics so as to keep the paying hunter coming back for more. In part, small or large, that is why these midwest states get all of the hype and marketing that we see on the videos, magazines, and television. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8ptbuckpa Posted September 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2007 Let's not forget either that the "deer industry" is one growing tremendously. By that I mean that a lot of the deer found and hunted in the midwest states have been brought in from outside breeders to spread the genes too. A friend / neighbor has a fenced in area that he breeds deer with a few of the 190-200+ class deer that he owns and sells the bucks once they hit 2 1/2, 3 1/2, or 4 1/2. Prices range between 2k-4k per buck. Yes these area have big deer and good nutrition, but also the outfitters are running a "for profit" business so you know they are going to continue to improve the genetics so as to keep the paying hunter coming back for more. In part, small or large, that is why these midwest states get all of the hype and marketing that we see on the videos, magazines, and television. From what I have read in hunting regs booklets of other states it is illegal in many to release captive (high fenced) deer in to the wild however there are some exceptions like texas maybe more. It is also illegal to do this in our state also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildthing Posted September 12, 2007 Report Share Posted September 12, 2007 yes...you are right. I don't know all the laws and regs. myself. I really don't know a whole about the regulations and how the process works completely. I know the deer are not sold in our state or PA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParsonsOutdoors Posted September 13, 2007 Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 Nothing but button bucks in Pa, so move along to another state yall out of staters! wink wink. Yes, I hunt in Pa. JP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted September 13, 2007 Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 Guess it depends on what you call a "trophy". If shooting an artificially preserved 2 1/2 year old 110" deer is "trophy hunting", then PA's for you. Problem is, if that's your goal, you have to beat 900,000 other guys to the trigger pull. The promises that were given to PA hunters 5 years ago, or so were GREATLY overstated if not downright empty. PA has too many hunters and too little a chance bucks to grow (artificially or naturally) to ever be considered a "trophy state". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted September 13, 2007 Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 I don't think I would go that far, but there is definately some improvement from say 5 years ago. This year especially I think I am really starting to see the effects of AR. Agreed! I too am seeing better bucks running around, and I am close to state game lands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildthing Posted September 13, 2007 Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 I agree with Strut10. PA has a great hunting history, with a vast group of hunters each and every season. In order for this state to become a true trophy state, we need to collectively practice game management and be sportsman enough to let the younger, quality deer, mature. This is why I advocate hunting on Sundays in PA...either part of or all season for archery and gun, because more time will be afforded to the hunter that feels the stress of filling his/her tag with the first deer that walks into shooting distance. Go Steelers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbeck Posted September 14, 2007 Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 LMBROF, trophy state my BIG OL BUTT I've been hunting this state for 29 years. Mostly on private ground, The best buck I ever saw in the wild was a 138" eight pt. best one taken off our property was a 149" 10 pt. Now thess bucks are nothing to sneeze at, but they ain't common enough to be called a trophy state. Granted we only have 1,000 acres to try to hold deer on and get some age to them, but this will never be a trophy state with the number of hunters we have. I for one am glad we have the hunter support we do, but it don't help the deer herd. OK, I'm done ranting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hold_em_Archery Posted September 14, 2007 Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 Well, I have been seeing more and bigger bucks consistenly for the past 5 years. This year alone I have about 5 130+ bucks in the property that I am hunting. The future is very bright for PA. So to answer the question for anyone not already hunting here....NO PA HAS NO BIG BUCKS. JUST SPIKES, guess you need to keep buying up those Mid-West tags. Good Luck out there. I'll stay here and watch the does!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildthing Posted September 14, 2007 Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 we have 120's to 130's running around my area. Unfortunately, my area also just got hit with EHD...1000 reported dead deer...with countless more to come. Not to mention every farmer that lives around me hate deer and claim crop damage and red tag their farms. That makes it very difficult too...no bargaining about game management with people that could truly care less...I can only do my part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultratec1 Posted September 15, 2007 Report Share Posted September 15, 2007 Let's not forget either that the "deer industry" is one growing tremendously. By that I mean that a lot of the deer found and hunted in the midwest states have been brought in from outside breeders to spread the genes too. A friend / neighbor has a fenced in area that he breeds deer with a few of the 190-200+ class deer that he owns and sells the bucks once they hit 2 1/2, 3 1/2, or 4 1/2. Prices range between 2k-4k per buck. Yes these area have big deer and good nutrition, but also the outfitters are running a "for profit" business so you know they are going to continue to improve the genetics so as to keep the paying hunter coming back for more. In part, small or large, that is why these midwest states get all of the hype and marketing that we see on the videos, magazines, and television. I have no clue how the deer hunting is in Pennslyvania but this statement of deer being brought in for genetic dispersing is very far fetched!!! The reason that the midwest (iowa) has a good deer herd is due to some AWESOME QDM, NOT from breeders coming in and breeding the local population. No rifle season, and no gun season during the rut. This are just a slim few reasons of the deer herd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbeck Posted September 16, 2007 Report Share Posted September 16, 2007 I have no clue how the deer hunting is in Pennslyvania but this statement of deer being brought in for genetic dispersing is very far fetched!!! The reason that the midwest (iowa) has a good deer herd is due to some AWESOME QDM, NOT from breeders coming in and breeding the local population. No rifle season, and no gun season during the rut. This are just a slim few reasons of the deer herd. Might have something to do with the unbelievable mineral content in your soil. Might have something to do with the fact that deer get some age to them. Might have something to do with the fact that the hunting presure is reduce from some of the heavier hunted states. But I doubt that it has anything to do with releasing deer from captivity into the wild. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest czandjm Posted September 16, 2007 Report Share Posted September 16, 2007 Nothing but button bucks in Pa, so move along to another state yall out of staters! wink wink. Yes, I hunt in Pa. JP I'm sorry but I would have to disagree! I have been hunting in Pa for the past 15yrs. I hunt on BOTH private and public land and I have shot 130" class buck EVERY year, and have seen numerous amounts of bigger bucks consistantly. Just like evey other state it takes proper deer management, scouting and nutrition. Do I believe that Pa is a "trophy state"? No, but there sure is a ton of potential, as long as people let the young ones walk, and not shoot any legal buck that comes into range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildthing Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 ultratec1...you are singling out one state...Iowa...in my comment, I never made a specific comment as to a state...I said the midwest. I also didn't say in any way shape or form that that was WHY or the MAIN REASON the midwest has bigger deer either. Obvisouly, there is good nutrition and good sportsmanship too...that is the hearland of the county and main farming area. But you cannot deny that the deer industry and hunting has changed and that not all the deer taken that are trophy caliber and we see in print and marketed are fair chase either. There are high fenced areas that are hunted and better genetics have been altered. If this was not the case...there would be no market for deer farms. The fact is, regarding the main point of this thread, is that PA is a "potential" trophy caliber state is the regulations continue to protect the deer and hunters continue to become better sportsman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 So to answer the question for anyone not already hunting here....NO PA HAS NO BIG BUCKS. JUST SPIKES, guess you need to keep buying up those Mid-West tags. Good Luck out there. I'll stay here and watch the does!!Ain't any big ones in Wisconsin either!! Just lots of doe!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest adrenaline_junky Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 I can agree with most of that. I know at least in the Western part of PA the deer seem to be growing nice racks the buck to do ratio is almost where it needs to be around here anyways. I've killed two PA pope and youngs in the last two years so i'm thinkin that it's not yet a trophy state but just bordering it. I would consider it a sleeper state for big whitetails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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