With perfect weather and clear skies, an estimated 750,000 Pennsylvania hunters participated in the first day of deer rifle hunting season on Monday, December 2, according to the PA Game Commision.
As usual the rifle season opened up the Monday following Thanksgiving and will continued until December 14. Bucks and does were targeted, and in most areas, antlered deer could have been shot up until December 6 due to their lower population. About half of antlered deer tags were filled within the first day of the rifle season.
Senior Sam Miller was so pleased with how the first day of rifle season went.
“The weather was just so perfect for this time of year,” said Miller. “It was an overall good day, and I was happy to spend it with my family. Hunting is a really good bonding activity for my family that we do every year.”
Susquehannock has the day off for the opening of hunting season as most of the schools in York County do. Many students and staff took to the woods to hopefully return with a kill.
Math teacher Michael Arnold enjoyed his day off hunting.
“I did get one on the first day of the season which was awesome,” said Arnold. “It was nice that we had the day off, so I could just relax and have fun in the woods.
Hunting is important in order to keep the populations of white-tailed deer controlled. In suburban areas deer are known to cause car crashes, and the control over the population helps to lower this number.
Junior Shane Silk thinks hunting is a crucial part to our community.
“It’s important because it teaches kids to be responsible with guns and helps to keep the population of the herd down,” said Silk. “I shot one yesterday, and it’s so relaxing. It’s a big stress reliever. Everyone should try it.”
According to PA Game Commission This year 950,000 licenses were issued by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Adult hunting licenses are $20.70, which includes an antlered tag. Last year 343,110 deer were reportedly killed; this number is to be well surpassed this year due to the rise in hunters.
