Rem40X,

I have to admit the lower part of Potter County is almost like a different county these days. However the northern part of Potter and Tioga is a completely different matter. During Turkey, Grouse/ Woodcock and Pheasant season, we have lots of bird hunters with their dogs up here, with the average amount of young hunters mixed in with their fathers and uncles.

We also get a big number of out of state hunters here, some own their own camps here in northern Potter and come from many different states to hunt in the Rt6 area, during Grouse, Pheasant and Turkey seasons. Even our released Pheasant have not been effected by WNV as far as anyone can really tell, and in some areas we do have nice hold over Pheasants. Predators however take a big percentage of the released Pheasants here in our mountains, not WNV. Putting bounties back on predators of all different kinds, would increase all the different small game numbers drastically, especially the Grouse population.

Our Grouse and Woodcock numbers are still pretty darn good, Turkey & Pheasants have not been effected what so ever, however our Crows and Ravens and some other small birds have definitely diminished in number. Eliminating late season Grouse hunting is going to effect the economy of all the little towns here in northern Potter, Warren and Tioga counties adversely for sure. The little towns here still depend on the hunters and Fisherman for a lot of their seasonal business, limiting the seasons in any way, always effects their businesses.

You made a good point when you said the PGC did not really know what is effecting the over all Grouse population here in PA, however shortening Grouse season will probably not help the Grouse population, however it will negatively effect the little towns monetary situations for sure. It's to bad proper testing like the RGS & WI DNR instituted for the effects of WNV, was not done prior to altering the Pa Grouse hunting season. No PA hunting season should ever be shortened on an unproven theory. Out west they have already proven WNV had little to no effect on the Pheasant population, it will be interesting to see if the PGC shortens Pheasant season here in Pa, similar to what they have done with Grouse season.

RGD/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

Last edited by Ryman Gun Dog; 07/31/18 02:43 AM.