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​Dear Season - Opening Day


Survey

Deer Hunter Attitudes Regarding Opening Day

This study was conducted for the Pennsylvania Game Commission to determine resident deer hunters’ participation in and attitudes regarding opening day of the regular firearms deer season. The study entailed a probability-based, scientific telephone survey of resident Pennsylvania deer hunters 18 years old and older.


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Attitudes Toward the Change in Opening Day

  • A majority of Pennsylvania deer hunters (60%) strongly or moderately support having opening day of the regular firearms deer season on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, compared to 27% who strongly or moderately oppose it. Because this is a key question in the survey, these results were cross tabulated by several hunter groups:
  • Opposition is higher among hunters 55 and older, compared to their younger counterparts.
  • Opposition is higher among those who hunted at a hunting camp on opening day, compared to those who did not. Support is highest among those who traveled to hunt on opening day but not at a hunting camp.
  • Support is markedly higher among those who have a child who hunts than those who do not.
  • Among the six Commission regions, support is lowest in the Northcentral Region.

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 Board of Commissioners Meeting January 27, 2023