1Urging the Pennsylvania Game Commission to explore the
2possibility of opening the rifle hunting season for white-
3tailed deer in Pennsylvania on the Saturday directly
4following Thanksgiving.

5WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Game Commission is the agency with
6ultimate management authority for white-tailed deer; and

7WHEREAS, According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, an
8estimated 343,110 deer were harvested during the 2012-2013 deer
9hunting seasons, with 225,220 being taken during the regular
10rifle deer season; and

11WHEREAS, Deer hunting is one of this Commonwealth's most
12valued traditions and has a significant economic impact on this
13Commonwealth; and

14WHEREAS, Hunters have less available time to hunt due to the
15ever-increasing demands of work, family and other obligations;
16and

17WHEREAS, For many hunters, taking a day off work or missing
18other obligations in order to hunt on the traditional Monday

1start to the season can create additional financial burden
2during challenging economic times; and

3WHEREAS, Opening the regular rifle deer season on the
4Saturday following Thanksgiving could help generate more
5interest and participation in deer hunting in this Commonwealth
6due to the additional opportunity it would provide; therefore be
7it

8RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the
9Pennsylvania Game Commission to explore the possibility of
10opening the rifle deer hunting season on the Saturday directly
11following Thanksgiving; and be it further

12RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the
13Pennsylvania Game Commission.