The Chairman s rules provided the opportunity for a single working group member to halt approval of a recommendation supported by the majority of the working group. The working group requests that the Commission make available surplus antlerless licenses to sportsmen hunting on private land. In general this concept was supported by most working group members only if the provision of surplus antlerless licenses to private land did not exclude use of surplus tags on public land. This is a comprehensive set of recommendations. Relief is provided for private owners of large tracts of land that desire to manage deer at different levels than the county.
Relief is suggested for owners of small tracts of private land who are suffering deer damage.
Substantial input is provided on the issue of deer management units so that the units are designed to satisfy both biological and social needs. And important advise is given on how the PGC sets deer seasons with the recommendation suggesting that decision making concerning deer density goals be moved into the hands of local stakeholders. A new model of deer management in PA is described. Smaller, numerous deer management units have goals determined by citizen input. Because citizen consensus is required, controversy over deer management is reduced.