Posted: 11/29/2013 5:04:11 PM EDT
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Hey guys,
I have never hunted before, although I have been wanting to do so for a few years now. Been doing a lot of reading on the game commission site and want to know if I have my facts straight so far. I am looking to start hunting whitetail deer. I am in WMU 5C. I would like to use a bolt action rifle. So far it looks like my time to go would be one of these: DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 1A, 1B, 2B, 3A, 3D, 4A, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D: Dec. 2 –14. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license. DEER, ANTLERLESS EXTENDED REGULAR FIREARMS: (Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties): Dec. 26 –Jan. 25. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license And to take a deer I need: PA Hunter's License Antlerless deer tag. Am I correct on my information so far? It is a lot of info to sort through for a first timer. Any help is appreciated. |
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I'm pretty sure 5C is all shotgun/muzzleloader only. You'll need an antlerless tag to take an antlerless deer, I'm pretty sure they're still available for 5C but you would need to go to the courthouse to get one.
You can take an antlered deer with just your hunting license.I don't know the point requirement's in 5C. You'll need a hunters' safety card to buy your license unless you meet one of the exceptions. Most of your questions would be answered in the course. |
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Quoted:
I'm pretty sure 5C is all shotgun/muzzleloader only. You'll need an antlerless tag to take an antlerless deer, I'm pretty sure they're still available for 5C but you would need to go to the courthouse to get one. You can take an antlered deer with just your hunting license.I don't know the point requirement's in 5C. You'll need a hunters' safety card to buy your license unless you meet one of the exceptions. Most of your questions would be answered in the course. Thank you I will look into that. |
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I'm in 5C also.
It is shotgun/muzzle loader only for all of Bucks county. There is a small portion of 5C near Barto that is not in Bucks, you can use a rifle there. 5C has an extended anterless that runs to the end of January. There are plenty of anterless tags left for 5C. |
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Lost mentions it, but I'll expand a bit on the points.
A few years ago, they changed what made a legal buck. Some regions require a minnimum fork (4 points, 2 on each side,) or spike, some require a 6 point minnimum and some require 8 point (3 tines and a brow point.) I hunt in Butler Co., and they just changed us this year to remove the brow tine requirement. Check for your zone. You used to be able to use an antlerless tag on an undersized buck, but I don't know if they changed that too. Any time I pull an antlerless tag, I use it to cull big does. Also, I'd recommend going out with someone you know to learn. There is a lot more to deer hunting than walking into the woods and standing under a tree. Wll you be on private land or state game lands? Game lands can be insane shooting galleries on opening day. |
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Another 5 C hunter here. Correct shotgun and muzzleloader only. The good part is that they have plenty of tags and plenty of doe in 5C.
As other have said. Be careful of your target and what's behind it. I was somehwhat of a self taught hunter myself. Hardest part for me was gutting my first deer. This was pre internet so I had to rely on a magazine article in Field and Stream. Easier then I thought it would be! enjoy hunting and be respectful of the sport. It will reward you with good times and tasty meat! |
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Thanks for all the input. Looks like I will be using my 870 set up with some slugs. I do know some guys from my old Boy Scout troop that hunt so I will most likely be asking one of them to guide me on my first hunt, I just need to get all the required paperwork out of the way before that step.
Can I take the hunter safety course online or do I need to go somewhere to take it? (Stupid question but I don't have time right now to look it up) |
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Quoted:
Just back from deer camp. As far as I know you need to take the course in person and they fill up fast. The PGC website shot have a list of available courses. So taking it here online would be a no-go? Just curious because I looked at the list of in person tests and they are all filled 
http://www.hunter-ed.com/pennsylvania/handbook/index.html |