Letter to the editor: Game commission needs to attract young hunters

Regarding the article “Game Commission member, sportsmen rep clash over Saturday start to deer season”: I am against changing the first day of antlered deer season from Monday to Saturday. Many other licensed hunters are, too. Our reasons include the disruption of the Thanksgiving holiday, Black Friday family shopping and potential shopping on Small Business Saturday.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission noted an increase of 3,351 more licenses, a minuscule 0.4% increase. If the Game Commission wants to attract younger first-time hunters, then a platform to attract them must be established — and not by changing the opening day.

The Game Commission procedures for purchasing doe licenses do not attract younger people. Embrace today’s technology, don’t avoid it. Smartphones are everywhere; churches are even broadcasting services for people to watch on their phones, with the traditional offering replaced by online giving via cellphone. Shoppers use their phones, and homes are sold on phones. The Game Commission needs a phone app to purchase hunting licenses and game tags, reporting kills and more.

Rep. Bill Kortz, D-Dravosburg, minority chair of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, said, “I want more youth in hunting also, but I don’t think we did it in the right way.” Have a platform to attract younger hunters.

David L. Helmstadter

North Huntingdon