Horse enthusiast in PA

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The game commision has tenataivly approved new policies for use of state game lands. I happen to live right next to 3000 acres. They have proposed to keep all horseback riding limmited to Sundays only, whenever any type of hunting is in season. Obviosly when deer season is in you wont find riders in the woods but during times like small game it is not dangerous. The catch here is that if you were to buy a hunting license then you are exempt from this rule. There are no restrictions for hunting on horse back. So as long as you have your license on you you cant be fined. Even you you arent carrying a gun. All you have to say is you are out scouting. Sounds to me like the state wants to make more money.

-- tracy (murfette@stargate.net), January 21, 2002

Answers

Yep, sounds like politics.

I carry a police whistle in my horn bag. If I hear shots, I blow it hard to let them know I'm around. (If you fire a gun, they just think it's another hunter.)

-- ~Rogo (rogo2222@hotmail.com), January 22, 2002.


I don't ride in the woods during deer hunting season..ever. But when I trail ride, only when alone or with one of my kids, I sing (grin) I figure that will scare anything..hunters, bears, deer, small children... The horses don't mind, my daughters do, but they just have to deal with it. Old and/or dumb songs work best, in my opinion.

I agree that having to buy a hunting license is just a way for the state to make money, disgusting isn't it? We have acreage so I can ride a while without having to leave our property. There are two places in New York that have wonderful horse trail systems-- Brookfield, and Otter Creek. Brookfield is near Norwich and Otter Creek is a ways up North. Both offer camping facilities as well- free. There is a pump for water, and a pit toilet but it's nice just the same, I believe Brookfield offers 126 miles of trails. Before my youngest got serious about showing we'd go camping with horses for a week to 10 days at Brookfield--Roger's Conservation Center is very near the trail system and Hubby would go down stream from it and try to catch very large fish--every once in a while he would catch one!

Stacy in NY

-- Stacy (KincoraFarm@aol.com), January 22, 2002.


Although I think having to have a licence is yucky.......I sure am jealous of your having access to 3000 acres!!! Sounds wonderful.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), January 22, 2002.

Stacy, my hubby says I couldnt carry a tune even if it was in a bucket [LOL]. For hubby and I it is not that big of a deal to purchase a license, he hunts and I will probably start. What I find troubling is that if a friend wants to come out and ride I wouldnt be able to take them unless they had a hunting license. Plus we have spent weeks tagging new trails that not only riders utilize but hunters as well. I guess that I will probably take the chance anyway. We have so many trails that once you get back into the woods no one would ever see you. You would just have to be careful entering and exiting. You can hear cars coming so I guess we will take the chance.

-- tracy (murfette@stargate.net), January 22, 2002.

Our wildlife club at school (WVU) actually had a conservation officer from south western PA come speak. He mentioned that his entire salary is paid on hunting liscences. They do not get their funding (at least his area didn't) from the state taxes. He also mentioned trying to get horses and 4-wheelers out of certain game areas. now he came mostly to speak about bears, and this was a few months ago, so I may not be remembering everything perfectly, but I believe he said something about their effect on the trails and upkeep and interference with the wildlife and the hunters (although i hardly think a horse is the same as a 4-wheeler). I think he meant that these areas were striclty for hunting. None of this is my opinion, this is all from his talk (well, except fro the horse-4-wheeler comparrison ;>)

-- Elizabeth (Lividia66@aol.com), January 22, 2002.


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