Hundreds of hunters and rural business representatives told the Pennsylvania Game Commission on Jan. 25 that the switch to a Saturday opener for fall deer rifle season has damaged camp traditions, local weekend economies and hunter recruitment.

The push to restore a Monday opener was a theme throughout the public-comment period. Dave Longeneiter, a lifelong hunter, said, “I'd like you to go back to Monday,” citing family camp traditions in Tioga County that he said have eroded since the season moved to Saturday.

Supporters of returning to Monday said the previous Monday opener gave families extra time after Thanksgiving for travel and camp preparations, and that the Saturday change compresses those activities into the holiday weekend. Tim Hamilton, a resident who testified after attending previous meetings, said the commission ignored the majority of hunters when it moved the opener and that the change has “kicked the mentor hunters to the curb.”

Speakers also described local economic losses. Blaine Toy, who said the weekend opener was important to camp owners and local businesses in the northern tier, said nonprofits and volunteer organizations lost a profitable weekend and some small businesses faced financial strain. Dan Davila and others said commissioners should use data to assess economic impacts; multiple commenters said the commission’s draft agenda was released too late to allow adequate review.

Several commenters cited survey and public-comment totals to argue the decision lacked popular support. Randy Santucci and others said that staff surveys and the public-comment record showed opposition to the Saturday change and that future decisions should be data-driven. Tim Hamilton and Ray Taylor asked the commission to consider restoring Sundays more broadly while returning deer-season start dates to Monday.

No commissioners or staff actions were recorded in the public-comment portion of the transcript. Commenters said they plan to present additional data at upcoming informational meetings and pursue legislation to restore the prior schedule.

If commissioners take formal action on season dates, speakers said they expect the commission to explain the data and enforcement considerations behind any change and to weigh impacts on small-town economies and hunter recruitment going forward.