I guess it’s a sign that I’m getting older, or maybe I am old, and I’m just beginning to realize it, but it seems like change comes more frequently these days. Some changes may be good, some changes may not be so good, and some may be irrelevant. Of course, as an outdoor writer and an avid outdoorsman, I pay particular attention to what’s happening in the hunting and fishing world largely because I don’t want to break any game and fish laws inadvertently.

One of the biggest and most controversial changes, of course, was the changing of the opening day of the firearms deer season from the traditional Monday to a Saturday. Some liked it, and some did not. Where all this will settle out remains to be seen, but one thing’s for certain-it got the attention of Pennsylvania hunters. Another recent change that garnered some attention was the fluorescent orange ruling. Archery hunters were no longer required to wear fluorescent orange while moving about when hunting deer, bear or elk, and fall turkey hunters became exempt as well. I’ll admit, after all those years of complying with the fluorescent requirements, I had some difficulty not wearing it, and in fact, I found myself still using it for my own safety.

Well, guess what, the changes are still coming, or at least proposed changes are in the works. Eighteen years ago, the Game Commission created the state’s first-ever two-week concurrent buck and doe season. Over the years, that has been altered to our present set-up, with the exception of a few wildlife management units around Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Now biologists are recommending a statewide concurrent buck and doe season for next year. You can bet that this, too, will set off its share of controversy. Commissioners will vote on that at their Jan. 24-25 meeting, so by the time you read this, we may have an answer.

Another big issue that created its share of disagreement among outdoorsmen, and the farming community as well, was the move to open some hunting to Sundays. Act 147 passed House and Senate and was signed by Governor Wolf in November. One Sunday will be added to the archery season, and one will be added to the rifle deer season. It appears that the third Sunday will likely be added to the bear season, but that will be decided at the commission meeting. While I personally am not a fan of Sunday hunting, I’m not surprised that it is coming to Pennsylvania, at least on a limited basis. I’m sure there will be more changes to this in the future.

Another interesting change being looked at regards the tagging of deer. I suspect a lot of hunters may not even be aware of what is required at present; right now, if a hunter shoots a deer, it must be properly tagged before attempting to shoot a second deer assuming, of course, you have a tag for a second deer. Some units in the Philadelphia area are exempt from this ruling, but now there is consideration being given to make it uniform throughout the state. There are some pros and cons to the ruling. I don’t want to create a disturbance by climbing out of my archery tree stand to tag a deer, especially if I have a another tag and an opportunity for another deer, but I also see a downside to the scenario. The downside is how many deer may be hit but not followed up on properly while a second deer is pursued?

Trust me, I haven’t covered all the potential changes being considered, but I’m out of room for now. I’ll try to stay informed, but I’ll admit it’s getting harder to keep up with the changes, or maybe it’s always been that way, and I’m just getting older.