Are you overlooking these 5 thrilling hunts in the Keystone State?
by J.F. Kanati
Pennsylvania is known for the big three: black bear, wild turkey, and of course, the white-tailed deer. Opening day for rifle deer has long been considered an almost religious holiday with schools being closed and a large population making their pilgrimage to the northern tier where they gather in cabins, make-shift camps with tents and trailers. It’s a wonderful tradition and one that brings many friends and families together each year. But if you have a desire to try something new or return to that thrill of the hunt from your early years, read on.
American Woodcock
Bog suckers, mud bats, or timber doodle are just a few of the nicknames given to this quirky little migratory bird. Pennsylvania falls squarely in the breeding range for the woodcock and each year the state produces a good proportion of the annual recruitment for the northeast. Because of that, woodcock can be found in covers from early spring through late November. Hunting season generally opens mid-October and hunters can flush local birds early on until the migrations begins - which exponentially increases the numbers until, they move through the state. Timing a day afield with that migration can be pandemonium with areas stacked full of woodcock. While considered an upland bird, woodcock haven’t lost their propensity for getting their feet a bit wet similar to their shorebird cousins. Although they can be found on the top of a ridge in a 10-year-old clear-cut, more often than not to find good numbers hunters should look for wet soil areas near lakes, ponds, or swamps. The real key to locating good woodcock cover is the vegetation structure. Trees like dogwood or alder growing in a thick stand often signal a good place to find woodcock. If the area is flooded you won’t find the birds within. However, soft soil with perhaps a few puddles here and there mark a location where birds can walk around and probe for worms. You don’t need a dog to hunt them, but it can help quite a bit. What is needed is determination and a quick snap shot at a rising bird.
Late Season Flintlock White-tails
What is often considered one of the most traditional of techniques for harvesting a deer in PA, late season flintlock hunting provides both extreme challenge and solitary peace in the woods. Coming in the day after Christmas and running well into January, this season often includes snow, cold, and very little competition. Flintlocks take the hunter back to their roots and conjures that feeling of reuniting with the spirits of forebears that settled this land. With no fluorescent orange requirements, this hunting doesn’t have to be sitting in a tree stand or in a ground blind. Most hunters choose to spot and stalk, meaning slowly still hunting through an area until they see their quarry and then getting as close as possible for the shot. With limited range, getting close is a must in order to make a good ethical hit. This really tests the hunter’s ability and takes the excitement of deer hunting to a new level. With snow on the ground, many flintlockers don white clothing and disappear into the background. Some choose to stick to the age-old red and black plaid of the 40’s-50’s, also known as Woolrich’s ‘Pennsylvania Tuxedo.’ The old expression “keep your powder dry” loses any hidden meaning in the flintlock woods, and is probably both the hardest and most important thing to keep in mind. When the hunter spends a good portion of the morning creeping to within spitting distance of a bedded deer and the flint falls, the sound of dry powder is a fizzzzzzz….BANG!
Early Mourning Doves
Depending on where you grew up, dove hunting was often a signal to start the new hunting season. Many hunters gathered up a bucket, loaded it with boxes of shells, and headed for the nearest ag field with shotgun in hand. If this doesn’t sound familiar then you’ve been missing out. Mourning doves are found statewide, but higher densities can be found in or near the major agricultural communities within the state. Season opens each year on or around September 1st and by this time doves are beginning to flock up. Although considered a migratory bird like the woodcock, a large majority of doves in Pennsylvania don’t actually migrate out of the state. The September season can be an exciting time to get out and target cut wheat fields, chopped corn fields, or managed dove fields, but as the year progresses, these birds congregate into larger and larger flocks and can make for some fantastic wingshooting. The season runs up to deer rifle where it goes out for a few weeks and then comes back in, running until early January. Focusing on harvested corn fields later in the season is key and doing some scouting with binoculars can help the late season hunter locate birds quickly. No matter the time of the season, locating places that have ample food, some open water, loafing areas (snags and utility lines), as well as gritting areas (gravel roads or parking areas) nearby will often spell high densities of birds. Although decoys can help, as with most game it’s all about location, location, location. To lessen the frustration these birds can bring with their fast flying, make sure you get out to the clays range beforehand and knock off that rust.
Crows
Often overlooked as a nuisance species, the crow at one time was a popular target for serious hunters. With an intelligence that’s rarely matched within the world of wildlife and sharp eyesight on par with turkeys, crow hunting brings a challenge to the hunter that not many species can. Crows are found statewide and can be hunted in a variety of habitats. With the season running from early July through mid-April (Friday-Sunday only) it provides for one of the longest hunting opportunities within the state. Crow hunters can put as much or as little effort into the hunt as they prefer, but success increases exponentially when good camouflage, blinds, decoys, and calling are all included. Crows are a gregarious species, preferring to be with others of their own kind, and this is why having decoys and calling can draw birds into range from great distance. Their mortal enemy, the great-horned owl can also be used against them. Many hunters use an owl decoy with several crow decoys set up nearby to incite their ire and cause them to come into the waiting gun with reckless abandon. During the winter months, crows will often gather into large flocks and can be seen feeding in harvested corn fields. This provides waterfowl hunters a fun way to extend their season once goose season closes.
Raccoons
If the thought of racing through the darkness following only the beam of your headlamp and the mournful baying of a hound piques your interest than you need to try this final hunt. Raccoon hunting has long been a tradition not only in the deep south, but here in the Commonwealth. Although unfortunately a dying sport, there are still a strong contingent of hardcore houndsmen that continue the tradition each night of the season. Running from late October through late February, the hunting season for coons is open a decent portion of the year. Additionally, low fur prices have caused in increase in population proving there has never been a better time to pursue this extremely abundant game animal. The most enjoyable part of this hunt, by far, is watching a hound do what it was born to do. Once they strike a trail, listening to that sweet music that is the barks, bawls, and howls becomes highly addictive. There are several houndsmen groups throughout the state, so if you don’t have a friend with hounds, contact one of these organizations and I’m sure they’d be glad to get you involved. Another, less traditional way of hunting is calling raccoons. More often this is conducted at night with a red light and caller, although sometimes raccoons can be called during the day depending on the time of year. Your heart will race when you hear a masked bandit charging in towards you sounding like a miniature grizzly bear.
Pennsylvania is chock full of opportunity for the hunter, and these are just 5 species or hunts you may have overlooked in the past. There’s plenty of great resources out there to learn more about each one and always be sure to read the regulations before heading afield. If you feel stuck in a rut or are losing that passion you once had for pursuit, try something new this season and you’ll find that the fire is still inside, it just needed a new type of fuel. Good Luck!