By: Xander Russell 

     With the season changing, leaves turning colors, and weather getting colder comes many things, including hunting season. One of the most notable seasons in Pennsylvania is white tail deer season. 

     There are some important things you need to know before hunting and rules and regulations you must follow. You must purchase a license before you go hunting, which can be purchased at Walmart, Dunham’s, local hunting shops, or you can just order it online. You must also take a hunter safety course which you can schedule online and go take the class or take it online.  

     Archery season opened October 4 and continues until November 21. Late archery and flintlock season will run from December 26 through January 19. During these seasons, you can either use a crossbow or vertical bow, such as a compound or recurve, as long as the draw weight is over 35 pounds. Also, legal shooting light begins 30 minutes before sunrise and ends 30 minutes after the sun sets. 

     There are many methods for archery hunting, like using tree stands, blinds, spot-and-stalk, and some others as well. The Squire asked avid hunter Joe Gigliotti about his favorite way to hunt, and he shared, “Tree stands are the best. I feel they hide you well and the high ground gives you a great advantage.” He was also asked what his favorite hunting memory was, and he stated, “Killing my first buck and having to drag it around 100 yards uphill. I felt accomplished.”  

     There are some crucial things to look out for to make a good hunt. The most important thing is a good location and having good cover. Without it you won’t see many deer, and when you do, they will see you too.  

     Another very overlooked part of hunting is the weather. Look for cold fronts and low barometric pressure, which gets the deer moving. Pick your stand location based on the time of year and the wind direction; if a deer smells you, there is nothing you can do about it so make sure the wind is going away from where you think the deer are. Despite common belief, cold rainy days can make some of the best hunting days there are, especially during the rut, which is from mid-October to mid-November. That type of weather helps bucks stay cool while cruising for does, so they are much more active throughout the whole day. 

     This hunting season make sure to be safe, and good luck to everyone.