Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

Venesky

There’s a group that’s been overlooked during the debate around state Rep. Gerald Mullery’s bill to open up the sale of antlerless licenses to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Right now the task remains in the hands of county treasurers, and after the Luzerne County failed to process some applications last year – resulting in hunters not getting their doe licenses, Mullery decided it was time to take the monopoly away from counties and extend it to the PGC – via online, and its issuing agents.

And the latter is the group that has become lost in the debate.

Mullery said his bill could actually be a benefit for those retailers who are authorized by the PGC to sell hunting licenses. If his bill passes, hunters can buy their doe licenses online, from an issuing agent or by walking in to the courthouse.

Those who forego the Internet and courthouse – and there would likely be many, could line up at their local sporting goods shop the day that antlerless licenses go on sale.

Mullery said that could very well be a financial benefit to retailers, who not only would get the $1 from every sale, but also have an influx of potential customers looking to pick up a few other things while they’re in the store.

There are possibilities. Retailers can hold sales events coinciding with the day that doe licenses go on sale to further entice the crowds. While hunters are in the store with deer season on their minds – even though doe licenses go on sale in the summer, why not offer a few specials on ammunition, rifles and other items that might be needed when the season starts a few months later?

“I’m all for it,” said Paul Scavone, owner of J S Sporting Goods in Wilkes-Barre Township. “It might be a little hectic initially, but at that time in the summer its not crazy busy. It would be a good time to welcome some extra traffic.”

Scavone said he sees a summer rush the week before doe license applications have to be sent in as hunters scramble to buy their regular licenses. He suggested opening the first round of doe licenses to coincide with the first day that hunting licenses go on sale. Issue them both at the same time, he said, then let the traffic come through the door two more times when the next two rounds of unsold doe licenses are available.

I agree the concept would be much more convenient, but if the first round of doe licenses go on sale after hunting licenses, one retailer said it could be nothing more than a headache.

Joe Lasecki, owner of Nimrod Haven Sporting Goods in Hanover Township, said if the first day to buy hunting licenses and doe licenses don’t coincide, it really isn’t worth it to deal with the rush of customers for just $1 per sale.

“While I’m selling licenses and making $1, it will take time away from other customers in the store buying other things,” Lasecki said. “If they do it, they need to have the first round of doe licenses open the same day hunting licenses go on sale.”

Lasecki had a few other suggestions – make the entire process online only or up the cost of a hunting license by $10, include the doe tag for any unit that still has them available at no extra charge and manage the harvest by allocation, which is currently the case.

And drop the bonus rounds.

“That way the Game Commission makes more money, hunters get one doe license and it’s done,” Lasecki said.

The bill is scheduled for a vote in the House Game and Fisheries Committee on June 8. If it passes, it will likely result in more people buying doe licenses at retailers than online.

Last season, according to PGC figures, only 6.38 percent of all general hunting licenses – resident, adult, senior, nonresident and mentored youth, were sold online. Of all the licenses offered by the PGC combined, including archery, furtaker, bear and muzzleloader, sales last year topped 2.6 million, yet only 5.95 percent of those purchases were made online.

Last season, the PGC board allocated 839,000 doe licenses statewide.

If Mullery’s bill passes, retailers better get ready for a rush.