Press Article: Decline in Local Business Revenue Following Pennsylvania’s Deer Season Change
EMPORIUM, PA — A significant shift in Pennsylvania’s deer hunting traditions is disrupting local economies in rural areas, particularly around McKean County. Following a controversial decision by the Pennsylvania Game Commission in 2019 to move the opening day of the rifle deer season from Monday to Saturday, businesses like CJ Spirits are witnessing a sharp decline in revenue.
Owner Sam Cummings Jr. lamented that the once bustling weekend, which attracted hunters to local shops and services, has dwindled to nearly “nothing.” The change, intended to cater to modern schedules and make hunting more accessible, has resulted in decreased community engagement as hunters now prioritize quick trips to their camps and early returns for work or school.
Community leaders, including Cameron County Chamber of Commerce executive director Tina Johns Solak, have voiced concerns over the economic impact. “The misnomer that we make most of our money during hunting season is a joke because we don’t anymore,” she stated, indicating that efforts to drive tourism through activities like elk watching have not fully offset the losses from diminished hunting season revenues.
Surveys conducted before the change indicated a preference among hunters for keeping the traditional Monday opener, a view echoed by former Game Commissioner James Daley, who resigned in protest after the decision. Despite ongoing discussions about reverting to Monday, proposed legislation has largely stalled in committee.
While some policymakers argue the Saturday opener improves access for younger hunters and those with weekday jobs, critics maintain the economic toll on rural communities could outweigh any benefits. Game Commission officials assert that hunting license sales have stabilized since the change, but they remain open to dialogue regarding its impacts.
As the debate continues, local businesses and residents feel the strain of a tradition once integral to rural Pennsylvania’s economy.
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