It’s the most wonderful time of the year for Pennsylvania hunters as they gear up for opening day of deer season.
Black Friday came two days late at Bass Pro Shops in Swatara Township as people stocked up on last-minute hunting gear.
Jeff Winchester of Harrisburg stopped by to pick up hunting licenses for he and his son. They’ll head out to Wellsville to hunt at the crack of dawn Monday.
“Have a little breakfast, get all our gear ready. Then we walk down in the dark to our woods, climb in our stand and pretty much just sit and wait until we see a buck come through,” he said.
Hunters in parts of York and Adams counties will see some new restrictions after Chronic Wasting Disease was found in two captive deer near New Oxford. State officials are asking hunters in a 600 square mile disease management area to take their deer to check stations to be tested.
Some hunters said news of the disease has them airing on the side of caution.
“Well, I’m not going to eat any deer meat, that’s for sure,” said hunter Bill Hall.
Others said they’re not too concerned.”I don’t think that’s a problem. I mean it will be a problem if they’re not careful, but I don’t think it’s a problem now,” said shopper Howard Kauffman.