Episode 32: Pennsylvania Deer Hunting Past and Present with Dr. Gary Alt

Just in time for the statewide regular firearms deer season opener, Dr. Gary Alt, a well-known Pennsylvania Game Commission wildlife biologist talks about his career with the agency. Dr. Alt is a Pennsylvania native and a lifetime deer hunter. In fact, he got out of his tree stand to do this podcast interview. He hunts deer six weeks in the fall but he thinks about deer every week of the year. His greatest memories of his father, grandfather and son all include hunting whitetails. Dr. Alt began his work with the Pennsylvania Game Commission in the late 1970’s as a bear biologist to conduct research on the bear population and continued in that role for 22 years. He then served the agency as the whitetail deer biologist for five years, where he led efforts to balance the deer herd with habitat by increasing antlerless permits and reducing the mortality of immature bucks by instituting antler restrictions. He shares his perspective on deer and the enormous impact they have in our society in Pennsylvania. From our forests, to agriculture, to people, there are very strong opinions on deer management, which has historically made deer management here in the Keystone State difficult. Dr. Alt retired from the Game Commission in the early 2000s. Today’s he is still researching bears across the globe and also works with the Pennsylvania Wildlife Leadership Academy as an instructor and curriculum developer.