CHECK-IN STATIONS | How hunters feel about donations

DENNIS MALLOY, LOCAL COORDINATOR, WHITETAILS UNLIMITED, CO-HOST "OUTDOOR ICON SHOW," WKBN 57:
"This is very wrong -- the whole philosophy of the deer check station is to keep the traditions alive and incorporate the local business establishments in with the sportsmen. Being a check station is a privilege, and if it is a burden on this business, then the state should pull them as a station and give it to someone else."
ROB PALOWITZ, OWNER, PALO CREATIVE, CO-HOST "OUTDOOR ICON SHOW," WKBN 57:
"I have different feelings about it. Being a business owner, you want to account for your employees' time and determine whether or not it pays to have that person working. If they are working, what are they doing and what are their responsibilities? I understand that checking in deer is a function that is 'donated' time to the folks that offer it at their stores/shops. The problem is if they are too busy checking in deer, then no one can sell goods and run the store cash register for hunters buying something. So, store owners lose that way, too. So, for someone checking in deer wanting to charge hunters, I can feel their pain. From a hunter standpoint, I see it as a management service to the state that the state should some how reciprocate the shop owners that take care of the hunters and the deer check in process. I don't think hunters should be charged for a license to get deer, a fee to check in deer, a fee to butcher a deer and, if you're lucky enough, a fee to mount a monster. We would be paying a ton just to go out! That would stifle folks that have tight budgets to want to go out and hunt. Overall, I think something should be done, especially for shops that don't get any kind of additional sales from the hunter activity. But, it shouldn't come on the burden or backs of the hunters."
KEITH "DOC" AINSLEY, OWNER, DOC'S DEER FARM AND SCENTS, CORTLAND:
"We all need to support our hunting rights/privileges -- dealers as one -- however when these dealers sell hunting licenses they get token amount of cost. The fact that they are allowed to sell these permits entices you and me as fellow hunters to pick up other necessities (flashlights, scents, clothing, ammo) and the like. They make next to nothing on selling hunting permits, but are making good money on other needed supplies.
"I'm afraid if people start charging for this legal requirement it will only escalate the costs, period. If $2 is going to make or break these people, maybe it shouldn't be done. Maybe you and I as fellow hunters need to stop and think to avoid this mess we should remember to purchase products at these stores while we are waiting to check our deer in.
"A little attention to detail would, I'm sure, be greatly appreciated and deserved. The next time you check in your deer take a minute and shop at their, even before you get your deer if its applicable. If not, make sure you pick up a few extra items for the road. Its all about our hunting right. Let's preserve it together."
WALTER KEKEL, MEMBER OF THE BERLIN BIRD DOG CLUB AND A LOCAL HUNTER:
"$2 doesn't bother me. Having been in management all my life, I feel that it's not much to pay when you consider what it's costing the people employing the workers. Every time a deer comes in, it will take anywhere for 10-15 minutes to process the tagging. It cost the employer more then the $2 if you consider the worker's time and if the worker could have been helping someone spending far more then a hunter buying a pop or candy bar."
DICK ROVNAK, LOCAL HUNTER AND A MEMBER OF THE MAHONING SPORTSMENS CLUB, HILLSVILLE, PA.:
"I hunt Rogers because I work in Lisbon at the [unemployment office]. When I do get a deer, I have it checked in at Red's (On state Route 7, near North Lima), and I do purchase things from Red's. There's a certain elation that comes over me when I down a deer and go to check it in. If I was asked for a donation and was sure that it was for a good cause, then I probably would donate. It's not really that hard for them to check a deer in anyway."
LILA KOSTON, WILLIAMSFIELD TAXIDERMIST, ANNIE OAKLEY AWARD RECIPIENT, NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION:
"I think that the deer hunters pay enough for one of our favorite pastime sports and our heritage rights. Nine out of 10 times, a hunter and his buddies will buy something like coffee, doughnuts, gasoline, etc. "We have been plagued with more taxes on everything from hunting clothes, licenses, tags, ammo, firearms, etc. I think this is outrageous to put another $2, even if it is not mandatory, on a sign to make us feel obligated to 'donate.'"
DAVE GARVEY, PRESIDENT, NEWTON FALLS SPORTSMEN'S CLUB:
"First off, I find this appalling. I understand that check stations do not receive a fee for checking in a deer. But most check stations are also license subagents, and for this service, they do. They receive 50 cents for every license or permit that is processed through their terminal. Now I realize that this does not seem like a lot, but if the hunter frequents the shop often, the so-called hassle that they go through should be worth it. The pro shop that I deal with is also owned by a friend, but even so I have purchased guns, bows, boots, arrows -- you name it I've bought it. I spend probably $1,000 to $2,500 a year on my so-called hobby. The bulk of this is spent at Rattlesnake Hill in Braceville. Todd and Dawn have really taken care of me over the years, and I enjoy dealing with them. To them I have always been a customer first. The friendship has been formed over the years because I was a frequent customer, and we wound up joining the same conservation club.
"Also I have frequented several different check stations over the years in several different counties. If I stop in one that I do not shop, I always try to purchase something regardless of what it is. I even bought a gun of the owner of a mom-and-pop store in Jackson, Ohio.
"Now, in defense of the check stations, I have witnessed rude behavior from people that I will not refer to as hunters or sportsmen. They have come in to the check station and demanded that the world stop just because they killed a deer. Big deal; life doesn't stop because they got lucky. And the shopkeeper should always deal with paying customers first.
"Now in defense to the hunters, I will add that I have been to several stations that do not do a thing but hand you the metal tag. You fill out your paperwork and tag your own deer; they do not even leave the counter.
"So, as far as who's right or who's wrong, that's for the sportsmen and women to decide. I for one will not bother with a check station that feels it is necessary to charge a fee."
DALE W. SUNDERLIN SR. , PRESIDENT/FOUNDER, CAMP CAMO ORG., GENEVA:
"It's something my father and I have talked about for years. I have mixed emotions on the subject. I haven't heard of any stations [in Ashtabula or Lake county] asking for donations yet. Normally, depending on where we check in our harvest, whether deer or turkey, we try and purchase something from the operator to help compensate them for their time and efforts.
"I would go along with it if it were controlled ... by the ODNR. A set price no matter where you went. $2 doesn't sound like a exorbitant amount for someone to process the paper work they take care of. But again, it has to be controlled. If not you may have one station charging $2 and the next $5."