HARRISBURG (TNS) — Hunters reflect the overall population when it comes to the impact they’re willing to accept from the coronavirus pandemic and related restrictions, although more of those discussing it in Pennsylvania hunting groups on Facebook lean to the denier side of the issue.

“I will not be following unlawful, unconstitutional restrictions for a virus with 99.97 percent survival rate,” wrote one of those hunters.

Another agreed, “Only way I’m missing deer or bear camp is if I’m dead or in the hospital. Hunting is a part of my family’s life.”

A third noted, “I refuse to be indoctrinated into the group think mentality that is cripplingly our economy. People get sick. Elderly folks die. My friend’s Mom died of lung cancer and the pricks wrote down COVID-19 on the death certificate. If I can’t hunt with a handful of friends yet ( Black Lives Matter) can march all over the place by the hundreds, then that would be a country I would no longer want to live in.”

It was a simple answer for many, who commented with something like this: “Not gonna change the way I hunt. Just like it didn’t change the way I live.”

One responder simply posted an image of the Declaration of Independence and several peppered their responses with derogatory nicknames and descriptions of government officials.

At the other end of the spectrum, some hunters did acknowledge the potential severity of the coronavirus with comments like “obviously many of us won’t be helping to slow the spread of the virus, not even to our families and guys we claim have been our hunting buddies for years and years. We can’t change our hunting traditions even a bit.”

Another noted, “My cabin is just my family, but we all know to be smart and not do anything stupid and follow all protocols. Our biggest issue, which we saw when we went up for archery is that the bars in Luzerne County don’t really believe in masks and we were called (insulting slur) for wearing a mask inside the bar. So, we won’t be going out on Saturday night and Sunday night. That is the only change.”

Another noted, “My cabin is just my family, but we all know to be smart and not do anything stupid and follow all protocols. Our biggest issue, which we saw when we went up for archery is that the bars in Luzerne County don’t really believe in masks and we were called (insulting slur) for wearing a mask inside the bar. So, we won’t be going out on Saturday night and Sunday night. That is the only change.”

And, yet another commented, “I think it’s up to the camps and hunters who are members of it. Everyone knows what’s going on and should take all measures and steps to provide a safe hunting experience for all. But again, it’s up to the camp members.”

At one camp, said a hunter, “We are just reminding the gang stay home if your sick, everyone checking temps before they leave home, bringing all food and supplies with us, no one will be going to town. It looks like the local businesses might get hurt, but we’re still hunting.”

Some spoke from personal experience, noting, “My son is positive for (coronavirus). We won’t be going to camp this year for bear or deer seasons. With my dad and others being at higher risk, staying there is not worth any risk to them. We are hoping to be able to get out for a day or two for deer around home.”

From a more philosophical perspective, a hunter offered, “If anything hunting has been our ability to have some sense of normalcy, being able to get out and do what we do and enjoy the clean air and the outdoors. Precautions are being taken when we are together before and after hunts, but as far as the hunting itself, that’s socially distanced therapy as far as we are concerned.”

“Our camp always had between 35 and 40 for opening day. With the change in opening day (to Saturday from Monday) and now Sunday hunting (for the first time this year), social life is gone, plus virus concerns with many coming from out of state, we will only have 11 hunters coming, mainly locals.”

Some are anticipating that the restrictions relating to the pandemic will impact other hunters.

“I am hoping it puts a damper on some of these urbanites from coming into the area and shooting everything up,” said one hunter. “To be honest, how much more social distancing can anyone get then in the middle of the woods sitting in a tree stand. We are fortunate in that my brother has always owned land for the family, so no gathering outside of our immediate family.”

Another noted, “Most people held off on vacations due to COVID-19, due to wanting to stay away from a crowd and social places. So, it will drive a lot more people to the woods to hunt since they didn’t take a vacation during the summer.”