Exciting Expansion of Deer Management Program in Pennsylvania

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HARRISBURG, PA — Hunters in Pennsylvania can look forward to more opportunities this fall with the expansion of the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) across state game lands. The program, which allows for the harvesting of antlerless deer, has been extended to include additional state-managed properties.

DMAP permits provide hunters the chance to harvest antlerless deer on designated properties, aiming to help manage deer populations and support landowners in achieving their wildlife management goals. Though the program has long been popular among hunters and landowners, last year marked the first inclusion of state game lands, with 22 areas enrolled.

This year, the program has expanded significantly, with DMAP now available on 41 state game lands across the Northwest, Northcentral, Northeast, and Southeast regions. These areas cover a combined total of 360,014 acres, with 7,000 permits available.

DMAP permits for state game lands and other properties will go on sale on Monday, August 12, at 8 a.m. These permits are an addition to the regular antlerless deer licenses issued on a Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) basis.

Pennsylvania is divided into 22 WMUs, each with its own allocation of antlerless licenses. For instance, antlerless licenses went on sale in WMUs 1B, 2G, and 3A on June 24. WMU 2G sold out by the next morning, and WMUs 1B and 3A followed suit within ten days. DMAP offers a valuable alternative for hunters who missed out on these licenses.

Paul Weiss, Forestry Division Chief at the Game Commission, highlighted the importance of the program for managing habitat and forest regeneration. “DMAP is important to helping us with that because it targets hunting pressure in areas where it’s needed,” said Weiss. “It takes the people who do want to hunt and do want to harvest deer and focuses them in on areas that are actively being managed.”

State-managed properties aren’t the only participants in DMAP. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and Allegheny National Forest, two of the state’s largest public landowners, also utilize the program. Additionally, Pennsylvania’s largest private landowners, Collins Pine and Lyme Timber Co., are involved.

The state game lands enrolled in DMAP this year were selected after thorough review, focusing on areas where other forest management efforts have been hindered by deer overbrowsing. Hunters can use DMAP tags anywhere on the chosen game lands, but Weiss recommends targeting recent timber cuts, which provide deer with food and cover.

An interactive map showing the locations of DMAP units is available through the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s website. This tool allows hunters to see the number of tags available and track when units sell out.

Hunters can purchase up to two DMAP permits per unit starting at 8 a.m. on August 12. Permits are available for $10.97 for Pennsylvania residents and $35.97 for nonresidents. They can be bought from any license issuing agent or online, with hunters required to identify the DMAP unit number when purchasing.

Beyond state game lands, DMAP permits are also available for other public and private properties statewide. In some areas, these permits are issued to help monitor and control Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) among deer populations.

All hunters with DMAP tags must report their harvests or lack thereof, ensuring the program’s effectiveness in managing deer populations and supporting conservation goals.

For more information on DMAP and to purchase permits, hunters can visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s website.

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