HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania hunters achieved a significant milestone during the 2024-25 hunting seasons, harvesting an estimated 476,880 deer statewide, marking an 11% increase from the previous year. This rise includes 175,280 antlered deer and 301,600 antlerless deer, as reported by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
The prior year saw hunters take an estimated 430,010 deer, making the latest season’s results a noteworthy climb. Most of the overall growth is attributed to a dramatic 17% increase in the antlerless harvest, which also exceeded the most recent three-year average by 21%. The antlered deer harvest rose by 2% year-over-year and was 9% above the three-year average.
Targeting Conservation Goals
According to David Stainbrook, Supervisor of the Game Commission’s Deer and Elk Section, these numbers reflect not just a strong hunting season, but also pointed efforts to manage deer populations strategically. One key goal for the 2024-25 season was to decrease deer numbers in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) grappling with the dual challenges of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and rising deer populations that threaten forest health.
“Harvest estimates can fluctuate from year to year from a number of factors, so we caution reading too much into annual variation in harvest,” Stainbrook noted. “The trends in data are what give a truer picture of what’s going on. We manage deer over longer periods of time, for example looking at six-year population trends.”
While factors such as weather, hunting pressure, and participation can affect results annually, the Game Commission consistently evaluates long-term impacts on a WMU-by-WMU basis to guide deer management efforts and maintain ecological balance.
Hunters as Conservation Partners
Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith highlighted the indispensable role hunters play in managing the state’s deer population responsibly. By purchasing hunting licenses and participating in both the antlered and antlerless harvests, hunters actively contribute to conservation and population control.
“Pennsylvania’s hunting heritage is strong, and deer season reliably brings immeasurable enjoyment to hundreds of thousands of hunters who spend fall and winter days afield with family and friends, celebrating tradition,” Smith said. “But those hunters also are key to managing an important resource so many of us care about. We rely on their commitment to conservation, and they deserve our thanks.”
Data Collection and Reporting
The Game Commission calculates harvest estimates using hunter reports, combined with field data collected by staff at deer processors statewide. For the 2024-25 season, hunters reported harvesting roughly 147,000 deer, primarily using an online reporting portal. Field teams checked over 27,000 deer across Pennsylvania to validate and improve data accuracy.
The success rate for antlered deer hunting reached approximately 28% of participants, the highest level since at least the late 1980s. Notably, two-thirds of the harvested antlered deer were at least 2.5 years old, a reflection of antler point restrictions introduced to promote older, larger bucks in the population.
For antlerless deer, hunters succeeded in filling 26% of tags issued, a rate consistent with past seasons. Adult females accounted for about 69% of the antlerless harvest.
Harvest Trends by Season
The regular firearms season claimed the largest share of the total harvest, with hunters taking an estimated 283,760 deer, split between 86,530 antlered and 197,230 antlerless. Archery hunters contributed significantly, harvesting 87,540 antlered deer and 90,600 antlerless. Muzzleloader enthusiasts added 1,210 antlered and 13,770 antlerless deer.
Regional Highlights
Harvest results varied by WMU, with some notable outcomes that align with management objectives. For example, WMU 2D saw a marked increase, with 13,400 antlered deer and 28,800 antlerless harvested this season versus 11,800 and 21,400, respectively, the year prior. Similarly, WMU 2F experienced growth, logging 17,700 antlerless deer, up from 13,900 the previous year.
While some WMUs recorded declines, such as a 14% drop in the antlered harvest for WMU 5D, these variations underscore the importance of evaluating trends over time rather than drawing conclusions from a single season’s data.
Sustaining Pennsylvania’s Hunting Tradition
The latest season’s achievements reaffirm the importance of Pennsylvania’s hunting tradition, both as a cherished pastime and a vital conservation tool. The Game Commission emphasizes the long-term benefits of this partnership, which balances ecological priorities with recreational enjoyment.
By providing accurate data and committed stewardship, Pennsylvania hunters continue to ensure that the state’s deer population is responsibly managed for current and future generations.
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