Hunters aim to buy antlerless deer licenses
New online purchase process starts today
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LEWISTOWN -- Hunter Sheaffer is well accustomed to purchasing his hunting license and antlerless deer permit starting in July, but this year he's had to think about deer season a few weeks earlier than normal.
That's because the Pennsylvania Game Commission is selling antlerless deer permits online for the first time ever, it's also moved up the timing for when the sales process begins.
Hunting licenses for the 2023-24 seasons will go on sale today, starting at 8 a.m.
"I've been ready," said the 24-year-old Lewistown hunter. "It's still the same application. Instead of mailing it, you've just got to get on your computer or phone and submit your application online."
Big changes have been made to Pennsylvania's antlerless deer license purchasing process.
New for this year, hunters may purchase their antlerless deer licenses online at www.huntfish.pa.gov or in-store at any issuing agent locations. There are four rounds to purchase an antlerless deer license.
The first round begins today at 8 a.m. as resident hunters can purchase their first antlerless license. Non-residents will have to wait until Monday, July 10, to do so.
"If you submit your application on the first day, you should get one," Sheaffer said. "I've gotten one every year since the time I've started hunting when I was seven."
Seventeen years later, the anticipation of getting that anterless license remains for Sheaffer, who typically hunts with his brother, father and grandfather.
On Monday, July 24, both resident and non-resident hunters can purchase their second antlerless license, or up to two licenses during the second round.
On Monday, Aug. 14, both resident and non-resident hunters can buy their third antlerless license, or up to three licenses during the third round. Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) permits will also be available on this date.
And finally, on Monday, Aug. 28, both resident and non-resident hunters can purchase additional licenses, until reaching their annual limit of six antlerless licenses. Hunters can also report antlerless deer harvests and continue to purchase licenses until they are sold out.
The price of the antlerless licenses remains the same – $6.97 for residents and $26.97 for non-residents.
Landowner license buyers, like Dan Smith of McAlisterville, were able to buy a license last week at the Juniata County Treasurer's Office.
"For me, it was easier," Smith said. "There was some confusion about when this (purchasing) date was. No one seemed to know when it was. I had to find the handbook for purchasing agents to see, and I found a PDF online."
PGC Director of Communications Travis Lau said the reason for moving up the antlerless deer tag sales three weeks earlier in the year is that it aligns the antlerless and general license sales so hunters can get their first antlerless license when they purchase their general license.
If a hunter decides to purchase an antlerless license in person, they would be given their tag at that time.
"For those who buy online, they'd be buying the (antlerless) license at that time, but not getting it until later since paper licenses are mailed for all online purchases," Lau said.
Until this year, hunters had to mail in an application for an antlerless deer tag to a county treasurer if they wanted to obtain a permit. The traditional pink envelopes will no longer be used in the license purchasing process, which has upset many traditionalists.
Smith and his family understand the change but are disappointed the traditions are going away. "The day before the pink envelope needed to be submitted, in our family, it was a day to get together with my son," Smith recalled. "We'd fill out our applications together, so it was like an informal family holiday. We'd know who was taking them to the post office.
"It's progress, convenience," Smith added. "But it's one of those pieces of nostalgia that is disappearing.
He and his father, who still hunts at age 80, recently talked about the pink envelopes going away, "Maybe it's time for me to quit hunting," said Smith, quoting his father about the change. "It's just another straw to break the camel's back."
Antlerless deer season also now opens the same day as antlered deer season, the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
For more information, visit www.pgc.pa.gov.