Deer damage to crops is a persistent, costly headache for Pennsylvania farmers that often gets directed at the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC). Yet a closer look reveals that the Commission already provides multiple, concrete tools to help—available year-round, even – though they remain underutilized.
Concrete Options-Available Nearly 365 Days a Year
- Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP)
This program allows farmers to issue coupons to harvest antlerless deer during any regular deer season – effectively expanding control during open seasons. - Agricultural Deer Control Program (formerly the “Red Tag” program)
Here, farmers can authorize deer control outside normal seasons – from February 1 to April 15 and August 1 to September 15. For the remaining gap – from April 15 to August 1 – farmers may still act, provided they coordinate with the PGC.
In 2023, this program resulted in 3,933 antlerless deer harvested, while DMAP accounted for a further 14,352. Still, these numbers pale against the 430,010 total deer harvested (including 258,410 antlerless deer) during the 2023–2024 season. - Statutory Options under Title 34
- Destruction for Agricultural Protection: Farmers (defined as those deriving a “primary means of livelihood” from agriculture) may shoot deer year-round, day or night, with no limit – so long as they field‑dress and report the deer within 24 hours. Carcasses are then collected and distributed to food banks.
- Depredation Permits: Allow two designated people to control deer on your property anytime. Yet only 31 permits were issued statewide – in SE (18), NW (8), SW (4), and NE (1) – marking a significant opportunity gap.
Why Such Tools Aren’t Reaching Their Potential
- Complexity & barriers: Enrollment processes, required signage, and mandatory public access under older programs like Red Tag deter participation. Proposed changes – including online enrollment, removing signage requirements, broader eligibility, and increasing hunters’ permit limits from one to four – aim to simplify and expand use.
- Awareness gap: Even with combined programs, the harvested number remains a fraction of what’s taken during regular seasons – suggesting a missed chance for mitigating damage.
Relevant Reading | Virginia’s Balanced Approach to Deer Management
A Take‑Away Worth Sharing
There is no deer “off‑season” when it comes to protecting crops – but most farmers haven’t tapped into the tools at their fingertips. Between DMAP, Ag‑Tag flexibility, statutory permits, and management options under Title 34, Pennsylvania has a near year‑round framework ready to be used – if only awareness and access improved.