After three years of dramatic changes to Pennsylvania’s deer seasons, the Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to the 2003-2004 deer seasons that will nearly mirror those of 2002-2003.
The Board also gave preliminary approval to a new process for allocating and applying for antlerless deer licenses.
Antler restrictions are scheduled to continue for the 2003-2004 seasons, and are adjusted to meet the new WMUs. Specifically:
— In WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A and 2D, hunters will be required to abide by the four points on one side antler restriction;
— In WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, hunters will be able to abide by the old antler restrictions of one antler of three or more inches in length or one antler with at least two points;
— In all other WMUs, hunters will be required to abide by a three points on one side antler restriction; and
— Statewide, all junior license holders, disabled hunters with a permit to use a vehicle and active duty U.S. Armed Services personnel will be able to abide by the old antler restrictions of one antler of three or more inches in length or one antler with at least two points.
The deer seasons and bag limits for 2003-2004 are the same as last year.
Following is an overview of the preliminarily approved seasons.
— A concurrent antlered/antlerless rifle deer season from Dec. 1-13. In order to harvest a doe during the concurrent seasons, all hunters must possess a valid, WMU-specific antlerless deer license for the county in which they are hunting.
— A firearms antlerless deer season from Oct. 23-25, for junior and senior license holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) holders, or Pennsylvania residents serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Services, who possess the appropriate WMU-specific antlerless deer license. Also included are persons who have reached or will reach age 65 in the year of the application for a license and hold a valid adult license, or qualify for license and fee exemptions under section 2706.
— A muzzleloader season for antlerless deer from Oct.18-25. The flintlock muzzleloader season, which is set for Dec. 26-Jan. 10, continues to be an antlered or antlerless season for hunters with primitive flintlock ignition firearms, provided the hunter possesses the appropriate license(s).
