Centre Co., PA (WJAC) — Deer hunting remains one of Pennsylvania’s most popular outdoor activities and has a huge economic impact.
After years of controversy, the state's Game Commission says the deer population is now showing stable numbers.
In a recent report to the state legislature, the head of Pennsylvania’s Game Commission says the number of deer harvested by hunters during the 2022-23 season was up 12-percent, and the deer are getting bigger.
“More and more of those deer harvested are larger, body and antler size, than most of us have experienced in our lifetime. Indicating a truly robust and healthy deer herd.”
One issue impacting the deer herd, however, has been Chronic Wasting Disease.
“The reality of CWD is that, unless technology or something changes, there's no way to get rid of it. So, it’s about slowing it down as much as possible. We are continuing to follow the response plan. It’s not cheap, probably spending $4 million on Chronic Wasting Disease.”
It was in 2019 when the Game Commission shifted the opening of deer season from Monday to the Saturday after Thanksgiving in an effort to reverse declining license sales.
“Are there benefits to the Saturday opener? Yes, absolutely. We found that some deactivated hunters came back, not only because of the Saturday opener, but because of Sunday hunt also.”
The license sales revenue is crucial in funding wildlife management programs.
This year, another new feature is available which allows for the purchasing of antlerless permits online.
“We really just don’t know what the buying habits will be. A lot of the communications that we will be sending to hunters, we don’t want to direct them to what to do, but we want to try and tell them not everybody has to hit the system at 8 a.m. the first day.”
Economic reports show hunters spend nearly $980 million per year in Pennsylvania.
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