Filling a Second Antlerless Tag
It’s a fantastic feeling to fill your first antlerless tag in Pennsylvania, but for many of us, the hunt isn't over. You might be aiming for more venison for the freezer, hoping to manage the deer population on your property, or simply craving more time afield. Getting that second antlerless tag, and then successfully filling it, can present its own unique set of challenges, from understanding the sales process to adapting your hunting strategies. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about acquiring and effectively using those additional antlerless permits.
Navigating Pennsylvania's Antlerless Tag System for Multiple Harvests
Trying to secure more than one antlerless tag in Pennsylvania can feel like a bit of a puzzle, especially with all the different Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) and sale rounds. But with a bit of planning and understanding of the system, it's definitely achievable. The key is knowing when and where to look.
Understanding Antlerless License Sales Rounds
Pennsylvania's antlerless license sales are staggered, which is designed to give different groups of hunters priority and then open up availability more broadly. This structure is what allows you to potentially acquire additional tags.
First, it’s critical to remember that Pennsylvania Antlerless Deer Licences Explained are WMU-specific. When they first go on sale in early June, resident hunters can purchase one tag for a specific WMU. Non-residents get their turn a bit later. If you're hoping for a second tag, you'll need to pay close attention to the subsequent sale rounds. Usually, a second round opens up, allowing residents to purchase a second tag for any WMU that still has available licenses. This is where the strategy really kicks in. You might not get a second tag for your prime WMU 2B or 5C, as those often sell out quickly, but other WMUs, particularly in more rural or "big woods" areas, might still have plenty of leftover tags. Platforms like GoHunt can be invaluable here, often providing real-time updates on which WMUs still have available tags, saving you countless trips to the license issuing agent.
Later in the season, often in July and August, additional rounds open up, allowing hunters to purchase even more tags, sometimes up to four or more, depending on availability. These later rounds are usually on an "over-the-counter" basis or through the PGC's online system, first for residents, then non-residents. Sometimes, WMUs that initially sold out might see additional allocations or simply have tags returned, creating new opportunities. It's a system that rewards persistence and flexibility. You might end up hunting a WMU a few hours from home, but that’s part of the adventure of trying to maximize your venison harvest. Keep a close eye on the Game Commission's announcements for precise dates; they're usually pretty consistent year to year, but always double-check.
DMAP Permits and Their Role in Additional Tags
Beyond the general antlerless licenses, there's another avenue for securing additional tags: the Deer Management Assistance Program, or DMAP. These permits are issued for specific properties, either private land or certain public land parcels, where landowners or land managers want to reduce deer populations.
DMAP permits are essentially additional antlerless tags that don't count against your general antlerless license limit. You can hold a DMAP permit in addition to any other antlerless licenses you've purchased. To get one, you need a DMAP coupon number, which is provided by the landowner or manager of an enrolled property. You then redeem this coupon for a permit, often for a small fee, directly through the Pennsylvania Game Commission's website or an issuing agent. This is a fantastic way to gain access to private land and contribute to local deer management efforts. Hunters often find success by asking farmers or timber companies if they participate in DMAP, as this can open up new hunting grounds. Using a tool like GoHunt's property data can sometimes help identify larger private tracts that might be good candidates for DMAP enrollment or simply seeking permission. It's a win-win: the landowner gets help managing their deer herd, and you get another opportunity to fill the freezer. Remember, even with DMAP, all standard tagging and reporting rules still apply.
Strategic Approaches for Hunting with Multiple Antlerless Tags
Once you've secured those extra antlerless tags, the real fun begins. But simply having more tags doesn't guarantee success. You need a solid strategy, especially if you're hunting later in the season or in areas that might see more pressure.
Scouting and Habitat Identification for Doe
Effective scouting is paramount when you're looking to fill a second antlerless tag. Often, by the time you're on your second or third tag, it's later in the season—think late archery, muzzleloader, or the post-rut rifle season. Deer behavior changes dramatically as the hunting pressure mounts and natural food sources dwindle.
Start by focusing on available food. During the late season, whitetails are primarily driven by calories. If you're hunting in farm country, standing cornfields or unpicked soybean fields are absolute magnets. Deer will often bed down in heavy cover nearby and venture out to these fields in the late afternoon or early morning. In big woods settings, shift your attention to any remaining mast crops, particularly acorns or beechnuts if they're still present. If those are gone, look for browse like greenbrier, honeysuckle, or even the tips of hemlock branches in a pinch. Creek bottoms and south-facing slopes often hold more green forage later into winter. A good starting point is to utilize resources like the Using the Pennsylvania Mapping Center to identify potential agricultural fields or areas with diverse timber. Analyzing aerial photos for travel corridors between bedding and feeding areas is key. Look for thick, security cover—dense clearcuts, rhododendron thickets, or steep ravines where deer can escape pressure. These areas will hold doe and fawns that have learned to avoid hunters.
Adjusting Tactics for Pressured Deer
Deer, especially doe and fawns, become incredibly wary after a few weeks of hunting pressure. The casual stroll through the woods might have worked in early October, but by December, you need a different approach.
One effective strategy for pressured deer is still-hunting, particularly in thick cover. Move slowly, deliberately, stopping often to glass ahead and listen. Take five steps, stop for five minutes. This allows you to pick apart the cover and often catch deer that are moving cautiously themselves. Pay close attention to wind direction and thermals, especially in hilly terrain. Doe will often use the wind to their advantage, circling downwind of perceived threats. Another highly effective method, especially on public land or larger private tracts, is a well-organized deer drive. Even with just three or four hunters, a strategic push through thick bedding cover can get deer moving. Designate standers to cover escape routes and drivers to slowly push through. Make sure everyone knows the plan, safety zones, and shot angles. This can be especially effective when Deer Drives With Three or Four Hunters are tailored to the terrain. Remember that when hunting pressured areas, deer will often seek refuge in the steepest, thickest, or wettest terrain. Don't be afraid to go into those "nasty" spots that other hunters might avoid—that's often exactly where the deer are hiding.
Effective Tactics for Locating and Harvesting Doe
Bringing home that second antlerless deer requires a blend of patience, specific knowledge, and sometimes, a willingness to adapt your usual hunting style. Doe behavior is distinct from bucks, especially once the rut has passed and their primary focus shifts entirely to survival and finding food.
Still-Hunting and Stand Placement
Still-hunting is one of the most productive ways to locate doe, particularly in areas with good cover or during the late season when deer are moving less. The concept is simple: move through the woods slowly, pausing frequently, blending into the environment. Think of yourself as a predator, deliberately stalking. After a fresh snow, still-hunting becomes even more effective, as the snow dampens your footsteps and allows you to clearly read fresh tracks. When Still-Hunting After a Fresh Snow, focus on areas with dense cover adjacent to food sources. Deer will often be bedded down, conserving energy, and your slow, quiet approach might be the only way to get within range before they detect you. Look for subtle movements: a flick of an ear, a patch of brown in the underbrush, or the steam of breath on a cold morning.
For stand placement, consider both food and security. If you're hunting an agricultural edge, place your stand where you can overlook the field but still have cover for your approach and departure. Look for bottlenecks or pinch points that deer use to access the food source. In wooded areas, focus on transition lines—where thick cover meets more open timber, or along benches and ridges. A stand positioned along Hunting a Bench Above a Creek Bottom can intercept deer moving between bedding areas on the ridge and water or browse in the bottom. During the late season, thermal hubs—areas where warm air rises and cold air sinks—can be predictable travel routes. Also, if you’re using a ground blind, ensure it's well-brushed in and set up in a location that offers a clear view of where deer are likely to pass, but still provides a quick, ethical shot opportunity.
Calling and Decoys for Antlerless Deer
While rattling and grunting are usually reserved for buck hunting, certain calls can be effective for doe, especially a fawn distress call or a social bleat. A soft doe bleat can pique a doe's curiosity, making her pause or even come closer to investigate. This can be particularly useful if a doe is moving quickly through thick cover and you need her to stop for a shot. A fawn distress call, while less common for general doe hunting, can sometimes draw in a protective mother doe who hears a young deer in trouble. This is a more specialized tactic and should be used judiciously.
Decoys are generally not employed for antlerless hunting, as they primarily simulate other deer, and the goal is often just to get a clear, safe shot at any legal antlerless deer. However, if you are hunting in an area where deer are extremely wary and a single doe decoy might provide some visual reassurance, it could be experimented with. The primary focus for successful antlerless hunting should remain on understanding deer movement, capitalizing on food sources, and employing quiet, patient hunting techniques. When temperatures drop, consider your Cold Weather Sitting Strategy to ensure you can stay on stand long enough for deer movement, as late-season deer often move during the warmest parts of the day.
After the Shot: Processing and Reporting Your Second Antlerless Deer
Successfully harvesting a second antlerless deer is a rewarding experience, but the job isn't done once the shot is fired. Proper post-harvest care is crucial for ensuring quality meat and complying with all regulations.
Tagging and Reporting Requirements
Just like your first deer, any subsequent antlerless deer must be properly tagged immediately after the kill. This means filling out your second antlerless tag completely and attaching it to the ear of the deer before you move it from the kill site. Make sure all information, including the date, time, WMU, and sex of the deer, is accurate and legible. Failure to properly tag your deer can result in serious penalties. It's a fundamental part of Pennsylvania Deer Tagging Requirements and respectful hunting.
Once tagged, you are then legally required to report your harvest. This can be done online through the Pennsylvania Game Commission's website or via a phone call. The deadline for reporting is typically within ten days of the harvest, but it's always best to report it as soon as possible. This data is vital for wildlife managers to track harvest numbers and make informed decisions about future deer populations and license allocations. Even if you're out in the middle of nowhere, make a note of the date, time, and WMU so you can report accurately once you have service. GoHunt's app can also serve as a useful tool for logging harvest details, which you can then easily transfer to the PGC reporting system.
Field Dressing and Meat Care in Varying Conditions
The time of year you fill your second antlerless tag often dictates the conditions you're working under. An early archery season doe in September, for instance, requires immediate and thorough field dressing to cool the meat down quickly. In warmer weather, you might even consider quartering the animal in the field and placing the meat in game bags with ice in a cooler to prevent spoilage. Proper Field Dressing a Deer in Cold Weather is also essential, though the urgency to cool the meat is less intense.
In late archery or firearms seasons, cold temperatures work in your favor. Field dress the deer promptly, removing the entrails to allow the body cavity to cool. While it's tempting to rush, take your time to do a clean job. If you're on public land, consider if a deer cart or sled will be necessary for extraction, especially if you're deep in the woods or on steep ground. If you plan to age the meat, ensure it's kept in a cool, clean environment, ideally between 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit, and protected from insects and scavengers. Some hunters will hang their deer for several days to a week to tenderize the meat, but this requires consistent cool temperatures. If you're unsure about aging, or if conditions are fluctuating, processing the meat quickly is always the safest bet. The goal is to get that venison into your freezer in the best possible condition, providing delicious meals for your family throughout the year.
| Antlerless License Sales Round | Eligibility | Typical Availability Window | Strategy for Second Tag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 (Resident Only) | PA Residents | Early June | One tag per hunter |
| Round 2 (Resident Only) | PA Residents | Late June – Early July | First opportunity for a second tag; check less popular WMUs |
| Round 3 (Non-Resident & Resident) | All Hunters | Mid-July – Early August | Open to all, good for additional tags; WMU specific |
| Over-the-Counter (OTC) | All Hunters | Mid-August until sold out | Best chance for 3rd/4th tags; check online often for remaining WMUs |
| DMAP Permits | All Hunters | Throughout Season | Additional tags for specific parcels, requires coupon |
Disclaimer
Always consult the current Pennsylvania Game Commission Digest for the most up-to-date regulations, season dates, and license requirements before planning any hunt. Hunting regulations can change annually, and staying informed is the hunter's responsibility.
