The Pennsylvania Game Commission this week published results from the 2023-24 deer hunting seasons, which ended in January.
• Around 430,010 white-tailed deer were estimated to have been hunted.
• The statewide buck harvest was approximately 171,600.
• The antlerless harvest was roughly 258,410.
• The total harvest is 2% higher than the 2022-23 harvest, which was estimated at 422,960. It’s 4% greater than the average harvest over three years.
David Stainbrook, Supervisor of the Deer and Elk Section of the Game Commission, mentioned that the harvest estimates are calculated using reports of antlered and antlerless harvests by hunters along with data from deer checked by crews at processors across the state to estimate reporting rates.
“Last year, over 31 teams of trained deer agers visited more than 400 processors across the Commonwealth during the statewide firearms season, to collect data, determine the age of deer based on tooth replacement and wear, and record information from harvest tags,” Stainbrook said. “They examined more than 24,000 whitetails.”
Meanwhile, hunters reported harvesting over 134,000 deer themselves, primarily using the Game Commission’s online reporting system. This made up 74% of all reports received. Another 18% of deer harvest reports were submitted via report cards, while 8% were made by phone.
The buck harvest in 2023-24 increased by 5% compared to the previous season and by 6% compared to the three-year average.
Overall, around 27% of deer hunters captured a buck. This was a slight increase from the 26% success rate of 2022-23, and significantly higher than the 15% success rate back in 2007-08.
The majority of bucks harvested were older than in the past decades. Before antler point restrictions, most of the bucks taken were yearling deer, meaning those 1.5 years old. In 2023-24, 64% of bucks taken were at least 2.5 years old.
In the 2023-24 antlerless deer harvest, 69% were adult females. Another 16% were button bucks and 14% were doe fawns. These figures are consistent with long-term averages.
Roughly one in four antlerless licenses issued for last season resulted in a harvest.
Bryan Burhans, Executive Director of the Game Commission, stated that the harvest numbers indicate the effectiveness of the agency’s deer management program, not only from a biological standpoint, but also for hunters. This is positive for those currently hunting and future hunters.
“This is undoubtedly a fantastic time to be a Pennsylvania deer hunter,” Burhans said. “Most importantly, these numbers demonstrate that we are managing deer and their habitat in sustainable ways for the long term. This is beneficial not only for deer but also for deer hunters.”
As in previous years, the regular firearms deer season contributed the largest portion of the 2023-24 deer harvest.
• Around 254,710 deer were taken by firearms hunters, with 86,260 being bucks and the remaining 168,450 being antlerless.
• Bowhunters were responsible for slightly over a third of the total deer harvest, capturing an estimated 154,850 whitetails (83,370 bucks and 71,480 antlerless deer) using either bows or crossbows.
• The estimated number of deer killed using muzzleloaders was 20,450, with 1,970 being bucks and 18,480 being antlerless deer.
DCNR declares plan to replace the dam
initiative at Tobyhanna State Park
The replacement of a dam at Tobyhanna State Park in Monroe and Wayne counties has been announced by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) this week.
A complete replacement of the current dam structure and adjustments to fishing restrictions before draining the entire lake will be part of this project.
The dam at Tobyhanna, originally constructed in the 1950s, will be upgraded to meet modern standards through this replacement project.
Alex Stout, Bureau of State Parks Assistant Regional Manager, stated, “The project will involve substituting the dam, like-for-like, and introducing a new spillway. The height of the dam will also be increased to address the current inadequacy in flooding capacity during this process. The improvements to the dam and spillway infrastructure are crucial for the safety and functioning of the park. It also presents an opportunity to enhance the fish habitat and the visitor experience for the many anglers who visit annually.”
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is informing anglers that, starting April 6, all size and catch limits for all species except trout will be lifted on Tobyhanna Lake as part of the project.
Apart from stocked trout, anglers can also fish for warm-water sportfish species such as Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Chain Pickerel in the lake.
David Nihart, Chief of the PFBC Division of Fisheries Management, commented, “In advance of the total draw-down of the lake, we have adjusted the rules to decrease the fish population in Tobyhanna Lake. While trout anglers must comply with the usual size, catch, and limits, we encourage anglers to fish for other species to make the most of the fish before the lake is emptied”.
The temporary regulations will be in effect until further notice.
The process for preparing the site will start the lake draw-down in mid-September 2024, and construction is planned to commence in 2025. Once the draw-down begins, the lake bed will not be accessible to the public, and trout will not be stocked in the fall during the repairs.
Tobyhanna State Park, previously the Tobyhanna Military Reservation, was used for munitions testing. The lake bed has not been checked for unexploded ordnance. Fences and warning signs will be placed to notify the public of the danger of entering the lake bed. The Army Corps of Engineers will scan the lake bed for these ordnances as the project progresses.
For further information, contact the park office at 570-894-8336 or email [email protected].
NBLT to organize Earth Day clean-up at
Hanover Crossings Marsh Preserve
North Branch Land Trust invites you to participate in an Earth Day Cleanup at Hanover Marsh Preserve on Monday, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This impressive wetland serves as an important wildlife habitat, enhances local water quality, and is a fantastic place to appreciate NEPA’s natural resources.
But because it is close to development and people, it needs a little tender loving care.
RSVP on our website — there is no cost, but NBLT needs to ensure there will be enough supplies for everyone.
Sign up to plant trees at Van Scott
Nature Reserve May 11 and May 18
On Saturday, May 11 and/or Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m-4 p.m., join the Delaware Highlands Conservancy at the 144-acre Van Scott Nature Reserve in Beach Lake.
Along with the Wayne County Conservation District, Conservancy staff and volunteers will plant a total of 850 trees for the Keystone 10 Million Trees project.
Volunteers will be taught how to plant trees and the important reasons they are being planted — 15 volunteers are needed for each day, and advance registration is necessary.
Register at DelawareHighlands.org/events or by contacting the Conservancy’s Volunteer Coordinator Rachel Morrow at [email protected] or 570-226-3164, Ext. 2.
Volunteers should be ready to walk at least a half mile on sloped terrain and should wear closed-toe shoes, clothing you are willing to get dirty, and bring a packed lunch. Work gloves and other tools will be provided.
DCNR emphasizes importance
of investment in state’s trails
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn this week visited Rothrock State Forest to highlight plans for more than 50 miles of multi-use, single-track trails as an example of the type of work that will be expanded as a result of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal.
Construction will soon start on 53 miles of new sustainable biking, hiking, and equestrian trails on a loop system across Rothrock State Forest. The initial 7.5 miles of construction is currently underway thanks to partnerships with the Rothrock Trail Alliance (RTA), ClearWater Conservancy, local governments, Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and other private supporters.
“Trails allow people to enjoy the outdoors, and they are the backbone of Pennsylvania’s $17 billion outdoor recreation economy — but building and sustaining trails is challenging work that requires significant investment and partnerships,” Dunn said. “Thank you to all of the partners who see the health and economic benefits of supporting this work. We hope to do more of it across the Commonwealth with the funding outlined in Gov. Shapiro’s proposed budget.”
The new trail will support hikers, cyclists, trail runners, and equestrian riders and connect to hundreds of existing miles of trails in the forest.
Rothrock State Forest is named for Dr. Joseph Trimble Rothrock, a native of Mifflin County and the commonwealth’s first forestry commissioner. He is recognized as the “Father of Forestry” in Pennsylvania. Rothrock State Forest comprises 96,975 acres that spread across the rugged ridges Huntingdon, Centre, and Mifflin counties.
