OIL CITY, Pa. — With the opening day of Pennsylvania’s general deer season traditionally held on the Monday following Thanksgiving, the “unofficial holiday” kicks off a full week later than normal. (Photo courtesy PGC/Joe Kosack.)

The opening day of deer season is something many hunters look forward to all year, so with this year’s deer-hunting season being one of the latest starting season opener in years, the patience of all avid hunters is being tested.

Nevertheless, by 7:00 a.m. on Monday morning, the wait across Pennsylvania will be over.

Since deer populations are being tracked as stable or increasing in most of the state, many hunters will be bringing home a trophy and a good hunting story to tell their family and friends, so the wait will be well worth it.

Hunting is more than just about the harvest, though; it’s about the ambience and the bonding between friends and family.

Adam Lee Barsi says his favorite thing about deer season is “a peaceful serene environment, getting to spend time with great friends and family, and being able to provide nourishment to myself through hunting, stalking, and butchering my own meat!”

And, Krista Ross says it’s “making memories with my dad.”

Safety Regulations

One very important regulation that applies statewide is the requirement for each hunters to wear a minimum of 250 square inches of fluorescent orange material on his or her head, chest and back combined.

An orange hat and vest will satisfy the requirement.

Non-hunters who are in the outdoors during the deer hunting season should consider wearing orange at this time.

Statewide Season

The statewide general firearms season runs from December 2 to December 14.

In many parts of the state, properly licensed hunters may take either antlered or antlerless deer at any time during the season.

In other areas, hunters may take only antlered deer the season’s first five days, with the antlerless and antlered seasons then running concurrently from the first Saturday, December 7, to the season’s close.

Rules regarding the number of points a harvested buck must have on one antler also are different in different parts of the state, and young hunters statewide follow separate guidelines.

For a complete breakdown of regulations, consult the 2013-14 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest, which is issued to hunters at the time they purchase their licenses. The digest also is available online at the Game Commission’s website, www.pgc.state.pa.us

Proper Licensing

Hunters during the statewide firearms season can harvest antlered deer if they possess a valid general hunting license.

Each hunter between the ages of 12 and 17 must possess a junior license.

Hunters younger than 12 must possess a valid mentored youth hunting permit and be accompanied at all times by a properly licensed adult mentor, as well as follow other regulations.

In order to harvest antlerless deer, hunter must possess either a valid antlerless deer license or a valid DMAP permit.

Antlerless deer licenses can be used only within the wildlife management unit for which their issued. DMAP permits can be used only on the specific properties for which they’re issued.

Tagging and Reporting

A valid tag must be affixed to the ear of each deer harvested before that deer is moved. The tag must be filled out in ink by the hunter.

Within 10 days of a harvest, a successful hunter is required to make a report to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Harvests can be reported online at the Game Commission’s website, www.pgc.state.pa.usby clicking on the blue “Report a Harvest” button on the home page. Harvests can also be reported by mailing in the postage-paid cards inserted into the2013-14 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest, or successful hunters can call 1-855-PAHUNT1 (1-855-724-8681) to report by phone. Those reporting by phone are asked to have their license number and other information about the harvest ready at the time they call.

Mentored youth hunters are required to report deer harvests within five days.

Reporting deer harvests helps to better estimate deer populations in wildlife management units and statewide, and hunters are asked to do their parts in this important process.