Pennsylvania sees increase in deer harvested during 2024-25 season

(WHTM)– Pennsylvania hunters harvested roughly 11% more deer in the 2024-25 hunting season than the previous year, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

The Game Commission said hunters harvested an estimated 476,880 deer during the 2024-25 season. Of these, 175,280 were antlered deer, and another 301,600 were antlerless deer. The total harvested deer in the 2023-24 season was around 430,010.

While overall deer harvested increased 11%, the biggest increase was antlerless deer harvested. 17% more antlerless deer were harvested during the 2024-25 season. Only 2% more antlered deer were harvested this season compared to last, according to the Game Commission.

While the increases in numbers of deer harvested may appear controversial, the Game Commission says it helps control population.

“Harvest estimates can fluctuate from year to year from a number of factors, so we caution reading too much into annual variation in harvest,” Game Commission Deer and Elk Section Supervisor David Stainbrook said. “The trends in data are what give a truer picture of what’s going on. We manage deer over longer periods of time, for example looking at six-year population trends.”

The Game Commission says that hunters help guide local deer populations to target levels, and that becomes more important as deer populations rise.

“Pennsylvania’s hunting heritage is strong, and deer season reliably brings immeasurable enjoyment to hundreds of thousands of hunters who spend fall and winter days afield with family and friends, celebrating tradition,” Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith said. “But those hunters also are key to managing an important resource so many of us care about. We rely on their commitment to conservation and they deserve our thanks.” 

A map showing the details of this season’s harvest can be found on the Game Commission website.