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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) in State Forests and Parks

    DCNR offers DMAP hunting opportunities in select state forests and parks to help maintain healthy deer populations and protect wildlife habitats.

    HuntFishPA
    Available DMAP Permits

    What is DMAP?

    The Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP)​ aims to increase hunting opportunities in areas where high levels of deer browsing are negatively affecting forest health.

    DMAP permits can be used within designated DMAP areas to harvest one antlerless deer per permit during any established antlerless deer hunting season within the appropriate license year. 

    Hunters may not use DMAP permits to harvest an antlered deer.

    Hunters may obtain up to two DMAP permits per designated area and are required to file a harvest report regardless of whether they kill a deer.

    To report your DMAP harvest or no harvest, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s webpage.

    Report Your Harvest or No Harvest at HuntFishPA

    Purchasing a DMAP Permit

    Permits go on sale during the third round of antlerless license sales (second Monday of August).

    DMAP harvest permits must be purchased directly from a license-issuing agent or through the HuntFishPA site.

    Before buying, find the DMAP unit number for your desired hunting area. DMAP unit numbers and permit availability can be found on the PA Game Commission's Pennsylvania DMAP Unit Map or by searching DMAP participating properties.

    Chronic Wasting Disease Notice

    Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Disease Management Areas (DMAs) are updated annually by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Many DCNR lands fall within these borders.

    CWD is a contagious, fatal brain disease that affects species of the deer family. It was discovered in Pennsylvania's free-ranging white-tailed deer in 2012 and continues to be a threat to deer and elk in the Commonwealth.

    Please refer to the PA Game Commission resources for updated DMA boundaries and special rules and regulations.

    Additional information on CWD, including testing options and approved processors, is available on the PA Game Commission's CWD webpage.

    Hunting on DCNR Lands

    More than 2.5 million acres of “big woods” beckon hunters to pursue everything from wild turkeys to ruffed grouse, white-tailed deer, and black bears.

    Whether you’re looking for an easily accessible hunting spot or a remote, wilderness hunting experience, our state forest and park system has something for you.

    To plan your hunting trip on DCNR lands, you can refer to DCNR’s Hunting in PA  interactive map.