Firearms could be used all deer seasons for ag control

Harrisburg — Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Deer Control Program, commonly referred to as Ag Tag, not so long ago only allowed hunting during periods when other deer seasons were closed.

As crop-damage complaints escalated, however, the program was adjusted to allow hunters with Ag Tag permits for antlerless deer to hunt and harvest deer during all established deer seasons where they hunt, better serving the program’s purpose.

During overlaps with other deer seasons, though, Ag Tag hunters were limited to using the sporting arms approved for those seasons. When only archery season was open, for instance, an Ag Tag hunter needed to use lawful archery gear. That could change.

MORE COVERAGE FROM PENNSYLVANIA OUTDOOR NEWS:

Pennsylvania legislation would give free antlerless tags for new hunters

Notes off a soiled cuff: A few thoughts on antlerless harvest in Pennsylvania

Mentored hunters under age 7 get deer, turkey tags in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania game commissioners, at their recent quarterly meeting, voted preliminarily to allow Ag Tag hunters to use any devices authorized for hunting deer in the regular firearms deer season. That said, landowners would maintain authority to restrict the use of any devices and methods on their own lands.

The measure will be brought back to the April meeting for a final vote.

The Agricultural Deer Control Program enables landowners to enlist the aid of hunters in removing deer from agricultural lands. Only antlerless deer may be taken with Ag Tags.

The commissioners also adopted a measure that removes limits on the number of Ag Tags a hunter can receive.

The limit was removed previously, but additional action was needed to allow hunters to possess more than four permits at one time. With the change, hunters will be able to obtain as many permits as they have coupons for.

The changes preliminarily approved by the commissioners at the recent meeting will be brought back to the April meeting for a final vote.