Pennsylvania legislation would give free antlerless tags for new hunters

Harrisburg — New hunters may be getting more than their first hunting license when they complete their Hunter-Trapper Education course.

Sen. James Malone, D-Lancaster, has introduced a bill making first-time hunters eligible for a free antlerless tag, good for one year after completing the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s hunter safety course. Currently, an antlerless deer license costs $6.97.

The legislation (Senate Bill 1142) was referred to the Game and Fisheries Committee on Jan. 20. It has bi-partisan support as Democratic Senators Sharif Street, Jay Costa and Lindsey Williams were joined by Republican Sen. Doug Mastriano as co-sponsors.

In his co-sponsorship memo, Malone, who is the minority chair on the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee, cites several reasons for his bill. Declining hunter numbers in recent years is a factor, he wrote, as is affordability with the cost of hunting equipment for new hunters to get into the sport.

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Malone also stated that deer populations “across the state” have grown beyond what the environment and communities can support as a result of declining hunter ranks. In turn, high deer numbers have led to crop damage issues and “overgrazed” forests that negatively impact habitat for all species of wildlife, he added.

Malone also said higher deer populations are leading to more vehicle collisions, and Pennsylvania’s 150,000 claims annually are the highest number among all other states.

“As fewer young people join our ranks of hunters, these problems will likely grow with the next generation,” Malone wrote.

“Expanding opportunities for new hunters would make it easier for Pennsylvanians to connect with nature, participate in a long-standing tradition in our state, and play a role in responsibly managing and conserving our natural resources.”

As far as antlerless license allocations by wildlife management unit and how that would factor into awarding free tags to new hunters, it wasn’t addressed in the language of the bill.

Still, the idea has the support of the Game Commission, according to spokesman Travis Lau. He noted that some Hunter-Trapper Education courses are held in the fall, and at that time some wildlife management units are sold out of their antlerless license allocations, and those first-time hunters wouldn’t be able to get a tag in some units.

Malone’s bill solves that issue by guaranteeing an antlerless license for all new hunters of any age, he said.

The bill also aligns with a push by the Game Commission to recruit young hunters.

At the Jan. 24 board meeting, commissioners gave approval for a measure granting antlered deer and turkey harvest tags for all mentored hunters – including those under 7 years old – beginning with the 2026-27 license year.

Previously, permitted mentored hunters under 7 years old had to have a big game harvest tag transferred to them by a mentor if they harvested an antlered deer or turkey.

The measure is designed to improve access to the mentored program and expand hunting opportunities, according to the Game Commission.