PA Game Commission Programs for Farmers & Landowners
This page provides information about Pennsylvania Game Commission programs and resources available to farmers and landowners experiencing wildlife-related agricultural damage. The information below is provided to help property owners understand available programs and connect directly with official Pennsylvania Game Commission resources.
Important: Whited Agricultural Wildlife Management, LLC is an independent business and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Information and links on this page are provided as a public resource. Program requirements and regulations are established by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Agricultural Deer Control Program (AG Tag)
What is the Agricultural Deer Control Program?
The Agricultural Deer Control Program, commonly known as the AG Tag Program, is a special permit program designed to help address deer damage on agricultural lands. An Agricultural Deer Control permit allows participating landowners or lessees to enlist hunters to remove deer causing agricultural damage, both during and outside regular deer hunting seasons. Only antlerless deer may be taken under this program.
Landowners interested in participating must contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Applications are made through the district State Game Warden for the county in which the agricultural land is located.
How Hunters Participate
Hunters participating in the AG Tag Program must have a valid Pennsylvania hunting license or mentored permit. The hunter contacts a participating landowner and receives an AG Tag coupon for that property. The coupon is then redeemed through HuntFishPA or a license issuing agent for an Agricultural Deer Control harvest permit and harvest tag.
Each AG Tag permit costs $1.97. The permit is valid only for the specific AG Tag property for which it was issued. There is no limit on the number of AG Tag permits an individual hunter may purchase or possess, although each participating property has a finite number of permits available.
Season & Harvest Reporting
For the 2026–27 license year, the Agricultural Deer Control season runs August 1, 2026 through April 15, 2027. Only antlerless deer may be taken, and each deer requires a valid Agricultural Deer Control harvest permit.
Hunters issued an AG Tag harvest permit are required to submit a report whether or not they harvest a deer. Positive or negative harvest reports must be submitted by April 30 each year through HuntFishPA.
Sporting Arms & Ammunition
Hunters participating in the Agricultural Deer Control Program may use lawful sporting arms and ammunition authorized by the Pennsylvania Game Commission for taking deer.
Hunters are responsible for following all applicable Pennsylvania hunting laws and regulations, as well as any additional rules or restrictions established by the participating landowner.
Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP)
What is the Deer Management Assistance Program?
The Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) allows landowners to work with the Pennsylvania Game Commission to manage deer populations on specific properties. Through the program, additional antlerless deer permits may be made available for eligible properties where deer management is needed.
DMAP is designed to help landowners achieve property-specific deer management goals while providing hunters additional opportunities to harvest antlerless deer.
How DMAP Permits Work
Hunters obtain DMAP permits for a specific DMAP property or unit. A DMAP permit authorizes the harvest of one antlerless deer on the property for which the permit was issued and may be used during the lawful deer seasons in which DMAP permits are valid.
DMAP permits are separate from regular Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) antlerless licenses. Because DMAP permits are tied to a specific property, they allow deer harvest to be directed toward locations where additional deer management is needed.
How Hunters Obtain a DMAP Permit
Hunters can purchase available DMAP permits through HuntFishPA or an authorized license issuing agent. Each permit is issued for a specific DMAP property or unit and may only be used on that property.
The number of permits available is established for each participating property. Once the allocated permits for a property have been issued, additional permits are not available unless another allocation is authorized.
DMAP Permit Cost
DMAP permit fees are established by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Hunters purchasing a DMAP permit pay the applicable permit fee at the time of purchase through HuntFishPA or an authorized license issuing agent.
Who Can Enroll Property in DMAP?
Eligible landowners and land managers may apply to enroll qualifying property in the Deer Management Assistance Program. The Pennsylvania Game Commission reviews applications and determines the number of DMAP permits allocated to an enrolled property based on the property's deer management objectives and other relevant factors.
Property owners or managers interested in DMAP should contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission or review the current DMAP application information for eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and program details.
How DMAP Helps Agricultural Landowners
DMAP can provide agricultural landowners with additional antlerless deer harvest opportunities targeted specifically to their property. Because the permits are tied to an enrolled property rather than the larger Wildlife Management Unit, DMAP can help focus hunting pressure where deer populations or agricultural damage need to be addressed.
DMAP does not replace regular hunting or other deer management programs. Instead, it can be used as another management tool to help landowners work toward property-specific deer population and damage-reduction goals.
Destruction for Agricultural Protection
Two Categories of Agricultural Protection
The Pennsylvania Game Commission divides Destruction for Agricultural Protection into two categories:
1. Producer or Employees — Agricultural producers or their eligible employees may use depredation permits to take wildlife causing agricultural damage.
2. Subpermittees Receiving Depredation Permits — Qualified agricultural producers may identify other individuals to take wildlife as subpermittees under depredation permits.
Producer or Employees
Under Pennsylvania law, a qualifying agricultural producer may take wildlife that is engaged in the material destruction of cultivated crops, immediately following that destruction, or when the wildlife's presence creates reasonable apprehension of additional imminent crop destruction. The district State Game Warden must inspect the property to determine compliance with the applicable requirements
For qualifying agricultural producers and eligible employees, unlimited deer of either sex may be removed year-round, during the day or at night, and spotlights are permitted. The eligible individual must demonstrate that the cultivated land is a primary means of gaining a livelihood and provide satisfactory evidence that material crop damage by deer occurred within the preceding 15 days.
Reporting & Carcass Requirements
Any deer taken under the Producer or Employees provisions must be reported to the Pennsylvania Game Commission within 24 hours and field dressed.
If an eligible person allows public hunting access on the property, one deer carcass may be retained for consumption. The hide and head, including antlers, must be surrendered to the Commission, and the full carcass of any additional deer must also be surrendered to the Commission.
Subpermittees Receiving Depredation Permits
Qualified agricultural producers may identify individuals to act as subpermittees using depredation permits issued by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
A maximum of two subpermittees are allowed per permit unless additional subpermittees are approved by a State Game Warden. Subpermittees must be Pennsylvania residents and possess a valid Pennsylvania hunting license.
Removal, Reporting & Carcass Requirements
Subpermittees may take deer at any time with no limit under the applicable depredation permit. Any deer taken must be reported to the Pennsylvania Game Commission within 24 hours.
The subpermittee must surrender the entire carcass, including the head and hide (with antlers), to a State Game Warden or donate the deer to a food bank.
How to Apply for Depredation Permits
Applications for depredation permits are made through the local State Game Warden. The property must be enrolled in one of the Pennsylvania Game Commission's public access programs for at least two years prior, except for properties located in Wildlife Management Units 5C and 5D.
To apply for depredation permits, landowners can contact their Pennsylvania Game Commission regional office or call 1-833-PGC-HUNT (1-833-742-4868).
Certified Hunter Program
What is the Certified Hunter Program?
The Pennsylvania Game Commission's Certified Hunter Program is designed to help Pennsylvania landowners, particularly farmers dealing with significant crop damage caused by deer and other wildlife, by connecting them with certified hunters trained to manage deer populations effectively.
Participating landowners maintain control over who accesses their property. Certified hunters receive training in ethics, safety, responsibility, and hunting effectiveness before participating in the program.
Benefits for Landowners
Participating landowners retain control over access to their property while receiving assistance connecting with certified hunters who can help meet deer management objectives.
Through the Certified Hunter Program, participating landowners may receive support with hunter coordination, property-use planning, harvest information, and communication with the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Landowner Participation
Landowners interested in enrolling property in the Certified Hunter Program must provide access to certified hunters and create a Land Usage Guide for their property. Participating landowners retain full control of their property and can establish rules and instructions governing hunting and property use.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission provides participating landowners with a direct PGC liaison, annual reports and harvest history for the property, and the ability to create customized Property Usage Guides that include hunt plans, rules, and instructions.
How Hunters Become Certified
To participate in the Certified Hunter Program, hunters must be 18 years of age or older, have purchased a Pennsylvania hunting license in 4 of the last 5 license years, and have successfully completed Hunter-Trapper Education.
Applicants must also meet the Game Commission's eligibility requirements, pass a criminal background check, pass the Certified Hunter Program Written Exam, pass the Shooting Qualification, and sign and comply with the Certified Hunter Program Agreement.
The Game Commission also requires Certified Hunters to be committed to helping Pennsylvania landowners by harvesting antlerless deer where wildlife damage is occurring.
How Landowners Enroll
Landowners interested in enrolling their property in the Certified Hunter Program can contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission directly to learn more or begin the application process.
Certified Hunter Program
Email: PGCCHP@pa.gov
Phone: 717-787-7314
Hunter Access Program
What is the Hunter Access Program?
The Pennsylvania Game Commission partners with private landowners through the Hunter Access Program to provide public hunting and trapping opportunities on enrolled private lands. The program has operated in Pennsylvania for more than 80 years.
The program is governed by a term-lease agreement between the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the landowner. Through this partnership, the Game Commission and participating landowners work to improve public hunting and trapping opportunities and wildlife habitat on enrolled property. In exchange for providing access, participating landowners may receive benefits and incentives from the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Benefits for Participating Landowners
Participating landowners may receive benefits and incentives from the Pennsylvania Game Commission in exchange for providing reasonable public hunting and trapping access on enrolled property.
Depending on the property and program agreement, assistance may include wildlife habitat improvements and technical support. The Hunter Access Program also helps landowners manage game and furbearer populations through lawful hunting and trapping while expanding hunting and trapping opportunities on private lands.
How Landowners Enroll
Landowners interested in becoming a Hunter Access Program cooperator can obtain additional information and begin the process by contacting their local State Game Warden, Pennsylvania Game Commission regional office, or the Hunter Access Program directly.
Hunter Access Program
Email: PGC-HunterAccess@pa.gov
Phone: 1-833-PGC-HUNT (1-833-742-4868)
Landowner Antlerless Deer License
Who Qualifies?
A landowner may qualify for a Landowner Antlerless Deer License if they own 50 or more contiguous (all adjoining) acres of land within the county of application. Leased land does not qualify.
The qualifying property must remain open to public hunting and trapping for the entire license year, July 1 through June 30. Only one Landowner Antlerless Deer License may be issued per qualifying deed, regardless of acreage above the 50-acre minimum.
How Landowners Apply
Qualified landowners must apply directly through the County Treasurer in the county where the qualifying acreage is located. Applicants must provide proof of ownership and complete the Landowner Antlerless Deer License Application/Affidavit.
For the current published license information, the fee is $6.97 for residents and $26.97 for nonresidents. Landowner antlerless licenses are issued before the regular antlerless application period and remain available while licenses remain in the applicable Wildlife Management Unit.
Private Landowner Assistance Program
What is the Private Landowner Assistance Program?
The Pennsylvania Game Commission's Private Landowner Assistance Program provides participating landowners with assistance from Game Commission biologists to help create, preserve, or enhance wildlife habitat, particularly habitat benefiting species of greatest conservation need.
The program generally works with interested landowners who have 50 acres or more. The Pennsylvania Game Commission states that there is no charge to participate and no public access requirement.
How the Program Works
The first step is to contact the Regional Wildlife Diversity Biologist or regional office serving your county. After a short interview, the biologist may provide a landowner objective survey identifying habitat features, landowner interests, and property uses. After reviewing the survey, the biologist may visit the property and walk it with the landowner.
Important: The Pennsylvania Game Commission states that this program is presently being revised and may not be available in all regions. Landowners should contact their Regional Wildlife Diversity Biologist for current availability and details.
How Landowners Get Started
Landowners interested in the Private Landowner Assistance Program should contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission Centralized Dispatch Center to be connected with the Regional Wildlife Diversity Biologist serving their area.
Phone: 1-833-PGC-WILD
Indiana and Armstrong counties are both located within the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Southwest Region.
Hunters Sharing the Harvest
What is Hunters Sharing the Harvest?
Hunters Sharing the Harvest (HSH) is Pennsylvania's statewide venison donation program. The program coordinates donated venison through a network of participating meat processors and food-assistance organizations across Pennsylvania.
Hunters can donate legally harvested deer through participating HSH processors at no charge to the hunter, thanks to program sponsors. The Pennsylvania Game Commission is a supporter of Hunters Sharing the Harvest.
How to Donate a Deer
Hunters wishing to donate a deer should legally harvest, tag, report, and field dress the deer, then take the whole deer to a participating Hunters Sharing the Harvest processor near where they hunt or live.
At the processor, the hunter completes an HSH Deer Donor Receipt verifying the donation. There is no processing fee to donate the whole deer through the program.
Participating Processors Near Indiana County
Hunters Sharing the Harvest maintains a statewide network of participating deer processors. Hunters should call the processor before delivering a deer to confirm current availability, hours, and any acceptance requirements.
Indiana County
Fenton's Meats
Jeffrey Fenton
675 Pearce Hollow Road
Marion Center, PA 15759
Phone: 724-388-5808
Armstrong County
Graham's Custom Butchering
Zach Graham
12876 State Rt. 422
Kittanning, PA 16201
724-664-9312
zgraham56@yahoo.com
Gutherie Deer Processing
Jim Gutherie
168 Gutherie Road
Cowansville, PA 16218
724-526-5997
Myers Meat Shop
Brad Myers
749 Butler Rd.
Kittanning, PA 16201
724-664-7637
Toy's Deer Processing
Richard E. Toy Jr.
1988 State Route 66
Ford City, PA 16226
724-763-7070
HSH notes: Not accepting deer from CWD Disease Management Areas (DMAs).
Westmoreland County
Espey's Meat Market
Joe Espey Jr.
319 Espey Meat Market Lane
Scottdale, PA 15683
724-887-3226
T&M Custom Butchering
Ted Bonnell
151 Slack Rd.
Jeannette, PA 15644
724-244-2054
Weimer's Custom Meats
Wade Weimer
559 Weimer Rd.
New Alexandria, PA 15670
724-668-7062
Official Pennsylvania Game Commission Resources
The following links provide direct access to official Pennsylvania Game Commission and program resources for the programs and services described on this page.
Pennsylvania Game Commission — Landowner Resources
Information about Pennsylvania Game Commission programs available to private landowners, including the Agricultural Deer Control Program, DMAP, Hunter Access Program, and Certified Hunter Program.
Agricultural Deer Control Program (AG Tag)
Official Pennsylvania Game Commission information about the Agricultural Deer Control Program, including landowner participation, hunter requirements, and current program regulations.
Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP)
Official Pennsylvania Game Commission information about DMAP, including landowner participation, DMAP permits, participating properties, applications, and current program requirements.
Destruction for Agricultural Protection
Official Pennsylvania Game Commission information regarding agricultural producers, employees, subpermittees, depredation permits, eligibility requirements, reporting, and agricultural wildlife removal provisions.
Certified Hunter Program
Official Pennsylvania Game Commission information about the Certified Hunter Program, including landowner participation, property access, certified hunter requirements, enrollment, and current program information.
Hunter Access Program
Official Pennsylvania Game Commission information about the Hunter Access Program, including landowner participation, public hunting and trapping access, program benefits, and enrollment information.
Landowner Antlerless Deer License
Official Pennsylvania Game Commission information about Landowner Antlerless Deer Licenses, including eligibility requirements, qualifying acreage, public hunting and trapping access requirements, current fees, and application information.
Private Landowner Assistance Program
Official Pennsylvania Game Commission information about free technical assistance for private landowners interested in creating, preserving, or enhancing wildlife habitat, including current program availability and contact information.
Hunters Sharing the Harvest
Pennsylvania Game Commission information about Hunters Sharing the Harvest, Pennsylvania's statewide venison donation program, plus direct access to the current participating processor directory. PAGC states that hunters can donate venison at no charge through the program.
Contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission
Official Pennsylvania Game Commission contact information for questions about wildlife, laws and regulations, licenses and permits, program requests, or assistance contacting your local State Game Warden. PAGC's Centralized Dispatch Center is staffed 24/7.
Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Regulations
Official Pennsylvania Game Commission information for current hunting and trapping seasons, bag limits, licensing requirements, regulations, and annual updates. The 2026–27 Hunting & Trapping Digest is available through this resource.
Information Accuracy & Updates
Pennsylvania Game Commission programs, regulations, fees, seasons, eligibility requirements, and procedures may change. Information on this page is provided as a general reference and was compiled from official Pennsylvania Game Commission and program resources. Visitors should always use the official links provided above to verify current requirements before taking action.
Whited Agricultural Wildlife Management, LLC is an independent private business and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.