DEER MANAGEMENT UNITS

                    DEER MANAGEMENT UNITS
      (WMU's)


                   APPLYING FOR ANTLERLESS DEER LICENSES IN THE NEW
                   WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNITS

The Pennsylvania Game Commission has implemented a new wildlife mangement unit system that has changed how hunters apply for antlerless deer licenses. It replaces a system that has been in place since the 1920's, but it will improve deer management and better define the boundaries of wildlife management units (WMU). All hunters who plan to apply for a doe license in the Commonwealth should become familiar with the new management units as well as the new procedures for applying for an antlerless deer license.

The new wildlife management unit system replaces the 67-county management unit system with 22 revised wildlife management units that are made up of all, or parts of multiple counties. The new units use roads and rivers as boundaries; are based on habitat, human-related, and wildlife population characteristics; and provide sufficient data to make sound management decisions.

This wildlife management unit system upgrade required us to overhaul our decades-old county antlerless deer license issuance system. Working closely with the County Treasurers' Association, the Game Commission has developed new procedures for collecting and distributing antlerless deer license applications. Under the new system, all antlerless license applications will be sent to the Game Commission's Harrisburg headquarters via post office boxes for each WMU. From there, the applications will be distributed to County Treasurers - who are required by law to issue antlerless licenses.

The Pa Game Commission will determine the number of antlerless license each WMU will receive. The county treasurers will receive a percentage of the total number of licenses allocated for their wildlife management unit. The allocation is based on the amount of county acreage within the management unit. For example, if a county's acreage comprises 60 percent of the management unit, it will issue 60 percent of the management unit's licenses.

One of the most important details to remember about the new procedures and wildlife management unit system is that hunters are now applying for a license to hunt in a management unit, not a county. Hunting is not longer limited to one county. It doesn't matter which county in the management unit issues your license. Your license provides the privilege to hunt the entire wildlife management unit, as defined by its boundaries of highways and rivers. More detailed information will be printed on the applications, official envelopes and the 2003 Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations. To check out the latest information on new WMU's, visit the Pa Game Commission website at www.pgc.state.pa.us.

APPLYING FOR ANTLERLESS DEER LICENSE
IN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNITS

The Application Process:

The antlerless deer license application will continue to be part of the package hunters receive when they buy a general hunting license. Instead of designating a county on the application, the hunter enters the WMU number where he or she desires to hunt. A complete guide to WMUs, including a boundary map, will appear in 2003 Digests provided with all general licenses sold. All applications will be accepted on a first-come-first served basis. There will be no drawings held for antlerless deer licenses.

The completed application must be accompanied by a check or money order payable to "County Treasurer" (do not specify name of county) and must be mailed by First Class mail only in the yellow official antlerless deer license envelope that will provided with your hunting license. The new official envelope is yellow in color and will have an attachment that contains mailing labels for all 22 WMUs. When filling out the envelope, the hunter selects and attaches the appropriate WMU label to the front of the official envelope in the space provided. As in the past both sections of the envelope must be completed and first class postage provided for each. Up to three separate applications may be placed in one envelope. The number of applications enclosed should be circled on the front of the envelope.

Each WMU will have it's own post office box in Harrisburg. Each day during the application period, envelopes will be collected from these post office boxes by PGC staff. Envelopes will be inspected (unopened), counted, allocated and shipped to County Treasurers on a daily basis for license issuance. With the exception of applications for landowner, disabled veteran, over-the-counter sales and armed forces antlerless deer licenses, it is unlawful for County Treasurer's to receive applications from anyone but the Game Commission. Exceptions for qualified landowners, disabled veterans, over-the-counter sales and residents serving in the armed forces will be covered in upcoming sections.

How Licenses are Issued:

When County Treasurers receive the applications, bundled in packs for each WMU they are serving, the process of license issuance begins. Treasurers will open the envelopes and check applications for completeness, and ensure applications are accompanied by a negotiable check or money order in the proper amount. If the application/s is not complete, unsigned and/or proper remittance is not enclosed, the package is rejected and returned to the applicant. The hunter may then correct the mistakes and reapply to the Pa Game Commission using a new official envelope available at license issuing agents. If the hunter fails to provide return postage, the envelope is placed in a dead letter file and no license is issued. Treasurers will forward dead letters to the Game Commission's Harrisburg Headquarters. Hunters may retrieve their dead letters by contacting the License Division.

If the allocation in a unit is exhausted, the application is returned to the hunter. Using a new official envelope, the hunter may then reapply to the Pa Game Commission for another WMU with licenses available.

For regular applications and the first round of unsold tags, regulations require Treasures to mail licenses to successful applications no later than the third Monday in September. All other licenses must be mailed by October 1.

The Application Schedule:

The antlerless deer license application schedule remains about the same as it has been for the past few years. The Game Commission, through proper WMU post office boxes, will accept applications from residents beginning on the first Monday in August. Nonresident applications will be accepted beginning the third Monday in August.

On the fourth Monday in August, the first round of unsold antlerless deer license applications from residents and nonresidents will be accepted for the WMUs with licenses remaining. The unsold license application is found in the Digest. A hunter may lawfully submit only one unsold tag application to one unit. It is unlawful to apply to multiple units.

On the second Monday in September, the second round of unsold tag applications will be accepted for WMU's with licenses remaining. Once again, a hunter may lawfully submit only one additional unsold tag application to one unit. In total, a hunter may apply for only one first round unsold license and one second-round unsold license, or two second-round unsold licenses. This license total does not include your regular antlerless license, which you apply for with the separate application provided with your hunting license.

If designated by the Executive Director, certain WMU's may be permitted to accept unlimited numbers of unsold tag applications (over-the-counter or by mail) beginning on the fourth Monday in August. The Executive Director must designate these areas by April 30th each year. If applying by mail, applications would be limited to sending three application per yellow envelope.

Statewide, hunters may apply over-the-counter for licenses, if some are still available, beginning on the first Monday in November. To apply over-the-counter, hunters would need to contact and visit a Treasurer who handles licenses for that particular unit. Treasurers may accept cash for over-the-counter sales.

Applying for Landowner, Disabled Veteran and Armed Forces Antlerless Deer Licenses:

This section covers exceptions to the standard application process.

Landowner Antlerless Deer Licenses: Qualified applicants (residents and nonresidents) for landowner antlerless deer licenses must apply directly to the County Treasurer of the county where the qualifying acreage is located. These licenses must be applied for prior to start of the regular application period, which begins the first Monday in August. If the qualifying acreage is located within a county with two or more wildlife management units, the applicant selects the management unit he or she desires. If the applicant or his/her agent cannot apply in person, the applicant should mail the regular application, proper remittance ($6.00 for residents, $26.00 for nonresidents), proof of ownership and a Landowner Antlerless Deer License Affidavit (available from Treasurers, PGC offices or on-line for a printable document) to the Treasurer in a plain envelope marked "Landowner Antlerless Application." Applicants who apply by mail must include a business-sized, self-addressed and stamped return envelope. Do not use the official antlerless deer license envelope or mail the material to the PGC.

Disabled Veteran Antlerless Deer Licenses: Qualified resident applications for disabled veteran antlerless deer licenses may apply to any County Treasurer in the WMU they desire to hunt in. If an applicant or his/her agent cannot apply in person, applicants should mail their antlerless deer license application, $6.00 remittance and supporting documents (Veterans Administration form letter), directly to a Treasurer in a plain envelope marked "Disabled Veteran Antlerless Application." Applicants who apply by mail must include a business-sized, self-addressed stamped return envelope. Do not use the official antlerless deer license envelope or mail the material to the PGC. These licenses may be applied for any time during the license year.

Armed Forces Antlerless Deer Licenses: Qualified residents serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or Coast Guard, or within 60 days from honorable discharge, may apply to any County treasurer for the WMU they desire to hunt in. If the applicant or his/her agent cannot apply in person, the application, $6.00 remittance and supporting documentation (official orders) may be mailed to a County Treasurer using a plain envelope marked "Armed Forces Antlerless Application." Applicants who apply by mail must include a business-sized, self-addressed stamped return envelope. Do not use the official antlerless deer license envelope or mail the material to the PGC. These licenses may be applied for at any time during the license year.

Replacement Antlerless Deer Licenses:

Applicants who lose their antlerless deer license may obtain a replacement by applying to any County Treasurer who handles licenses for the WMU where the original license was issued. If the applicant or his/her agent cannot apply in person, their completed Affidvit for Replacement of a Lost License form (available from all issuing agents, PGC offices and on-line for a printable document), $6.00 remittance and supporting documentation (copy of cancelled check or the antlerless deer license number, if known) may be mailed to the County Treasurer using a plain envelope marked "Replacement Antlerless Application." Applicants must include a business-sized, self-addressed stamped envelope. Do not use the official antlerless deer license envelope or mail the material to the PGC.

CONCLUSION:

Overhauling the antlerless deer license application process to accommodate new wildlife management units has been no small feat. With months of planning, preparation and the help and support of the County Treasurers' Association and the General Assembly, we look forward to the challenge that lies ahead. New wildlife management units promise to improve the future of hunting in Pennsylvania. By working together to implement this new system, our wildlife resources will be better managed for future generations to enjoy.