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Pennsylvania DCNR State Forests, Parks Participate in Deer Management Assistance Program

HARRISBURG, Pa. , July 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Deer hunters will find greater hunting opportunities in state forests and parklands and a wealth of Web-based information designed to boost hunter success as a result of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' participation in the Game Commission's deer management assistance program, or DMAP.

The program, which allows landowners to request the availability of additional antlerless deer hunting permits, enables DCNR and the Game Commission to more effectively manage white-tailed deer populations and curtail damage to crops.

"In 16 of its 20 state forest districts and 21 of its 117 state parks, DCNR will offer additional deer hunting opportunities this year through its DMAP participation," said DCNR acting Secretary John Quigley. "DCNR has enrolled 917,008 acres in its DMAP program for 2009. On these tracts, including 88,881 acres of state parkland, hunters may harvest additional antlerless whitetails with a valid tag."

DCNR's DMAP strategy this year again takes into account the shortened antlerless deer season in Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Management Units (WMU) 2G, 2D and 4B, in the north central, western and south central sections of the state, respectively.

"Our DMAP areas provide hunters an additional week of antlerless hunting opportunities in these WMUs," Quigley said. "This is an advantage for hunters who can only make it to camp or hunt certain areas the first week of the season. Utilizing the DMAP program allows them to maximize their hunting opportunities."

As a result, DCNR continues to adjust DMAP applications in state forest districts where shortened antlerless seasons apply. For instance, theTuscarora district -- in WMU 4B -- did not participate in the program in 2008, but, because of increased deer impacts, it is enrolled this year.

"By harvesting additional antlerless deer in these DMAP areas, hunters help balance the deer population with available habitat, and promote healthy forests and healthy deer while enjoying quality hunting experiences," said Quigley.

This year, hunters no longer will apply at forest district or park offices, or on the DCNR Web site. Instead, hunters now will obtain their permits directly from license issuing agents or the Game Commission Web site at www.pgc.state.pa.us. DMAP applicants can find details at www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/dmap/application_help.aspx.

Enrolled state park areas this year include:Bald Eagle, Beltzville,Blue Knob,Canoe Creek,Codorus,Cook Forest, Gifford Pinchot, Hickory Run, Keystone, Kings Gap, Moraine,Nescopeck,Ohiopyle, Oil Creek, Presque Isle, Prince Gallitzin, Raccoon Creek, Ricketts Glen, Ryerson Station, Shawnee andTobyhanna.

Buchanan, Cornplanter, Weiser and William Penn state forest districts will not be enrolled in the DMAP program. Managers of some of these districts point to reduced browsing pressure, improved forest regeneration and other factors, and believe additional doe harvests through the DMAP program are not needed.

For more DCNR DMAP details, contact Roy D. Brubaker, Forest Resource Planning, Bureau of Forestry, 717-783-0382, robrubaker@state.pa.us.

    CONTACT:  Terry Brady
    (717) 772-9101

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources