Skip to main content

Pennsylvania Deer Forecast: Top 5 State Expects High Harvest ... Again

Recent trends shows Pennsylvania's deer harvest should remain among the nation's largest.

Pennsylvania Deer Forecast: Top 5 State Expects High Harvest ... Again
  • This whitetail hunting forecast for the state of Pennsylvania is part of Game & Fish’s “Great States" project identifying the best deer-hunting states in the country. Read more: America's Top Whitetail States

Expectations Are Always High in the Keystone State

Pennsylvania carries one of the nation’s richest deer-hunting traditions. For many years, work and school were even cancelled for the opening day of deer season. (Until opening day moved to Saturday, that is.)

With one of the nation’s largest whitetail harvests every year, the Keystone State is clearly a premier whitetail destination. Listed No. 5 in Game & Fish’s "America’s Top Whitetail States” rankings, Pennsylvania saw 430,010 whitetails harvested last year, and its five-year-average harvest number is second only to Texas.

Last year’s deer harvest marked a slight increase over 2022-23, and a four-percent increase over the three-year average, the Pennsylvania Game Commission said.

The state has between 650,000 and 675,000 deer hunters, and without question, a lot of deer hunters head afield can mean significant competition, heavy hunting pressure and challenging deer hunts.

DID YOU KNOW?

PA HARVEST TOTALS

Last year, Pennsylvania bowhunters harvested an estimated 154,850 whitetails (83,370 bucks and 71,480 antlerless). That’s 36 percent of the overall harvest.

Even so, it’s possible to find a good Pennsylvania buck. According to Game Commission Deer Biologist David Stainbrook, hunters should get ½ mile or further from parking areas and road access points. Do that, and you’re more likely to escape heavy hunting pressure.

Fortunately, this is hilly (and mountainous) big-woods country. Because of that, some hunters won’t or can't put in the effort to reach hard-to-access areas. Those who do should find themselves further from the most hindering hunting pressure.

white-tailed buck
Bowhunters took 36 percent of the 2023-24 deer harvest in Pennsylvania. (Photo by Honeycutt Creative)
THAT'S A FACT

TOP OF THE RECORD BOOK

According to the Pennsylvania Big Game Record System, the largest whitetail ever taken by a hunter in the state is a non-typical buck killed by Edward Dodge in 1942 that scored 238-6 (B&C).

As for the 2024 deer season expectations, hunters should anticipate a good year. Stainbrook believes there should be high harvest totals and a decent number of bigger bucks taken during the harvest.

Pennsylvania deer chart
Pennsylvania deer harvest breakdown (overall 430,010): Firearms, 254,710 (59.2 percent); Archery, 154,850 (36 percent); Muzzleloader, 20,450 (4.8 percent). (Pennsylvania Game Commission)

Get more info: Buy your hunting licenses, deer permits, etc. here. Check out the 2024 deer season dates here.





GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Gear

Dryshod Evalusion Hunt Boots Keep Whitetail Hunters on Top of Their Game

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Gear

Lew's Custom Pro Gen 3

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Other

Light up the Salt

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Fishing

Caring for the Catch

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Fishing

Snook on the Hook

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Guns

TriStar Cobra III Field Pump Super Compact .410

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Gear

Federal Premium Freight Train Copper Sabot Slug

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Fishing

Saltwater Setup

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Fishing

Jacks to the Max

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Gear

Beilue's Best from ICAST 2024: Baits & Tackle

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Gear

Beilue's Best from ICAST 2024: Rods

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Gear

Beilue's Best from ICAST 2024: Reels

Game & Fish Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Game & Fish App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Game & Fish stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Game & Fish stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use