You'll need a regular hunting license to hunt antlered white-tailed deer in Pennsylvania, and in most Management Units a buck must have at least 3 points on at least one side to be harvested legally (some Management Units require at least 4 points on a side, click on www.pgc.state.pa.us/ for up-to-date information). Residents get Resident Licenses, non-residents get Non-Resident licenses. If you're 12-16, you need to get a Junior License, if over 65 you get a Senior License. To hunt with a bow, you'll need an archery license in addition to your regular hunting license. To hunt with a muzzle-loader, you'll need a muzzleloader license in addition to your regular license. To hunt for antlerless deer, you need either an antlerless license or a Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) license, in addition to the regular hunting license.
For information on how to get a regular Pennsylvania hunting license, scroll down to How to Get a Regular Pennsylvania Hunting License. For information on how to get an antlerless license, click on Antlerless License. For information on how to get a Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) license, click on DMAP license.
How to Get a Regular Pennsylvania Hunting License
You may purchase your license(s) to hunt white-tailed deer from a licensed operator (sporting goods stores, major department stores with sporting goods departments like K-Mart, county clerk offices). Or, you may download a license application, fill out the application, and mail or fax it back to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
To download license applications on-line, click on this website: Hunting and/or Furtaker License Application for Mail Orders.
Complete application in its entirety, indicating what license types you desire. Mail application, remittance (check or money order for residents, certified check for non-residents) for full amount including $2.50 for return postage, positive proof of PA residency, i.e. copy of valid PA Drivers License (not needed for non-residents) and copy of Hunter-Trapper Education Card (first-time license holders only) to:
Pennsylvania Game Commission
Hunting License Division
2001 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797
If faxing, download and fill out the application, then fax your completed application, copy of your valid PA Drivers License (only for residents and must be a readable copy), copy of Hunter-Trapper Education Card if applicable and VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Card number with expiration date to: (717) 705-1628.
Note: Please include your daytime telephone number with all applications in case the PA Game Commission needs to contact you about your application.