Crop damage deer removal in Pennsylvania

Who can shoot deer for crop damage in Pennsylvania?

State law lets a farmer who cultivates land as a primary livelihood, along with family, household members and regular employees, kill deer seen damaging crops, right after the damage, or when there is good reason to expect more damage right away. Anyone else needs a Game Commission permit.

What is the Agricultural Damage Depredation Permit?

• Who applies: the qualified farmer, through the district wildlife conservation officer, after enrolling in the Agricultural Deer Control program.
• Shooters: up to two subpermittees per permit, more if the officer recommends it.
• Shooter rules: Pennsylvania resident, resident hunting license, and no game-law violations or revocations in the last 10 years.
• Hours: any hour, day or night, for the permit year.
• When: only while deer are damaging crops, right after, or when more damage is about to happen. Keep proof of damage from the last 15 days.
• Reporting: every deer within 24 hours, and an annual report by July 31.
• Venison: subpermittees keep nothing. Deer go to the Game Commission or a food bank as the officer directs.

What firearms and methods are allowed?

Only firearms and ammunition approved for that animal’s open season. For deer that means a centerfire firing a single lead, lead-alloy or expanding bullet. Bows, crossbows and muzzleloaders need advance written permission from the district officer. No baiting under the crop damage law, and written permission is needed to shoot on a Sunday.

How do Ag Tags fit in?

The Agricultural Deer Control program is free. Farmers get one coupon for every 5 acres under cultivation, more with a deer management plan, and hand them to licensed hunters for antlerless deer during the agricultural deer control season. In the southeast Special Regulations Area, hunters with these permits may hunt over bait. See our Ag Tags guide.

What about townships, HOAs and land trusts?

Political subdivisions, homeowners associations and nonprofit land-holding organizations can apply for a Game Commission deer control permit with a deer management plan and a public hunting component. Work under that permit can run day or night, with lights, generally February 1 to September 30, and shooters must hold nuisance wildlife control operator permits.

Where can I read the Pennsylvania law?

• Title 34, Pennsylvania Game and Wildlife Code
• Title 34, Chapter 21, Game or Wildlife Protection (crop damage)
• Title 30, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Code
• 58 Pa. Code Part III, Game Commission regulations
• 58 Pa. Code Chapter 147, Special Permits (deer control, agricultural depredation)

Last updated October 18, 2026. Reviewed by DelChester Wildlife Conservation Group.

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