PGC is testing a Certified Hunter Program

The Certified Hunter Program is an effort to curb crop damage. Contributed photo

In an effort to reduce crop damage mostly from deer, the Pennsylvania Game Commission in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB), that represents more than 26,000 Commonwealth farmers, both agencies have come up with a new pilot hunting program. 

After a joint meeting on Aug. 12, the two agencies discussed crop losses from deer and sometimes bear and elk. PFB pointed out that wildlife damage was one of the farmers biggest concerns. 

During the passage of Senate Bill 518, it included a pilot Certified Hunter Program (CHP) that connects vetted hunters with farmers who are experiencing significant crop losses. About 40 farms in southwestern Pennsylvania are now part of the program for which hunters are permitted to hunt antlerless deer between Aug. 1 and April 15. Through an online portal, hunters reserve a time to hunt on the farms which gives the landowners the ability to limit the number of hunters. That way farmers know who is hunting on their land and on what days. Farmers retain full control over their land and they can set rules, set regulations, even time periods that they want to hunt. The landowners provide usage guidelines that show hunters where to park and what’s permissible. 

In addition, hunters must pass a background check, a 100-question test and complete a shooting proficiency test with their choices of rifles, shotguns and archery gear. For those who complete the program, they’re getting an 8-and-a-half-month season to hunt these game-rich properties. 

With this being a pilot program in southwestern Pennsylvania, the agency is receiving favorable feedback and looking at ideas on how to expand the program in other areas in 2026. 
Of course there are also DMAP (Deer Management Assistant Program) that has less restrictive measures but for some properties there is a charge for the permits of $10.97 for residents and $35.97 for nonresidents. Plus, an extended firearms season for antlerless deer will be open on all DMAP properties from Dec. 26 through Jan. 24 with an appropriate antlerless license(s) and from one to four antlerless coupons from the landowner. 

SEMI-AUTO RIFLES FOR BIG GAME HUNTING

In other game commission news, State Representative Charity Krupa of Fayette County is proposing a major change to the PA Game Code that would drastically alter the Pennsylvania hunting law. SR Krupa wants to amend the code to allow licensed hunters the ability to use semi-automatic rifles for the hunting of big game such as deer and bear. SR Krupa wants to permit the use of rifles with a capacity of six rounds – in the magazine and one in the chamber.
 
“This proposal brings Pennsylvania in line with the states that already allow responsible use of semi-automatic firearms for hunting large game – typically with magazine restrictions similar for hunting large game – and with magazine restrictions similar to the one proposed,” said Krupa. 

The SR goes on to say that these states have seen no measurable increase in safety concerns or negative impact on wildlife. 

Krupa asserted there is no compelling evidence to support Pennsylvania’s continued ban on semi-automatic rifles for large game. She contended those firearms are commonly used for other lawful purposes including small game and predator hunting within the state. She went on to say the law would provide for faster follow-up shots, aiding in the ethical harvesting of animals by minimizing suffering and reducing the chances of a wounded animal escaping, plus it would help reduce the state’s increasing deer overpopulation concerns. 
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