It’s open season for archery

PENNSYLVANIA—The archery season for whitetail deer in Pennsylvania opens October 1 and runs through November 12, then opens again on December 26 and runs through January 14. Other upcoming dates for white tail are:

• Muzzleloader: October 15 through 22 and (flintlock only season) December 26 to January 14.

• Youth/disabled: For antlerless deer only: October 20 to 22 for junior and senior license holders, Disabled Persons Permit holders and Pennsylvania residents on military active duty.

• Firearm: November 28 to December 10.

• Special antlerless: October 20 to 22 for junior and senior license holders, Disabled Persons Permit holders and Pennsylvania residents on military active duty.

The bag limit is one antlered and one antlerless deer for each license. Resident license fees are $6 for Junior, $9 for Junior combination (furtaker, archery, and muzzleloader), $20 for adult and $13 for senior.

Nonresident license fees are $41 for Junior, $51 for Junior combination (furtaker, archery and muzzleloader) and $101 for adult.

According to ESPNOutdoors.com, the 2005 deer population this year is expected to be 1.6 million whitetails. Although PA Game Commission deer biologist Bret Wallingford believes that Pennsylvania’s deer populations have declined in most areas, they are still substantial.