Doe Permits in PA Sold Out - Is This Normal?

**BobFromBucks** · October 30th, 2014, 08:50 AM

I didn't buy a license this year because the place I hunted locally is now unavailable and my non-surgically repaired hip/knee have been causing tremendous pain since June. I figured I was out of it this year.

But, I just got a nice offer from a friend to hunt with him and some friends so I took a look online to get a license. First, I checked doe tag availability in my area. It turns out that every doe tag in the state is sold out with the exception of a few in the district near Philly and Pittsburgh.

A total of 779,500 doe tags have been sold. I don't remember 5C, for example, ever being sold out. Did they make fewer available this year, are there more people hunting (supposedly not) or are people buying them up and then trashing them to "save a deer?"

**jerkin** · October 30th, 2014, 09:20 AM

They usually sell out except for the few areas you mentioned. I don't think there are any more hunters but they did make fewer available this year, only a couple thousand per WMU though. There have always been lots of guys that buy doe tags with no intention on using them, even when there were plenty of deer in Pa. I rarely ever use mine, I just get it for flintlock season, haven't shot a doe with a bow or rifle for years but the past few seasons it's been so bitter cold during flintlock that I only made it out a few times.

**Orlov556** · October 30th, 2014, 09:25 AM

There was a time, not long ago, that you actually had to KNOW someone in the county courthouse to get your doe tags around here. Now, they don't sell out in the first round and people are getting 2nd round tags.

You still have to put in early, but you shouldn't have any trouble getting a tag if you send it in the first day they accept them. Now, its wayyy too late.

**BobFromBucks** · October 30th, 2014, 09:29 AM

I always get my license and tags as soon as they are available. But, over the last dozen years, I know of a few friends who had no problem getting tags for 5C whenever.

I was just curious if something had changed.

**TerryK** · October 30th, 2014, 09:44 AM

If I had medical issues I would be happy to let the doe pass and wait for a big buck. Good you are getting out.

**Gripsafety** · October 30th, 2014, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by BobFromBucks

I always get my license and tags as soon as they are available. But, over the last dozen years, I know of a few friends who had no problem getting tags for 5C whenever.

I was just curious if something had changed.

5C sold out last year also. The tags were available OTC for a few weeks after the mail-in rounds both last year and this year.

I have seen a lot of hunters in Chester County who appear to be from 5B or other places, especially in the doe season after Christmas.

The number of doe tags available in 5C has been decreasing. Last year, they sold 103,000 tags vs 95,000 this year. There is no limit to how many you can buy once OTC sales start in August.

**Gripsafety** · October 30th, 2014, 11:26 AM

Just a little more info: the doe allocations in 5C were 111,000 in 2012 and 117,000 in 2011.

**wis bang** · October 30th, 2014, 12:26 PM

DMAP927 [promised land] still has 3 permits left.

DMAP034 is sold out despite having two of three townships closed due to the manhunt...

DMAP1881 [mifflin] has 135 permits.

DMAP2101 [potter] has 288

Every other DMAP is gone too.

The DMAP numbers are now part of the whole allocation where b/4 they were in addition to the allocation.

**knight0334** · October 31st, 2014, 12:43 PM

WMU's 2D and 2F typically sell out by Sept 1.

**aubie515** · October 31st, 2014, 04:03 PM

Game Commission did lower doe tags in many WMUs. In the past, 5C was offering over 120k tags and I don't believe they ever sold out. This year it's around 95k, which is funny since there are so many does in the area.