Pennsylvania’s hunting regulators are considering expanding a program designed to connect landowners experiencing deer-related crop damage with vetted hunters. The Pennsylvania Game Commission piloted the Certified Hunter Program in the southwest portion of the state in 2025 and last month preliminarily approved expanding it statewide, with a final decision expected in April.
A New Approach to Deer Management
The Certified Hunter Program requires hunters to pass a background check, a written exam, and a shooting proficiency test with both firearms and archery gear. Successful candidates are then able to reserve hunting time on properties enrolled in the program. According to Tyler Strohecker of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, over 1,000 hunts were completed through the pilot program with “overwhelmingly positive reviews.”
The program utilizes 21st-century technology to address the long-standing issue of crop damage caused by deer. Unlike Pennsylvania’s traditional Agricultural Deer Control efforts, which require direct contact between hunters and landowners for Ag Tag permits, the Certified Hunter Program uses an e-tagging and e-harvest system allowing approved hunters to reserve time on a property up to two weeks in advance.
Landowners receive confirmation emails and retain control over their property, customizing participation by limiting sporting arms, deciding on Sunday hunting, and blocking out dates for personal use. They also receive annual reports and harvest history data.
Demand Exceeds Expectations
The pilot program’s popularity exceeded initial expectations. Strohecker noted hoping for 20 properties and 100 hunters, but instead saw 60 properties enrolled and 250 hunters certified, with a waitlist of around 800 as of January. The program’s growth has been largely driven by word of mouth.
Participating hunters are provided with tools like an OnX subscription to ensure awareness of property boundaries and safety zones.
The Certified Hunter Program complements another initiative under consideration by the Board of Game Commissioners, which would allow Ag Tag hunters greater flexibility in the sporting arms they may use throughout the permit period.
Supporting Pennsylvania Agriculture
Pennsylvania agricultural officials have praised the program’s collaborative approach. Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding stated that the program “protects crops, strengthens our agricultural economy, and ensuring working farms remain viable for generations to come.” Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Chris Hoffman echoed this sentiment, expressing excitement about the program’s potential to address wildlife issues faced by farmers.
One farmer, prior to enrolling in the program, was unable to harvest a field for two years due to deer damage. “This year he was able to get a crop out of that field,” Strohecker said.
The program also encourages hunters to donate venison to Hunters Sharing the Harvest, which saw a record 283,789 pounds of venison donated during the 2024-25 license year, providing approximately 1.1 million servings of meat to food-insecure Pennsylvanians.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Certified Hunter Program?
The Certified Hunter Program is an initiative by the Pennsylvania Game Commission to connect landowners experiencing deer damage with hunters who have passed a background check, written exam, and proficiency test.
How does the program benefit landowners?
Landowners benefit by having access to vetted hunters who can help manage deer populations and reduce crop damage, while retaining control over who accesses their property and when.
How did the pilot program perform?
The pilot program in southwest Pennsylvania completed over 1,000 hunts and received overwhelmingly positive reviews, with an average of over seven deer harvested per property.
As the Pennsylvania Game Commission moves toward a potential statewide rollout, will the program continue to meet the needs of both landowners and hunters, and what further adjustments might be necessary to ensure its long-term success?
