Deer hunters will find greater hunting opportunities in state forests and parklands and a wealth of web-based information designed to boost hunter success as a result of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' participation in the Game Commission's deer management assistance program, or DMAP.

The program, which allows landowners to request the availability of additional antlerless deer hunting permits, enables DCNR and the Game Commission to more effectively manage white-tailed deer populations and curtail damage to crops.

"In 16 of its 20 state forest districts and 21 of its 117 state parks, DCNR will offer additional deer hunting opportunities this year through its DMAP participation," said DCNR Acting Secretary John Quigley. "DCNR has enrolled 917,008 acres in its DMAP program for 2009. On these tracts, including 88,881 acres of state parkland, hunters may harvest additional antlerless whitetails with a valid tag."

DCNR's DMAP strategy this year again takes into account the shortened antlerless deer season in Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Management Units 2G, 2D and 4B, in the north central, western and south central sections of the state, respectively.

"Our DMAP areas provide hunters an additional week of antlerless hunting opportunities in these WMUs," Acting Secretary Quigley said. "This is an advantage for hunters who can only make it to camp or hunt certain areas the first week of the season. Utilizing the DMAP program allows them to maximize their hunting opportunities."

As a result, DCNR continues to adjust DMAP applications in state forest districts where shortened antlerless seasons apply. For instance, the Tuscarora district -- in WMU 4B -- did not participate in the program in 2008, but, because of increased deer impacts, it is enrolled this year.

"By harvesting additional antlerless deer in these DMAP areas, hunters help balance the deer population with available habitat, and promote healthy forests and healthy deer while enjoying quality hunting experiences," said Acting Secretary Quigley.

Enrolled state park areas this year include: Bald Eagle, Beltzville, Blue Knob, Canoe Creek, Codorus, Cook Forest, Gifford Pinchot, Hickory Run, Keystone, Kings Gap, Moraine, Nescopeck, Ohiopyle, Oil Creek, Presque Isle, Prince Gallitzin, Raccoon Creek, Ricketts Glen, Ryerson Station, Shawnee and Tobyhanna.

Buchanan, Cornplanter, Weiser and William Penn state forest districts will not be enrolled in the DMAP program. Managers of some these districts point to reduced browsing pressure, improved forest regeneration and other factors, and believe additional doe harvests through the DMAP program are not needed.

For more information on how to enroll, visit the DCNR DMAP webpage or contact Roy D. Brubaker, Forest Resource Planning, Bureau of Forestry, 717-783-0382 or by sending email to: robrubaker@state.pa.us.