Pennsylvania Red Tag Program

[Nuts]

This program allows Farmers tags to harvest deer August through April. Not sure what was in place prior and I am not overly familiar with it. Growing up we would just kill them and the Game Warden would pick them up if it was more then we wanted. So I leased this land in Potter County PA and the farmer tells me he has 400 of these tags. 1st that's and insane amount. I wouldn't mind having some kids shoot some now. I have families that want the meat and need it so its a win win. It would please the farmer as well. What I don't want is to cut open a doe and have a fawn fall out that is developed and looks like a fawn with no imagination needed. Having seen fawns in May. I assume that they are being born mid to late April through July. So what do you think the cut off would be to not traumatize kids? Google says there has been documented March births but late May is primary fawning. Trying to decide if we let it go to not risk it or proceed. We would shoot them 2/20-2/22

 

[Dave N]

Not much help with your kids. Only you know how they are with their feelings. Maybe discuss the possibilities with them ahead of time. Also, if you need any help with those 400 tags I could use a freezer filler road trip!

 

[INMT]

It’s in an amniotic sac. You won’t even see it unless you cut it open. It will still be tiny that time of year.

 

[Corn king 60]

I shot two big does a few years back on the last day of flintlock season. Mid January. Upon opening them up there was no issues with identifying with what came out. Yes in a sac but very obvious. They must have been the first two does to get breed in the fall and I felt fawn development was pretty advanced. My life long hunting friend sold his flintlock and hasn’t hunted that season since. This was in Clearfield County pa. My suggestion would be to target the smaller deer from the spring of 2025 that maybe are not breed or breed much later and fawn development should be less obvious. I know that is not easy to do but if you have time and can look them over it can be done
Careful of those button bucks and good luck.