HARRISBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — Lines and wait times have plagued Pennsylvania deer license sales, but the 2024-25 licenses should be quick and easy, the Pennsylvania Game Commission announced.

When antlerless deer licenses go on sale alongside general hunting licenses in late June, the Game Commission said far fewer people will be waiting in line, and for most hunters, no line is needed, but there is a small catch.

The Game Commission modified the antlerless deer license sales schedule — guaranteeing most residents will get a license in the Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) of their choice as long as they grab them before sales to non-PA residents begin.

Here’s how it will work:

Monday, June 24:

At 8 a.m., antlerless licenses for only three Wildlife Management Units – WMUs 1B, 2G and 3A – will be sold. For three days, antlerless licenses will be available for these WMUs, which typically sell out the fastest and drive much of the customer demand at the start of sales.

There’s no guarantee of getting a license in WMUs 1B, 2G and 3A. Licenses for these WMUs will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis until the allocated number of licenses is exhausted.

Thursday, June 27:

At 8 a.m., antlerless licenses for the remaining 19 WMUs will go on sale to residents. Residents seeking licenses in any of these WMUs won’t need to wait in line for them; they’ll be guaranteed to get one, as long as they buy before 7 a.m. on Monday, July 8 –

Monday, July 8:

At 8 a.m., the resident-only portion of the first round of sales ends and non-PA residents can begin to buy licenses.

Once the nonresident portion of the first round begins all remaining antlerless licenses will be sold on a first come, first serve basis until sold out.

“The changes to the sales schedule and process should work in tandem to reduce wait times for hunters buying licenses throughout the first round.” The Game Commission said. “By opening antlerless license sales initially in the three WMUs that are likely to sell out the fastest, and taking the others out of the mix, demand can be better met for those right buyers who need it most.”

The second round of sales begins on Monday, July 22 at 8 a.m. and the third round begins Monday, Aug. 12 at 8 a.m. Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) permits also go on sale when the third round begins.

During the fourth round, which begins Monday, Aug. 26 at 8 a.m., a hunter may purchase more than one license for any WMU where licenses are available. No hunter may possess more than their personal limit of six antlerless licenses at a time.