HARTSTOWN, Pa. — Pennsylvania Game Commission Northwest Region Director Richard T. Cramer yesterday announced that the long-standing special deer hunt held at the Pymatuning Wildlife Management Area will offer a new format this year.

In an effort to bring the hunt into conformance with the statewide deer management plan, improve wildlife habitat, and provide a better-quality hunt, the Board of Commissioners approved the new hunt plan earlier this year.

The new system will spread out hunting pressure over a longer period of time with approximately the same number of hunters being able to enjoy this opportunity. The hunt will take place from Monday, October 2, through Saturday, October 28, 2017, and will reopen Tuesday, December 26, through Saturday, January 6, 2018 (no hunting will take place on Monday, January 1).

Hunters will be permitted access from 12:30 p.m. until the close of hunting hours. Hunters will be limited to a maximum of two hunters per zone. The permit will be valid for one week on one of seven wooded hunt zones. Hunters are restricted to hunting in their assigned zone. A maximum of 14 hunters will be hunting the Pymatuning Wildlife Management Area at one time. Hunters may use any legal sporting implement. Deer are the only legal species and all valid deer tags may be used. Hunters must abide by all established seasons, bag limits, rules, and regulations.

Applications must be received by 3:00 p.m. on September 8, 2017, and are available at the Northwest Regional Office, 1509 Pittsburgh Road, Franklin, PA 16323, or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Pennsylvania Game Commission, PO Box 31, Franklin, PA 16323.

Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (closed Holidays). The public drawing will be held at 1:00 p.m. on September 16, 2017, at the Pymatuning Wildlife Management Area, 9552 Hartstown Road, Hartstown, PA 16131.