Frequently Asked Questions About Tagging and Reporting Deer and Turkey Harvests
2024 Harvest Tags and Instructions
Questions
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Won't the paper Deer/Turkey Harvest Tags get easily lost or destroyed in the field?
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How do I know how many and what kind of deer or turkey I can harvest with my permit?
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What keeps an illegal hunter from copying and using as many harvest tags as they want?
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How do I report my deer and turkey harvests and get report confirmation numbers?
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What happens if I can't figure out how to report my harvest and get a confirmation number?
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I have a Landowner Permit. Do I also have to use the new tagging and reporting system?
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I hunt deer in Zones 11 and 12. How do I get my Replacement Antlerless and Earn-a-Buck Tags?
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How do I use and report on my Replacement Antlerless and Earn-a-Buck Tags?
1. Where can I get copies of the Deer/Turkey Harvest Tags?
Deer/Turkey Harvest Tags (2024 Tags) are on the DEEP's website and in the Hunting and Trapping Guide. You may photocopy or print Harvest Tags as needed. Handwritten versions of these harvest tags may also be used. Handwritten versions must also be signed and include your Conservation ID Number, your name, date and time of harvest, town of harvest, and the type of permit and tag that you used. Back
2. Won't the paper Deer/Turkey Harvest Tags get easily lost or destroyed in the field?
While transporting your game in the field, Deer/Turkey Harvest Tags do not have to be attached to the carcass. You can keep your completed tag in your pocket or wallet while transporting your game. However, if you leave the animal in the woods or at a vehicle, the Harvest Tag must remain with the animal. At these times, it is recommended that you place the Harvest Tag in a plastic bag and secure it to the animal. Back
3. How do I know how many and what kind of deer or turkey I can harvest?
The bag limits for each season will print out on your license. The number and types of deer or turkey you can harvest each season are also listed below and printed in the annual Hunting and Trapping Guide. Back
| Deer Hunting | Bag Limits |
|---|---|
| Archery | Statewide: 2 Either Sex and 2 Antlerless January - Zones 11, 12: 1 Either Sex and 1 Antlerless |
| Private Land Shotgun/Rifle/Revolver |
Statewide (except Zones 2 and4A): 1 Either Sex and 1 Antlerless |
| State Land Lottery | 1 Either Sex |
| No-Lottery | 1 Either Sex |
| Private Land Muzzleloader |
Statewide (except Zones 2 and4A): 1 Either Sex and 1 Antlerless |
| State Land Muzzleloader | 1 Either Sex |
| Landowner | 1 Either Sex and 1 Antlerless |
| Turkey Hunting* | Bag Limits |
|---|---|
| Spring | 5 Bearded Turkeys |
| Fall Firearms | 3 Either Sex Turkeys |
| Fall Archery | 2 Either Sex Turkeys |
*All turkey permits have been replaced by the Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp.
4. What keeps illegal hunters from copying and using as many harvest tags as they want?
Within 24 hours of making a harvest, a hunter must write a harvest report confirmation number on their Harvest Tag. If a Harvest Tag does not contain a valid report confirmation number, the hunter is in violation of regulations and may be prosecuted. Environmental Conservation Police will be able to check the Hunter Reporting database to see if a hunter has properly reported their harvest and how many animals were harvested under each permit. The Department knows that the vast majority of our sportsmen are honest and ethical. There are of course always some individuals who may try to abuse the system. If this abuse is discovered, these individuals will be charged with a violation. Back
5. How do I report my deer and turkey harvests and get report confirmation numbers?
You can report your harvest on the Department’s website or by calling the toll-free number 1-877-337-4868. After reporting your harvest, you will be given a confirmation number to write on your Harvest Tag*. This confirmation number serves as proof that you have legally reported your harvest. You may find that submitting reports on the Department’s website is much easier than using the telephone reporting system. The telephone reporting system uses a live attendant that will ask you a series of questions to obtain harvest information. On the website, you answer questions by using convenient drop-down menus. Other advantages of using the website to report are that you can review reports that you have previously submitted and print out copies of these reports for your records. (Submit a Harvest Report Online) Back
* If you do not receive a confirmation number once you submit a harvest report, DO NOT immediately submit another report. Go back to this Tagging and Reporting webpage; select the “Review Reports” button; and enter the required information. You should be able to view your profile to see if the harvest report was recorded and get the confirmation number if it was (there may be a short lag time before the report shows up).
6. What happens if I can't figure out how to report my harvest and get a confirmation number?
If you have trouble using the online or telephone reporting system, try again at a later time. If you still cannot successfully submit a report, call 860-424-3011 for assistance Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Back
7. I have a Landowner Permit. Do I also have to use the tagging and reporting system?
Yes. All harvests with a Landowner Permit must use the tagging and reporting system. Back
8. What does the 3-digit number town code mean?
To report your harvest, you will need to enter a 3-digit number that represents the town where you made the harvest. A table listing the 3-digit number code for each town is in the Hunting and Trapping Guide or here: Town Number Code Table. Back
9. What does the 3-digit public hunting area code mean?
If you made your harvest on state land, you will need to enter a 3-digit number that represents the public hunting area where you made the harvest. Tables listing the 3-digit number code for public hunting areas are in the Hunting and Trapping Guide or here: Public Hunting Area Number Code Tables. Back
10. I hunt deer in Zones 11 and 12. How do I get my Replacement Antlerless and Earn-a-Buck Tags?
Immediately upon making your harvest of an antlerless deer, complete a Deer/Turkey Harvest Tag (2024 Tags). Then, report your harvest online or by telephone at the toll-free number, 1-877-337-4868 (1-877-DEP-HUNT) within 24 hours of harvest. Write the report confirmation number on your Harvest Tag and then bring your antlerless deer carcass or head and properly completed tag to one of the participating Replacement Tag Check Stations within 72 hours of harvest. The check station operator may reissue you a replacement tag only after these steps have been completed. Sign the replacement tag that is received from the check station operator. Back
11. How do I use and report on my Replacement Antlerless and Earn-a-Buck Tags?
Immediately upon making your harvest, punch out and remove the circles on the tag which indicate the month and the day. Then, report your harvest online or by telephone at the toll-free number, 1-877-337-4868 (1-877-DEP-HUNT). Write the report confirmation number on your tag. If you used a replacement antlerless tag and want another tag, bring your antlerless deer, tag, and report confirmation number to one of the participating Replacement Tag Check Stations. Back
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Content last updated in January 2024.