Doe license applications are due beginning Monday for deer hunters who are state resident, and there will be 33,000 fewer licenses available this year.

Travis Lau, state game commission spokesman, said the game commissioners decide how many licenses should be available and where they are allocated.

He said that areas with fewer licenses available are where game commissioners have decided to allow the herd to build up.

Statewide, 746,500 licenses will be available.

Lau recommended to hunters who are intent on getting the license to apply as soon as possible.

“You're wise not to wait, that's for sure,” Lau said.

The number of licenses available is different in each Wildlife Management Unit, of which there are three that cover Butler County.

In WMU 1A, which covers the part of the county west of Route 8, there will be 46,000 licenses.

Last year, there were 47,000 licenses.

In WMU 2D, which covers the part of the county east of Route 8, there will be 55,000 licenses available.

Last year, there were 61,000 licenses.

In WMU 2B, which covers the part of the county south of Route 228, there will actually be more licenses available, with 61,000.

Last year, there were 60,000 available.

The license fee for state residents is $6.70.

Out-of-state residents can apply beginning July 27. Their fee is $26.70.

If there are any unsold licenses after that, there will be different application rounds to sell them off.

Doe licenses are available only to people who already have general deer licenses.

An application comes attached with the general license, and it can be torn off and mailed.

Only applications in the pink envelope that comes with the general license will be accepted.

Applications must be mailed to county treasurer's offices. Applications will not be taken in-person.

For county residents, the envelopes should be addressed to Butler County Treasurer, P.O. Box 1208, Butler, PA 16003.

In 1A and 2D, doe season lasts from Dec. 5 to Dec. 12. In 2B, the season lasts from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12, the same as regular deer season.