HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Game Commission Tuesday left most deer seasons unchanged for 2005-06 but reduced the number of doe-hunting licenses by 160,000 in an effort to stabilize the deer herd.

The commission maintained an allocation of 159,000 doe licenses for three wildlife management units near Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, but scaled back the allocations elsewhere in the state from 880,000 last year to 720,000.

"For most (units), we are recommending a reduction in allocations, because population indices have declined in recent years and because we are at a point where we should assess the results of our population reductions," said Christopher Rosenberry, supervisor of the commission's deer-management section.

In general, under the actions approved by the commission, deer seasons will be similar to those of the last three years and antler restrictions for bucks will continue for 2005-06.

The concurrent rifle seasons for antlered and antlerless deer will run from Nov. 28 to Dec. 10 statewide, and hunters in the three urban wildlife units will get additional time to stalk does in December and January.

The commission also approved a three-day statewide bear season from Nov. 21-23, as well as an extended bear season in northeastern and north-central Pennsylvania from Nov. 28 through Dec. 3. The extended season coincides with the first week of the firearms deer season, when conflicts between humans and bears are most likely.

In other action, the commission approved 40 lottery-drawn licenses for this year's elk season, which runs from Nov. 7-12 in several management areas, and 10 licenses for a special elk hunt in the management area around St. Marys from Sept. 18-23, 2006.

"This early season will help reduce the damage elk are doing to these farmers' crops and provide a unique hunting opportunity when bull elk are bugling. This is a win-win situation for farmers and hunters," said Vern Ross, the commission's executive director.