ORIGINAL: thndrchiken
It's not that hard to figure out. Residents get first crack, in some areas the allocation is sold out before non residents even get a chance. Then non residents get their opportunity. After that it's first come first served. Seems fair to me. If that second round application is sent in on time then from inside the state the mail system should get it to Harrisburg before coming from out of state.
According to a postal service worker I know, mailfrom some metropolitan areas in other states could well get to Harrisburg before mail from Rural PA. With todays mail procedures, the USPS is very reliavble. Since it is based on a first come basis on a certain arrival date, mailing could be figured from almost anywhere to arrive on the proper day with reasonable certainty.
As best I can tell from your DNR website, your home state seems to have no limits on antlerless deer. Therefore the scenario I laid out above can't happen to you. IE: I can't get a license that might keep you from getting onefor your home state. That also seems to be the case in Ohio. Your perspective might be a bit different if thesituation existed in your home state where my getting a tag might prevent you from getting one