If you’re a new hunter in Pennsylvania or a resident looking for up-to-date info, this guide to 2025-26 hunting seasons in PA will provide all the details, including season dates for different game, key rules and regulations, and license fees.
PA License Year
July 1
through
June 30
Legal Sunday hunting dates 25-26
(1) Nov. 16
(2) Nov. 23
(3) Nov. 30
Sunday Hunting in PA
Hunters on private land must have written permission from the landowner on the three permitted Sundays.
The permission slip must include:
- Hunter’s name, address, and CID license number.
- Landowner’s name, address, and phone number.
Landowner contact info helps game wardens verify permission quickly.
Sunday hunting is otherwise prohibited in Pennsylvania.
Special Regulations Areas:
- In western Pennsylvania, all of Allegheny County.
- In southeastern Pennsylvania, all of Bucks, Chester, Delaware,
Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, and also during special
controlled hunts at Ridley Creek and Tyler state parks.
Hunting Seasons in PA by Game Species
Big Game Tagging Regulations:
- Hunters must follow instructions on tags provided with licenses.
- Tags must be completed using a ballpoint pen.
- Hunters without a license must use a homemade tag with their name, address, game details, date, time, WMU, county, and township.
- Possessing expired, fulfilled, revoked, suspended, or invalid big-game tags or licenses while hunting or trapping is prohibited.
PA WMU Map
With a deer population of around 1.5 million, Pennsylvania ranks as the biggest population in the Eastern United States and the 6th highest state for whitetail numbers – that’s roughly 30 deer for every square mile. Hunters have a variety of weapons at their disposal: traditional firearms, bows, muzzleloaders, and even flintlock rifles. There’s a specific season for each method of take. Also, Pennsylvania has a special season for young and older hunters, those with disabilities who need to hunt from vehicles, and residents actively serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or Coast Guard.
Deer Season Dates in PA
In PA, deer hunting is allowed on any of these three Sundays:
(1) Nov. 16
(2) Nov. 23
(3) Nov. 30
Deer Archery – Antlered & Antlerless
WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D: Sept. 20-Nov. 28 (1), (2) / Dec. 26-Jan. 24, 2026
Statewide: Oct. 4-Nov. 21 (1) / Dec. 26-Jan. 19, 2026
Deer Muzzleloader – Antlerless Only
Statewide: Oct. 18-26.
Deer Special Firearms – Antlerless Only
Junior & Senior license holders, Mentored license holders, active-duty military, and persons with a permit to use a vehicle as a blind.
Statewide: Oct. 23-35.
Deer Regular Firearms – Antlered & Antlerless
Statewide: Nov. 29-Dec. 13 (3)
Deer Flintlock – Antlered & Antlerless
WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A and 5B with required muzzleloading license: Dec. 26-Jan. 19, 2026.
WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D with required muzzleloading license: Dec. 26-Jan. 24, 2026.
Deer Extended Firearms – Antlerless Only
WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D and on all DMAP properties statewide: Dec. 26-Jan. 24, 2026.
WMUs 4A, 4C, 4D, and 5A: Jan. 2-Jan. 19, 2026.
Military Bases – Antlerless Only
- Hunting is permitted on days established by the U.S. Department of the Army at:
- Letterkenny Army Depot, Franklin County
- New Cumberland Army Depot, York County
- Fort Detrick, Raven Rock Site, Adams County
Agricultural Deer Control – Antlerless Only
Statewide: Aug. 1-April 15, 2026
Deer Hunting in PA: Licenses, Rules, and Regulations
Bag limit: 1 antlered deer per hunting license year. 1 antlerless deer with each required antlerless license or permit.
Special Regulations Area Updates:
- All Special Regulations Area counties are now part of the WMU system.
- Seasons and antler restrictions are primarily based on WMUs and general deer seasons. Specific laws regarding arms and ammunition still apply to certain counties within Special Regulations Areas.
Legal hunting hours: ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset.
Antler Restrictions for Antlered Deer:
Statewide:
- Junior license holders, mentored youth, disabled hunters (vehicle-as-blind permit), and resident active-duty U.S. Armed Services personnel:
- May harvest antlered deer with 2 or more points on one antler or a spike at least 3 inches long.
- Senior license holders: Must follow standard antler restrictions.
Definitions:
- A point is any antler projection at least 1 inch long (including the brow tine).
- The main beam tip is always counted as a point, regardless of length.
- Antlerless deer: Deer with no antlers or antlers less than 3 inches long.
- Protected deer: Deer not classified as antlered or antlerless.
Antler Restrictions by Area:
- Most of the state: Hunters must follow the 3 points on one side rule.
- WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, and 2D: Hunters must follow the “three up” rule:
- Three points on one side, including the main beam as one point, but excluding the brow tine.
General Deer Licenses Info:
- You need a general hunting license to hunt in any season.
- With a general hunting license, you can only take one antlered deer each year.
- If you have an unused tag for an antlered deer from your general hunting license, you can use it to take an antlerless deer during the flintlock muzzleloader season after Christmas.
- The only time you can use the tag for an antlered deer for an antlerless deer is during the flintlock muzzleloader season.
- If you’re taking part in the flintlock muzzleloader season, you need to have both a muzzleloader and a general license.
- To join the October muzzleloader season for antlerless deer, you need a muzzleloader license.
- Unless it’s the flintlock muzzleloader season, every hunter needs a license or DMAP antlerless deer permit to hunt or take such deer.
- You can take one antlerless deer for each valid license or permit you have.
- Each hunter can only have up to six licenses for antlerless deer that haven’t been filled at any given time.
- Hunters can get more licenses as they take an antlerless deer and report them, but only if there are still licenses available.
- Once all the licenses for antlerless deer allocated for a specific Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) are used up, no more will be sold.
- The Special Firearms season for antlerless deer is open to hunters who are young, old, being mentored, serving in the military, or disabled in certain ways.
- If you live in the state or not and are 65 or will turn 65 in the year you apply for the license, you’re allowed to hunt in the season.
- If you’re taking part in any archery deer season, you need to have both an archery and a general license.
Antlerless Deer Licenses:
- Cost: $6.97 for PA residents, $26.97 for nonresidents.
- Where to Buy: Available at license agents or online at www.HuntFish.PA.gov.
- Sale Dates:
- PA residents: Sales begin Monday, June 23 at 8 a.m. One license is guaranteed until July 14 at 7 a.m.
- Nonresidents: Sales begin July 14 at 8 a.m.
- Licenses are sold first-come, first-serve until allocations are exhausted.
- Antlerless Deer License Sales Rounds (Allow 15 business days for delivery. Immediate replacements can be purchased for $6.97 at issuing agents.):
- Round 1: PA residents start Monday, June 23 (8 a.m.). Nonresidents start Monday, July 14 (8 a.m.).
- Limit: 1 license per hunter.
- Details: PA residents are guaranteed 1 license in any WMU if purchased by 7 a.m. on July 14. After that, licenses are sold first come, first serve until allocations are exhausted.
- Round 2: Monday, July 28 (8 a.m.).
- Limit: 2 licenses per hunter.
- Round 3: Monday, Aug. 11 (8 a.m.).
- Limit: 3 licenses per hunter.
- DMAP Sales: Begin Monday, Aug. 11 (8 a.m.).
- Round 4: Monday, Aug. 25 (8 a.m.).
- Limit: 6 licenses per hunter.
- WMUs 5C & 5D: Hunters may purchase up to 15 unfilled licenses.
- Round 1: PA residents start Monday, June 23 (8 a.m.). Nonresidents start Monday, July 14 (8 a.m.).
Anlerless Licenses Info:
- WMU-Specific: Licenses are valid only in the WMU for which they are issued. Using a license in another WMU is illegal.
- License Requirement: All hunters need a valid antlerless license or permit to harvest antlerless deer.
- Exception: During the after-Christmas flintlock season, unused antlered tags can be used to harvest antlerless deer statewide. Additional antlerless deer require a WMU-specific license, DMAP permit, or Ag Tag.
- Special Seasons:
- Archery & Muzzleloader: Hunters must have a valid antlerless license or permit.
- Special Firearms (Oct. 23-25): Licensed seniors, juniors, mentored permit holders, active-duty military, and those with a vehicle-as-blind permit must have a valid antlerless license or permit.
- Season Flexibility: Antlerless licenses can be used in any season where antlerless deer harvest is legal.
- Ear Tag: Each license includes its own ear tag.
For landowner, disabled veteran, armed forces resident, andreplacement antlerless deer licenses info, see the PA hunting guide (page 28-30).
Harvest Reporting
Within 10 days (5 days for persons required to make a homemade tag). Reporting is still required for DMAP antlerless deer, regardless of harvest success. Be sure to check the “no harvest” box if no deer is harvested.
Tagging
- Tag deer immediately after harvest and before moving the carcass.
- The previous rule requiring tagging before harvesting another deer has been rescinded.
- Attach the harvest tag to the ear and keep it there until the animal is processed or mounted.
- For CWD testing, ensure the completed harvest tag stays with the submitted head.
Lawful Arms & Ammunition
Deer (Regular Seasons):
- Rifles/Handguns: Manually operated centerfire rifles and handguns (all-lead or expanding bullets).
- Shotguns: Manually operated or semiautomatic centerfire shotguns (single-projectile ammo; buckshot only with special permits).
- Muzzleloaders: Long guns (.44 caliber or larger) or handguns (.50 caliber or larger).
- Bows/Crossbows: Long, recurve, compound bows (35 lbs. min. draw) or crossbows (125 lbs. min. draw) with legal broadheads (7/8″–3.25″ width).
Deer (Archery Seasons):
- Bows/Crossbows: Long, recurve, compound bows (35 lbs. min. draw) and crossbows with broadheads.
- Broadheads: Fixed or mechanical tips with sharpened cutting edges, at least 7/8″ wide and no longer than 3.25″.
- Scopes: Magnifying scopes and red-dot sights allowed on crossbows.
- Firearms: Prohibited unless carrying a License to Carry Firearms (permit-authorized firearms only). Muzzleloaders allowed during overlapping muzzleloader seasons with proper licenses and orange requirements.
October Antlerless Muzzleloader Season:
- Single-barrel muzzleloaders (.44 caliber or larger) with flintlock, in-line, or percussion ignition. Scopes allowed. Archery gear permitted with proper licenses and orange requirements.
Special Antlerless Deer-Only Firearms:
- Same arms and ammunition as Regular Firearms Deer Seasons.
Flintlock Muzzleloader Season:
- Flintlock long guns (.44 caliber or larger) or handguns (.50 caliber or larger) with single-projectile ammo. Telescopic sights prohibited; peep sights allowed.
Dual-Carry Rules:
- Firearms are prohibited while archery hunting unless carrying a License to Carry Firearms (permit-authorized firearms only).
- Muzzleloaders allowed during overlapping archery and muzzleloader seasons.
Special Regulations Areas:
- Philadelphia County: Only bows and crossbows allowed.
- Other Counties:
- Manually operated rifles/handguns (straight-walled centerfire cartridges).
- Muzzleloaders (.44 caliber or larger).
- Shotguns (.410 or larger, slugs only; no buckshot).
- Bows and crossbows (125 lbs. min. draw).
- Parks: Hunting rules vary by park. Check individual park webpages for details.
Fluorescent Orange Requirements
Regular & Special Firearms Deer Seasons: 250 square inches of fluorescent orange (head, chest, back) visible 360° (e.g., orange cap and vest).
Archery Deer Seasons: Orange not required during archery-only seasons but recommended. Required when using archery gear during regular firearms deer season.
Muzzleloader Deer Seasons:
- October Antlerless Season: 250 square inches of orange required.
- Late Flintlock Season: Orange not required but recommended.
Extended Antlerless Firearms Season: 250 square inches of orange required at all times.
General Regulations
- 250 square inches of blaze orange is required during deer firearms seasons, October antlerless deer muzzleloader season, and extended antlerless firearms season in WMUs 2B, 5C, and 5D.
- When using a blind or enclosed tree stand during the firearms deer, bear, or elk seasons, a minimum of 100 square inches of fluorescent orange material (orange alert band) must be displayed within 15 feet of the blind or stand and visible from 360 degrees. This is in addition to wearing orange while inside.
- During the Regular Firearms Deer Season, it’s unlawful to take or attempt to take other wild mammals or birds, except game birds on regulated hunting grounds, migratory waterfowl, coyotes, feral swine, wild boars, and bears.
- Mentored hunting programs are open to unlicensed hunters of all ages.
- Hunting deer with an e-caller is unlawful.
- Full-auto and semi-auto rifles may not be used to hunt deer.
- Drive hunts are permitted. Drive participants must have a valid license and comply with all blaze orange requirements.
- It’s illegal to hunt deer in parties of more than 25 persons.
CWD Regulations and Testing
Prohibited in Disease Management Areas (DMAs) & Established Areas (EAs):
- Feeding wild, free-ranging cervids.
- Using or possessing cervid urine-based attractants outdoors.
- Removing high-risk cervid parts* from a DMA/EA unless taken directly to a Game Commission-approved processor or taxidermist.
- Disposing of high-risk parts on the landscape away from the harvest site. Parts must be taken to an approved processor/taxidermist or disposed of via commercial trash service within the same DMA.
- Rehabilitating wild, free-ranging cervids.
Statewide Prohibitions:
- Importing high-risk cervid parts* from outside Pennsylvania unless taken directly to an approved processor or taxidermist.
Statewide Allowances:
- Importing/transporting:
- Meat with no spinal column or head attached.
- Cleaned hides (no head).
- Skull plates/antlers cleaned of brain tissue.
- Upper canine teeth (no soft tissue).
- Finished taxidermy mounts.
CWD Testing:
- Free Testing: Use Game Commission headbins in DMAs/EAs.
- Double-bag the deer head, attach the completed harvest tag to the ear, and remove antlers/skull cap before submission.
- Find bin locations here or call 1-833-INFOCWD.
- Results: Check online at CWD Results Lookup or call the hotline. Results take 2-3 weeks. Positive results are sent via certified letter.
- Paid Testing: Use the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System (more info).
Note: Random CWD sampling at processors does not guarantee testing. To ensure testing, deposit the head in a collection bin.
*High-Risk Cervid Parts Include:
- Head (brain, tonsils, eyes, lymph nodes).
- Spinal cord/backbone.
- Spleen.
- Upper canine teeth (if root structure or soft tissue is present).
- Objects/articles with visible brain or spinal cord tissue.
- Unfinished taxidermy mounts.
- Brain-tanned hides.
Proper Deer Disposal:
- Inside DMAs/EAs:
- Preferred Method: Dispose of high-risk parts with a commercial trash service that uses a lined landfill. Double-bag the parts.
- Alternative: Leave high-risk parts at the kill site (not recommended). If left, burial is advised.
- Cooperating Processors:
- Processors ensure proper disposal of high-risk parts to prevent disease spread.
- Find cooperating processor locations at www.arcg.is/1G4TLr.
Turkey Season Dates in PA
Fall Wild Turkey – Male or Female:
WMUs 1A, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B and 4D: Nov. 1-15
WMUs 1B, 3D, 4C and 4E: Nov. 1-8
WMUs 2A, 2F, 3B, and 3C: Nov. 1-15 and Nov. 26-28
WMUs 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E: Nov. 1-21 and Nov. 26-28
WMUs 5A and 5B: Nov. 1-4
WMUs 5C and 5D: closed.
Bag limit: 1 bird per license year. Bearded and unbearded birds.
Spring Wild Turkey – Bearded birds only:
Youth: April 26, 2025 (only 1 spring gobbler may be taken; hunting hours end at noon)
Statewide: May 3-31, 2025.
Hunting hours:
- May 3-17 – ½ hour before sunrise until noon
- May 19-31 – ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset
Bag limit: up to 2 bearded birds (1 per day) with proper license.*
* During spring gobbler seasons, the daily limit is 1 bird, while the season limit is 2 birds. The second spring gobbler may be only taken by hunters having a valid special wild turkey license:
2nd Gobbler Tags:
- Available from any issuing agent or the Game Commission’s website before May 2, 2026.
- Tags are mailed and cannot be used until received.
- Hunters with a second license can harvest up to two gobblers, but only one turkey per day.
Turkey Hunting: Licenses, Rules, and Regulations
Lawful Arms and Ammo
Fall Turkey Season:
- Allowed Weapons:
- Manually operated and semiautomatic shotguns (max 3 shells in chamber + magazine).
- Muzzleloading shotguns.
- Long, recurve, compound bows (35 lbs. min. draw) or crossbows with legal broadheads.
- Ammunition:
- Shotshell pellets no larger than:
- No. 4 lead.
- No. 2 steel.
- No. 4 of any other U.S. Fish and Wildlife-approved nontoxic shot.
- Shotshell pellets no larger than:
- Prohibited:
- Single-projectile ammunition, rifles, handguns, muzzleloading rifles, and slug guns.
Spring Gobbler Season:
- Allowed Weapons:
- Manually operated and semiautomatic shotguns (max 3 rounds in chamber + magazine).
- Muzzleloading shotguns (all types/gauges).
- Long, recurve, compound bows (35 lbs. min. draw) or crossbows with legal broadheads.
- Ammunition:
- Shotgun fine shot pellets only, no larger than:
- No. 4 lead.
- No. 2 steel.
- No. 4 of any other U.S. Fish and Wildlife-approved nontoxic shot.
- Rifle/shotgun combos allowed if using shotgun shells only.
- Shotgun fine shot pellets only, no larger than:
- Prohibited:
- Single-projectile ammunition, rifles, handguns, dogs, electronic callers, live decoys, and turkey drives.
- Hunting Method: Calling only.
- Hunting Hours:
- Opening Day to 3rd Saturday: 30 minutes before sunrise to noon (leave woods by 1 p.m.).
- Remainder of Season: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
Blinds
Turkey hunting blind materials must have a sufficient density to block the detection of movement within it from outside of it. Also, it must be made from all-manmade materials, such as plastic, cotton cloth, plywood, etc., and completely enclose the hunter from all four sides. Fanned-tail blinds are illegal.
If you leave a portable hunting blind on state game lands or other Hunter Access properties, you need to clearly mark it with a tag. This tag should have your name, home address, or a CID number from your hunting license or a number given by the Game Commission. You can get identification numbers from HuntFishPA on the Game Commission’s website.
Harvest Reporting
Report harvests within 10 days. Provide:
- License and tag details (tag number, beard length, spur length).
- WMU, county, and township of harvest.
- Information about the bird’s breast and tail feathers.
Second Spring Gobbler License: Mandatory reporting, even if no bird is harvested.
Tagging:
- Use the correct tag for the season (fall or spring).
- Tag the turkey immediately after harvest and before moving the carcass.
- Securely attach the tag to the turkey’s leg until it is prepared for consumption or mounting.
- Possessing a used tag in the field or carrying old hunting licenses while hunting is unlawful.
Regulations:
- Blaze orange isn’t required, though is strongly recommended.
- Sunday turkey hunting is not allowed.
- You can use dogs during the fall season only.
- No single-shot firearms and ammunition are allowed.
- Only hunting by calling is legal; no stalking or driving is allowed. It’s unlawful to use e-callers, electronic devices, and live decoys.
- Hunters must refrain from knowingly harvesting bearded hens during the spring season.
Elk Season Dates in PA
Elk Archery: Sept. 13-27.
Elk Firearms – Antlered or Antlerless: Nov. 3-8.
Elk Late: Dec. 27-Jan. 3, 2026.
PA elk hunting seasons occur in designated Elk Hunt Zones in the Elk Management Area. See Elk Hunt Zones Map Book.
Elk hunting is closed on Sundays.
Elk Hunting: Licenses, Rules, and Regulations
Bag limit: 1 elk during the license year.
Legal hunting hours: ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset.
Elk Licenses
- You must have an elk license to hunt elk in PA.
- 14 Elk Hunt Zones exist in PA. Licenses for these zones are lottery-based.
- Three elk seasons have separate drawings and bonus points systems.
- Residents and nonresidents can participate in one, two, or all three drawings, with a maximum of one application per season.
- Successful applicants can hunt in their drawn season within a designated Elk Hunt Zone. EHZ 1 is open to all with a valid license.
- Hunters can harvest one antlered or one antlerless elk per license year, depending on their license.
- Antlered license winners cannot apply for five years; antlerless license winners can apply the following season.
- Unsuccessful applicants earn bonus points for future draws.
- Licenses are assigned based on applicants’ preferences. Hunters can choose up to five elk hunt zones and select a fallback option.
- Submitting more than one application per season will lead to disqualification and potential prosecution.
Elk Hunt Application Details:
- Cost: $11.97 per application. Applying for all three seasons costs $35.91.
- Application Period: February 1 – July 13, 2025.
- Applicant Options:
- Antlered Only: For antlered elk only.
- Antlerless Only: For antlerless elk only.
- Either-Sex: For either antlered or antlerless elk.
- Point-Only: Not entered in the drawing but earns bonus points.
Elk License Drawing:
- Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025, during the Elk Expo at the Elk Country Visitor Center, Benezette.
- Process:
- Applicants can only be drawn for one season/tag per year.
- Drawings are held in order: Archery → General → Late Season.
- If drawn for one season, applications for other seasons are removed, and bonus points are awarded for those seasons.
- Notification: Successful applicants are notified via phone, email, or postal mail.
Harvest Reporting
Within 24 hours, each person who harvests an elk must take the animal, along with a hunting license and an elk license, to a Game Commission check station for examination. Hunters will receive instructions for their elk check station location and hours in the mail before the season.
Tagging
You must tag an elk immediately after harvest and before the carcass is moved. The harvest tag must be attached to the ear and remain attached until the animal is processed for consumption or prepared for mounting.
Arms and Ammo
To legally hunt elk in PA, you can use:
- Manually operated centerfire rifles and handguns of at least .26 caliber with single-projectile ammunition 120 grains or larger.
- Manually operated or semi-automatic centerfire shotguns of at least 12-gauge firing a single projectile.
- Muzzleloading firearms of at least .50 caliber propelling a single projectile of a minimum of 210 grains.
- Bows with a draw weight of at least 45 pounds.
- Crossbows with a draw weight of at least 125 pounds.
- Arrows or crossbow bolts should have a broadhead with a fixed or mechanical metal or natural stone tip, a minimum diameter of 1 inch, and a maximum length of 3.25 inches.
Quick notes
- 250 square inches of blaze orange is required during firearms and late seasons. It should be visible from 360 degrees. Camo blaze orange is OK if the total orange content is 250 square inches.
- It’s unlawful to drive or herd elk.
- It’s unlawful to feed elk at any time of the year.
Black Bear Season Dates in PA
Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
(1) Nov. 16
(2) Nov. 23
(3) Nov. 30
Bear Archery:
WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Sept. 20-Nov. 28 (1), (2)
WMU 5B: Oct. 4-Nov. 21 (1)
Statewide: Oct. 18-Oct. 25
Bear Muzzleloader:
Statewide: Oct. 23-25
Bear Special Firearms:
Junior & Senior license holders, Mentored license holders, active-duty military, and certain disabled persons’ permit holders. Arms and ammunition permitted during the regular firearms bear season can be used
Statewide: Oct. 23-25
Bear Firearms:
Statewide: Nov. 22-25 (2)
Bear Extended:
WMUs 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4E and 5A: Nov. 29-Dec. 13 (3)
WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D: Nov. 29-Dec. 6 (3)
Bear Hunting: Licenses, Rules, and Regulations
Bag limit: 1 bear during the license year.
Legal hunting hours: ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset.
Licenses:
- You need a general hunting license or a mentored permit (age 7 or older) to hunt in any season.
- Bear hunters need a bear license along with their general license.
- With a bear license, you can join in bear bow hunting and bear muzzleloader hunting seasons without needing an archery or muzzleloader license for these two particular seasons.
- You can buy bear licenses from the time general hunting licenses are available for sale until December 13, which is when the last extended hunting season ends.
Harvest reporting: within 24 hours, each person who harvests a bear must take the animal, along with a hunting license and a bear license, to a Game Commission check station for examination.
Tagging: You must tag a bear immediately after harvest and before the carcass is moved. The harvest tag must be attached to the ear and remain attached until the animal is processed for consumption or prepared for mounting.
Bear check stations: Bear check stations are open on the first two days of the regular firearms bear season and on select days of the extended seasons. If you harvest a bear on any date check stations aren’t open, you must contact the Centralized Dispatch Center at 1-833-PGC-HUNT or 1-833-PGC-WILD for instructions to have your bear checked.
You should field-dress your bear before bringing it to a check station. Also, place a 3-4 inch stick into the bear’s mouth at the time of harvest, before rigor mortis or freezing temperatures set in.
Arms and Ammo:
To legally hunt bears in PA, you can use:
- Manually operated centerfire rifles, handguns, and shotguns. Your ammo should either be an all-lead bullet or ball, or a bullet designed to expand upon impact. Buckshot is not allowed.
- A semi-automatic centerfire shotgun with slug ammunition.
- Muzzleloading long guns in .44 caliber or larger or muzzleloading handgun in .50 caliber or larger.
- A long, recurve, or compound bow with draw weights of at least 35 pounds. If you’re using a crossbow, it needs to have a minimum weight of 125 pounds. A broadhead must be a fixed or mechanical tip attached to the front end of an arrow or bolt. It should have sharpened cutting edges made of metal or naturally occurring stone. The broadhead must have an outside diameter or width of at least 7/8 of an inch, and it can’t be longer than 3.25 inches.
Regulations:
- 250 square inches of blaze orange is required during bear firearms seasons, including the muzzleloader season. It should be visible from 360 degrees.
- It’s unlawful to kill a bear in a den; use a radio to locate a bear to which a radio transmitter has been attached; and use scents or lures.
- It’s illegal to hunt bears in parties of more than 25 persons.
Small Game Hunting Season in PA
Small Game Animals & Birds Seasons in PA
Junior Hunts:
- Junior Squirrel Season: Sept. 13–27.
- Junior Rabbit Season: Oct. 4–18.
- Junior Pheasant Season: Oct. 11–18.
Junior Small Game Hunting Rules:
- Same bag limits and regulations as the regular season.
- Junior hunters and mentored hunters under 17 must be accompanied as required by law.
- Junior Squirrel & Rabbit Seasons: Open to junior hunters and mentored hunters under 17. No hunting license required if the participant has completed a Hunter-Trapper Education course.
- Junior Pheasant Season: Open to junior hunters and all mentored hunters.
- Pheasant Hunting Permit:
- Under 17: Free permit required.
- 17 and Older: Permit costs $26.97 (available online or at issuing agents).
- Permit must be signed and carried while hunting.
- Pheasants may be hunted statewide (except in WPRAs) during the Junior Pheasant Hunt.
Squirrels – Red, Gray, Black, and Fox (combined):
Special (eligible junior hunters, with or without a required license): Sept. 13-27
Statewide: Sept. 13-Nov. 28 (1), (2) / Dec. 15-24 / Dec. 26-Feb. 28, 2026
Bag limit: 6 daily, 18 in possession.
Rabbit – Cottontail:
Special (eligible junior hunters, with or without a required license): Oct. 4-18
Statewide: Oct. 18-Nov. 28 (1) (2) / Dec. 15-24 / Dec. 26-Feb. 28, 2026
Bag Limit: 4 daily, 12 in possession.
Snowshoe Hares:
Statewide: Dec. 26-Jan. 1, 2026
Bag limit: 1 daily, 3 in possession.
Woodchuck (Groundhog):
Statewide: July 1-June 30, 2026 (1) (2) Except during regular firearms deer seasons
Bag limit: No limit.
Pheasant:
Special (eligible junior hunters, with or without a required license, and all mentored hunters, regardless of age): Oct. 11-18
Statewide: Oct. 25-Nov. 28 (1) (2) / Dec. 16-24 / Dec. 26-Feb. 28, 2025
Bag limit: 2 daily, 6 in possession. Male and female pheasants can be hunted in all WMUs, except for Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas, where pheasant hunting is authorized by executive order (the executive director may authorize limited pheasant hunting opportunities).
Bobwhite Quail:
Statewide (except the Letterkenny Army Depot Bobwhite Quail Recovery Area): Sept. 1-Nov. 28 (1), (2) / Dec. 15-24 / Dec. 26-March 31, 2026
Bag limit: No limit
Ruffed Grouse:
Statewide: Oct. 18-Nov. 28 (1), (2) / Dec. 15-24
Bag limit: 2 daily, 6 in possession
Crow:
Statewide: Aug. 21-March 22, 2026 (1) (2), on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only
Bag limit: No limit
Starling and English sparrow:
No closed season, except during the regular firearms deer season. No limit.
Small Game Hunting: Licenses, Rules, and Regulations
Arms and Ammo:
It’s legal to hunt small game with these arms and ammunition:
- Manually operated and semiautomatic shotguns (10-gauge or less; 3-shell capacity, chamber and magazine combined)
- Manually operated and semi-automatic rifles and manually operated handguns in 22-caliber rimfire or less
- .177-.22 air guns for small game and at least .22 for woodchucks that propel a single-projectile or bullet. BBs are forbidden.
- Muzzleloading rifles and handguns in .40 or less and shotguns in 10 gauge or less
- Long, recurve, and compound bows and arrows, and crossbows.
- Single-projectile ammunition, or fine shot pellets no larger than #4 lead, bismuth-tin, or tungsten-iron, or other approved non-toxic shot or #2 steel.
- Rifle and handgun caliber restrictions, except air guns, don’t apply to hunting woodchucks.
Pheasant Permit: Adult hunters and some senior hunters must have a pheasant permit in addition to a general hunting license. Senior lifetime resident hunting or senior lifetime resident combination license holders who acquired their licenses before May 13, 2017, are exempt from a pheasant permit requirement. Junior hunters and mentored permit holders under 17 need a FREE permit.
Transporting and Tagging: You may transport small game untagged. However, you must attach a label with your name, address, CID number, and signature when leaving your small game unattended.
Blaze orange: Small game and porcupine hunters need to wear at least 250 square inches of blaze orange on their head, chest, and back altogether. It needs to be visible from all angles. Woodchuck hunters must wear a solid blaze orange cap on their heads. Crow hunters don’t need to wear any orange.
In the U.S., it’s the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA) that determines which migratory bird species can be legally hunted, when hunting can occur, and what methods can be used. The FWS sets hunting season dates and bag limits following guidelines set out in the MBTA.
For example, waterfowl hunting seasons are typically timed to occur when ducks and geese are at their highest population levels, after breeding and raising their young. Usually, annual framework dates range from the end of September to the end of January for ducks.
Generally speaking, hunting seasons can’t exceed 107 days, and the opening framework dates can’t be earlier than the Saturday closest to September 24, while the closing date can’t be after January 31.
Unfortunately, being a part of the Atlantic Flyway, Pennsylvania has one of the shortest waterfowl and migratory game bird seasons in the US. But don’t let that deter you! You can still have an incredible time hunting ducks or doves in PA.
Waterfowl and Migratory Birds Hunting Season Dates in PA
Ducks, Sea Ducks, Coots, and Mergansers:
North Zone: Oct. 11-25, and Nov. 18-Jan. 10.
South Zone: Oct. 11-18, and Nov. 19-Jan. 19.
Northwest Zone: Oct. 11-Nov. 28, and Dec. 22-Jan. 10.
Lake Erie Zone: Nov. 3-Jan. 10.
Total Duck Bag Limits:
- Daily Limit: 6 ducks of any species, with the following restrictions:
- Mallards: Max 4 (no more than 2 hens).
- Black Ducks: Max 2.
- Wood Ducks: Max 3.
- Redheads: Max 2.
- Canvasbacks: Max 2.
- Pintails: Max 3.
- Sea Ducks: Max 4, including:
- Eiders: Max 3 (no more than 1 female).
- Long-tailed Ducks: Max 3.
- Scoters: Max 3.
- Scaup: Daily limit varies (check specific regulations).
- Possession Limit: 18 ducks (3 times the daily limit).
Merganser: 5 daily, 15 in possession
Coots: 15 daily, 45 in possession
Canada Geese (Includes White-Fronted Geese)
Resident Population Goose Zone (RP) – All of Pennsylvania except the Atlantic Population Zone:
Sept. 1–25: 8-goose daily bag limit.
Oct. 25–Nov. 28, Dec. 15–Jan. 17, Jan. 30–Feb. 21: 5-goose daily bag limit.
Atlantic Population Zone (AP):
Sept. 1–25: 8-goose daily bag limit.
Nov. 25–28, Dec. 20–Jan. 19: 1-goose daily bag limit.
Exceptions for Canada Goose Hunting:
September Season:
- Area 1 – South of SR 198 (Ohio state line to I-79), west of I-79 to SR 358, north of SR 358 to the Ohio state line:
- Season: Sept. 1–13
- Bag Limits: 1 daily, 3 in possession
- SGL 214: Closed to September goose hunting (Youth hunters may still hunt in public hunting areas)
- Area 2 – Lancaster and Lebanon counties north of I-76 (PA Turnpike), east of SR 501 to SR 419, south of SR 419 to the Lebanon-Berks county line, west of the Lebanon-Berks and Lancaster-Berks county lines to SR 1053, west of SR 1053 to I-76.
- Bag Limits: 1 daily, 3 in possession.
- SGL 46 (Middle Creek WMA): Closed to September goose hunting
- (Youth hunters may still hunt in public hunting areas)
- Controlled Hunting Areas: Remain closed to September goose hunting.
- Hunting Hours: Close at sunset for all migratory birds, including Canada geese.
Regular Season:
- SGL 46 (Middle Creek WMA):
- Public Hunting Sections (Outside Controlled Areas) – Bag Limits: 1 daily, 3 in possession.
- Controlled Goose Hunting Areas – Season Limit: 1 goose.
Youth, Veterans & Military Days
Licensed junior hunters, mentored youth hunters, military veterans, and active military personnel can hunt ducks, mergansers, brant, coots, gallinules, and Canada geese on selected days.
Requirements:
- Hunters 16 or older need a federal duck stamp (E-Stamp).
- All hunters need a Pennsylvania migratory game bird license.
- Regular season bag limits and restrictions apply.
Statewide:
- Youth Only: Sept. 20
North Zone:
- Youth, Veterans & Active Military: Nov. 1
- Veterans & Active Military Only: Jan. 17
Northwest Zone:
- Youth, Veterans & Active Military: Sept. 27
- Veterans & Active Military Only: Jan. 17
Lake Erie Zone:
- Youth, Veterans & Active Military: Oct. 25
- Veterans & Active Military Only: Jan. 17
South Zone:
- Youth, Veterans & Active Military: Nov. 8
- Veterans & Active Military Only: Jan. 24
Brant
All zones: Oct. 11-Nov. 14
Bag Limits: 1 daily, 3 in possession
Light Geese (Snow Geese & Ross’ Geese)
Atlantic Population Zone:
- Regular: Oct. 1-Jan. 24, 25 daily, no possession limit.
- Conservation Order: Jan. 26 – April 24; 25 daily, no possession limit.
Resident Population Zone:
- Regular: Oct. 21-Feb. 21; 25 daily, no possession limit.
- Conservation Order: Feb. 23 – April 24; 25 daily, no possession limit.
Dove
All zones: Sept. 1-Nov. 28, and Dec. 20-Jan. 3
Bag Limits: 15 daily, 45 in possession
Woodcock
All zones: Oct. 18-Nov. 28, and Dec. 15-24
Bag Limits: 3 daily, 9 in possession
Wilson’s Snipe
All zones: Oct. 18-Nov. 28, and Dec. 15-24
Bag Limits: 8 daily, 24 in possession
Gallinules
All zones: Sept. 1-Nov. 20
Bag Limits: 3 daily, 9 in possession
Virginia and Sora Rails
All zones: Sept. 1-Nov. 20
Bag Limits: 3 daily, 9 in possession; By single species or in the aggregate
Waterfowl and Migratory Birds: Licenses, Rules, and Regulations
Hunting hours*:
- Dove season (entire): ½ hour before sunrise until sunset
- September Canada goose season: ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset
- Light goose conservation season: ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset
- Youth waterfowl season: ½ hour before sunrise until sunset
- All other migratory bird seasons: ½ hour before sunrise until sunset
License Requirements:
- A general hunting license or mentored permit is required.
- If 16 or older, get a signed federal duck stamp to legally hunt waterfowl. E-stamps are valid in Pennsylvania and available at HuntFishPA.
- All hunters need a Pennsylvania Migratory Game Bird License for hunting ducks, geese, doves, woodcock, brant, coots, gallinules, rails, and snipe.
- Mentored hunters can buy migratory game bird licenses for authorized species.
- To hunt light geese in conservation season, purchase a conservation season permit and report hunting activity and harvest.
Arms and Ammo:
To legally hunt waterfowl and migratory game birds in PA, you can use:
- Manually operated and semiautomatic shotguns (10-gauge or less; 3-shell capacity, chamber and magazine combined)
- Long, recurve, and compound bows and arrows; and crossbows.
- Only non-toxic fine shot up to and including size T (.20 inches) is lawful for waterfowl. Hunt waterfowl with lead shot is prohibited.
Regulations:
- You can use electronic decoys to hunt waterfowl, doves, and crows.
- Blaze orange isn’t required for waterfowl and dove hunters.
- Hunting waterfowl and doves in a party of more than 6 people is allowed only if hunting from a blind or stationary position.
- It’s unlawful to use a shotgun that can hold more than 3 shells unless it’s plugged with a one-piece filler that can be removed only when disassembling the gun.
- It’s unlawful to hunt from a sink box, car, motor-driven conveyance, or aircraft.
- It’s unlawful to hunt from a motorboat or sailboat unless the engine is off or sail furled and it’s stopped moving.
- You can use electronic decoys for hunting waterfowl, doves, and crows.
- “Ice-eaters” to keep water from freezing for decoy placement are also allowed.
- It’s unlawful to drive, rally, or chase birds with any motorized vehicle or sailboat to get them in range.
- Hunting with the aid of baiting or over a baited area is prohibited. Remember, an area is considered baited for 30 days after removing the bait.
Furbearer Trapping and Hunting Season Dates in PA
Furbearer Hunting Seasons:
Coyote:
Statewide: No closed season.
No limit. During any big game season, coyotes can be legally hunted while pursuing other big game or with a furtaker license
- Coyotes can be hunted year-round, including on Sundays.
- Coyotes can be hunted with a hunting license or a furtaker license outside any big game seasons (deer, bear, elk, turkey) without needing blaze orange.
- During big game seasons, they can be hunted while legally pursuing big game (blaze orange requirements must be followed) or with a furtaker license.
- The use of natural or artificial nonliving bait and electronic or mechanical devices is permitted for attracting coyotes for hunting or trapping. However, using aerially visible bait for trapping is prohibited, though it’s acceptable for hunting coyotes.
Raccoon and Fox:
Statewide: Oct. 25-Feb. 21, 2026. (1) (2) (3)
No limit.
Opossum, striped skunk, weasel:
Statewide: No closed season, except during the firearms deer season.
No limits. No Sunday hunting with the exceptions of (1), (2), (3)
Bobcat:
WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E: Jan. 10-Feb. 4, 2026.
1 bobcat per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain 1 permit each.
Porcupine:
Statewide: Oct. 11-Nov. 28 (1) (2) / Dec. 15-24 / Dec. 26-Jan. 31, 2026.
3 daily, season limit of 10.
Furbearer Trapping Seasons:
Coyote, fox, opossum, raccoon, striped skunk, weasel:
Statewide: Oct. 25-Feb. 22, 2026.
No limits.
Coyote and Fox – Cable Restraints:
Statewide: Dec. 26-Feb. 22, 2026.
No limits. Participants must pass the cable restraint certification course.
Beaver:
Statewide: Dec. 20-March 31, 2026.
WMUS 1A & 1B: (Combined) 20 daily, 60 per season
WMUS 2A, 2B & 3C: (Combined) 20 daily, 40 per season
WMUS 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 3A, 3B, 3D, 5C & 5D: (Combined) 20 daily, 20 per season
WMUS 2G, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A & 5B: (Combined), 5 daily, 5 per season
Bobcat:
WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E: Dec. 20-Jan. 11, 2026
1 bobcat per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
Fisher:
WMUs 1B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E: Dec. 20-Jan. 11, 2026
1 fisher per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
Mink and Muskrat:
Statewide: Nov. 22-Jan. 11, 2026
No limits
River Otter:
WMUs 1A, 1B, 2F, 3B, 3C, 3D and 4E: Feb. 14-21, 2026
1 river otter per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
Licenses:
- Hunting coyotes doesn’t require a furtaker license unless you’re out of big-game tags.
- A furtaker license is necessary for trapping coyotes.
- Porcupines can be hunted with either a hunting or furtaker license.
- Hunting or trapping other furbearers requires a furtaker license.
- Bobcat, fisher, and otter require additional permits along with a furtaker license.
Arms and Ammo:
- Furbearers, including bobcats, cannot be hunted with shotguns using shot larger than No. 4 buckshot or unlawful firearms, bows, or crossbows.
- Allowed weapons include semiautomatic and manually operated rifles and manually operated handguns of any caliber, manual or semiautomatic shotguns, bows, and crossbows.
- Muzzleloading rifles or handguns propelling single-projectile ammunition are permissible.
- Air- or gas-operated firearms of at least 22-caliber propelling a single-projectile pellet or bullet can be used.
- Gun-mounted lights that don’t project a laser light beam, handheld and sporting-arm-mounted night-vision, and infrared (thermal) optics are allowed for hunting coyotes, foxes, bobcats, raccoons, striped skunks, opossums, and weasels
FAQs
Do I need a license to hunt in Pennsylvania?
Yes, you need a valid Pennsylvania hunting license to hunt in the state. There are different types of licenses available, such as the regular adult hunting license, junior hunting license, and senior hunting license, among others. In addition, you may need a separate hunting license to hunt specific game animals, like elk. You can purchase these licenses from the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s website or from authorized issuing agents.
Can non-residents hunt in Pennsylvania?
Absolutely! Non-residents are welcome to hunt in Pennsylvania, but they must obtain a non-resident hunting license.
What type of game can I hunt in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania offers a wide variety of game for hunters. This includes white-tailed deer, black bear, turkey, squirrel, rabbit, pheasant, grouse, and waterfowl, among others. Each species has its own specific season and regulations.
Where can I hunt in Pennsylvania?
There are many places to hunt in Pennsylvania, including state game lands, state forests, and national forests. Some private lands are also open to public hunting through the Hunter Access Program. Always be sure to respect private property and follow all rules and regulations when hunting.
