Hunting Seasons & Licensing · PA
Pennsylvania Hunting Seasons & Licensing
2025–2026 SeasonPennsylvania has nearly one million licensed hunters, making it one of the most active hunting states in the country. The state offers over 1.5 million acres of State Game Lands open to public hunting, plus additional state forest lands. White-tailed deer is the primary big game species, with the state managing antler restrictions that require bucks to have at least 3 points on one side in most Wildlife Management Units. Pennsylvania also has growing populations of black bear and wild turkey.
Dates shown are for the 2025–2026 season based on the most recent published regulations. Always verify current dates with the Pennsylvania Game Commission before hunting.
Season Dates by Game Type
Big Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | Archery | Sep 20 – Nov 15 & Dec 26 – Jan 24, 2026 | 1 antlered + 1 antlerless (with tag) | Bow and arrow, crossbow |
| White-tailed Deer | Regular Rifle | Dec 1 – Dec 13, 2025 | 1 antlered (3 pts on one side) | Rifle, shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader |
| White-tailed Deer | Flintlock Muzzleloader | Dec 26 – Jan 17, 2026 | 1 antlerless (with tag) | Flintlock muzzleloader only |
| Black Bear | General | Nov 22 – Nov 25, 2025 | 1 bear per year | Rifle, shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader, bow |
| Elk | General | Nov 3 – Nov 8, 2025 | 1 elk | Rifle, bow, muzzleloader |
White-tailed Deer (Regular Rifle): Antler point restriction: 3 points on one side in most WMUs
Black Bear (General): Extended archery and muzzleloader bear seasons in some WMUs
Elk (General): Very limited licenses by drawing — extremely competitive
Turkey
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Turkey | Spring (youth) | Apr 19, 2026 | 1 bearded turkey | Shotgun, bow |
| Wild Turkey | Spring (general) | May 3 – May 31, 2026 | 1 bearded turkey | Shotgun, bow |
| Wild Turkey | Fall | Nov 1 – Nov 15, 2025 | 1 turkey either sex | Shotgun, bow, rifle |
Upland Game Birds
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ring-necked Pheasant | General | Oct 25 – Nov 29, 2025 | 2 daily (roosters only) / 4 possession | Shotgun |
| Ruffed Grouse | General | Oct 18 – Nov 29, 2025 & Dec 15 – Jan 24, 2026 | 2 daily / 4 possession | Shotgun |
Ring-necked Pheasant (General): Stocked birds on State Game Lands. Wild populations very limited.
Waterfowl
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | General | Varies by zone — Oct through Jan | 6 daily (species-specific limits) | Shotgun (non-toxic shot required) |
Ducks (General): Federal duck stamp + HIP required
Small Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottontail Rabbit | General | Oct 18 – Feb 28, 2026 | 4 daily | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
| Squirrel | General | Sep 13 – Nov 29, 2025 & Dec 15 – Feb 28, 2026 | 6 daily | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
Licensing
| License Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident General License | $20.97 | — |
| Non-Resident General License | $101.97 | — |
| Resident Archery License (add-on) | $26.97 | — |
| Muzzleloader License (add-on) | $16.97 | — |
| Antlerless Deer License | $6.97 (resident) / $26.97 (non-resident) | Required for antlerless deer |
| Bear License | $16.97 (resident) / $36.97 (non-resident) | — |
| Turkey License | $21.97 (resident) / $51.97 (non-resident) | — |
| Youth (under 17) | Reduced fees | — |
| Senior Lifetime License (65+) | $51.97 | — |
Tags, Draws & Lotteries
Most Pennsylvania hunting licenses are available over the counter. Antlerless deer licenses are allocated by Wildlife Management Unit through a lottery drawing. DMAP (Deer Management Assistance Program) tags provide additional antlerless opportunities on participating properties. Elk licenses are extremely limited (approximately 100 per year) and awarded by drawing. Bear licenses are available over the counter with a general hunting license.
Harvest Reporting
Pennsylvania requires mandatory reporting of all deer, bear, turkey, and elk harvested. Reporting must be completed by 10 PM the day of harvest through the PA Game Commission HuntFishPA app or by phone. CWD testing is available at check stations and is mandatory in Disease Management Areas.
Pennsylvania Wildlife Resources
- Pennsylvania Game Commission — Hunting Home →
- Current Hunting Regulations →
- Hunter Education →
- Violation Hotline: Operation Game Thief: 1-888-742-8001
- USFWS Waterfowl Frameworks →
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and regulations shown here are based on the most recently published data from the Pennsylvania Game Commission and may not reflect last-minute changes, emergency closures, or special regulations. Always verify current regulations directly with your state wildlife agency before hunting. FirearmSelect does not provide legal advice and is not responsible for actions taken based on this information.