Pennsylvania Hunting Season Dates
Recorded hunting windows for Pennsylvania, including historical and unverified entries.
Recorded dates, not hunting permission
Status assessment: 2026-10-14 UTC (static build snapshot). Static activity badges and day counts use this build assessment, not a live check. Interactive finder results show their own UTC assessment day.
1 of 8 recorded windows have date-review evidence. Other rows remain unverified. Historical records are retained and are not a current-season promise.
Check your current agency regulations, GMU or zone, hunt code, license and access restrictions before hunting. An agency link or successful publication fetch does not verify a row. Reviewed base dates do not cover every license-specific exception.
Date evidence: Official date source. Review dates apply only to the stated row scope, not an entire state or current license eligibility.
Pennsylvania Hunting Season Calendar
Find all hunting season dates for Pennsylvania including deer, elk, turkey, and waterfowl. Filter by species and hunting method.
Coming Up in Pennsylvania
Seasons opening in the next 60 days
Nov 28 - Dec 13, 2026
Opens in 45 days
Recorded Season Windows
All Pennsylvania hunting seasons organized by species
Deer 5 seasons
| Method | Dates | Zone | Status | Notes | Add to Calendar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sep 20 - Nov 14, 2025 Unverified date record; agency review required | Zone not recorded; check your license | Historical record | Archery season | |
| Archery | Dec 26, 2025 - Jan 25, 2026 Unverified date record; agency review required | Zone not recorded; check your license | Historical record | Late archery | |
| Rifle/Firearm | Nov 28 - Dec 13, 2026 Date window reviewed 2026-10-09; verify license-specific exceptions Official date source | WMU2D private-land non-exempt adult three-up antlered manually operated centerfire rifle | Upcoming | Actual agency-linked2026–27 digest printed23/PDF25 regular firearms Nov28–Dec13 statewide, not Dec12; only WMU2D private-land non-exempt adult legal-antlered manually operated centerfire rifle subset reviewed. Printed25/PDF27 three up: three points on one side including main beam, excluding brow tine; other points at least one inch, main beam tip counts regardless of length. Junior/mentored/disabled-vehicle-blind/resident-active-duty antler exceptions excluded; senior holders still abide restrictions. General hunting license/correct antlered harvest tag, one antlered deer per license year across seasons. Printed24/PDF26 rifles require all-lead ball/bullet or expanding bullet; Semiautomatic rifles prohibited for deer, printed15/PDF17. Printed4/PDF6 all regular-season Sundays included, including Dec13; private-land written permission recommended, special Sunday written-permission requirement lifted, actual landowner permission/access still needed. Check precise WMU/private parcel/access, orange/hours/sights/tagging/reporting/CWD/DMA/local rules/closures/amendments; not individual permission. No antlerless/Ag Tag/DMAP/flintlock/public/park/Special Regulations Area/other-unit/exemption coverage; seven historical rows/license metadata remain unverified. Final adopted calendar confirms dates; preliminary/older digest not substituted. | |
| Rifle/Firearm | Nov 30 - Dec 13, 2025 Unverified date record; agency review required | Zone not recorded; check your license | Historical record | Regular firearms | |
| Muzzleloader | Dec 26, 2025 - Jan 18, 2026 Unverified date record; agency review required | Zone not recorded; check your license | Historical record | Flintlock season | |
Turkey 1 season
| Method | Dates | Zone | Status | Notes | Add to Calendar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any Legal Method | May 2-31, 2026 Unverified date record; agency review required | Zone not recorded; check your license | Historical record | Spring gobbler | |
Bear 1 season
| Method | Dates | Zone | Status | Notes | Add to Calendar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any Legal Method | Nov 15-22, 2025 Unverified date record; agency review required | Zone not recorded; check your license | Historical record | Statewide bear | |
Elk 1 season
| Method | Dates | Zone | Status | Notes | Add to Calendar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any Legal Method | Sep 1 - Nov 8, 2025 Unverified date record; agency review required | Zone not recorded; check your license | Historical record | Limited draw only | |
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Pennsylvania Hunting Regulations
License year, species, and agency information
- License Year
- Jul 1, 2025 - Jun 30, 2026
- Available Species
-
- Bear
- Deer
- Elk
- Turkey
- Hunting Methods
-
- Archery
- Rifle/Firearm
- Muzzleloader
- Any Legal Method
- Wildlife Agency
- Pennsylvania Game Commission / Fish and Boat Commission
This information is for reference only. Always verify regulations with your state wildlife agency before hunting or fishing.
Important Note for Pennsylvania
Only WMU2D private non-exempt adult three-up antlered manually operated centerfire rifle Nov28–Dec13 reviewed from actual2026–27 digest. Includes Sundays/Dec13, not Dec12 cutoff; special Sunday written-permission requirement lifted, permission still needed/writing recommended. Three points including main beam excluding brow tine; no semiautomatic rifles. Current license/tag/one antlered annually/WMU/ammunition/orange/hours/tagging/reporting/CWD/DMA/access/closures need checks. Antlerless/Ag Tag/DMAP/flintlock/parks/public/SRA/other units/exemptions/seven history rows/license metadata unverified; not individual permission.
Hunting Method Legend
Pennsylvania Hunting FAQ
Common questions about hunting seasons in Pennsylvania
What are the hunting season dates for Pennsylvania?
Recorded Pennsylvania entries cover Bear, Deer, Elk, Turkey. Dates include history and unverified records; the recorded license-year metadata is not current verification. Check row evidence and current agency regulations and your license.
When does deer season start in Pennsylvania?
Recorded windows, not one continuous season: 2025-09-20 to 2025-11-14; 2025-12-26 to 2026-01-25; 2026-11-28 to 2026-12-13; 2025-11-30 to 2025-12-13; 2025-12-26 to 2026-01-18. Historical and unverified records may be included. Check each row's evidence and your current GMU/hunt code and license before hunting.
Does Pennsylvania require a draw for hunting?
Draw requirements depend on species, GMU or zone, hunt code and license type. Recorded date windows do not establish eligibility. Check the current Pennsylvania agency rules and your actual license.
Which recorded windows include the assessment date 2026-10-14 UTC in Pennsylvania?
The next recorded window is Deer starting Nov 28, 2026. Check its row evidence and current regulations; the record may be unverified.
What should I know about hunting in Pennsylvania?
Only WMU2D private non-exempt adult three-up antlered manually operated centerfire rifle Nov28–Dec13 reviewed from actual2026–27 digest. Includes Sundays/Dec13, not Dec12 cutoff; special Sunday written-permission requirement lifted, permission still needed/writing recommended. Three points including main beam excluding brow tine; no semiautomatic rifles. Current license/tag/one antlered annually/WMU/ammunition/orange/hours/tagging/reporting/CWD/DMA/access/closures need checks. Antlerless/Ag Tag/DMAP/flintlock/parks/public/SRA/other units/exemptions/seven history rows/license metadata unverified; not individual permission.
Other States
Compare hunting seasons across states
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