Pennsylvania Game Season Timeline 2025-2026 – Zones, Dates & Species
Planning your outdoor adventures in the Keystone State? This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the upcoming wildlife harvest opportunities in Pennsylvania. From white-tailed deer to wild turkey, small game to waterfowl, we’ve gathered all the essential dates, regulations, and license information to help you prepare for a successful time in the field. Whether you’re a bow enthusiast, firearm specialist, or trapping expert, this guide breaks down the official Pennsylvania Game Commission regulations into easy-to-understand sections.
Key Pennsylvania Wildlife Seasons at a Glance
| Species | Season Dates | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Deer (Archery) | Oct. 4-Nov. 21, 2025 & Dec. 26-Jan. 19, 2026 | Bow, Crossbow |
| Deer (Firearms) | Nov. 29-Dec. 13, 2025 | Firearms |
| Black Bear | Various seasons Oct-Dec 2025 | Multiple |
| Spring Turkey | May 2-30, 2026 | Shotgun, Bow |
| Fall Turkey | Nov. 1-28, 2025 (varies by WMU) | Shotgun, Bow |
| Pheasant | Oct. 25-Feb. 28, 2026 (with breaks) | Shotgun |
| Squirrel | Sept. 13-Feb. 28, 2026 (with breaks) | Multiple |
| Elk | Select dates: Sept, Nov, Dec-Jan | Special permit |
🦌 Big Game Hunting Opportunities
Deer Seasons
Pennsylvania offers diverse opportunities for whitetail enthusiasts, with seasons spanning from early fall through winter across various Wildlife Management Units (WMUs).
Archery Season:
- Standard WMUs: Oct. 4-Nov. 15, Sunday Nov. 16, Nov. 17-21, and Dec. 26-Jan. 19, 2026
- WMUs 2B, 5C, and 5D (Extended): Sept. 20-Nov. 28 and Dec. 26-Jan. 24, 2026
- Bag limit: One antlered deer per license year, plus antlerless deer with each required antlerless license
Firearms Season:
- Statewide: Nov. 29, Sunday Nov. 30, and Dec. 1-13, 2025
- Bag limit: One antlered deer per license year, plus antlerless deer with each required license
Flintlock (Muzzleloader):
- Most WMUs: Dec. 26-Jan. 19, 2026
- WMUs 2B, 5C, and 5D: Dec. 26-Jan. 24, 2026
Special Seasons:
- Antlerless Muzzleloader: Oct. 18-25, 2025
- Special Firearms (Juniors, Seniors, Military): Oct. 23-25, 2025
🐻 Bear Pursuit Opportunities
Pennsylvania’s black bear population offers exciting prospects for sportsmen across multiple seasons:
Archery Bear:
- WMUs 2B, 5C, and 5D: Sept. 20-Nov. 28, 2025
- WMU 5B: Oct. 4-Nov. 21, 2025
- All other WMUs: Oct. 18-25, 2025
Firearms Bear:
- Statewide: Nov. 22-25, 2025
- Extended seasons in select WMUs through early December
Specialty Seasons:
- Muzzleloader: Oct. 23-25, 2025
- Special Firearms (eligible hunters): Oct. 23-25, 2025
Harvest limit: One bear per license year regardless of season or method.
🦃 Wild Turkey Seasons
Spring Season 2026
- Regular season: May 2-16 (½ hour before sunrise to noon) and May 18-30, 2026 (½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset)
- Youth hunt: April 25, 2026
- Bag limit: One bird daily, season limit of two (second bird requires special wild turkey license)
Fall Season 2025
Season lengths vary by Wildlife Management Unit:
- WMUs 1A, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B, 4D: Nov. 1-15, 2025
- WMUs 1B, 3D, 4C, 4E: Nov. 1-8, 2025
- WMUs 2A, 2F, 3B, 3C: Nov. 1-15 and Nov. 26-28, 2025
- WMUs 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E: Nov. 1-21 and Nov. 26-28, 2025
- WMUs 5A, 5B: Nov. 1-4, 2025
- WMUs 5C, 5D: Closed to fall turkey
Note: Only shotguns and archery equipment permitted for fall turkey – no rifles.
🦬 Elk Opportunities
For those lucky enough to secure a highly coveted permit:
- Archery: Sept. 13-27, 2025
- General: Nov. 3-8, 2025
- Late: Dec. 27, 2025-Jan. 3, 2026
- Limit: One elk per license year with proper permit
🐰 Small Game Adventures
Pennsylvania offers abundant small game options that provide excellent opportunities for newcomers and seasoned field enthusiasts alike.
Rabbit and Hare
- Cottontail Rabbit: Oct. 18-Feb. 28, 2026 (with seasonal breaks)
- Youth Rabbit Season: Oct. 4-18, 2025
- Snowshoe Hare: Dec. 26-Jan. 1, 2026
- Bag limits: Rabbit (4 daily, 12 possession), Hare (1 daily, 3 possession)
Upland Birds
- Ring-necked Pheasant: Oct. 25-Feb. 28, 2026 (with seasonal breaks)
- Youth hunt: Oct. 11-18, 2025
- Bag limit: 2 daily, 6 possession
- Both male and female pheasants may be taken in all WMUs
- Ruffed Grouse: Oct. 18-Nov. 28 and Dec. 15-24, 2025
- Bag limit: 2 daily, 6 possession
- Bobwhite Quail: Sept. 1-March 31, 2026 (with seasonal breaks)
- No limit, except closed in Letterkenny Army Depot Recovery Area
Small Mammals
- Squirrel (Red, Gray, Black and Fox combined): Sept. 13-Feb. 28, 2026 (with seasonal breaks)
- Youth season: Sept. 13-27, 2025
- Bag limit: 6 daily, 18 possession
- Woodchuck: July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026 (except during deer firearms season)
- No bag limit, excellent for sharpening skills
🦝 Furbearer Opportunities
Hunting Seasons
- Coyote: No closed season, no limit
- Fox: Oct. 25, 2025-Feb. 21, 2026, no limit (Sunday included)
- Raccoon: Oct. 25, 2025-Feb. 21, 2026, no limit
- Bobcat: Jan. 10-Feb. 4, 2026 (WMUs 2A-G, 3A-D, 4A-E), permit required
- Porcupine: Oct. 11, 2025-Jan. 31, 2026, 3 daily/10 season
Trapping Seasons
- Mink and Muskrat: Nov. 22, 2025-Jan. 11, 2026
- Coyote, Fox, Opossum, Raccoon, Skunk, Weasel: Oct. 25, 2025-Feb. 22, 2026
- Beaver: Dec. 20, 2025-March 31, 2026 (limits vary by WMU)
- Fisher: Dec. 20, 2025-Jan. 11, 2026 (select WMUs), permit required
- River Otter: Feb. 14-21, 2026 (select WMUs), permit required
🦆 Waterfowl Opportunities
Waterfowl and migratory bird seasons will be established in accordance with federal regulations. These typically include various opportunities for:
- Ducks
- Geese
- Mergansers
- Coots
- Rails
- Gallinules
- Doves
- Woodcock
- Snipe
Specific dates, zones, and bag limits will be announced by the Pennsylvania Game Commission closer to the season.
🗺️ Wildlife Management Units Map
Pennsylvania is divided into Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) that help the Game Commission effectively manage wildlife populations across different habitats and landscapes. For detailed maps showing these zones, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission website.
🎟️ License Requirements and Information
Resident Licenses
- Adult (ages 17-64)
- Junior (ages 12-16)
- Senior (ages 65+)
Non-Resident Options
- Standard non-resident
- 7-day options
Special Add-on Licenses and Permits
- Archery License
- Muzzleloader License
- Special Wild Turkey License (for second bird)
- Migratory Game Bird License
- Bobcat, Fisher, and Otter permits (when applicable)
- Elk license (by drawing only)
- DMAP (Deer Management Assistance Program) permits
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When can I hunt on Sundays in Pennsylvania?
A: Pennsylvania allows Sunday hunting for foxes, crows, and coyotes year-round. Additionally, specific Sundays are designated for other species during the 2025-26 season, including Nov. 16, Nov. 23, and Nov. 30, 2025.
Q: Do I need a special permit for bobcat and fisher?
A: Yes, licensed furtakers must obtain specific permits (one per species) to pursue bobcats and fishers in designated WMUs.
Q: Can I use a rifle for fall turkey hunting?
A: No, single-projectile firearms are not permitted for fall turkey. Only shotguns and archery equipment may be used.
Q: What are the requirements for mentored youth hunters?
A: Youth under 17 can participate in the mentored youth program with a qualified adult mentor. Special youth days are available for many species, including spring gobbler, pheasant, and rabbit.
Q: Are there any special regulations for public lands?
A: Yes, some state game lands, state forests, and state parks have specific regulations beyond the standard statewide rules. Always check local rules before heading out.
Related Resources
For more detailed information, visit these helpful pages:
- Pennsylvania Hunting Regulations
- Bear Hunting Information
- Neighboring States: Ohio Hunting Seasons
- Neighboring States: New York Hunting Seasons
Final Thoughts for Pennsylvania Sportsmen
As you prepare for your outdoor adventures in the Keystone State’s woods and fields, remember that regulations can change. Always verify current information through the Pennsylvania Game Commission before heading afield. Securing the appropriate licenses, understanding zone-specific regulations, and practicing ethical conservation principles will ensure not just a successful outing, but also the preservation of Pennsylvania’s rich wildlife heritage for generations to come. Good luck, hunt safely, and enjoy the diverse outdoor opportunities that make Pennsylvania a premier destination for wildlife enthusiasts!
