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Pennsylvania Hunting

Everything you need to plan your hunting trips in Pennsylvania, from maps and regulations to season dates, game animals, quotas, and wildlife management units. Plus much more! Start your research right here.

Overview

Known For

Whitetail deer, turkey, and black bear are the most commonly hunted game animals in Pennsylvania. In fact, Pennsylvania has a long, rich history of deer hunting. There are strong deer populations and millions of acres of public land.

Terrain

Pennsylvania is a heavily forested, mountainous state that includes the Allegheny National Forest and the Pocono and Catskill Mountains. Its central lowlands have low ridges that were created by glaciers.

Pennsylvania Hunting Seasons

Filter By:
Season Start Date End Date
Bear
Bear – Archery Restricted 1
WMU 2B, 5C, 5D.
Sep 16, 2023 Nov 24, 2023
Bear
Bear – Archery Restricted 2
WMU 5B.
Sep 30, 2023 Nov 17, 2023
Bear
Bear – Archery Statewide
Statewide – check regulations for additional dates for specific WMUs
Oct 14, 2023 Nov 4, 2023
Bear
Bear – Muzzleloader
Statewide.
Oct 14, 2023 Oct 21, 2023
Bear
Bear – Special Firearms
Statewide. Junior & Senior license holders, active-duty military and certain disabled persons’ permit holders
Oct 19, 2023 Oct 21, 2023
Bear
Bear – Regular Firearms
Check regulations for additional dates for specific WMUs.
Nov 18, 2023 Nov 21, 2023
Bear
Bear – Extended Restricted 1
WMU 2B, 5B, 5C, 5D. Open Sunday November 28th.
Nov 25, 2023 Dec 9, 2023
Bear
Bear – Extended Restricted 2

WMUs 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4E & 5A.

Nov 25, 2023 Dec 2, 2023
Coyote
Coyote
No closed season, with certain exceptions during big-game seasons. See Hunting & Trapping Digest for more details.
Jan 1, 2023 Dec 31, 2023
Deer
Deer – Archery 1
Antlered or Antlerless. WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D.
Sep 16, 2023 Nov 24, 2023
Deer
Deer – Archery 2
Statewide Antlered or Antlerless.
Sep 30, 2023 Nov 17, 2023
Deer
Deer – Muzzleloader
Antlerless. Statewide.
Oct 14, 2023 Oct 21, 2023
Deer
Deer – Special Firearms
Antlerless only. Junior & Senior license holders, Mentored Youth, active-duty military and certain disabled persons’ permit holders
Oct 19, 2023 Oct 21, 2023
Deer
Deer – Regular Firearms
Statewide.
Nov 25, 2023 Dec 9, 2023
Deer
Deer – Archery 3
Statewide. Antlered or Antlerless.
Dec 26, 2023 Jan 15, 2024
Deer
Deer – Archery 4
Antlered or Antlerless. WMUs 2B, 5C & 5D
Dec 26, 2023 Jan 27, 2024
Deer
Deer – Flintlock 1
Statewide. Antlered or Antlerless
Dec 26, 2023 Jan 15, 2024
Deer
Deer – Flintlock 2
Antlered or Antlerless. WMUs 2B, 5C & 5D
Dec 26, 2023 Jan 27, 2024
Deer
Deer – Extended Firearms
Antlerless Only. WMUs 2B, 5C & 5D
Dec 26, 2023 Jan 27, 2024
Dove
Dove – Early
Bag limit of 15 per day, 45 in possession.
Sep 1, 2023 Nov 24, 2023
Dove
Dove – Late
Bag limit of 15 per day, 45 in possession.
Dec 19, 2023 Jan 6, 2024
Duck
Duck – South Zone 1
Ducks, coots, mergansers.
Oct 7, 2023 Oct 14, 2023
Duck
Duck – Northwest Zone 1
Ducks, coots, mergansers.
Oct 7, 2023 Dec 2, 2023
Duck
Duck – North Zone 1
Ducks, coots, mergansers.
Oct 7, 2023 Oct 21, 2023
Duck
Duck – Lake Erie Zone
Ducks, coots, mergansers.
Nov 7, 2023 Jan 13, 2024
Duck
Duck – North Zone 2
Ducks, coots, mergansers.
Nov 14, 2023 Jan 2, 2024
Duck
Duck – South Zone 2
Ducks, coots, mergansers.
Nov 21, 2023 Jan 20, 2024
Duck
Duck – Northwest Zone 2
Ducks, coots, mergansers.
Dec 26, 2023 Jan 7, 2024
Elk
Elk – Archery
Antlered or Antlerless.
Sep 16, 2023 Sep 30, 2023
Elk
Elk – General
Antlered or Antlerless.
Oct 30, 2023 Nov 4, 2023
Elk
Elk – Late Antlerless
Dec 30, 2023 Jan 6, 2024
Goose
Goose – Canada Goose 1
Resident Population Goose Zone. **Includes WHITE-FRONTED GEESE**. 5 daily, 15 in possession.
Sep 1, 2023 Sep 25, 2023
Goose
Goose – Canada Goose 1

Atlantic Population Zone (AP):

Sep 12, 2023 Sep 25, 2023
Goose
Goose – Youth only
Statewide. Same bag limits as regular season. Open to licensed junior hunters ages 12-16, when properly accompanied.
Sep 23, 2023 Sep 23, 2024
Goose
Goose – Light Goose 1
Snow and Ross’ Geese. Atlantic Population Zone, 25 daily.
Oct 7, 2023 Jan 27, 2024
Goose
Goose – Light Goose 3
Resident Population Zone, 25 daily
Oct 24, 2023 Feb 24, 2024
Goose
Goose – Canada Goose 2
Resident Population Goose Zone. **Includes WHITE-FRONTED GEESE**. 3 daily, 9 in possession.
Oct 28, 2023 Nov 24, 2023
Goose
Goose – Canada Goose 2

Atlantic Population Zone (AP):

Nov 18, 2023 Nov 24, 2023
Goose
Goose – Canada Goose 3

Atlantic Population Zone (AP):

Dec 7, 2023 Jan 20, 2024
Goose
Goose – Canada Goose 3
Resident Population Goose Zone. **Includes WHITE-FRONTED GEESE**. 3 daily, 9 in possession.
Dec 11, 2023 Jan 20, 2024
Goose
Goose – Light Goose 2
Atlantic Population Zone – Conservation Hunt, 25 daily.
Jan 29, 2024 Apr 26, 2024
Goose
Goose – Canada Goose 4

Resident Population Goose Zone (RP):

Feb 2, 2024 Feb 24, 2024
Goose
Goose – Light Goose 4
Resident Population Zone- Conservation 25 daily.
Feb 26, 2024 Apr 26, 2024
Grouse
Ruffed Grouse 1
Bag limit of 2 per day, 6 in possession.
Oct 14, 2023 Nov 24, 2023
Grouse
Ruffed Grouse 2
Bag limit of 2 per day, 6 in possession.
Dec 11, 2023 Dec 23, 2023
Pheasant
Pheasant – Junior Hunt
Bag limit of 2 per day, 6 in possession.
Oct 7, 2023 Oct 14, 2023
Pheasant
Pheasant 1
Bag limit of 2 per day, 6 in possession.
Oct 21, 2023 Nov 24, 2023
Pheasant
Pheasant 2
Bag limit of 2 per day, 6 in possession.
Dec 11, 2023 Dec 23, 2023
Pheasant
Pheasant 3
Bag limit of 2 per day, 6 in possession.
Dec 26, 2023 Feb 29, 2024
Quail Game Type
Bobwhite Quail 1
Bag limit of 8 per day, 24 in possession.
Sep 1, 2023 Nov 24, 2023
Quail Game Type
Bobwhite Quail 2
Bag limit of 8 per day, 24 in possession.
Dec 11, 2023 Dec 23, 2023
Quail Game Type
Bobwhite Quail 3
Bag limit of 8 per day, 24 in possession.
Dec 26, 2023 Mar 30, 2024
Rabbit
Rabbit – Junior Hunt
4 Daily, 12 in possession.
Sep 30, 2023 Oct 14, 2023
Rabbit
Rabbit – Cottontail 1
Bag limit of 4 per day, 12 in possession.
Oct 14, 2023 Nov 11, 2023
Rabbit
Rabbit – Cottontail 2
Bag limit of 4 per day, 12 in possession.
Nov 12, 2023 Nov 12, 2023
Rabbit
Rabbit – Cottontail 3
Nov 13, 2023 Nov 18, 2023
Rabbit
Rabbit – Snowshoe Hare 1
Bag limit of 1 per day, 3 in possession.
Dec 26, 2023 Jan 1, 2024
Turkey Game Type
Turkey – Spring 2
Statewide. Up to 2 bearded birds, (1 per day) with proper licenses.
May 20, 2023 May 31, 2024
Turkey Game Type
Turkey – Fall Season 4
WMUs 2A, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D & 4C
Oct 28, 2023 Nov 11, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Turkey – Fall Season 5

WMUs 2C, 2D and 2E

Oct 28, 2023 Nov 11, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Turkey – Fall Season 1

WMU 2B

Oct 28, 2023 Nov 17, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Turkey – Fall Season 3

WMUs 1A, 1B, 4A, 4B, 4D, and 4E

Oct 28, 2023 Nov 4, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Turkey – Fall Season 7
WMU 5B
Oct 31, 2023 Nov 2, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Turkey – Fall Season 2
WMU 2B
Nov 22, 2023 Nov 24, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Turkey – Fall Season 6

WMUs 2C, 2D and 2E

Nov 22, 2023 Nov 24, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Turkey – Youth Spring
Statewide.
Apr 27, 2024 Apr 27, 2024
Turkey Game Type
Turkey – Spring 1
Statewide. Up to 2 bearded birds, (1 per day) with proper licenses.
May 4, 2024 May 18, 2024

Pennsylvania Licenses, Permits, and Regulations

Pennsylvania hunting licenses, permits, and regulations for resident and non-resident hunters can be purchased on the Pennsylvania Game Commission website. Click below to view the website.

Hunting GPS Maps

Every Pennsylvania hunter should have hunting GPS maps on hand. Pennsylvania hunting maps are available from onX Hunt. With a paid membership you can access Satellite, Topo, or Hybrid Basemaps, over which you can view maps of wildlife management units, along with State, Forest Service, and other public and private property boundaries. You can view trails and roads, and even download maps to the Hunt App for use offline. Click below to get onX Hunt for Pennsylvania.

Wildlife Management Units And Hunting Zones

Pennsylvania’s wildlife management units were created to manage all game except elk, waterfowl, and other migratory game birds. There are now 21 large WMUs used for game management data and decisions. Pennsylvania’s hunting zones are in place for the limited draw elk season in the state. Click below to view Pennsylvania’s wildlife management units and hunting zones in more detail through an interactive map.

Hunting Layers

PA Private Lands Preview

PA Private Lands

Over 5,400,000 parcels mapped by the onX team, this layer shows property owners in Pennsylvania. Tap any parcel to learn more info about the owner and acreage.

PA Gov Lands Preview

PA Gov Lands

onX has the most accurate public lands maps with over 5,800,000 acres in Pennsylvania to help you plan your next adventure. Tap any public land parcel to learn more.

SUBLAYERS (4) Expand Sublayers
PA Hunt Units Preview

PA Hunt Units

Pennsylvania Elk Hunt Zones and Wildlife Management Units. Please hunt responsibly, obey all signage and have a safe legal hunt

Includes 4 Sublayers

  • WMUs
  • Elk Hunt Zones
  • Goose Hunt Zones
  • Duck Hunt Zones
PA Possible Access Preview

PA Possible Access

onX has mapped 520,000 acres of possible access lands in Pennsylvania including timber and land conservation groups. Research rules on these private lands before recreating.

PA Deer Management Assistance Program Preview

PA Deer Management Assistance Program

Deer Management Assistance Program, special permits to help reduce the spread of CWD. Please read local rules before hunting.

PA Timber Harvest Preview

PA Timber Harvest

Pennsylvania State Lands that have seen Removal or Shelterwood timber harvests dating back to 2005. ‘Removals’ refer to clearcuts while ‘Shelterwood’ refers to partial cuts.

 PA Bear Check Stations Preview

PA Bear Check Stations

Pennsylvania Bear Check Stations

Managed Dove Fields Preview

Managed Dove Fields

Pennsylvania Game Land Areas that are managed for Dove habitat.

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