Hunting Seasons in Pennsylvania 2025–26: Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide

Plan your 2025–26 PA hunt with our state‑by‑state guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to wild turkey to ducks. Whether you’re drawing a compound bow at dawn in the Endless Mountains, slipping decoys for wood ducks on the Susquehanna flats, or tracking coyote year‑round on private ground, Pennsylvania’s woodlands, farmland, and waterways deliver premier big game and small game opportunities under clear regulations. What Is There to Hunt in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania supports: Big Game: Whitetail deer, wild turkey, black bear (limited draw), elk (northeast units draw) Small Game & Upland Birds: Cottontail rabbit, gray squirrel, ruffed grouse, woodcock, pheasant (WMAs) Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (mallard, teal, wood duck), Canada geese, mergansers, coots, rails, mourning dove Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, fox, raccoon, opossum, beaver From Pocono hardwoods to Lake Erie marshes, hunters pursue healthy state animal populations across defined seasons. What Animals Can You Hunt Year‑Round in Pennsylvania? On private lands with landowner permission—and a valid license—you may take unprotected or nuisance species such as coyote, raccoon, and opossum with no closed season and no bag limits, aiding predator control. Public WMAs and state forests enforce posted season dates and method restrictions. Pennsylvania Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26 Whitetail Deer Archery: Sept 27 – Nov 22, 2025 & Dec 27 – Jan 14, 2026 Muzzleloader: Nov 24 – Dec 6, 2025 Firearms: Dec 8 – Dec 20, 2025 Antlerless Only: Various zones Jan 2 – Jan 18, 2026 Youth Deer Hunt: Oct 25–26, 2025 Bag limit: one antlered buck; antlerless deer by permit in WMUs. Seasons vary by deer management zone. Wild Turkey (Spring) Spring Gobbler: Apr 12 – May 24, 2026 Youth Permit Days: Apr 5–11, 2026 Fall Archery: Sept 1 – Sept 30, 2025 (WMAs only) Spring turkey licenses allow shotgun and archery; youth days foster new hunters. Black Bear & Elk Bear (draw): Sept 15 – Oct 31, 2025 Elk (Pocono Unit draw): Sept 1 – Sept 30, 2025 Bear and elk tags issue via lottery; harvested animals require mandatory reporting and sealing. Pennsylvania Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26 Upland Game & Small Mammals Rabbit & Squirrel: Oct 1 – Feb 28, 2026 Ruffed Grouse & Woodcock: Oct 1 – Nov 30, 2025 Pheasant: Oct 11 – Jan 31, 2026 (WMAs only) Mourning Dove: Sept 1 – Nov 20 & Dec 1 – Jan 15, 2026 Non‑toxic shot required; upland hunters use dogs and strategic calling to locate game. Waterfowl & Migratory Birds Early Teal: Sept 6 – Sept 26, 2025 Duck & Goose: Nov 15 – Jan 31, 2026 (zones split) Youth Waterfowl Day: Oct 18–19, 2025 Rails & Coots: Sept 1 – Nov 9, 2025 Shooting Hours: Sunrise – sunset; Federal Duck Stamp, HIP, and state waterfowl permit required Susquehanna Flats and Erie marshes draw migrating flocks; daily duck bag limit is 6 with species sub‑limits. Bag Limits by Species Whitetail Deer: 1 buck; antlerless by WMU permit Wild Turkey: 2 per spring; 1 fall archery Black Bear: 1 per draw permit Ducks: 6/day; sub‑limits apply Geese: 5/day Rails & Coots: 15 & 25/day Rabbit & Squirrel: 8/day each Coyote & Furbearers: No limits on private lands Bag limits maintain balanced big game and small game populations. License & Tags Information for Pennsylvania Hunters (2025–26) All hunters must carry a valid PA Game Commission license and required permits: Resident Hunting License: $23; Nonresident: $126 Deer Permits: $28 (antlered); $8 (antlerless) Turkey Permit: $16; youth free by application Waterfowl Permit: $6; Federal Duck Stamp & HIP required Bear/Elk Permits: $20–$180; draw fees vary Furbearer License: $9; includes opossum, raccoon, skunk Licenses fund wildlife research, habitat management, and enforcement efforts. Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader PA Game Commission authorizes: Archery: Compound and recurve bows, crossbows (in archery seasons) Firearms: Center‑fire rifles, shotguns (slugs & buckshot) during gun seasons Muzzleloaders: Single‑shot black‑powder firearms Dogs & Bait: Permitted for waterfowl retrievers; bear hound and bait hunts per draw rules Ensure compliance with caliber, draw weight, and non‑toxic shot requirements. Regulations & Resources PA Game Commission regulations cover: Shooting Hours: Sunrise – sunset (spring turkey dawn/dusk allowances) WMU Maps & Boundaries: Online for deer, turkey, bear, and waterfowl zones Harvest Reporting: Mandatory for deer, turkey, bear within 48 hrs via PGC website Special Areas: State Game Lands, waterfowl production areas, and chronic wasting disease zones Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements on the official Pennsylvania Game Commission website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt. This guide was created based on information from Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC): https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/huntingandtrapping/regulations/hunting-trapping-digest With structured seasons, clear bag limits, and accessible license systems, Pennsylvania delivers outstanding hunts for whitetail deer, wild turkey, ducks, and more. Prepare your bow or rifle, secure proper tags, and experience Pennsylvania’s rich wildlife heritage on your 2025–26 hunt.