Pennsylvania [PA] Hunting Seasons
Last Updated on August 19, 2022 by Albert Smith
Pennsylvania [PA] Hunting Season 2022-2023
Pennsylvania [PA] Hunting Season 2022-2023
Pennsylvania is a great state for hunting. With so much public land, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the sport. The fall hunting seasons are a great time to get out and enjoy the Pennsylvania landscape. Here is a rundown of the hunting seasons in Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) provides hunters with an abundant number of hunting opportunities throughout the Commonwealth. The Game Commission has a series of regular firearm, archery and muzzle-loading seasons, as well as an assortment of special seasons, youth hunt days, mentored hunts and junior firearms season. The PGC is also pleased to offer year round hunting opportunities, including’Bigger Game Season’ and the PA Wildlife Management Units Special Regulations, allowing you to bag the buck (or bears) of a lifetime. More information on where, when and how to hunt can be found in the Pennsylvania Hunting and Trapping Digest, on the PGC website.
Pennsylvania Deer Hunting Seasons
Pennsylvania offers many deer hunting seasons, giving hunters a great opportunity to bag a deer. The most popular deer hunting seasons are the early archery season, the regular firearms season and the late firearms season. Pennsylvania also offers a muzzleloader season and a flintlock season.
Archery and Crossbow | Sept. 18-Jan. 17** |
Regular Firearms | Nov. 27-Dec. 11** and Dec. 5-12** |
Special Firearms (Junior/Senior License, Youth, Disabled Hunters, Military) | Oct. 21-23 |
Flintlock Firearms | Dec. 27-Jan. 29** |
Muzzleloader | Oct. 16-23 |
**Pennsylvania regulates its firearms hunting seasons by region. In addition, further hunting dates separate from the statewide hunting season are available in countless areas across the state. For more information on hunting within your region or in another area, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission website.
Pennsylvania [PA] Elk Hunting Seasons
Pennsylvania is home to a healthy and thriving elk population. Elk hunting is a popular pastime in the state, and there are several different seasons to choose from. The fall hunting season is the most popular, but there are also opportunities to hunt elk in the spring and winter.
Elk hunting season in Pennsylvania runs from September through December. The best time to hunt is in the early morning or evening, when the elk are most active. During the day, they tend to stay in the shade to avoid the heat. To hunt elk in Pennsylvania, you will need a hunting license, as well as a permit for the specific area in which you plan to hunt. hunting seasons in pa is very enjoyable for elk hunting.
Archery | Sept. 11-25 |
General Season | Nov. 1-6 |
Late Season | Jan. 1-8 |
Pennsylvania [pa] Black Bear Hunting Seasons
In Pennsylvania, the black bear hunting season runs from early November to the end of December. This time of year, bears are most active as they are preparing for their winter hibernation. During the hunting season, hunters are allowed to use either a rifle or a shotgun to harvest a black bear. The Pennsylvania Game Commission regulates the black bear hunting season in order to ensure that the black bear population remains healthy.
Archery | Sept. 18-Nov. 26** |
Special Firearms (Junior/Senior License, Youth, Disabled Hunters, Military) | Oct. 21-23 |
Muzzleloader | Oct. 16-23 |
General Season | Nov. 20-Dec. 4** |
**Season dates vary by zone. For specific dates within your region, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission website.
Pennsylvania -PA Wild Turkey Hunting Seasons
Each year, the Pennsylvania Game Commission sets hunting seasons for different game animals. One popular game animal is the wild turkey. In Pennsylvania, there are two hunting seasons for wild turkeys: the spring season and the fall season. The spring season runs from April to May, while the fall season runs from October to April.
Fall General Season | Oct. 30-Nov. 26** |
Spring Season | Apr. 30-May 31 |
Spring Youth Season | Apr. 23, 2022 |
**Start and end dates vary by region. For specific dates within your region, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission website. Special seasons are reserved for youth hunts, senior hunters 65 and older, persons with disabilities and active military personnel
Pennsylvania Small Hunting Seasons
If you love to hunt but don’t want to deal with the crowds, Pennsylvania’s small hunting seasons are the perfect solution. These seasons offer great opportunities to bag a deer, turkey, or other game, without having to deal with the pressure of other hunters. Plus, the smaller crowds mean you’re more likely to get a prime spot in the woods. So if you’re looking for a more intimate hunting experience, be sure to check out Pennsylvania’s small hunting seasons.
Squirrel | Sept. 11-Nov. 26, Dec. 13-24, Dec. 27-Feb. 28 |
Rabbit | Oct. 2-16, Oct. 16-Nov. 26, Dec. 13-24, Dec. 27-Feb. 28 |
Pheasant | Oct. 9-16, Oct. 24-Nov. 26, Dec. 13-24, Dec. 27-Feb. 28 |
Bobwhite Quail | Oct. 23-Nov. 26, Dec. 13-24, Dec. 27-Feb. 28 |
Grouse | Oct. 16-Nov. 26 and Dec. 13-24 |
Woodchucks (Groundhogs) | Open Season, excluding Sundays and the regular firearms deer season |
Bag limits, special seasons and regulations for hunting the manual in Pennsylvania vary greatly as it relates to the animal and the season. No baiting is permitted in the state, and regulations differ by game type. For more information on licenses, permits, and regulations, visit the official Pennsylvania Game Commission for accurate and detailed information about matters.