Pennsylvania is an ideal state for hunting as it offers a diverse variety of wildlife for big and small game, trapping, and fur bears. Hunters and hunting enthusiasts are delighted to immerse themselves in the beautiful nature, thanks to the state's vast acres of land with different formations, trail structures, and scenic views.
When it comes to hunting seasons in Pennsylvania, dates and seasons depend on the wildlife being hunted and the equipment used. Hunting using firearms and archery is most common in Pennsylvania, with each type of equipment having different hunting seasons. Here are the details of the hunting schedules for each wildlife in Pennsylvania:
Deer Hunting Season in PA
In Pennsylvania, Whitetail deer hunting is one of the most popular activities. The opening of the hunting season for deer is considered an unofficial holiday in PA, and schools are closed on this day.
Deer hunting season in PA starts in mid-September and continues until the end of January. The hunting season starts with a crossbow and archery. The firearms, including muzzleloader seasons, begin in November and last until the end of January.
Elk Hunting Season in PA
The elk hunting season in Pennsylvania is shorter than other hunting seasons. It starts with an archery hunting season within two weeks in mid-September, and the general season for hunting elk lasts from late October until the first week of November.
The tag season for elk hunting is between the last day of August and the first week of November.
Black Bear Hunting Season in PA
Archery black bear season starts in the middle of September and lasts until the last week of November, with dates varying based on the region. The firearms season for hunting black bears lasts for one week in the middle of October.
The general season for black bear hunting is from the third week of November until the second week of December. Dates for black bear hunting may vary depending on the region.
Wild Turkey Hunting Seasons
Hunting for wild turkeys is broken down into three sub-seasons. The fall general season runs from the last days of October until the end of November. The spring hunting season is from the last week of April until the end of May.
Small Game Hunting Seasons
Small game hunting seasons generally last from the first days of September until the end of February.
The general season for squirrels is from the last week of December until the end of February. The season opens for archery at the beginning of September.
The rabbit hunting season starts in the middle of October and lasts until the last week of February.
The pheasant and Bobwhite quail hunting season starts on October 22 and lasts until February 27.
Grouse hunting lasts from October 15 until December 23.
Woodchuck hunting is open season but is temporarily stopped during Sundays and the deer firearms hunting period.
Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons in Pennsylvania is usually scheduled from October 8 to the last day of hunting, which is on January 7. Migratory birds that can be hunted include ducks, mergansers, doves, tundra, rails, woodcock, snipes, and gallinules.
Hunting enthusiasts must adhere to local laws and regulations when it comes to bag limits, hunting hours, and licensing requirements. Hunters are encouraged to do their research ahead of time to ensure they are properly prepared for the hunting season in Pennsylvania.
