with required

WATERFOWL & MIGRATORY BIRDS TURKEY DEER

Unless otherwise noted, possession limit = 3x daily limit Fall Season - bearded or unbearded birds 1 bird limit
licenses/permits
One antlered deer per hunting license year.
PENNSYLVANIA
Daily Limit
(Shotgun and archery only, statewide) One antlerless deer with each required license or permit. HUNTING &
Crow - Thrs., Fri., Sat., Sun. only; Aug. 24- Mar. 24, 2024 No limit
WMU 2B Oct. 28 - Nov. 17
and Nov. 22 - Nov. 24
Archery (Antlered and Antlerless) with required archery license
WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D Sept. 16 - Nov. 24, TRAPPING
2023-2024
Starling & English Sparrows Closed during regular No limit Nov. 12 & Nov. 19 included, and
WMUs 1A, 1B, 4A, 4B, 4D and 4E Oct. 28 - Nov. 4
firearms deer season Dec. 26 - Jan. 27, 2024
WMUs 2A, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 4C Oct. 28- Nov. 11 Statewide Sept. 30 - Sun. Nov. 12 and
Doves Sept. 1 - Nov. 24 and 15
Dec. 19 - Jan. 6, 2024 WMU 2C, 2D and 2E Oct. 28 - Nov. 11 Nov. 13 - Nov. 17
and Nov. 22 - Nov. 24 Dec. 26 - Jan. 15, 2024
Woodcock Oct. 14 - Nov. 24 and 3 Review the complete Digest:
WMU 5B Oct. 31 - Nov. 2 Muzzleloader (Antlerless only) Oct. 14 - Oct. 21
Dec. 11 - Dec. 20
Statewide with required muzzleloading license http://bit.ly/PGCDigest
Seasons for Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, Canada Geese, Light WMUs 5A, 5C and 5D Closed to fall turkey hunting
Geese, Brant and webless birds can be found on the Game Special Firearms (Antlerless only) Oct. 19 - Oct. 21
Commission’s website and in the Hunting & Trapping Digest. Two bird Spring Season limit (1 daily) Statewide: participation restricted, check Digest for eligibility
Migratory Game Bird Hunting Hours Table can be found on the
with second spring gobbler license
Regular Firearms (Antlered & Antlerless)
REPORT VIOLATIONS
Game Commission’s website and in the Hunting & Trapping Spring Season - bearded birds only, hours vary, check Digest Nov. 25 - Sun. Nov. 26 and Poachers are thieves,
Digest. Jr. and Mentored Hunters under 16 Apr. 27, 2024 Nov. 27 - Dec. 9
Statewide May 4 - May 31, 2024 help us catch them!
Applications for Goose Blinds and Other Special Hunts may Flintlock (Antlered & Antlerless) with required muzzleloading license
be submitted online at HuntFish.PA.gov or at any Game Statewide Dec. 26 - Jan. 15, 2024
Calls are answered by a
Commission region office or Harrisburg headquarters. Review the complete Digest: WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D Dec. 26 - Jan. 27, 2024 secure recording device.
with appropriate http://bit.ly/PGCDigest Extended Regular Firearms (Antlerless only) • 1-888-PGC-8001
FURTAKING license This guide is not the Game & Wildlife Code or its WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D Dec. 26 - Jan. 27, 2024
• http://bit.ly/PGCOGT
Hunting Daily/Season Limit
attendant regulations and should not be considered
final on legal interpretation.
Coyotes unlimited ANTLERLESS DEER APPLICATIONS REPORT YOUR HARVEST
No closed season. During any big game season, coyotes may be
taken while lawfully hunting big game or with a furtaker license. Round 1 - Personal limit of 1
SMALL GAME Mon., June 26; 8:00 a.m.; Residents Only
Every time a hunter or trapper reports a
Foxes Sundays permitted. Oct. 21 - Feb. 17, 2024 unlimited harvest, wildlife management gets better.
Unless otherwise noted, possession limit = 3x daily limit Mon., July 10; 8:00 a.m.; All License Buyers
Raccoons Oct. 21 - Feb. 17, 2024 unlimited
No Sunday hunting except Nov. 12, Nov. 19 and Nov. 26. Daily Limit Round 2 - Personal limit up to 2 Please have your Customer Identification
Mon., July 24; 8:00 a.m.; All License Buyers
Opossums, Striped Skunks and Weasels unlimited Squirrel-Jr. Hunters (Combined) Sept. 9 - Sept. 23 6 Number (hunting license number) and
July 1-June 29, 2024, except during regular firearms deer season. Squirrel (Combined species) Sept. 9 - Nov. 24, 6 Round 3 - Personal limit up to 3 field harvest tag handy.
No Sunday hunting except Nov. 12 and Nov. 19. Nov. 12 & Nov. 19 included, and Mon., August 14; 8:00 a.m.; All License Buyers
Deer Management Assistance Permits will also be
Bobcats No Sunday hunting. Jan. 6 - Jan. 31, 2024 1/1 Dec. 11 - Dec. 23 and
available beginning at this date and time.
DEER, TURKEY, FISHER, BOBCAT,
WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and Dec. 26 - Feb. 29, 2024 OTTER AND SNOW GEESE
4E Ruffed Grouse Oct. 14 - Nov. 24, 2 Round 4 - Personal limit up to 6
Porcupines Oct. 7 - Nov. 24, 3/10 Nov. 12 & Nov. 19 included, and Mon., August 28; 8:00 a.m.; All License Buyers 1. ONLINE: www.HuntFish.PA.gov
Nov. 12 and Nov. 19 included, and Dec. 11 - Dec. 23 2. PHONE: Toll-free 1-800-838-4431.
Dec. 11 - Dec. 23 Rabbit - Jr. Hunters (Cottontail) Sept. 30 - Oct. 14 4 3. MAIL: Available for turkey and deer
bear license
Trapping
Dec. 26 - Jan. 27, 2024
Rabbit (Cottontail) Oct. 14 - Nov. 24, 4
BEAR required only. Use tear-off report card in
Minks & Muskrats Nov. 18 - Jan. 7, 2024 unlimited
Nov. 12 & Nov. 19 included, and Only one bear may be taken during the license year. your Digest. No postage necessary if
Dec. 11 - Dec. 23 and
Coyotes, Foxes, Opossums, Raccoons, Striped Skunks and Dec. 26 - Feb. 29, 2024
Bear must be checked within 24 hours of harvest. mailed in the U.S.
Weasels Oct. 21 - Feb. 18, 2024 unlimited Archery
Pheasant - Jr. Hunters# Oct. 7 - Oct. 14 2
WMUs 2B, 5C & 5D Sept. 16 - Nov. 24, BEAR and ELK
Coyotes & Foxes Pheasant# Oct. 21 - Nov. 24, 2 Nov. 12 & Nov. 19 included
(Cable Restraints) Dec.26 - Feb. 18, 2024 unlimited #
with required permit Nov. 12 & Nov. 19 included, and Use directions on license or permit.
Beavers Dec. 16 - Mar. 31, 2024 Dec. 11 - Dec. 23 and WMU 5B Sept. 30 - Nov. 17,
WMUs 1A and 1B (Combined) 20/60 Dec. 26 - Feb. 29, 2024 Sun., Nov. 12 included
WMUs 2A, 2B, and 3C (Combined) 20/40 There is no open season for taking pheasants in any Statewide Oct. 14 - Nov. 4 1-833-PGC-HUNT 1-833-PGC-WILD
WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 3A, 3B, 3D, 5C, and 5D (Combined) 20/20 Wild Pheasant Recovery Area, without an executive order. Muzzleloader - Statewide Oct. 14 - Oct. 21 (1-833-742-4868) (1-833-742-9453)
WMUs 2G, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A, and 5B (Combined) 5/5
Special Firearms - Statewide Oct. 19 - Oct. 21
Bobcats with required permit Dec. 16- Jan. 7, 2024 1/1
WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and
Bobwhite Quail Sept. 1 - Nov. 24, unlimited
Nov. 12 & Nov. 19 included, and
participation restricted, check Digest for eligibility V I S I T U S O N L I N E AT
4E
Fishers with required permit Dec. 16 - Dec. 31, 2024 1/1
Dec. 11 - Dec. 23 and
Dec. 26 - Mar. 30, 2024
Regular Firearms - Statewide Nov. 18 - Nov. 21,
Sun., Nov. 19 included WWW.PGC.PA.GOV
Extended Firearms
WMUs 1B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and Snowshoe or Varying Hare Dec. 26 - Jan. 1, 2024 1
WMUs 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4E & 5A Nov. 25 - Sun. Nov. 26 and
4E
Woodchuck Nov. 27 - Dec. 2
River Otters with required permit Feb. 10 - Feb. 17, 2024 1/1 July 1-June 29, except during regular firearms deer seasons. WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D Nov. 25 - Sun. Nov. 26 and
WMUs 1A, 1B, 2F, 3B, 3C, 3D and 4E No hunting on Sundays, except Nov. 12 and Nov. 19. No limit. Nov. 27 - Dec. 9
 GENERAL REGULATIONS STATE GAME LANDS FLUORESCENT ORANGE

birds. Larger maps and boundaries are available at www.pgc.pa.gov.

manage all game, except elk, waterfowl and other migratory game
Baiting: It is unlawful to hunt in or around any area where artificial On State Game Lands, it is lawful to hunt, trap, and fish, as well as When fluorescent orange is required, the requirement for that
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNITS

Wildlife Management Units (WMUs): Pennsylvania uses WMUs to

or natural bait has been used within the past 30 days. Regulated pick berries or mushrooms. season must be worn while moving from one hour prior to the
baiting of deer is allowed in the Southeast Special Regulations start of legal hunting hours and for one hour past the closing of

Antler restrictions: Three Up in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 2D.

Hunting blinds or stands may be used provided they do not cause legal hunting hours.
Area outside of any Disease Management Area (DMA). See Digest
damage to trees, and are not placed out earlier than two weeks
for details. * Fluorescent orange is required when hunting coyotes during
prior to deer season, and must be removed no later than 2 weeks
any big game season, if orange is required during that season,
Mistake Kill: Any person who kills any wildlife while hunting or after the close of deer season. Portable hunting blinds or stands including from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
trapping by accident or mistake shall immediately field-dress any must be marked with a durable identification tag that legibly
edible game and deliver the carcass to a state game warden in includes the owner’s first name, last name and legal home address Woodchuck Hunting
the county where it was killed. or must bear the Equipment ID number issued by the Commission
A hat made of solid fluorescent orange, visible 360 degrees.
Road Hunting: It is unlawful to 1) hunt from a vehicle, or assist for this purpose. Worn at all times.
another while hunting from a vehicle; 2) shoot at wildlife that are State Game Lands are set aside for hunting and trapping and
on a public road or right-of-way open to public travel; 3) shoot the preservation and maintenance of wildlife habitat. While on a All Small Game Seasons | Deer, Bear or Elk
across a road unless the line of fire is high enough to preclude any game lands, it is unlawful to: Firearms Seasons | October Muzzleloader
danger to road users; and 4) alight from a vehicle and shoot at
• Start a fire, except small open fires for cooking or warming
Antlerless Deer and Bear Seasons | Extended
any wildlife until the shooter is at least 25 yards from the traveled Antlerless Firearms Seasons
purposes by those exercising the privileges of a valid
portion of the roadway.
hunting, furtaking or fishing license or when through-hiking A minimum 250 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange
Safety Zones: It is unlawful to hunt, shoot at, trap, take, chase or the Appalachian Trail when the Fire Index Rating used by the material on the head, chest and back combined and it must be
disturb wildlife within 150 yards of any occupied residence, camp, Bureau of Forestry, DCNR, is NOT high, very high or extreme. visible from 360 degrees. An orange hat and vest satisfies this
industrial or commercial building, farmhouse or farm building, or Fires must be contained and tended at all times. requirement.
school or play-ground without the permission of the occupants.
• Ride a nonmotorized vehicle, conveyance or animal, except
The safety zone for archery hunters statewide, including those Blinds & Enclosed Tree Stands
on roads normally open to public travel, or designated
using crossbows, is 50 yards. When using a blind or enclosed tree stand
routes as posted, or while lawfully engaged in hunting,
during the firearms deer, bear or elk seasons,
Spotlighting Wildlife: It is unlawful to spotlight wildlife after 11 trapping or fishing.
a minimum of 100 square inches of fluorescent
p.m., during regular firearms or late extended Special Regulations • Consume, possess or transport an alcoholic beverage. orange material (orange alert band) must be
Area firearms deer seasons, or while in possession of a device displayed within 15 feet of the blind or stand and
• Feed wildlife or place any food, fruit, hay, grain, chemical,
capable of killing wildlife. visible from 360 degrees. This is in addition to wearing orange
salt or other minerals.
Tagging Big Game: Hunters harvesting big game must follow while inside.
• Use State Game Lands for any personal, organizational or
instructions printed on the harvest tags supplied with licenses. commercial purpose other than the intended use.
Big game must be tagged immediately after harvest and before
Wearing Orange
• Engage in dog training activities on small game from the
carcass is moved. The tag must be attached to the ear of a deer No fluorescent orange is required during archery seasons when
Monday prior to the start of the youth pheasant season until hunting for deer, bear or elk, or when hunting waterfowl, doves,
or bear, or the body of an elk and remain attached until the
the opening of the statewide pheasant season. turkeys, furbearers* or crows. In firearms seasons for deer, bear
animal is processed for consumption or prepared for mounting.
• Be present on State Game Lands from Nov. 15 through or elk, orange is required, regardless of the sporting arm carried.
Turkey tags must be attached to the bird’s leg.
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE Dual Carry: Possession of any firearm while archery hunting is
Dec. 15 inclusive when not engaged in lawful hunting or Hunters participating in the after-Christmas flintlock
trapping and fail to wear a minimum of 250 square inches muzzleloader season also are not required to wear fluorescent
If you plan to hunt in a Disease Management Area (DMA) or prohibited unless the individual possesses a license to carry a of fluorescent orange material on the head, chest and back orange.
the CWD Established Area (EA) this season, there are specific concealed firearm. Archery hunters are permitted to carry a combined, or, in lieu thereof, a hat of the same colored Even when fluorescent orange isn’t required, the Game Com-
rules to follow. muzzleloading firearm only during overlaps of archery deer or material. Orange material must be visible 360 degrees. mission highly recommends its use. For example, a fluorescent
Pennsylvania has six active DMAs and one EA. All are bear season with a muzzleloader deer or bear season. Persons using shooting ranges are exempted. orange hat is recommended for turkey hunters while moving.
geographic regions where CWD has been found in deer. Special
rules apply in each, including bans on feeding deer, the use and
possession of cervid urine-based attractants, and export of CAMOUFLAGE FLUORESCENT ORANGE
high-risk parts, all designed to limit the human-assisted spread SUNDAY HUNTING Camouflage fluorescent orange may satisfy orange regulations
of CWD. Maps showing boundaries are available on the Game when 250 square inches of safety material is required if the
Commission’s website at www.arcg.is/1G4TLr. Sunday hunting is permitted for foxes, coyotes and crows during open seasons. Additional Sunday hunting orange content is at least 250 square inches. When a hat
Placing on the landscape any high-risk cervid parts from opportunities for 2023 are Nov. 12, Nov. 19 and Nov. 26. On these three Sundays, hunters on private land must carry containing 100 square inches of orange is specified, the cap
deer killed outside of Pennsylvania or within a DMA or EA is written permission from the landowner. Permission should include the landowner’s signature, address and phone must be solid fluorescent orange.
prohibited. Any hunter who harvests a deer out-of-state or within number as well as the hunter’s name, address and CID license number. Turkeys and migratory game birds may not
a DMA or EA is able to take it directly to a cooperating processor
be hunted on any Sunday. Aside from these exceptions, Sunday hunting is unlawful in Pennsylvania.
or taxidermist anywhere in the state. A list of cooperating LEGAL HUNTING HOURS
processors and taxidermists can be found at www.arcg.is/1G4TLr.
The Game Commission encourages hunters within DMAs to get 1 Sunday, Nov. 12 2 Sunday, Nov. 19 3 Sunday, Nov. 26 Legal hunting hours for all small and big game are from one-half
their harvest tested, and has provided head collection containers Deer (archery), Bears (archery in Bears, Deer (archery in WMUs 2B, 5C and Deer, Bears (only in WMUs with Extended hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Please consult
throughout DMAs and the EA. Head bin locations are listed at WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D only), 5D only) Squirrels, Pheasants, Rabbits, Season), Raccoons, Foxes and Coyotes the Digest for tables of lawful hunting hours, including migratory
Squirrels, Pheasants, Rabbits, Grouse, Grouse, Bobwhite Quail, Woodchucks, Crows, game birds, and the accompanying Pennsylvania Meridian Map.
www.arcg.is/1G4TLr.
Raccoons and foxes may be hunted only
Hunters can drop their deer’s head, double-bagged, in a bin Bobwhite Quail, Woodchucks, Crows, Raccoons, Foxes, Coyotes, Opossums, Striped
after legal hunting hours for deer. Coyote elk license
with the harvest tag filled out and firmly attached to the deer’s Raccoons, Foxes, Coyotes, Opossums, Skunks, Weasels and Porcupines
hunters during any big-game season must ELK required
ear to have it tested for CWD for free. Hunters can review test Striped Skunks, Weasels and
Coyote hunters during any big-game season follow big-game orange requirements. One elk per license year - visit a check station within 24 hours
results by calling the CWD hotline (1-833-INFOCWD) or by using Porcupines
must follow big-game orange requirements. Crows may not be hunted during the
the Game Commission’s CWD Test Results page at www.arcg. Archery (Antlered and Antlerless) Sept. 16 - Sept. 30
Regular Firearms Deer season.
is/1G4TLr. Regular (Antlered and Antlerless) Oct. 30 - Nov. 4
Late (Antlered and Antlerless) Dec. 30 - Jan. 6, 2024