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. 22 - Mar. 23, 2025 No limit
WMU 5A and 5B
WMUs 1B, 3D, 4C and 4E
Nov. 2 - Nov. 5
Nov. 2 - Nov. 9
Archery (Antlered and Antlerless) with required archery license
WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D Sept. 21 - Nov. 29, TRAPPING
2024-2025
Starling & English Sparrows Closed during regular No limit Nov. 17 & Nov. 24 included, and
firearms deer season WMUs 1A, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B and 4D Nov. 2 - Nov. 16 Dec. 26 - Jan. 25, 2025
Doves Sept. 2 - Nov. 29 and 15 WMUs 2A, 2F, 3B and 3C Nov. 2 - Nov. 16 Statewide Oct. 5 - Nov. 22,
Dec. 21 - Jan. 4, 2025 and Nov. 27 - Nov. 29 Sun., Nov. 17 included, and
Dec. 26 - Jan. 20, 2025
Woodcock Oct. 19 - Nov. 29 and 3 WMU 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E Nov. 2 - Nov. 22 Review the complete Digest:
and Nov. 27 - Nov. 29 Muzzleloader (Antlerless only) Oct. 19 - Oct. 26
Dec. 16 - Dec. 24
Statewide with required muzzleloading license http://bit.ly/PGCDigest
Seasons for Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, Canada Geese, Light WMUs 5C and 5D Closed to fall turkey hunting
Geese, Brant and webless birds can be found on the Game Special Firearms (Antlerless only) Oct. 24 - Oct. 26
Commission’s website and in the Hunting & Trapping Digest. Up to 2 bearded birds (1 daily) Statewide: participation restricted, check Digest for eligibility
Migratory Game Bird Hunting Hours Table can be found on the
with proper licenses
Regular Firearms (Antlered & Antlerless)
REPORT VIOLATIONS
Game Commission’s website and in the Hunting & Trapping Digest. Spring Season - hours vary, check Digest Nov. 30 - Dec. 14, Poachers are thieves,
Sun., Dec. 1 included
Applications for Goose Blinds and Other Special Hunts may Jr. and Mentored Hunters under 16 Apr. 26, 2025 help us catch them!
be submitted online at www.HuntFish.PA.gov or at any Game Statewide (hours vary) May 3 - May 31, 2025 Flintlock (Antlered & Antlerless) with required muzzleloading license
Commission region office or Harrisburg headquarters. Statewide Dec. 26 - Jan. 20, 2025
Calls are answered by a
Review the complete Digest: WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D Dec. 26 - Jan. 25, 2025 secure recording device.
with appropriate
FURTAKING license/permits http://bit.ly/PGCDigest Extended Regular Firearms (Antlerless only) • 1-888-PGC-8001
This guide is not the Game & Wildlife Code or its WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D Dec. 26 - Jan. 25, 2025
Hunting Daily/Season Limit
attendant regulations and should not be considered WMUs 4A, 4D and 5A Jan. 2 - Jan. 20, 2025
• http://bit.ly/PGCOGT
Coyotes No limit final on legal interpretation.
No closed season. During any big game season, coyotes may be
ANTLERLESS DEER APPLICATIONS REPORT YOUR HARVEST
taken while lawfully hunting big game or with a furtaker license.
Foxes Sundays permitted. Oct. 26 - Feb. 22, 2025 No limit SMALL GAME Round 1 - Personal limit of 1 Every time a hunter or trapper reports a
Cannot be hunted during regular firearms deer season.
Unless otherwise noted, possession limit = 3x daily limit
Mon., June 24; 8 a.m.; WMUs 1B, 2G & 3A; Residents Only harvest, wildlife management gets better.
Raccoons Oct. 26 - Feb. 22, 2025 No limit Thrs., June 27; 8 a.m.; All WMUs; Residents Only
Cannot be hunted during regular firearms deer season. Daily Limit Mon., July 8; 8 a.m.; All WMUs; All License Buyers Please have your Customer Identification
No Sunday hunting except Nov. 17, Nov. 24 and Dec. 1 at night. Squirrel-Jr. Hunt (Combined) Sept. 14 - Sept. 28 6 Round 2 - Personal limit up to 2 number (hunting license number) and
Opossums, Striped Skunks and Weasels No limit Squirrel (Combined species) Sept. 14 - Nov. 29, 6 Mon., July 22; 8 a.m.; All License Buyers field harvest tag handy.
July 1-June 30, 2025, except during regular firearms deer season. Nov. 17 & Nov. 24 included, and
No Sunday hunting except Nov. 17, Nov. 24 and Dec. 1 at night. Round 3 - Personal limit up to 3
Dec. 16 - Dec. 24 and Mon., Aug. 12; 8 a.m.; All License Buyers DEER, TURKEY, FISHER, BOBCAT,
Bobcats No Sunday hunting. Jan. 11 - Feb. 5, 2025 1/1 Dec. 26 - Feb. 28, 2025 DMAP sales also begin at this time. OTTER AND SNOW GEESE
WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D & 4E Ruffed Grouse Oct. 19 - Nov. 29, 2
Nov. 17 & Nov. 24 included, and
Round 4 - Personal limit up to 6 1. ONLINE: www.HuntFish.PA.gov
Porcupines Oct. 12 - Nov. 29 3/10
Mon., Aug. 26; 8 a.m.; All License Buyers
May not be hunted Nov. 17 and Nov. 24 included, and Dec. 16 - Dec. 24 2. PHONE: Toll-free 1-800-838-4431.
at night. Dec. 16 - Dec. 24 and Rabbit - Jr. Hunt (Cottontail) Oct. 5 - Oct. 19 4 3. MAIL: Available for turkey and deer
Dec. 26 - Feb. 1, 2025 bear license
Trapping Rabbit (Cottontail) Oct. 19 - Nov. 29, 4 BEAR required only. Use tear-off report card in
Minks & Muskrats Nov. 23 - Jan. 12, 2025 No limit
Nov. 17 & Nov. 24 included, and
Only one bear may be taken during the license year. your Digest. No postage necessary if
Dec. 16 - Dec. 24 and
Coyotes, Foxes, Opossums, Raccoons, Striped Skunks and Dec. 26 - Feb. 28, 2025 Bear must be checked within 24 hours of harvest. mailed in the U.S.
Weasels Oct. 26 - Feb. 23, 2025 No limit Archery
Pheasant - Jr. Hunt# Oct. 12 - Oct. 19 2
WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D Sept. 21 - Nov. 29, BEAR and ELK
Coyotes & Foxes Pheasant #
Oct. 26 - Nov. 29, 2 Nov. 17 & Nov. 24 included
(Cable Restraints) Dec. 26 - Feb. 23, 2025 No limit #
with required permit Nov. 17 & Nov. 24 included, and Use directions on the license.
Beavers Dec. 21 - Mar. 31, 2025 Dec. 16 - Dec. 24 and WMU 5B Oct. 5 - Nov. 22,
WMUs 1A and 1B (Combined) 20/60 Dec. 26 - Feb. 28, 2025 Sun., Nov. 17 included
WMUs 2A, 2B, and 3C (Combined) 20/40 Statewide Oct. 19 - Nov. 9 1-833-PGC-HUNT 1-833-PGC-WILD
Taking of pheasants in any Wild Pheasant Recovery Area
WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 3A, 3B, 3D, 5C, and 5D (Combined) 20/20 must be authorized by an executive order. (1-833-742-4868) (1-833-742-9453)
Muzzleloader - Statewide Oct. 24 - Oct. 26
WMUs 2G, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A, and 5B (Combined) 5/5
Special Firearms - Statewide Oct. 24 - Oct. 26
Bobcats with required permit Dec. 21 - Jan. 12, 2025 1/1
WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D
Bobwhite Quail
Season closed around
Sept. 2 - Nov. 29, No limit
Nov. 17 & Nov. 24 included, and
participation restricted, check Digest for eligibility V I S I T U S O N L I N E AT
and 4E
Fishers with required permit Dec. 21 - Jan. 12, 2025 1/1
Letterkenny Focus Area Dec. 16 - Dec. 24 and
Dec. 26 - Mar. 31, 2025
Regular Firearms - Statewide Nov. 23 - Nov. 26,
Sun., Nov. 24 included 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, 2025 1
WMUs 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4E & 5A Nov. 30 - Dec. 7,
4E Woodchuck Sun., Dec. 1 included
River Otters with required permit Feb. 15 - Feb. 22, 2025 1/1 July 1-June 30, except during regular firearms deer seasons. WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D Nov. 30 - Dec. 14,
WMUs 1A, 1B, 2F, 3B, 3C, 3D and 4E No hunting on Sundays, except Nov. 17 and Nov. 24. No limit Sun., Dec. 1 included
 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. Baiting of pick berries or mushrooms. season must be worn at all times while hunting and when moving
deer is allowed conditionally on private property in the Southeast from one hour prior to the start of legal hunting hours and for one

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

Hunting blinds or stands may be used provided they do not hour past the closing of legal hunting hours. When not required,
Special Regulations Area outside of any Disease Management
cause damage to trees, and are not placed out earlier than two the use of orange is strongly recommended, especially while
Area (DMA). See Digest for details.
weeks prior to deer season, and must be removed no later than moving.
Mistake Kill: Any person who kills any wildlife while hunting or two weeks after the close of deer season. Portable hunting blinds * Fluorescent orange is required when hunting coyotes during
trapping by accident or mistake shall immediately field-dress any or stands must be marked with a durable identification tag that any big-game season, if orange is required during that season,
edible game and deliver the carcass to a state game warden in legibly includes the owner’s first name, last name and legal home including from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
the county where it was killed. address or must bear the Equipment ID number issued by the
Road Hunting: It is unlawful to 1) hunt from a vehicle, or assist Commission for this purpose. Woodchuck Hunting
another while hunting from a vehicle; 2) shoot at wildlife that are State Game Lands are set aside for hunting and trapping and Woodchuck hunters must wear a hat made of solid
on a public road or right-of-way open to public travel; 3) shoot fluorescent orange that is visible from 360 degrees.
the preservation and maintenance of wildlife habitat. While on a
across a road unless the line of fire is high enough to preclude any game lands, it is unlawful to:
danger to road users; and 4) alight from a vehicle and shoot at All Small Game Seasons | Deer, Bear and Elk
any wildlife until the shooter is at least 25 yards from the traveled
• Camp or use campsites. Firearms Seasons | October Muzzleloader
portion of the roadway. • Start a fire. Small open fires for cooking or warming Antlerless Deer and Bear Seasons | Extended
purposes are permitted, except when the Fire Index Rating Antlerless Firearms Seasons
Safety Zones: It is unlawful to hunt, shoot at, trap, take, chase or
used by the Bureau of Forestry, DCNR, is high, very high or
disturb wildlife within 150 yards of any occupied residence, camp, During the above seasons, hunters must wear a minimum of
extreme. Fires must be contained and tended at all times.
industrial or commercial building, farmhouse or farm building, or 250 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange material on the
• Ride a nonmotorized vehicle, conveyance or animal, except head, chest and back combined and it must be visible from 360
school or playground without the permission of the occupants.
on roads normally open to public travel, or designated degrees. An orange hat and vest satisfies this requirement.
The safety zone for archery hunters statewide, including those
routes as posted, or while lawfully engaged in hunting,
using crossbows, is 50 yards.
trapping or fishing. Blinds & Enclosed Tree Stands
Spotlighting Wildlife: It is unlawful to shine a light on wildlife
• Consume, possess or transport an alcoholic beverage. When using a blind or enclosed tree stand
after 11 p.m., during regular firearms, or while in possession of a during the firearms deer, bear or elk seasons,
• Feed wildlife or place any food, fruit, hay, grain, chemical,
device capable of killing wildlife. a minimum of 100 square inches of fluorescent
salt or other minerals.
Tagging Big Game: Hunters harvesting big game must follow orange material (orange alert band) must be
• Use State Game Lands for any personal, organizational or displayed within 15 feet of the blind or stand and
instructions printed on the harvest tags supplied with licenses.
commercial purpose other than the intended use. visible from 360 degrees. This is in addition to
Big game must be tagged immediately after harvest and before
• Engage in dog training activities on small game from the wearing orange while inside. Refer to the turkey
carcass is moved. The tag must be attached to the ear of a deer section of the Digest for details on blind use
Monday prior to the start of the youth pheasant season until
or bear, or the body of an elk and remain attached until the while turkey hunting.
the opening of the statewide pheasant season.
animal is processed for consumption or prepared for mounting.
Turkey tags must be attached to the bird’s leg. • Be present on State Game Lands from Nov. 15 through Wearing Orange
Dec. 15 inclusive when not engaged in lawful hunting or
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE Dual Carry: Possession of any firearm while archery hunting is
prohibited unless the individual possesses a license to carry a
trapping and fail to wear a minimum of 250 square inches
No fluorescent orange is required during archery seasons when
hunting for deer, bear or elk, or when hunting waterfowl, doves,
of fluorescent orange material on the head, chest and back turkeys, furbearers* or crows. In firearms seasons for deer,
If you plan to hunt in a Disease Management Area (DMA) or concealed firearm. Archery hunters are permitted to carry a
combined, or, in lieu thereof, a hat of the same colored bear or elk, orange is required, regardless of the sporting arm
the CWD Established Area (EA) this season, there are specific muzzleloading firearm only during overlaps of archery deer or
material. Orange material must be visible 360 degrees. carried. Hunters participating in the after-Christmas flintlock
rules to follow. bear season with a muzzleloader deer or bear season.
Pennsylvania has seven active DMAs and one EA. All are Persons using shooting ranges are exempted. muzzleloader season are not required to wear fluorescent
orange.
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
SUNDAY HUNTING CAMOUFLAGE FLUORESCENT ORANGE
high-risk parts, all designed to limit the human-assisted spread Sunday hunting is permitted for foxes, coyotes and crows during open seasons. Additional 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
opportunities in 2024 are Nov. 17, Nov. 24 and Dec. 1. On these three Sundays, hunters on private land must carry
Commission’s website at www.arcg.is/1G4TLr. orange content is at least 250 square inches. When a hat
Placing on the landscape any high-risk cervid parts from
written permission from the landowner. Permission should include the landowner’s signature, address and phone containing 100 square inches of orange is specified, the cap
deer killed outside of Pennsylvania or within a DMA or EA is number as well as the hunter’s name, address and CID license number. Turkeys and migratory game birds may must be solid fluorescent orange.
prohibited. Any hunter who harvests a deer out-of-state or within not be hunted on any Sunday. Aside from these exceptions, Sunday hunting is unlawful in Pennsylvania.
a DMA or EA is able to take it directly to a cooperating processor
or taxidermist anywhere in the state. A list of cooperating 1 Sunday, Nov. 17 2 Sunday, Nov. 24 3 Sunday, Dec. 1 LEGAL HUNTING HOURS
processors and taxidermists can be found at www.arcg.is/1G4TLr.
The Game Commission encourages hunters within DMAs to get Deer (archery), Bear (archery in WMUs Bear, Deer (archery in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D Deer, Bear (only in WMUs with Extended Legal hunting hours for all small and big game are from one-half
their harvest tested and has provided head collection containers 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D only), Squirrel, only) Squirrel, Pheasant, Rabbit, Grouse, Bob- Season), Raccoon, Fox, Coyote, Opossum, hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Please consult
throughout DMAs and the EA. Head bin locations are listed at the Digest for tables of lawful hunting hours, including migratory
Pheasant, Rabbit, Grouse, Bobwhite white Quail, Woodchuck, Crow, Raccoon, Fox, Striped Skunk and Weasel
game birds, and the accompanying Pennsylvania Meridian Map.
www.arcg.is/1G4TLr. Quail, Woodchuck, Crow, Raccoon, Coyote, Opossum, Striped Skunk, Weasel and Raccoons, foxes, opossums, striped
Hunters can drop their deer’s head, double-bagged, in a bin Fox, Coyote, Opossum, Striped Skunk, Porcupine skunks and weasels may be hunted only elk license
with the harvest tag filled out and firmly attached to the deer’s Weasel and Porcupine
Coyote hunters during any big-game season
after legal hunting hours for deer. Coyote ELK required
ear to have it tested for CWD for free. Hunters can review test hunters during any big-game season must
results by calling the CWD hotline (1-833-INFOCWD) or by must follow big-game orange requirements. One elk per license year - visit a check station within 24 hours
follow big-game orange requirements.
using the Game Commission’s CWD Test Results page at https:// Crows may not be hunted during the Archery (Antlered and Antlerless) Sept. 14 - Sept. 28
pgcdatacollection.pa.gov/CWDResultsLookup. Regular Deer Firearms season. Regular (Antlered and Antlerless) Nov. 4 - Nov. 9
Late (Antlered and Antlerless) Dec. 28 - Jan. 4, 2025