Pa Hunting Season also known as Pennsylvania Hunting Season is the time of excitement for the hunters waiting to hunt variety of species in the state. The Pennsylvania Game Commission is the regulatory body of the state responsible for publishing the season and dates of hunting on the official website.
The state offers hunting of Wild Turkey, Spring Gobbler, Black Bear, Elk, Deer, and hundreds of other species in Small Game, Furbearer hunting, Migratory Game Bird, and Falconry season during Pa hunting season.
Let’s discuss the season and dates in detail.
PA Big Game Season
Pennsylvania Big Game season includes hunting of some rare animals like Fall Wild Turkey, Spring Gobbler, Elk, Black Bear, and Deer. This game type is limited to only experienced hunter as it requires expertise in the field.
PA Deer Hunting Season
If you are willing to hunt Deer in Pennsylvania, You should be aware of PA Deer Hunting Season and Regulations set by Department. The deer hunting involves a lot of restrictions that’s why be sure to read the rules and regulations before making any decision.
PA Deer hunting season and dates are mentioned below.
| Season Type | Hunting Date | Bag Limit | Season Limit | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer Regular Firearms (Antlered and Antlerless) | Nov. 25, Nov. 26, Nov. 27-Dec. 9 | 1 | 1 | Statewide |
| Deer Antlerless Muzzleloader | Oct. 14-21 | 1 | 1 | Statewide |
| Deer Antlerless Special Firearms | Oct. 19-21 | 1 | 1 | Statewide |
| Deer Archery (Antlered and Antlerless) | Sep. 30-Nov. 11, Nov. 12, Nov. 13-17, Dec. 26-Jan. 15, 2024 | 1 | 1 | Statewide |
| Deer (Antlered or Antlerless) Flintlock | Dec. 26-Jan. 27, 2024 | 1 | 2 (Depending on Antlered or Antlerless) | Specific Location |
| Deer Extended Regular Firearms (Antlerless) | Dec. 26-Jan. 27, 2024 | 1 | 1 | Specific Location |
Please visit the official website run by Pennsylvania Game Commission for more information.
PA Black Bear Hunting Season
Pennsylvania is one of the few states which allows Black Bear hunting in its territory. The Black Bears are the protected animals in many states that’s why Pennsylvania Game Commission imposes many restrictions and strict regulations while hunting Black Bears.
Please go through all the regulations set by the department before making making any decision. PA Black Bear Hunting Season is mentioned below.
| Season Type | Hunting Date | Bag Limit | Season Limit | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Bear Firearms | Nov. 18, Nov. 19, Nov. 20-21 | 1 | 1 | Statewide |
| Black Bear Muzzleloader | Oct. 14-21 | 1 | 1 | Statewide |
| Black Bear Special Firearms | Oct. 19-21 | 1 | 1 | Statewide |
| Black Bear Archery | Sep. 16- Nov. 24 | 1 | 1 | Statewide |
Please visit the official website for in-depth information.
PA Elk Hunting Season
You can’t hunt Elks in all the states of United States but Pennsylvania allows to hunt Elks in its territory. The laws of Elk hunting in Pennsylvania are very strict as they are the prime species to be hunted.
PA Elk hunting season is mentioned below. We recommend You to visit the official website for more information.
| Season Type | Hunting Date | Bag Limit | Season Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elk Archery | Sep. 16-30 | 1 | 1 |
| Elk General | Oct. 30-Nov. 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Elk Late Season | Dec. 30-Jan. 6, 2024 | 1 | 1 |
PA Fall Wild Turkey Hunting Season
Turkey hunting is one of the popular hunting games in United States. Pennsylvania also offers Fall Wild Turkey Hunting in a particular season. You can hunt turkey in Pennsylvania as long as you follow the laws set by department.
PA Fall Wild Turkey Hunting Season is mentioned below.
| Season Type | Hunting Date | Bag Limit | Season Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Wild Turkey (Male/Female) | Oct. 28 – Nov. 24 | 1 | 1 |
Pennsylvania Small Game Season
Pennsylvania Small Game involves hunting of Rabbit, Squirrel, Ruffed Grouse, Ring- Necked Pheasant, Bobwhite Quail, Groundhogs, Hares, Crows, and Sparrows. You should be aware of hunting rules, regulations, and seasons before making any decision.
PA Small Game Season and Dates are mentioned below.
| Season Type | Hunting Date | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squirrels (All types Combined) | Sept. 9 – Nov. 11, Sunday Nov. 12, Nov. 13-18, Sunday Nov. 19, Nov. 20-24, Dec. 11-23, Dec. 26 – Feb. 29, 2024 | 6 | 18 |
| Ruffed Grouse | Oct. 14 – Nov. 11, Sunday Nov. 12, Nov. 13-18, Sunday Nov. 19, Nov. 20-24, Dec. 11-23 | 2 | 6 |
| Rabbit | Oct. 14 – Nov. 11, Sunday Nov. 12, Nov. 13-18, Sunday Nov. 19, Nov. 20-24, Dec. 11-23, Dec. 26 – Feb. 29, 2024 | 4 | 12 |
| Ring Necked Pheasant | Oct. 21 – Nov. 11, Sunday Nov. 12, Nov. 13-18, Sunday Nov. 19, Nov. 20-24, Dec. 11-23, Dec. 26 – Feb. 29, 2024 | 2 | 6 |
| Bobwhite Quail | Sept. 1 – Nov. 11, Sunday Nov. 12, Nov. 13-18, Sunday Nov. 19, Nov. 20-24, Dec. 11-23, Dec. 26 – March 30, 2024 | No Limit | No Limit |
| Hares | Dec. 26 – Jan. 1, 2024 | 1 | 3 |
| Woodchucks | July 1 – Nov. 11, Sunday Nov. 12, Nov. 13-18, Sunday Nov. 19, Nov. 20-24, Dec. 11 – June 29, 2024 | No Limit | No Limit |
| Crows | Aug. 24 – March 24, 2024, on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only | No Limit | No Limit |
| Starlings and English Sparrows | No closed season, except during the regular firearms deer season | No Limit | No Limit |
PA Furbearer Hunting Season
PA Furbearer hunting season includes hunting of Coyotes, Foxes, Raccoons, Bobcat, Porcupines, Opossum, Striped Skunks, and Weasels. The people willing to hunt Furbearers in Pennsylvania state must go through all the rules and regulations set by Pennsylvania Game Commission.
PA Furbearer Hunting Season and dates are mentioned below.
| Season Type | Hunting Date | Daily Bag Limit | Season Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coyotes | No Closed Season | No Limit | No Limit |
| Foxes | Oct. 21 – Feb. 17, 2024 | No Limit | No Limit |
| Raccoons | Oct. 21 – Nov. 11, Sunday Nov. 12, Nov. 13-18, Sunday Nov. 19, Nov. 20-25, Sunday Nov. 26, and Nov. 27 – Feb. 17, 2024 | No Limit | No Limit |
| Opossum, Striped Skunks, and Weasels | No Closed Season | No Limit | No Limit |
| Bobcat | Jan. 6-31, 2024 | 1 | 1 |
| Porcupines | Oct. 7 – Nov. 11, Sunday Nov. 12, Nov. 13-18, Sunday Nov. 19, Nov. 20-24, Dec. 11-23, and Dec. 26 – Jan. 27, 2024 | 3 | 10 |
Pennsylvania Migratory Game Bird Season
PA Migratory Game Bird Season involves hunting of Ducks, Mergansers, Brant, Canada Geese, Doves, Light Geese, Woodcock, Common Snipe, Gallinules, Virginia and Sora Rails, Clappers and King Rails, Harlequin Ducks, and Swans.
There are specific season dates set by Pennsylvania Game Commission for each species for hunters. Please make sure to follow all the rules and Regulations before making any decision.
The PA Migratory Bird season dates for are mentioned below.
| Season Type | Hunting Date | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | Oct. 7 – Jan. 20, 2024 | 6 | 18 |
| Mergansers | Oct. 7 – Jan. 20, 2024 | 5 | 15 |
| Coots | Oct. 7 – Jan. 20, 2024 | 15 | 45 |
| Canada Geese | Sep. 1 – Feb. 24, 2024 | 5 | Unknown |
| Brant | Oct. 14 – Nov. 17 | 1 | 3 |
| Light Geese | Oct. 2 – April 26, 2024 | 25 | No Limit |
| Doves | Sept. 1 – Nov. 24, and Dec. 19 – Jan. 6, 2024 | 15 | 45 |
| Woodcock | Oct. 14 – Nov. 24, and Dec. 11 – 20 | 3 | 9 |
| Common Snipe | Oct. 14 – Nov. 24, and Dec. 11 – 20 | 8 | 24 |
| Gallinules | Sept. 1 – Nov. 21 | 3 | 9 |
| Virginia and Sora Rails | Sept. 1 – Nov. 21 | 3 | 9 |
| Clappers and King Rails | No Open Season | Unknown | Unknown |
| Harlequin Ducks | No Open Season | Unknown | Unknown |
Final Remarks
I tried my best to mention the latest and useful information about PA Hunting Season and dates in this article but I also would like recommend the readers to visit the Pennsylvania Game commission before making any hunting decision.
It is crucial to read and understand the crucial information provided on this website as well as on the official website.