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Berks County · WMU 5B, WMU 5C and WMU 5D
William Penn State Forest Hunting
Everything we could verify about William Penn State Forest: acreage, rules, game, stocking and the ground nearby.
Photo: Nicholas A. Tonelli (CC BY 2.0)
William Penn State Forest in brief
In Berks, Chester, Delaware and Bucks counties, William Penn State Forest is a DCNR state forest district open to hunting and trapping; it falls in WMU 5B, WMU 5C and WMU 5D. The DCNR Bureau of Forestry sets the rules on the ground. The 1,683 acres figure places it 19th of 20 state forests by size. Bureau of Forestry GIS gives 1,828 acres. Lancaster is the closest town on this site, about 24 miles in a straight line.
Counties that hold William Penn State Forest
| County | County seat | Population | Sq mi | Units | SRA | Feeding ban | Head bins | 2024 bears |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berks County | Reading | 439,117 | 856 | 5C, 5B, 4C | No | — | No | 18 |
| Chester County | West Chester | 560,745 | 751 | 5C, 5D, 5B | Yes | — | No | 0 |
| Delaware County | Media | 584,882 | 184 | 5D | Yes | — | No | 0 |
| Bucks County | Doylestown | 650,131 | 604 | 5D, 5C | Yes | — | No | 0 |
From the source record (DCNR William Penn State Forest page: "Named for the founder of “Penn’s Woods,” William Penn State Forest contains 1,683 acres in 10 separate tracts across southeastern Pennsylvania"), counties and WMUs from the PGC county and WMU layers; county facts from the Census and the 2026-27 digest; bear counts from the PGC 2024 bear release. Checked October 12, 2026.
William Penn State Forest up close
PGC and DCNR map data, followed by the agency text.
| Feature | From PGC and DCNR |
|---|---|
| State forest natural areas | 3 |
In the agency’s own words
Hunting for deer, grouse, and squirrels can be found at the Goat Hill Serpentine Barrens. Waterfowl hunting and fur trapping opportunities exist around Little Tinicum Island. All Pennsylvania Game Commission seasons, rules, and regulations apply. Named for the founder of Penn’s Woods, William Penn State Forest contains 1,683 acres in 10 separate tracts across southeastern Pennsylvania.
Facts from the source record, pa.gov, PGC AGOL layer, pa.gov; retrieved 2026-10-12, checked October 12, 2026.
Access, licenses and rules for William Penn State Forest
Ground-specific rules first, then licenses, orange and Sundays.
How access works
Open to hunting and trapping under PGC seasons and regulations throughout the forest except safety zones around buildings and picnic areas; Sunday hunting follows PGC dates.
On the forest
State forest Sundays are open whenever PGC opens them. Closed ground is limited to safety zones at buildings and picnic areas.
Paperwork for the game here
Every hunter starts with a general license; it already carries the antlered deer and both turkey tags.
Orange, plus Sunday hunting
The rule covers small game and the firearms seasons for big game. It does not apply in archery seasons or to turkey, waterfowl, dove or furbearer hunting.
This is the first license year with Sunday hunting in all seasons but migratory birds; spring gobbler 2026 had no Sundays.
SRA weapon rules
Philadelphia County: bows and crossbows only. Other SRA counties: manually operated rifles and handguns chambered for straight-walled centerfire cartridges; muzzleloaders .44 or larger; manual or semiautomatic shotguns .410 or larger with slugs; bows and crossbows (125 lb min). No buckshot.
William Penn State Forest: which seasons are running
PGC unit lines follow roads and rivers, so a county can straddle two units. This list keeps every segment that touches William Penn State Forest.
| Game | Segment | WMU | First day | Last day | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Agricultural Deer Control (Ag Tag, antlerless only) | This area | Aug 1, 2026 | Apr 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery (antlered and antlerless) | WMU 5C, 5D | Sep 19, 2026 | Nov 27, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery (antlered and antlerless) | WMU 5B | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | October muzzleloader (antlerless only) | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Special firearms (antlerless only) | Statewide | Oct 22, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Rifle (antlered and antlerless) | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery (antlered and antlerless) | WMU 5C, 5D | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery (antlered and antlerless) | WMU 5B | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Extended regular firearms (antlerless only) | WMU 5C, 5D | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Extended regular firearms (antlerless only) | This area | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Flintlock (antlered or antlerless) | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Archery | WMU 5C, 5D | Sep 19, 2026 | Nov 27, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Archery | WMU 5B | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Oct 22, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Special firearms | Statewide | Oct 22, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Rifle | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 24, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Extended firearms | This area | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall season (male or female) | WMU 5B | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 3, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring gobbler youth hunt | Statewide | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring gobbler season (morning only) | Statewide | May 1, 2027 | May 15, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring gobbler season (all day) | Statewide | May 16, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Regular | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 24, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Junior hunt | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (male or female) | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 24, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (male or female) | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Dec 24, 2026 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Regular | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Cottontail | Junior hunt | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Regular | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 24, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Regular | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Regular | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Squirrels | Junior hunt | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Squirrels | Regular | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Dec 24, 2026 | |
| Squirrels | Regular | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodchuck | Regular | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Dec 24, 2026 | |
| Woodchuck | Regular | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Crow | Regular (Thursday-Sunday only) | Statewide | Aug 20, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Fox | Hunting | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Feb 21, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Feb 21, 2027 | |
| Porcupine | Hunting | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 27, 2026 | |
| Porcupine | Hunting | Statewide | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 24, 2026 | |
| Porcupine | Hunting | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Mourning dove | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 27, 2026 | |
| Mourning dove | Regular | Statewide | Dec 18, 2026 | Jan 2, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Regular | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 8, 2026 | |
| Opossum, striped skunk and weasel | Hunting | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Starling and English sparrow | No closed season | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Gallinules | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Virginia and sora rails | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Regular | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 8, 2026 |
From the Pennsylvania Game Commission seasons and bag limits and the 2026-27 digest, checked October 12, 2026.
Game listed for William Penn State Forest
Species named by the agency for this ground: whitetails, ruffed grouse, squirrels, ducks and geese and furbearers.
White-tailed deer
Last season WMU 5B gave up about 30,100 deer.
Ruffed grouse
3,175 grouse statewide in 2025, by PGC survey.
Squirrels
About 344,414 squirrels were taken across the state in 2025.
Ducks and geese
Duck and goose zones follow highways, so dates are on the species pages. Canada goose
Furbearers (trapping)
33,682 coyotes were taken statewide in 2025.
Species from the area record; bag limits and seasons from the PGC seasons and bag limits; harvest from PGC deer report, PGC harvest data and PGC turkey report. Checked October 12, 2026.
Public ground a short drive from William Penn State Forest
Inside a 25-mile ring sit 10 more areas; orange marks William Penn State Forest. Of these, Muddy Run (CWMA 423) is largest (2,792 acres).
| Neighbor | Type | Acres | Miles off | Direction | WMU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester Water Authority | Pheasant release site | — | 7 mi | northeast | 5C |
| State Game Lands 136 | State Game Lands | 91 | 9 mi | north | 5B |
| Big Elk Creek State Park | State park | 1,800 | 13 mi | east | 5C |
| Muddy Run (CWMA 423) | Cooperative WMA | 2,792 | 13 mi | northwest | 5B |
| State Game Lands 181 | State Game Lands | 554 | 17 mi | northwest | 5B |
| White Clay Creek Preserve | State park | 1,800 | 17 mi | east | 5C |
| State Game Lands 288 | State Game Lands | 90 | 17 mi | northwest | 5B |
| State Game Lands 327 | State Game Lands | 244 | 19 mi | west | 5B |
| State Game Lands 83 | State Game Lands | 789 | 19 mi | northwest | 5B |
| Safe Harbor Park | Pheasant release site | 39 | 21 mi | northwest | 5B |
Points from PGC, DCNR, USFS, USFWS and NPS GIS layers (DCNR Bureau of Forestry boundary GIS (point inside largest parcel)). Distances are straight-line. Statewide public land map.
How many deer come off the William Penn State Forest unit
Antlerless licenses are sold by WMU, and harvest is estimated the same way.
| WMU | Size | SGL sq mi | Buck rule | Antlerless tags | Change | Last sellout | CWD | Deer harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMU 5B | 2,640 | 62 | 3 points, one side | 86,000 | +/- 0 | 9/1 | Yes | 30,100 |
| WMU 5C | 1,982 | 52 | 3 points, one side | 101,000 | +3,000 | 10/8 | No | 26,100 |
| WMU 5D | 1,327 | 16 | 3 points, one side | 44,000 | +5,000 | 10/18 | No | 10,100 |
The best year on the chart was 2025 with 30,100 deer; the low was 19,500 in 2015. Of the 2025-26 total, 10,300 were bucks and 19,800 antlerless. 15,190 by bow, 13,600 by firearm, 1,310 by muzzleloader. The 2026-27 allocation for WMU 5B is 86,000 antlerless licenses, +/- 0 versus 2025-26.
Chronic wasting disease is present in WMU 5B, so mind the high-risk parts rule. More on CWD
WMU areas from the PGC WMU pages; antlerless allocations from the PGC allocation; deer harvest from the 2025-26 PGC report and the PGC historic harvest dashboard; bears from PGC releases; turkeys from PGC job report. Checked October 12, 2026.
Units and neighbors of William Penn State Forest
Each name opens its own page.
Same counties, other ground
| Area | Category | Counties | Acres | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weiser State Forest | State forest | Dauphin, Schuylkill, Columbia | 30,000 | 78 mi |
| State Game Lands 80 | State Game Lands | Lebanon, Schuylkill, Berks | 10,818 | 56 mi |
| State Game Lands 110 | State Game Lands | Berks, Schuylkill | 10,335 | 57 mi |
| State Game Lands 106 | State Game Lands | Berks, Schuylkill, Lehigh | 9,857 | 61 mi |
| French Creek State Park | State park | Berks, Chester | 6,000 | 38 mi |
| Blue Marsh Lake | Corps lake | Berks | 5,755 | 46 mi |
| Nockamixon State Park | State park | Bucks | 3,500 | 68 mi |
| Ontelaunee-Reading Watershed (CWMA 422) | Cooperative WMA | Berks | 3,299 | 52 mi |
| State Game Lands 43 | State Game Lands | Chester, Berks | 2,571 | 34 mi |
| State Game Lands 280 | State Game Lands | Berks | 2,552 | 48 mi |
| State Game Lands 52 | State Game Lands | Berks, Lancaster | 2,432 | 33 mi |
| State Game Lands 157 | State Game Lands | Bucks | 2,102 | 70 mi |
| Big Elk Creek State Park | State park | Chester | 1,800 | 13 mi |
| White Clay Creek Preserve | State park | Chester | 1,800 | 17 mi |
| State Game Lands 56 | State Game Lands | Bucks | 1,791 | 76 mi |
| Tyler State Park | State park | Bucks | 1,500 | 69 mi |
| Ridley Creek State Park | State park | Delaware | 1,200 | 38 mi |
| Marsh Creek State Park | State park | Chester | 1,000 | 31 mi |
How William Penn State Forest splits across counties
| County | State forest acres |
|---|---|
| Berks County | 933 |
| Chester County | 750 |
| Delaware County | 80 |
| Bucks County | 56 |
| Lancaster County | 9 |
State forest land by county from the DCNR forest boundary layer intersected with Census county outlines.
Towns and services near William Penn State Forest
Closest towns first; businesses sorted by county and distance.
| Town | County | Distance | Area lies | People | Public acres within 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster | Lancaster | 24 mi | southeast | 58,441 | 26 |
| West Chester | Chester | 30 mi | southwest | 22,758 | — |
| York | York | 38 mi | southeast | 45,241 | 1,558 |
| Media | Delaware | 40 mi | west | 5,938 | 80 |
Processors, taxidermists and shops
PGC and DCNR contacts
Towns and populations from the Census 2024 estimates and Gazetteer; public acres within 10 miles from PGC, DCNR and federal layers; businesses from Hunters Sharing the Harvest, PDA, store locators and listings; offices from PGC and DCNR pages. Checked October 12, 2026. Call ahead.
William Penn State Forest: nearest ranges
For a permit range, drive about 35 miles to State Game Lands 43 Public Shooting Range. Closer private options are listed beside it.
Rifle range 100 yd, 12 points; Handgun range 7/10 yd, 6 points; Shotgun patterning 20/40 yd
Rifle / handgun / trap / archery
From the PGC Shooting Ranges layer and the Game Commission range rules, checked October 12, 2026.
Kit for hunting William Penn State Forest
Picked for the game hunted here; prices load when you click.
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When the day starts and ends at William Penn State Forest
Legal light opens 30 minutes before sunrise for every game species. In the evening, migratory birds close at sunset and the rest 30 minutes later.
Times worked out for William Penn State Forest in Eastern time from the rule in the Pennsylvania Game Commission digest (shooting hours). Some furbearers may be taken at night; check the digest. Shooting hours for every county.
Hunter questions about William Penn State Forest
Can out-of-state hunters use William Penn State Forest?
Nonresidents pay $101.97 for the adult license; residents $20.97.
Do non-hunters wear orange on William Penn State Forest?
Yes in firearms deer, bear and elk seasons and all small game seasons: 250 sq in.
What areas neighbor William Penn State Forest?
Close by are Chester Water Authority (7 miles), State Game Lands 136 (9 miles) and Big Elk Creek State Park (13 miles), measured in a straight line.
Which game is listed for William Penn State Forest?
The record lists whitetails, ruffed grouse, squirrels, ducks and geese and furbearers.
Where is the official page for William Penn State Forest?
Use the agency link in the at-a-glance band.
How many deer are taken around William Penn State Forest?
WMU 5B: 30,100 deer in 2025-26.
Who looks after William Penn State Forest?
the DCNR Bureau of Forestry is the manager; the ground is a DCNR state forest district open to hunting and trapping.
Are black bears common near William Penn State Forest?
The 2024 count for Berks, Chester, Delaware and Bucks counties was 18.
How many miles is William Penn State Forest from Lancaster?
In Berks, Chester, Delaware and Bucks counties, about 24 miles southeast of Lancaster.
How much huntable ground is on William Penn State Forest?
Agency acreage: 1,683.
How many antlerless licenses are there for the William Penn State Forest area?
WMU 5B has 86,000 antlerless licenses for 2026-27 (+/- 0); in 2025-26 they sold out on 9/1.
Heading to William Penn State Forest soon?
Every property has its own fine print. Read the William Penn State Forest page at the agency and carry your licenses.
Sources for this page: pa.gov: hunting · pa.gov: william penn · PGC AGOL layer: FeatureServer 1 · pa.gov: hunting · PASDA: MapServer 9; regulations from the 2026-27 PGC digest. Checked October 12, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Birding for Climate (Public domain); GA-Kayaker (CC BY 2.0).