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2026-27 license year

Pennsylvania Hunting Seasons 2026-27

All 112 season rows from the Game Commission’s 2026-27 digest and season table, grouped and searchable, with every WMU code linked to its unit guide. The license year runs July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

Big gameSmall gameWaterfowl and dovesWhat changed
112Season rows
32Species guides
22WMUs
Nov 28Rifle deer opener

Photo: Buck Valley Ranch (CC BY 2.0)

The dates most hunters plan around

The license year opens Jul 1, 2026 and the last segment closes Jun 30, 2027. Rifle deer season is Nov 28 to Dec 13, 2026, statewide, with Sundays included.

Deer at a glance

SeasonDates
Deer archeryOct. 3-Nov. 20 and Dec. 26-Jan. 24, 2027 (WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D from Sept. 19-Nov. 27)
October muzzleloader, antlerlessOct. 17-25
Special firearms, antlerlessOct. 22-25 (restricted eligibility)
Regular firearms deerNov. 28-Dec. 13 (antlered and antlerless, statewide)
Flintlock deerDec. 26-Jan. 24, 2027 (antlered or antlerless)
Extended antlerlessWMUs 2B, 5C, 5D and DMAP properties Dec. 26-Jan. 24, 2027; WMUs 4A, 4C, 4D, 5A Dec. 26-Jan. 18, 2027
Ag TagAug. 1, 2026-April 15, 2027

Youth and junior days

HuntDates
SquirrelSept. 12-27
RabbitOct. 3-18
PheasantOct. 10-18 (junior hunters and all mentored hunters; about 17,000 pheasants stocked)
WaterfowlSept. 19 statewide youth day; youth/veteran/military days Sept. 26 (NW), Oct. 24 (Lake Erie), Oct. 31 (North), Nov. 7 (South)
Spring turkeyApr. 24-25, 2027
Bear special firearmsOct. 22-25 (juniors, mentored 7+)
Deer special firearmsOct. 22-25 (juniors, mentored)

Single statewide regular firearms season Nov. 28-Dec. 13, 2026 for antlered and antlerless deer in all WMUs (antlerless requires a WMU-specific antlerless license/permit). No separate concurrent/split WMU structure in 2026-27.

digest deer seasons, youth seasons. Checked October 12, 2026.

Big game: 37 rows

Deer, bear, elk and turkey. Deer archery opens early in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D; bear archery and extended firearms change by WMU group; fall turkey closes by group and is closed in 5C and 5D.

SpeciesSeasonWhereOpensClosesDaysToday
Wild turkeyFall seasonWMUs 1A, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B, 4DOct 31, 2026Nov 15, 202616
Wild turkeyFall seasonWMUs 1B, 3D, 4C, 4EOct 31, 2026Nov 8, 20269
Wild turkeyFall seasonWMUs 2A, 2F, 3B, 3COct 31, 2026Nov 15, 202616
Wild turkeyFall seasonWMUs 2A, 2F, 3B, 3CNov 25, 2026Nov 27, 20263
Wild turkeyFall seasonWMUs 2B, 2C, 2D, 2EOct 31, 2026Nov 20, 202621
Wild turkeyFall seasonWMUs 2B, 2C, 2D, 2ENov 25, 2026Nov 27, 20263
Wild turkeyFall seasonWMUs 5A, 5BOct 31, 2026Nov 3, 20264
Wild turkeyFall seasonWMUs 5C, 5DNo dates
Wild turkeySpring gobbler youth huntStatewideApr 24, 2027Apr 25, 20272
Wild turkeySpring gobbler, morningsStatewideMay 1, 2027May 15, 202715
Wild turkeySpring gobbler, all dayStatewideMay 16, 2027May 31, 202716
Black bearArcheryWMUs 2B, 5C, 5DSep 19, 2026Nov 27, 202670
Black bearArcheryWMUs 3C, 3D, 5BOct 3, 2026Nov 20, 202649
Black bearArcheryWMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5AOct 17, 2026Oct 25, 20269
Black bearMuzzleloaderStatewideOct 22, 2026Oct 25, 20264
Black bearSpecial firearmsStatewideOct 22, 2026Oct 25, 20264
Black bearRegular firearmsStatewideNov 21, 2026Nov 24, 20264
Black bearExtended firearmsWMUs 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4E, 5ANov 28, 2026Dec 6, 20269
Black bearExtended firearmsWMUs 2B, 5B, 5C, 5DNov 28, 2026Dec 13, 202616
ElkArcheryElk Zones 301-309Sep 12, 2026Sep 27, 202616
ElkFirst firearms (new)Elk Zones 301-309Oct 3, 2026Oct 11, 20269
ElkSecond regular firearmsElk Zones 301-309Oct 31, 2026Nov 8, 20269
ElkThird regular firearmsElk Zones 301-309Jan 9, 2027Jan 17, 20279
ElkRMEF auction and KECA raffle tagsElk Zones 301-309Jul 1, 2026Nov 8, 2026131
White-tailed deerArcheryWMUs 2B, 5C, 5DSep 19, 2026Nov 27, 202670
White-tailed deerArcheryWMUs 2B, 5C, 5DDec 26, 2026Jan 24, 202730
White-tailed deerArcheryOther WMUsOct 3, 2026Nov 20, 202649
White-tailed deerArcheryOther WMUsDec 26, 2026Jan 24, 202730
White-tailed deerOctober muzzleloader antlerlessStatewideOct 17, 2026Oct 25, 20269
White-tailed deerSpecial firearms antlerlessStatewideOct 22, 2026Oct 25, 20264
White-tailed deerRegular firearmsStatewideNov 28, 2026Dec 13, 202616
White-tailed deerFlintlockStatewideDec 26, 2026Jan 24, 202730
White-tailed deerExtended firearms antlerlessWMUs 2B, 5C, 5DDec 26, 2026Jan 24, 202730
White-tailed deerExtended firearms antlerlessWMUs 4A, 4C, 4D, 5ADec 26, 2026Jan 18, 202724
White-tailed deerExtended firearms antlerlessDMAP properties statewideDec 26, 2026Jan 24, 202730
White-tailed deerAg Tag, antlerlessAg Tag farmsAug 1, 2026Apr 15, 2027258
White-tailed deerAntlerless (military bases)Letterkenny Army Depot (Franklin Co.), New Cumberland Army Depot (York Co.), Fort Detrick Raven Rock Site (Adams Co.)No dates

seasons and bag limits, digest. Checked October 12, 2026.

What changed for 2026-27

The Game Commission flagged 9 groups of changes in the digest and its releases.

  • Sunday hunting expanded: every season except migratory game birds now includes all Sundays within it; many seasons now end on Sunday. source
  • CWD now managed by WMU instead of Disease Management Areas; statewide high-risk-parts disposal rule replaces carcass transport bans; urine-attractant ban removed; county/township feeding bans by executive order. source
  • Spring gobbler limit reduced to one; bear check stations open only first two days of regular season plus select extended days; longer bear archery in 3C and 3D. source
  • New early October elk firearms season (Oct. 3-11), late season moved to Jan. 9-17, Elk Hunt Zones redrawn as 300-310, single elk application, PA hunting license required to apply, antlered elk once in a lifetime, nonresidents capped at 10%. source
  • Squirrel, grouse, rabbit, pheasant, quail and woodchuck seasons stay open during the regular firearms deer season; harvest tags issued to mentored hunters under 7; Ag Tag hunters may use any regular-firearms deer arm. source
  • Atlantic Population Canada goose regular-season daily limit raised to three; no snow goose conservation season in 2026-27. source
  • WMU 5A opened to bobcat hunting and trapping; WMUs 2G, 3A, 4C opened to river otter trapping; snap traps for weasels and larger body-gripping traps for beaver/otter allowed. source
  • Non-hunters must wear orange on State Game Lands Oct. 1-Jan. 31 and April 20-May 31; Sundays included in SGL closed periods for non-motorized vehicles and animals; SE Special Regulations Area baiting rules now include federal lands. source
  • Hunter Access Program reorganized into Open, Reservation and Permission access levels for 2026-27. source

Small game and upland birds: 20 rows

Small game stays open through the rifle deer season this year, and orange is required. Junior hunts for squirrels, rabbits and pheasants come first.

SpeciesSeasonWhereOpensClosesDaysToday
SquirrelsJunior huntStatewideSep 12, 2026Sep 27, 202616
SquirrelsRegular seasonStatewideSep 12, 2026Dec 24, 2026104
SquirrelsRegular seasonStatewideDec 26, 2026Feb 28, 202765
Ruffed grouseRegular seasonStatewideOct 17, 2026Dec 24, 202669
CottontailJunior huntStatewideOct 3, 2026Oct 18, 202616
CottontailRegular seasonStatewideOct 17, 2026Dec 24, 202669
CottontailRegular seasonStatewideDec 26, 2026Feb 28, 202765
PheasantJunior huntStatewideOct 10, 2026Oct 18, 20269
PheasantRegular seasonStatewideOct 24, 2026Dec 24, 202662
PheasantRegular seasonStatewideDec 26, 2026Feb 28, 202765
Bobwhite quailRegular seasonStatewideSep 1, 2026Dec 24, 2026115
Bobwhite quailRegular seasonStatewideDec 26, 2026Mar 31, 202796
Snowshoe hareRegular seasonStatewideDec 26, 2026Dec 31, 20266
WoodchuckRegular seasonStatewideJul 1, 2026Dec 24, 2026177
WoodchuckRegular seasonStatewideDec 26, 2026Jun 30, 2027187
CrowRegular, Thu to SunStatewideAug 20, 2026Mar 21, 2027214
Starling, sparrowNo closed seasonStatewideJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027365
PorcupineHuntingStatewideOct 10, 2026Nov 27, 202649
PorcupineHuntingStatewideDec 14, 2026Dec 24, 202611
PorcupineHuntingStatewideDec 26, 2026Jan 31, 202737

seasons and bag limits. Checked October 12, 2026.

Furbearers, hunting and trapping: 12 rows

Coyotes are open all year. Bobcat, fisher and otter need a permit and are open only in listed WMUs; beaver limits change by WMU.

SpeciesSeasonWhereOpensClosesDaysToday
CoyoteHuntingStatewideJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027365
FoxHuntingStatewideOct 24, 2026Feb 21, 2027121
RaccoonHuntingStatewideOct 24, 2026Feb 21, 2027121
Opossum, skunkHuntingStatewideJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027365
BobcatHuntingWMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5AJan 9, 2027Feb 3, 202726
Mink and muskratTrappingStatewideNov 21, 2026Jan 10, 202751
FurbearersTrappingStatewideOct 24, 2026Feb 21, 2027121
Coyote, foxCable restraintsStatewideDec 26, 2026Feb 21, 202758
BeaverTrappingStatewideDec 19, 2026Mar 31, 2027103
BobcatTrappingWMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5ADec 19, 2026Jan 10, 202723
FisherTrappingWMUs 1B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4EDec 19, 2026Jan 10, 202723
River otterTrappingWMUs 1A, 1B, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4EFeb 13, 2027Feb 21, 20279

seasons and bag limits, digest furtaking. Checked October 12, 2026.

Migratory birds: 33 rows

Migratory birds are the one group with no Sunday hunting. Duck zones are Lake Erie, Northwest, North and South; goose zones are Atlantic Population and Resident Population.

SpeciesSeasonWhereOpensClosesDaysToday
DucksRegular seasonNorth ZoneOct 10, 2026Oct 24, 202615
DucksRegular seasonNorth ZoneNov 17, 2026Jan 9, 202754
DucksRegular seasonSouth ZoneOct 10, 2026Oct 17, 20268
DucksRegular seasonSouth ZoneNov 18, 2026Jan 18, 202762
DucksRegular seasonNorthwest ZoneOct 10, 2026Nov 27, 202649
DucksRegular seasonNorthwest ZoneDec 21, 2026Jan 9, 202720
DucksRegular seasonLake Erie ZoneNov 2, 2026Jan 9, 202769
WaterfowlJunior (youth) dayStatewideSep 19, 2026Sep 19, 20261
WaterfowlJunior and military dayLake Erie ZoneOct 24, 2026Oct 24, 20261
WaterfowlJunior and military dayNorthwest ZoneSep 26, 2026Sep 26, 20261
WaterfowlJunior and military dayNorth ZoneOct 31, 2026Oct 31, 20261
WaterfowlJunior and military daySouth ZoneNov 7, 2026Nov 7, 20261
WaterfowlVeteran and military dayLake Erie ZoneJan 16, 2027Jan 16, 20271
WaterfowlVeteran and military dayNorthwest ZoneJan 16, 2027Jan 16, 20271
WaterfowlVeteran and military dayNorth ZoneJan 16, 2027Jan 16, 20271
WaterfowlVeteran and military daySouth ZoneJan 23, 2027Jan 23, 20271
Canada gooseSeptember seasonResident Population ZoneSep 1, 2026Sep 25, 202625
Canada gooseRegular seasonResident Population ZoneOct 24, 2026Nov 27, 202635
Canada gooseRegular seasonResident Population ZoneDec 15, 2026Jan 18, 202735
Canada gooseRegular seasonResident Population ZoneJan 29, 2027Feb 20, 202723
Canada gooseSeptember seasonAtlantic Population ZoneSep 1, 2026Sep 25, 202625
Canada gooseRegular seasonAtlantic Population ZoneNov 21, 2026Nov 27, 20267
Canada gooseRegular seasonAtlantic Population ZoneDec 4, 2026Jan 18, 202746
BrantRegular seasonAll zonesOct 10, 2026Nov 13, 202635
Snow gooseRegular seasonAtlantic Population ZoneNov 6, 2026Mar 10, 2027125
Snow gooseRegular seasonResident Population ZoneNov 6, 2026Mar 10, 2027125
Snow gooseConservation OrderStatewideNo dates
Mourning doveRegular seasonStatewideSep 1, 2026Nov 27, 202688
Mourning doveRegular seasonStatewideDec 18, 2026Jan 2, 202716
WoodcockRegular seasonStatewideOct 17, 2026Dec 8, 202653
SnipeRegular seasonStatewideOct 17, 2026Dec 8, 202653
GallinulesRegular seasonStatewideSep 1, 2026Nov 20, 202681
RailsRegular seasonStatewideSep 1, 2026Nov 20, 202681

seasons and bag limits, digest migratory birds. Checked October 12, 2026.

Falconry, closed species and rows without dates

7 falconry rows run Sept. 1 to March 31. 6 rows carry no dates: closed fall turkey units, closed birds, military base deer days set by the Army, and the snow goose conservation season that is not being held.

Falconry

SpeciesOpensClosesLimit
squirrelSep 1, 2026Mar 31, 20276 daily, 18 possession.
bobwhite quailSep 1, 2026Mar 31, 2027No limit.
ruffed grouseSep 1, 2026Mar 31, 20272 daily, 6 possession.
cottontail rabbitSep 1, 2026Mar 31, 20274 daily, 12 possession.
snowshoe hareSep 1, 2026Mar 31, 20271 daily, 3 season.
ring-necked pheasantSep 1, 2026Mar 31, 20272 daily, 6 possession (male or female).
mink, muskrat, fox, opossum, raccoon, striped skunk and weaselSep 1, 2026Mar 31, 2027No limit.

No dates or no open season

SpeciesItemStatus
wild turkeyFall seasonClosed to fall turkey hunting.
white-tailed deerAntlerless (military bases)Days set by the U.S. Department of the Army. Antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
light geese (snow and Ross's)Conservation OrderPennsylvania will not offer the Snow Goose Conservation Season for the 2026-27 license year (Atlantic Flyway coordination).
harlequin duckNo open seasonNo open season.
tundra and trumpeter swansNo open seasonNo open season.
clapper and king railsNo open seasonNo open season.

seasons and bag limits. Checked October 12, 2026.

Shooting hours by group

Game animals and upland birds

One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset for all small and big game.

Migratory birds

One-half hour before sunrise until sunset (doves all segments; waterfowl, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules); September Canada goose season and snow goose conservation season (if held) to one-half hour after sunset; all waterfowl close at sunset on youth waterfowl days.

Spring turkey

Youth hunt (Apr. 24-25) and May 1-15: one-half hour before sunrise to noon (hunters asked to be out of the woods by 1 p.m.); May 16-31: one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

Furbearers

Raccoons, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, striped skunks, opossums and weasels may be hunted any hour, day or night, except during the regular firearms deer season (Nov. 28-Dec. 13) when fox, raccoon, opossum, skunk and weasel hunting is limited to one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. Porcupines may not be hunted at night.

During rifle deer season

During the regular firearms deer season it is unlawful to take other wild birds or mammals except coyotes, bears, small game, migratory waterfowl, feral swine, wild boars and game birds on regulated hunting grounds.

Time zone adjustment

Table times are for the 75th meridian; hunting hours begin and end 4 minutes later for each meridian west of the 75th (up to +20 minutes at the 80th).

Weekly shooting hour tables

digest shooting hours. Checked October 12, 2026.

Green-winged teal on the water
Green-winged teal on the waterPhoto: USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain)
Wild turkey gobbler strutting with tail fanned
Wild turkey gobbler strutting with tail fannedPhoto: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain)
Wild turkey hen feeding in fresh snow
Wild turkey hen feeding in fresh snowPhoto: USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0)

Pennsylvania season questions

When does archery deer season open in Pennsylvania?

Oct 3, 2026 in most WMUs, and Sep 19, 2026 in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D. The late archery segment runs Dec 26, 2026 to Jan 24, 2027.

When is rifle deer season?

Nov 28 to Dec 13, 2026, statewide, antlered and antlerless, Sundays included.

When is the regular bear season?

Nov 21 to Nov 24, 2026, statewide; extended bear seasons follow in some WMUs.

When does duck season open?

The North, South and Northwest zones open Oct 10, 2026; the Lake Erie Zone opens Nov 2, 2026.

Are Sundays open this year?

First license year with all Sundays open within every season except migratory game birds (waterfowl, doves, woodcock etc.; crows excepted).

Is small game open during rifle deer season?

Squirrel, grouse, rabbit, pheasant, quail and woodchuck seasons stay open during the regular firearms deer season; harvest tags issued to mentored hunters under 7; Ag Tag hunters may use any regular-firearms deer arm.

When is spring gobbler season?

Youth hunt Apr. 24-25, 2027; the season runs May 1-31, 2027, mornings only through May 15, and the limit is one bearded bird.

Is there a snow goose conservation season?

No. Pennsylvania is not holding the Snow Goose Conservation Season for 2026-27.

Why does my WMU have different dates?

Deer archery, bear archery and extended seasons, fall turkey, bobcat, fisher, otter and beaver limits are set by WMU. Use the WMU column links or the WMU directory.

Plan by species or by unit

Every species guide repeats its rows with limits, legal arms and public land; every WMU guide filters this calendar to one unit.

Species guidesWMU directoryAntlerless licensesSunday hunting