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2026-27 unit guide

WMU 5B Hunting Guide

WMU 5B: 2,640 square miles, a 3 points on one side antler rule and 86,000 antlerless licenses for 2026-27.

2,640Area
62Game lands, sq mi
86,000Allocation
DetectedCWD

Photo: Judy Gallagher (CC BY 2.0)

Unit 5B: size and boundary

Its boundary is the route list below, and the counties it touches are Lancaster, York, Lebanon, Dauphin, Berks, Adams and Cumberland among others. Public ground totals about 62 square miles, 2% of the unit, counting State Game Lands and other public land. Three points on one side is the buck rule for 5B.

2,640Total sq mi
62Game land, sq mi
0Other public (sq mi)
2%Public %
8Counties
29Public tracts listed

Where 5B begins and ends

From the Maryland/PA state line, PA Route 94 north to US Route 15 near York Springs; US Route 15 north to I-81 near Harrisburg; I-81 east to I-78; I-78 to PA Route 61 near Hamburg; PA Route 61 south to US Route 222 near Reading; US Route 222 south to I-76; I-76 east to PA Route 10 near Morgantown; PA Route 10 south to PA Route 372 near Parkesburg; PA Route 372 west to the Octoraro Creek near Christiana and then south along the creek to the Maryland line.

PGC WMU map

PGC WMU boundary maps. Checked October 12, 2026.

WMU 5B seasons, 2026-27

The PGC season rows that cover 5B: 51 in all, each with its length and the Sundays inside it.

AnimalSeasonFromThroughDaysSundaysOpen?
White-tailed deerAg Tag, antlerlessAug 1, 2026Apr 15, 202725837
White-tailed deerArcheryOct 3, 2026Nov 20, 2026497
White-tailed deerOctober muzzleloader antlerlessOct 17, 2026Oct 25, 202692
White-tailed deerSpecial firearms antlerlessOct 22, 2026Oct 25, 202641
White-tailed deerRegular firearmsNov 28, 2026Dec 13, 2026163
White-tailed deerArcheryDec 26, 2026Jan 24, 2027305
White-tailed deerExtended firearms antlerlessDec 26, 2026Jan 24, 2027305
White-tailed deerFlintlockDec 26, 2026Jan 24, 2027305
Black bearArcheryOct 3, 2026Nov 20, 2026497
Black bearMuzzleloaderOct 22, 2026Oct 25, 202641
Black bearSpecial firearmsOct 22, 2026Oct 25, 202641
Black bearRegular firearmsNov 21, 2026Nov 24, 202641
Black bearExtended firearmsNov 28, 2026Dec 13, 2026163
Wild turkeyFall seasonOct 31, 2026Nov 3, 202641
Wild turkeySpring gobbler youth huntApr 24, 2027Apr 25, 202721
Wild turkeySpring gobbler, morningsMay 1, 2027May 15, 2027152
Wild turkeySpring gobbler, all dayMay 16, 2027May 31, 2027163
Ruffed grouseRegular seasonOct 17, 2026Dec 24, 20266910
PheasantJunior huntOct 10, 2026Oct 18, 202692
PheasantRegular seasonOct 24, 2026Dec 24, 2026629
PheasantRegular seasonDec 26, 2026Feb 28, 20276510
Bobwhite quailRegular seasonSep 1, 2026Dec 24, 202611516
Bobwhite quailRegular seasonDec 26, 2026Mar 31, 20279614
CottontailJunior huntOct 3, 2026Oct 18, 2026163
CottontailRegular seasonOct 17, 2026Dec 24, 20266910
CottontailRegular seasonDec 26, 2026Feb 28, 20276510
Snowshoe hareRegular seasonDec 26, 2026Dec 31, 202661
SquirrelsJunior huntSep 12, 2026Sep 27, 2026163
SquirrelsRegular seasonSep 12, 2026Dec 24, 202610415
SquirrelsRegular seasonDec 26, 2026Feb 28, 20276510
WoodchuckRegular seasonJul 1, 2026Dec 24, 202617725
WoodchuckRegular seasonDec 26, 2026Jun 30, 202718727
CrowRegular, Thu to SunAug 20, 2026Mar 21, 202721431
CoyoteHuntingJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 202736552
FoxHuntingOct 24, 2026Feb 21, 202712118
RaccoonHuntingOct 24, 2026Feb 21, 202712118
PorcupineHuntingOct 10, 2026Nov 27, 2026497
PorcupineHuntingDec 14, 2026Dec 24, 2026111
PorcupineHuntingDec 26, 2026Jan 31, 2027376
Mourning doveRegular seasonSep 1, 2026Nov 27, 20268812
Mourning doveRegular seasonDec 18, 2026Jan 2, 2027162
WoodcockRegular seasonOct 17, 2026Dec 8, 2026538
Opossum, skunkHuntingJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 202736552
Starling, sparrowNo closed seasonJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 202736552
GallinulesRegular seasonSep 1, 2026Nov 20, 20268111
RailsRegular seasonSep 1, 2026Nov 20, 20268111
SnipeRegular seasonOct 17, 2026Dec 8, 2026538
FurbearersTrappingOct 24, 2026Feb 21, 202712118
Mink and muskratTrappingNov 21, 2026Jan 10, 2027518
BeaverTrappingDec 19, 2026Mar 31, 202710315
Coyote, foxCable restraintsDec 26, 2026Feb 21, 2027589

Migratory bird zones ignore WMU lines; see the duck, goose and dove guides.

seasons and bag limits, 2026-27 digest. Checked October 12, 2026.

WMU 5B deer: licenses and harvest

Allocation: 86,000 antlerless licenses this year, +/- 0 from the year before. Last year’s licenses sold out on 9/1. 30,100 deer came out of 5B in 2025-26 (19,800 antlerless). The archery segments are Oct 3 to Nov 20, 2026 and Dec 26, 2026 to Jan 24, 2027.

3 pointsAntler rule
86,000Antlerless licenses
+/- 0Change
9/1Sold out 2025
10.76Deer/sq mi
30,100Deer, 2025-26
WMU 5B deer harvest by license year010,00020,00030,00040,0002009: 17,30017,30020092010: 19,50019,50020102011: 20,10020,10020112012: 21,00021,00020122013: 20,20020,20020132014: 19,30019,30020142015: 19,50019,50020152016: 21,30021,30020162017: 21,80021,80020172018: 23,40023,40020182019: 25,00025,00020192020: 26,00026,00020202021: 24,90024,90020212022: 27,20027,20020222023: 24,00024,00020232024: 28,40028,40020242025: 30,10030,1002025
SeasonAntleredAntlerlessTotal
Archery6,9608,23015,190
Firearms3,30010,30013,600
Muzzleloader401,2701,310

allocations, 2025-26 deer report, PGC harvest dashboard. Checked October 12, 2026.

Public land in WMU 5B

Largest first: 29 tracts touch 5B, starting with State Game Lands 46 at 6,053 acres.

AreaTypeCountyAcresGame
State Game Lands 46State Game LandsLancaster, Lebanon6,053deer, pheasant, waterfowl +1
State Game Lands 156State Game LandsLancaster, Lebanon5,894deer, turkey, grouse +2
Blue Marsh LakeCorps of Engineers LakeBerks5,755pheasant
Ontelaunee-Reading Watershed (CWMA 422)Cooperative Wildlife Management AreaBerks3,299–
State Game Lands 145State Game LandsLebanon, Lancaster2,987deer, turkey, grouse +5
Codorus State ParkState ParkYork2,800deer, bear, turkey +4
Muddy Run (CWMA 423)Cooperative Wildlife Management AreaLancaster2,792pheasant
State Game Lands 280State Game LandsBerks2,552deer, squirrel, rabbit +3
State Game Lands 52State Game LandsBerks, Lancaster2,432deer, turkey, squirrel +2
State Game Lands 249State Game LandsAdams1,960pheasant, dove
Gifford Pinchot State ParkState ParkYork1,945deer, bear, turkey +3
William Penn State ForestState ForestBerks, Chester, Delaware1,683deer, grouse, squirrel +2
Indian Rock DamCorps of Engineers LakeYork1,558pheasant
State Game Lands 242State Game LandsYork1,517pheasant, dove
State Game Lands 243State Game LandsYork1,167deer, squirrel, rabbit +3
Susquehanna Riverlands State ParkState ParkYork900deer, bear, turkey +3
State Game Lands 83State Game LandsYork789deer, squirrel, rabbit +1
State Game Lands 181State Game LandsYork554deer, turkey, squirrel +2
State Game Lands 274State Game LandsBerks, Lancaster457deer, squirrel, rabbit
State Game Lands 246State Game LandsDauphin424deer, turkey, squirrel +2
Speedwell Forge Cty ParkPheasant Release AreaLancaster419pheasant
State Game Lands 225State Game LandsLebanon297deer, turkey, squirrel
State Game Lands 327State Game LandsYork244deer, turkey, squirrel +2
State Game Lands 220State Game LandsLancaster96deer, squirrel, rabbit +3
State Game Lands 136State Game LandsLancaster91deer, turkey, squirrel +1
State Game Lands 288State Game LandsLancaster90deer, turkey, squirrel +1
Safe Harbor ParkPheasant Release AreaLancaster39pheasant
Chiques ParkPheasant Release AreaLancaster32pheasant
State Game Lands 275State Game LandsDauphin3waterfowl

PGC State Game Lands GIS and DCNR and federal land data, overlaid on the PGC WMU layer; a tract counts when at least 1% of it, or 100 acres, falls in the unit. Retrieved 2026-10-12.

5B bears, gobblers and permits

In 2025, 2 bears were taken in 5B, 1 of them in the general season. Archery bear dates: Oct 3 to Nov 20, 2026. Extended bear firearms: Nov 28 to Dec 13, 2026. Fall turkey runs Oct 31 to Nov 3, 2026. About 815 spring birds were taken here in 2024. None of the permit furbearers is open here. For beaver, 5 daily / 5 season.

WMU 5B bear harvest012352018: 4420182019: 1120192020: 0020202021: 1120212022: 2220222023: 0020232024: 2220242025: 222025
WMU 5B spring gobbler harvest05001,0001,5002,0002015: 1,5011,50120152016: 1,4231,42320162017: 1,5071,50720172018: 1,4091,40920182019: 1,0051,00520192020: 1,0091,00920202021: 68868820212022: 92792720222023: 97497420232024: 8158152024
WMU 5B fall turkey harvest0751502253002009: 0020092010: 0020102011: 0020112012: 0020122013: 0020132014: 0020142015: 0020152016: 0020162017: 21321320172018: 12812820182019: 929220192020: 656520202021: 12512520212022: 929220222023: 78782023

bear report, bear 2024, spring turkey, PGC harvest dashboard, furbearer WMUs. Checked October 12, 2026.

5B by county

County share in 5B, largest first.

5B is a CWD unit: the disease has been detected in wild deer here. Deer feeding is banned in all or part of York, Dauphin, Adams and Cumberland. Head-collection bins are placed in Lancaster, York, Lebanon, Dauphin, Adams and Cumberland. CWD rules

County shares from the PGC WMU layer intersected with Census county outlines (counties.json); CWD lists from the digest and feeding order. Checked October 12, 2026.

Long view over ridge-and-valley country from a rocky overlook in south-central Pennsylvania
Long view over ridge-and-valley country from a rocky overlook in south-central PennsylvaniaPhoto: TheTurducken (CC BY 2.0)
Ruffed grouse with tail fanned in display
Ruffed grouse with tail fanned in displayPhoto: USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
White-tailed doe with fawns in summer brush
White-tailed doe with fawns in summer brushPhoto: Rodney Campbell (CC BY 2.0)

WMU 5B questions

What are the bow season dates in 5B?

The archery segments are Oct 3 to Nov 20, 2026 and Dec 26, 2026 to Jan 24, 2027. No orange is needed in archery-only time.

Is 5B open for fall turkey?

Fall turkey runs Oct 31 to Nov 3, 2026.

When is bear season in 5B?

Archery bear dates: Oct 3 to Nov 20, 2026. Extended bear firearms: Nov 28 to Dec 13, 2026. In 2025, 2 bears were taken in 5B, 1 of them in the general season.

How much public land is in WMU 5B?

Public ground totals about 62 square miles, 2% of the unit, counting State Game Lands and other public land. The biggest tracts on our list: State Game Lands 46, State Game Lands 156 and Blue Marsh Lake.

What did hunters take in 5B in 2025-26?

30,100 deer came out of 5B in 2025-26 (19,800 antlerless). The unit placed 3rd statewide.

What is the beaver limit in 5B?

None of the permit furbearers is open here. For beaver, 5 daily / 5 season.

Where is WMU 5B?

It is the 4th largest unit, 2,640 square miles, centred on Lancaster, York and Lebanon.

What is the 2026-27 antlerless allocation for 5B?

Allocation: 86,000 antlerless licenses this year, +/- 0 from the year before. Last year’s licenses sold out on 9/1. Residents pay $6.97, and the license is good only in 5B.

Which antler rule applies in 5B?

Antler rule: 3 points on one side. Youth exemptions allow a spike of 3 inches or two points on one antler.

Has CWD been found in WMU 5B?

5B is a CWD unit: the disease has been detected in wild deer here. Deer feeding is banned in all or part of York, Dauphin, Adams and Cumberland. Head-collection bins are placed in Lancaster, York, Lebanon, Dauphin, Adams and Cumberland. Statewide, high-risk parts may only be left at the kill site or bagged for commercial trash.

Next steps from 5B

Units bordering 5B

WMU 4C · WMU 5A · WMU 5C · WMU 4B · WMU 4E · WMU 5D

Nearest PGC and DCNR offices

Pennsylvania Game Commission Headquarters

Harrisburg, Dauphin County · about 27 mi away

William Penn District Office (William Penn State Forest)

Elverson, Berks County · about 35 mi away