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Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (Pennsylvania) for Hunters
A hunter’s summary of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (Pennsylvania) in Pike, Monroe and Northampton counties: rules, seasons, harvest and local services.
Photo: joiseyshowaa (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Delaware Water Gap: the essentials
WMU 3D covers Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (Pennsylvania), a National Park Service recreation area open to hunting in Pike, Monroe and Northampton counties. The National Park Service sets the rules on the ground. Acreage on record: 29,677 acres. Look southwest of Milford (the nearest town we cover), around 15 miles out.
County details near Delaware Water Gap
| County | Seat | 2024 residents | Square miles | WMUs | SRA county | CWD feeding ban | Head bin site | Bear harvest 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pike County | Milford | 62,376 | 545 | 3D | No | — | No | 85 |
| Monroe County | Stroudsburg | 166,523 | 608 | 3D | No | — | No | 93 |
| Northampton County | Easton | 322,989 | 370 | 5C, 3D | No | — | No | 28 |
From the source record (NPS Land Resources Division boundary GIS, Pennsylvania portion (authorized boundary area; NPS says the park has over 70,000 acres of land, most open to hunting)), 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.
What Delaware Water Gap is hunted for
The record lists pheasants.
Ring-necked pheasant
214,577 pheasants statewide in 2025, by PGC survey. 9 stockings and 4,315 pheasants are scheduled here.
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.
Delaware Water Gap: rules before the first sit
Prices are the PGC 2026-27 license figures.
Rules on this ground
Hunting permitted in most areas during state seasons with state licenses; no hunting in safety zones, on public roads and parking areas, unharvested crop fields, or the developed areas NPS lists.
Pheasant season
| Segment | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Junior hunt | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 |
| Regular season (male or female) | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 24, 2026 |
| Regular season (male or female) | Dec 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 |
| Falconry | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 |
A pheasant permit is required on top of the license, free for juniors.
License costs
One general license covers small game and comes with tags for an antlered deer and two turkeys (fall and spring).
Sunday and orange rules
Firearm big game and all small game seasons call for orange; archery-only, turkey and migratory bird hunts do not.
Sunday hunting now covers every season other than ducks, geese, doves and woodcock; the 2026 spring gobbler season skipped Sundays.
On the ground at Delaware Water Gap
From the agency map layers and description.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Stocked pheasants | 9 releases, 4,315 birds |
What the National Park Service says about it
NPS: over 70,000 acres of land in the park (NJ and PA), most of which is available for hunting. Closed areas in PA include Bushkill Access, Dingmans Falls and Campground areas, Milford Beach, Raymondskill Falls, Smithfield Beach, Hidden Lake, Pocono Environmental Education Center and the other listed sites.
Facts from the source record, PGC AGOL layer, PGC AGOL layer; retrieved 2026-10-12, checked October 12, 2026.
Delaware Water Gap deer numbers by WMU
Unit-level figures from PGC, the finest level published for deer.
| Unit | Area sq mi | Game lands | Antlers | Licenses | Change | Sellout 2025 | CWD | Deer 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMU 3D | 2,102 | 249 | 3 points, one side | 52,000 | +/- 0 | 9/2 | No | 15,600 |
Peak: 15,600 deer in 2025. Low: 7,200 in 2015. Bucks: 6,000; antlerless: 9,600 (2025-26). Archery 5,460; firearms 9,500; muzzleloader 640. Antlerless licenses for WMU 3D: 52,000 this year (+/- 0).
Bears by county
| County | In 2024 | In 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Pike | 85 | 147 |
| Monroe | 93 | 111 |
| Northampton | 28 | — |
Turkeys and bears by WMU
| Unit | Turkeys (spring 2024) | Bears (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| WMU 3D | 1,002 | 416 |
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.
2026-27 season calendar for Delaware Water Gap
Rows come straight from the 2026-27 digest and the seasons and bag limits page; the status column turns green while a season is open.
| Animal | Season | Covers | Starts | Ends | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | Statewide | 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) | Statewide | 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 | This area | 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 6, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall season (male or female) | This area | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 8, 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 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | This area | Jan 9, 2027 | Feb 3, 2027 | |
| 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.
Delaware Water Gap plotted with its neighbors
Delaware Water Gap sits at the orange pin, with 12 public neighbors inside 25 miles. Largest within reach: Delaware State Forest, 83,519 acres.
| Area | Type | Acres | Distance | Direction | WMU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware State Forest | State forest | 83,519 | 8 mi | northwest | 3D |
| State Game Lands 180 | State Game Lands | 12,506 | 16 mi | north | 3D |
| Promised Land State Park | State park | 1,300 | 17 mi | northwest | 3D |
| Northampton County Lands (CWMA 444) | Cooperative WMA | 1,733 | 18 mi | southwest | 3D, 5C |
| State Game Lands 221 | State Game Lands | 4,684 | 18 mi | west | 3D |
| Fish and Boat Commission Lands (CWMA 403) | Cooperative WMA | 600 | 19 mi | southwest | 3D, 4C, 5C |
| State Game Lands 209 | State Game Lands | 4,383 | 20 mi | north | 3D |
| State Game Lands 116 | State Game Lands | 3,088 | 21 mi | north | 3D |
| Big Pocono State Park | State park | 800 | 21 mi | west | 3D |
| State Game Lands 186 | State Game Lands | 965 | 23 mi | southwest | 3D |
| State Game Lands 183 | State Game Lands | 2,805 | 23 mi | northwest | 3D |
| Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 5,813 | 24 mi | southwest | 3D |
Points from PGC, DCNR, USFS, USFWS and NPS GIS layers (NPS boundary GIS, PA portion (polygon centroid)). Distances are straight-line. Statewide public land map.
Delaware Water Gap: parent, units and county neighbors
Largest first; distance is as the crow flies.
Neighbors by county
| Name | Type | Counties | Acreage | Straight line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware State Forest | State forest | Pike, Monroe | 83,519 | 8 mi |
| Pinchot State Forest | State forest | Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe | 54,000 | 35 mi |
| State Game Lands 127 | State Game Lands | Monroe | 26,235 | 27 mi |
| State Game Lands 180 | State Game Lands | Pike | 12,506 | 16 mi |
| State Game Lands 168 | State Game Lands | Northampton, Monroe, Carbon | 7,814 | 34 mi |
| State Game Lands 38 | State Game Lands | Monroe | 5,818 | 24 mi |
| Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | Monroe, Northampton | 5,813 | 24 mi |
| Tobyhanna State Park | State park | Monroe, Wayne | 5,200 | 24 mi |
| State Game Lands 221 | State Game Lands | Monroe | 4,684 | 18 mi |
| State Game Lands 312 | State Game Lands | Wayne, Lackawanna, Monroe | 4,459 | 25 mi |
| State Game Lands 209 | State Game Lands | Pike | 4,383 | 20 mi |
| State Game Lands 129 | State Game Lands | Carbon, Monroe | 3,705 | 33 mi |
| State Game Lands 116 | State Game Lands | Pike | 3,088 | 21 mi |
| State Game Lands 183 | State Game Lands | Pike | 2,805 | 23 mi |
| State Game Lands 316 | State Game Lands | Pike | 2,721 | 29 mi |
| Gouldsboro State Park | State park | Monroe, Wayne | 2,700 | 27 mi |
| Northampton County Lands (CWMA 444) | Cooperative WMA | Northampton | 1,733 | 18 mi |
| Promised Land State Park | State park | Pike | 1,300 | 17 mi |
Delaware Water Gap hunting hours by day
Deer, bear and grouse hunters get a half hour of light at both ends of the day. Duck, goose and dove hunters stop right at sunset.
Times worked out for Delaware Water Gap 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.
Shooting ranges near Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (Pennsylvania)
The Game Commission range closest to Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (Pennsylvania) is State Game Lands 180 Archery Range (17 miles). Local clubs within 30 miles are included.
From the PGC Shooting Ranges layer and the Game Commission range rules, checked October 12, 2026.
Where to stay and shop near Delaware Water Gap
Pick a base town, then find a processor.
| Town | County | Miles | Direction to area | Population | Public land nearby (ac) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milford | Pike | 15 mi | southwest | 1,144 | 20,876 |
| Stroudsburg | Monroe | 17 mi | northeast | 5,819 | 3,883 |
| Mount Pocono | Monroe | 21 mi | east | 3,039 | 40,488 |
| Gouldsboro | Wayne | 26 mi | east | — | 50,245 |
Services close by
Nearest offices
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.
Delaware Water Gap: what to bring along
Four items chosen for this ground and its seasons.
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Delaware Water Gap: what hunters keep asking
Where can I get a map of Delaware Water Gap?
The managing agency’s page or PDF is linked above.
How many bears in Pike and Monroe counties?
206 bears in 2024 across Pike, Monroe and Northampton counties.
Is Delaware Water Gap owned by the state, a federal agency or someone else?
A National Park Service recreation area open to hunting; the manager is the National Park Service.
Is Delaware Water Gap big enough for a full day of hunting?
29,677 acres on the record.
Which town works well as a base for Delaware Water Gap?
Pike, Monroe and Northampton counties; Milford is the nearest town we cover, 15 miles away.
What Wildlife Management Unit covers Delaware Water Gap?
It lies in WMU 3D. The antler rule in WMU 3D is three points on a side.
What is the antlerless allocation near Delaware Water Gap?
52,000 for WMU 3D this year. Last year’s sellout date: 9/2.
Which 2026-27 deer segments cover Delaware Water Gap?
Rifle season: Nov 28 to Dec 13, 2026. Archery starts Oct 3, 2026. The full list is in the season table above.
Is Sunday hunting allowed on Delaware Water Gap?
All seasons include Sundays now, migratory birds excepted.
When is orange mandatory at Delaware Water Gap?
250 sq in of fluorescent orange, visible all around, whenever the season requires it.
What paperwork do I carry on Delaware Water Gap?
Start with the $20.97 resident license; bear, archery, muzzleloader and antlerless are extra. The pheasant permit is $26.97 for adults.
Delaware Water Gap, the last word
Double-check Delaware Water Gap with its manager: open areas, gates and any drawn hunts.
Sources for this page: NPS: hunting · PGC AGOL layer: FeatureServer 2 · PGC AGOL layer: FeatureServer 100; regulations from the 2026-27 PGC digest. Checked October 12, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Don Faulkner (CC BY-SA 2.0); USFWS Mountain-Prairie (Public Domain Mark 1.0).