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Seasons and Bag Limits

It is unlawful to hunt wildlife, except foxes, crows and coyotes, on Sundays. 

Proposed 2020-21 Seasons & Bag Limits

Below are the seasons and bag limits for most hunting and trapping seasons for from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. Seasons and bag limits for license year July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022 will be proposed at the January 2021 meeting of the Board of Game Commissioners.

2019-20 BIG GAME SEASONS

DEER

  • Deer, Archery (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Sept. 21- Nov. 29 and Dec. 26-Jan. 25, 2020. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license. One antlered deer per hunting license year.
  • Deer, Archery (Antlered and Antlerless) (Statewide): Oct. 5-Nov. 16 and Dec. 26-Jan. 20. One antlered deer per hunting license year. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
  • Deer, Antlerless Muzzleloader (Statewide): Oct. 19-26. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
  • Deer, Antlerless Special Firearms (Statewide): Oct. 24-26. Junior and Senior License Holders, Mentored Youth Permit Holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) Holders, and Pennsylvania residents serving on active duty in U.S. Armed Services or in the U.S. Coast Guard only, with required antlerless license. Also included are persons who have reached or will reach their 65th birthday in the year of the application for a license and hold a valid adult license or qualify for license and fee exemptions under section 2706. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
  • Deer (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Nov. 30-Dec. 14. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
  • Deer (Antlered Only) WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A and 5B: Nov. 30-Dec. 6. One antlered deer per hunting license year. (Holders of valid DMAP antlerless deer permits may harvest antlerless deer on DMAP properties during this period.)
  • Deer (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A and 5B: Dec. 7-14. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
  • Deer, Antlered or Antlerless Flintlock (Statewide): Dec. 26-Jan. 20. One antlered deer per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
  • Deer, Antlered or Antlerless Flintlock (WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D): Dec. 26-Jan. 25. One antlered deer per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
  • Deer, Antlerless Extended Regular Firearms (Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties): Dec. 26-Jan. 25. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
  • Deer, Antlerless (Military Bases): Hunting permitted on days established by the U.S. Department of the Army at Letterkenny Army Depot, Franklin County; New Cumberland Army Depot, York County; and Fort Detrick, Raven Rock Site, Adams County. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

BLACK BEAR

  • Black Bear, Archery (WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D): Sept. 21-Nov. 29. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
  • Black Bear, Archery (WMU 5B): Oct. 5-Nov. 16. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
  • Black Bear, Archery (Statewide): Oct. 28-Nov. 9. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
  • Black Bear, Muzzleloader (Statewide): Oct. 19-26. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
  • Black Bear (Statewide): Nov. 23-27. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
  • Black Bear, Special Firearms (Statewide): Oct. 24-26, Junior and Senior License Holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) Holders, and Pennsylvania residents serving on active duty in U.S. Armed Services or in the U.S. Coast Guard only. Also included are persons who have reached or will reach their 65th birthday in the year of the application for a license and hold a valid adult license or qualify for license and fee exemptions under section 2706. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
  • Black Bear (WMUs 1B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 5A): Nov. 30-Dec. 7. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
  • Black Bear (WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D): Nov. 30-Dec. 14. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

ELK

  • Elk, Archery (Antlered or Antlerless): Sept. 14-28.
  • Elk (Antlered or Antlerless): Nov. 4-9. Only one elk may be taken during the license year.
  • Elk, Extended (Antlered and Antlerless): Nov. 11-16. Only one elk may be taken during the license year. Eligible elk license recipients who haven’t harvested an elk by Nov. 9, in designated areas.
  • Elk, Late (Antlerless only): Jan. 4-11, 2020.

WILD TURKEY

  • Wild Turkey Fall (Male or Female):
      • WMU 1B – Nov. 2-Nov. 9;
      • WMU 2B (Shotgun and bow and arrow) – Nov. 2-22 and Nov. 28-29;
      • WMUs 1A, 2A, 4A and 4B – Nov. 2-Nov. 9 and Nov. 28 and 29;
      • WMUs 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4D and 4E – Nov.2-16 and Nov. 28 and 29;
      • WMU 2C – Nov. 2-Nov. 22 and Nov. 28 and 29;
      • WMU 5A – Nov. 7-9;
      • WMU 5B – Nov. 5-7;
      • WMUs 5C and 5D – CLOSED TO FALL TURKEY HUNTING.
  • Wild Turkey Spring (Bearded bird only): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with required license, and mentored youth – April 25, 2020. Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt.
  • Wild Turkey Spring (Bearded bird only): May 2-30, 2020. Daily limit 1, season limit 2. (Second spring gobbler may be only taken by persons who possess a valid special wild turkey license.) From May 2-16, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until noon; from May 18-30, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.

 

2019-20 SMALL GAME SEASONS

BOBWHITE QUAIL

  • Oct. 19-Nov. 29, Dec. 16-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 29 (8 daily, 24 possession).

COTTONTAIL RABBITS

  • Rabbits,Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license: Oct. 5-Oct. 19 (4 daily, 12 possession).
  • Rabbits: Oct. 19-Nov. 29, Dec. 16-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 29 (4 daily, 12 possession).

CROWS

  • July 5-April 12, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. No limit.

PHEASANTS

  • Pheasants, Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license: Oct. 12-19 (2 daily, 6 in possession). Male pheasants only in WMUs 4E and 5A. Male and female pheasants may be taken in all other WMUs. There is no open season for taking pheasants in Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas, except as authorized by executive order.
  • Pheasants: Oct. 26-Nov. 29, Dec. 16-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 29 (2 daily, 6 in possession). Male pheasants only in WMUs 4E and 5A. Male and female pheasants may be taken in all other WMUs. There is no open season for taking pheasants in Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas, except, as authorized by executive order.

RUFFED GROUSE

  • Oct. 19–Nov. 29 and Dec. 16-24 (2 daily, 6 possession).

SNOWSHOE OR VARYING HARES

  • Dec. 26-Jan. 1, in all WMUs (1 daily, 3 possession).

SQUIRRELS

  • Squirrels, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined) Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license, and mentored youth: Oct. 5-19 (6 daily, 18 in possession limit after first day).
  • Squirrels, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Oct. 19-Nov. 29; Dec. 16-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 29 (6 daily, 18 possession).

STARLINGS AND ENGLISH SPARROWS

  • No closed season, except during the antlered and antlerless deer season. No limit.

WOODCHUCKS (GROUNDHOGS)

  • No closed season, except on Sundays and during the regular firearms deer seasons. No limit.

 

2019-20 WATERFOWL & MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS SEASONS

Additional information in the Digest

DUCKS, MERGANSERS & COOTS:

      • Lake Erie Zone: Oct. 28-Jan. 4.
      • Northwest Zone: Oct. 12-Dec. 14 and Dec. 27-Jan. 1.
      • North Zone: Oct. 12-26 and Nov. 19-Jan. 11.

      • South Zone: Oct. 19-26 and Nov. 19-Jan. 18.

  • Ducks & Sea Ducks (combined): 6 daily, 18 in possession. Daily limit may not include more than 2 mallards (including 1 hen mallard), 2 scaup, 2 black ducks, 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 4 eiders, 2 canvasbacks, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 4 scoters, 4 long-tailed ducks.
  • Mergansers: 5 daily, 15 in possession. Daily limit may not include more than 2 hooded mergansers daily.
  • Coots: 15 daily, 45 in possession.

CANADA GEESE

  • Southern James Bay Population Zone: Sept. 2-25* (1 daily, 3 in possession), Oct. 12-Nov. 29 and Dec. 16-Jan. 25 (3 daily, 9 in possession). * In western Crawford County, the season runs Sept. 2-14.
  • Resident Population Zone: Sept. 2-25 (8 daily, 24 in possession), Oct. 26-Nov. 29, Dec. 16-Jan. 18, and Jan. 31-Feb. 22 (5 daily, 15 in possession).
  • Atlantic Population Zone: Sept. 2-25 (8 daily, 24 in possession), Nov. 19-29 and Dec. 27-Jan. 18 (2 daily, 6 in possession).

LIGHT GEESE (Snow Geese & Ross’s Geese)

  • Southern James Bay Population Zone: Regular Season: Oct. 1-Jan. 25.  Conservation Season: Jan. 27-April 24. (25 daily, no possession limit).
  • Resident Population Zone: Regular Season: Oct. 22-Feb. 22.  Conservation Season: Feb. 24-April 24. (25 daily, no possession limit).
  • Atlantic Population Zone: Regular Season: Oct. 1-Jan. 25.  Conservation Season: Jan. 27-April 24. (25 daily, no possession limit).

WEBLESS BIRDS & BRANT

  • Brant, All Goose Zones: Oct. 26-Nov. 29 (2 daily, 6 in possession).
  • Common Snipe, Statewide: Oct. 19-Nov. 29 and Dec. 16-24 (8 daily, 24 in possession).
  • Doves, Statewide: Sept. 2-Nov. 29 and Dec. 21-Jan. 4 (15 daily, 45 in possession).
  • Gallinules, Statewide: Sept. 2-Nov. 21 (3 daily, 9 in possession).
  • Virginia & Sora Rails (combined), Statewide: Sept. 2-Nov. 21 (3 daily, 9 in possession).
  • Woodcock, Statewide: Oct. 19-Nov. 29 and Dec. 16-24 (3 daily, 9 in possession).

YOUTH WATERFOWL DAYS

Licensed junior hunters ages 12-16 can hunt ducks, mergansers, Canada geese, coots and gallinules. Statewide: Sept. 14. Lake Erie Zone: Oct. 19. Northwest Zone: Dec. 21. North Zone: Jan. 18. South Zone: Jan. 25.

 

2019-20 FURBEARER HUNTING SEASONS

  • BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E): Jan. 11-Feb. 5. One bobcat per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
  • COYOTES: No closed season. Unlimited. Outside of any big game season (deer, bear, elk and turkey), coyotes may be taken with a hunting license or a furtaker license, and without wearing orange. During any big game season, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting big game or with a furtaker license.
  • FOXES: Oct. 26-Feb. 22, unlimited.
  • OPOSSUM: No closed season, except Sundays. No limits.
  • PORCUPINES: Oct. 12-Feb. 1, 2020. (3 daily, season limit of 10).
  • RACCOONS: Oct. 26-Feb. 22, unlimited.
  • STRIPED SKUNKS: No closed season, except Sundays. No limits.
  • WEASELS: No closed season, except Sundays. No limits.

 

2019-20 TRAPPING SEASONS

  • BEAVERS (Statewide): Dec. 26-March 31 (Limits vary depending on WMU).
  • BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E): Dec. 21-Jan. 12. One bobcat per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
  • COYOTES and FOXES: Oct. 27-Feb. 23. No limit.
  • COYOTES and FOXES, CABLE RESTRAINTS (Statewide): Dec. 26-Feb. 23. No limit. Participants must pass cable restraint certification course.
  • FISHER (WMUs 1B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E): Dec. 21-Jan. 5. One fisher per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
  • MINKS and MUSKRATS: Nov. 23-Jan. 12. Unlimited.
  • OPOSSUM: Oct. 27-Feb. 23. No limit.
  • RACCOONS: Oct. 27-Feb. 23. No limit.
  • RIVER OTTER (WMUs 3C and 3D): Feb. 15-22, 2020. One river otter per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
  • STRIPED SKUNKS: Oct. 27-Feb. 23. No limit.
  • WEASELS: Oct. 27-Feb. 23. No limit.

 

2019-20 FALCONRY SEASONS

  • BOBWHITE QUAIL: Sept. 2-March 31, 2020 (8 daily, 24 possession).
  • COTTONTAIL RABBITS: Sept. 2-March 31, 2020 (4 daily, 12 possession).
  • RINGNECK PHEASANTS (Male or Female combined): Sept. 2-March 31, 2020 (2 daily, 6 possession).
  • RUFFED GROUSE: Sept. 2-March 31, 2020 (2 daily, 6 possession),
  • SQUIRRELS (combined): Sept. 2-March 31, 2020 (6 daily, 18 possession).
  • SNOWSHOE OR VARYING HARES: Sept. 2-March 31, 2020 (1 daily, 3 possession).

 

No open season on other wild birds or mammals.

Mobile App: The official Pennsylvania Game Commission mobile app provides official information for Pennsylvania hunters and trappers.

Downloadable seasons calendar: An online calendar has been provided for easy reference to Pennsylvania's hunting and trapping seasons. It can be accessed and downloaded to a variety of devices. It is a summary of dates and should be used in conjunction with the current Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest.