Expand AllClick here for a more accessible version2023-24 SMALL GAME SEASONS
Sept.
9-Nov. 11, Sunday Nov. 12, Nov. 13-18, Sunday Nov. 19, Nov. 20-24, Dec. 11-23
and Dec. 26-Feb. 29, 2024
(6 daily, 18 possession).
Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license
Sept.
9-23
(6 daily, 18 in possession limit after first day).
Oct.
14-Nov. 11, Sunday Nov. 12, Nov. 13-18, Sunday Nov. 19, Nov. 20-24 and Dec.
11-23
(2 daily, 6 possession).
Oct.
14-Nov. 11, Sunday Nov. 12, Nov. 13-18, Sunday Nov. 19, Nov. 20-24, Dec. 11-23
and Dec. 26-Feb. 29, 2024
(4 daily, 12 possession).
Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license
Sept. 30-Oct. 14
(4 daily, 12 possession).
Oct.
21-Nov. 11, Sunday Nov. 12, Nov. 13-18, Sunday Nov. 19, Nov. 20-24, Dec. 11-23
and Dec. 26-Feb. 29, 2024
(2 daily, 6 in possession).
Male and female pheasants may be taken in all WMUs. There is no open season for taking pheasants in the Franklin County Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas, except within the Central Susquehanna Wild Pheasant Recovery Area, as authorized by executive order.
Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license
Oct. 7-14
(2 daily, 6 in possession).
Male and female pheasants may be taken in all WMUs. There is no open season for taking pheasants in the Franklin County Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas, except within the Central Susquehanna Wild Pheasant Recovery Area, as authorized by executive order.
Sept.
1-Nov. 11, Sunday Nov. 12, Nov. 13-18, Sunday Nov. 19, Nov. 20-24, Dec. 11-23
and Dec. 26-March 30, 2024.
No limit.
There is no open season for the taking of bobwhite quail in the Letterkenny Army Depot Bobwhite Quail Recovery Area.
Dec.
26-Jan. 1, 2024 in all WMUs
(1 daily, 3 possession).
July 1-Nov. 11, Sunday Nov. 12, Nov. 13-18, Sunday Nov. 19, Nov. 20-24 and Dec. 11-June 29, 2024.
No limit.
Aug. 24-March
24, 2024, on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday only.
No limit.
No closed season, except during the regular firearms deer season.
No limit
WMU 2B (Shotgun
and bow and arrow only): – Oct.
28-Nov. 17 and Nov. 22-24
WMUs
1A, 1B, 4A, 4B, 4D and 4E – Oct. 28-Nov. 4
WMUs
2A, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 4C – Oct. 28-Nov. 11
WMUs
2C, 2D and 2E – Oct. 28-Nov. 11 and Nov. 22-24
WMU
5B – Oct. 31-Nov. 2
WMUs 5A, 5C and 5D – CLOSED TO FALL TURKEY HUNTING.
Season Limit - 1 bird per license year.*As a reminder, no single-projectile firearms may be used in the fall turkey seasons. Hunters may use shotguns and archery gear only.
- May 4 - May 18, 2024; May be hunted ½ hour before sunrise to 12 noon
- May 20 - May 31, 2024; May be hunted ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset
Daily limit 1, season limit 2.
(Second spring gobbler may be only taken by persons who possess a valid special wild turkey license.)
Special season for eligible junior hunters, with required license, and mentored hunters 16 and under –
April 27, 2024.
Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt. Hunting hours end at noon.
STATEWIDE:
Nov. 18; Sunday, Nov. 19; and Nov. 20-21.
Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
EXTENDED FIREARMS:
(WMUs 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4E and 5A):
Nov. 25, Sunday, Nov. 26, Nov. 27-Dec. 2.
(WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D):
Nov. 25, Sunday, Nov. 26, Nov. 27-Dec. 9.
Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
Oct. 14-21.
Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
Oct. 19-21.
Only Junior and Senior license holders, active duty military and disabled persons' permit holders. Arms and ammunition permitted during the regular firearms bear season can be used.
Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
(WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D): Sept. 16-Nov. 11; Sunday, Nov. 12; Nov. 13-18; Sunday, Nov. 19 and Nov. 20-24. (WMU 5B): Sept.
30-Nov. 11, Sunday Nov. 12 and Nov. 13-17(WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 5A):Oct. 14-Nov. 4.Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
ARCHERY: Sept. 16-30
GENERAL: Oct. 30-Nov. 4
LATE SEASON: Dec. 30-Jan 6, 2024
Only one elk may be taken during the license year with elk permit.
WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Sept.
16-Nov. 11, Sunday Nov. 12, Nov. 13-18, Sunday Nov. 19, Nov. 20-24 and Dec.
26-Jan. 27, 2024
Statewide: Sept. 30-Nov.
11, Sunday Nov. 12, Nov. 13-17 and Dec. 26-Jan. 15, 2024. One antlered deer per hunting license year. One antlered deer, and an antlerless deer with each required antlerless license. Oct. 14-21.
An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
Oct. 19-21.
Only Junior and Senior License Holders,Commission Disabled Person Permit Holders (to use a vehicle as a blind), and Residents serving on active duty in the United States Armed Forces or U.S. Coast Guard
One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
Nov. 25; Sunday, Nov. 26; and Nov. 27-Dec. 9.
One antlered deer per hunting license year.
An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A and 5B with required muzzleloading license: Dec. 26-Jan. 15, 2024
(WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D) with required muzzleloading license: Dec. 26-Jan. 27, 2024.
One antlered deer per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
(WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D): Dec. 26-Jan. 27, 2024.
An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
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.
2023-24 FURBEARER HUNTING SEASONS
No closed season.
No Limit.
- Outside of any big game season (deer, bear, elk and turkey), coyotes may be taken with a hunting license or a furtaker license.
- During any big game season, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting big game or with a furtaker license.
Oct. 21-Feb. 17, 2024
No Limit.
Sunday hunting permitted.
Oct. 21-Nov.
11, Sunday Nov. 12, Nov. 13-18, Sunday Nov. 19, Nov. 20-25, Sunday Nov. 26 and
Nov. 27-Feb. 17, 2024.
During the firearms deer season, may only be hunted from
½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise.
No Limit.
No
closed season: During the firearms deer season, may only be hunted from ½ hour
after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise. No Sunday hunting with the exceptions of
Nov. 12, Sunday Nov. 19 and Nov. 26.
No limits.
(WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E): Jan. 6-31, 2024.
One bobcat per license year.
Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
Oct.
7-Nov. 11, Sunday Nov. 12, Nov. 13-18, Sunday Nov. 19, Nov. 20-24, Dec. 11-23
and Dec. 26-Jan. 27, 2024.
(3 daily, season limit of 10).
2023-24 TRAPPING SEASONS
Nov. 18-Jan. 7, 2024.
No Limit.
Oct. 21-Feb. 18, 2024.
No limit.
Dec. 26-Feb. 18, 2024.
No limit.
Participants must pass cable restraint certification course.
Dec. 16-March 31, 2024Limits
vary depending on WMU
(WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E): Dec. 16-Jan. 7, 2024.
One bobcat per license year.
Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
(WMUs 1B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E): Dec. 16-Dec. 31, 2024.
One fisher per license year.
Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
(WMUs 1A, 1B, 2F, 3B, 3C, 3D and 4E): Feb. 10-17, 2024.
One river otter per license year.
Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
2023-24 MIGRATORY GAME BIRD SEASONS
DUCKS
North Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Oct. 7-21, and Nov. 14-Jan. 6 , 2024.
South Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Oct. 7-14, and Nov. 21-Jan. 20, 2024.
Northwest Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Oct. 7-Dec. 2, and Dec. 26-Jan. 7, 2024.
Lake Erie Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Nov. 7-Jan. 13, 2024.
- 4 mallards including no more than 2 hen mallards
- 2 black ducks
- 3 wood ducks
- 2 redheads
- 2 canvasbacks
- 1 pintail
- 4 sea ducks; including no more than 3 eiders and no more than 1 female eider
- 3 long-tailed ducks
- 3 scoters.
- Daily limit for scaup varies; see below. Possession limits are three times the daily limits.
SCAUP
- North Zone: 1 scaup daily, Oct. 7-21 and Nov. 14-Dec. 14; 2 scaup daily, Dec. 15-Jan.6, 2024
- South Zone: 1 scaup daily, Oct. 7-14 and Nov. 21-Dec. 28; 2 scaup daily, Dec. 29-Jan. 20, 2024
- Northwest Zone: 1 scaup daily, Oct. 7-Nov. 22; 2 scaup daily, Nov. 23-Dec. 2 and Dec. 26-Jan. 6, 2024
- Lake Erie Zone: 2 scaup daily, Nov. 6- Nov. 28; 1 scaup daily, Nov. 29-Jan. 13, 2024
(Merganser Limits: 5 daily, 15 in possession)
(Coot Limits: 15 daily, 45 in possession)
Youth, Veterans and Active Duty Military Days:
Licensed junior and mentored youth hunters, military veterans and active military personnel can hunt ducks, mergansers, brant, coots, gallinules and Canada geese during selected days. Hunters 16 or older need a federal duck stamp to participate. All hunters need a Pennsylvania migratory game bird license.
Same daily bag limits as regular season. Hunting hours to close at sunset.
- North Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Oct. 7-21, and Nov. 14-Jan. 6 , 2024.
- South Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Oct. 7-14, and Nov. 21-Jan. 20, 2024.
- Northwest Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Oct. 7-Dec. 2, and Dec. 26-Jan. 7, 2024.
- Lake Erie Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Nov. 7-Jan. 13, 2024.
(Merganser Limits: 5 daily, 15 in possession)
Youth, Veterans and Active Duty Military Days:
Licensed junior and mentored youth hunters, military veterans and active military personnel can hunt ducks, mergansers, brant, coots, gallinules and Canada geese during selected days. Hunters 16 or older need a federal duck stamp to participate. All hunters need a Pennsylvania migratory game bird license.
North Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Oct. 7-21, and Nov. 14-Jan. 6 , 2024.
South Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Oct. 7-14, and Nov. 21-Jan. 20, 2024.
Northwest Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Oct. 7-Dec. 2, and Dec. 26-Jan. 7, 2024.
Lake Erie Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Nov. 7-Jan. 13, 2024.
Coot Limits: 15 daily, 45 in possession.
Youth, Veterans and Active Duty Military Days:
Licensed junior and mentored youth hunters, military veterans and active military personnel can hunt ducks, mergansers, brant, coots, gallinules and Canada geese during selected days. Hunters 16 or older need a federal duck stamp to participate. All hunters need a Pennsylvania migratory game bird license.
**(includes WHITE-FRONTED GEESE)**
Resident Population Goose Zone (RP):
All of Pennsylvania except for the Atlantic Population zone. Sept. 1-25 (8-goose daily bag limit); and Oct. 28-Nov. 24, Dec. 11-Jan. 20, and Feb. 2-Feb. 24 (5-goose daily bag limit in latter 3 segments).
Exception: See hunting digest.
Atlantic Population Zone (AP):
The area east of SR 97 from Maryland State Line to the intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 to intersection of US Route 30, south of US Route 30 to SR 441, east of SR 441 to SR 743, east of SR 743 to intersection of I-81, east of I-81 to intersection of I-80, south of I-80 to New Jersey state line. Sept. 1-25 (8-goose daily bag limit); and Nov. 18-24 and Dec. 7-Jan. 20 (3-goose daily bag limit in latter two segments).
Exception: See hunting digest.
Youth, Veterans and Active Duty Military Days:
Licensed junior and mentored youth hunters, military veterans and active military personnel can hunt ducks, mergansers, brant, coots, gallinules and Canada geese during selected days. Hunters 16 or older need a federal duck stamp to participate. All hunters need a Pennsylvania migratory game bird license.
(All Zones): Oct. 14-Nov. 17
(1 daily, 3 in possession)
- Atlantic Population Zone:
Regular: Oct. 2-Jan. 27, (25 daily, no possession limit).
Conservation Hunt: Jan. 29 – April 26; (25 daily, no possession limit).
Sept. 1-Nov. 24, and Dec. 19-Jan. 6, 2024.
15 daily, 45 in possession.
Oct. 14-Nov. 24, and Dec. 11-20.
3 daily, 9 in possession.
Oct. 14-Nov. 24, and Dec. 11-20.(8 daily 24 in possession)
Sept. 1-Nov. 21.
3 daily, 9 in possession.
Youth, Veterans and Active Duty Military Days:
Licensed junior and mentored youth hunters, military veterans and active military personnel can hunt ducks, mergansers, brant, coots, gallinules and Canada geese during selected days. Hunters 16 or older need a federal duck stamp to participate. All hunters need a Pennsylvania migratory game bird license.
Sept. 1-Nov. 21.
Bag limits by single species or in the aggregate;
(3 daily, 9 in possession)
2023-24 FALCONRY SEASONS
No open season during the regular firearms deer season. No hunting on Sundays with the exceptions of Nov. 19 and Nov. 26. No open season on other wild birds or mammals.
Sept.
1-Nov. 11, Sunday Nov. 12, Nov. 13-18, Sunday Nov. 19, Nov. 20-25, Sunday Nov.
26 and Nov. 27-March 30, 2024
(6 daily, 18 possession).
Sept.
1-Nov. 11, Sunday Nov. 12, Nov. 13-18, Sunday Nov. 19, Nov. 20-25, Sunday Nov.
26 and Nov. 27-March 30, 2024
No Limit.
Sept.
1-Nov. 11, Sunday Nov. 12, Nov. 13-18, Sunday Nov. 19, Nov. 20-25, Sunday Nov.
26 and Nov. 27-March 30, 2024
(2 daily, 6 possession).
Sept.
1-Nov. 11, Sunday Nov. 12, Nov. 13-18, Sunday Nov. 19, Nov. 20-25, Sunday Nov.
26 and Nov. 27-March 30, 2024
(4 daily, 12 possession).
Sept.
1-Nov. 11, Sunday Nov. 12, Nov. 13-18, Sunday Nov. 19, Nov. 20-25, Sunday Nov.
26 and Nov. 27-March 30, 2024
(1 daily, 3 possession)
Sept.
1-Nov. 11, Sunday Nov. 12, Nov. 13-18, Sunday Nov. 19, Nov. 20-25, Sunday Nov.
26 and Nov. 27-March 30, 2024
(2 daily, 6 possession).