Licenses and Permits

2018-19 Licenses/Permits went on sale June 18, 2018

Buy a license online. Licenses purchased online may take up to 10 business days to arrive. Most general and add-on licenses are available on the Pennsylvania Automated License System (PALS). Exceptions are noted below.
*Verify your mailing address. If you purchase a Hunting & Trapping Digest, it will be mailed separately from your license and may not arrive at the same time. The Digest is also available for printing and viewing online.

Locate a License Issuing Agent to purchase your license in person. Most general and add-on licenses are available in-store. Exceptions are noted below.

TOOLS FOR HUNTERS: The Game Commission and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources have teamed up to create an interactive map for Pennsylvania hunters. And the official Pennsylvania Game Commission mobile app provides official information for Pennsylvania hunters and trappers.

Be a Mentor - Experience the hunt for the first time, again.

If you are 21 years of age or older, we encourage you to mentor a youth ages 11 and under through the Mentored Youth Hunting Program or mentor a person 18 and older through the Mentored Adult Hunting Program. Completion of a hunter safety course is not required for persons being mentored.

Licenses and Permits NOT available through PALS:

Antlerless License Update, Information and Application: Antlerless deer license applications must be made directly to county treasurers.
Snow Goose Permit
Permits for Hunters & Trappers with Disabilities. Licenses for resident veterans with disabilities are available only from county treasurers.
Tree Stand Identification Number Permit
Shooting Range Permit

Additional Information

Check elk preference points, or the status of an antlerless deer or elk application, on PALS.
License Types
Licensing FAQ
Change of Residency Application (PDF) - A change in residency status from resident to nonresident or from nonresident to resident automatically invalidates a person’s hunting or furtaking license 30 days after the change in status unless the licensee completes and submits a change in residency.
Become a License Issuing Agent
Hunting License Sales Report

Hunting and furtaker licenses and permits for the 2018-19 license year (July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019) are scheduled to go on sale June 18, 2018. Start here to make your purchase: http://www.pgc.pa.gov/HuntTrap/LicensesandPermits/Pages/default.aspx

Details on DMAP (Deer Management Assistance Program) can be found at http://www.pgc.pa.gov/InformationResources/GetInvolved/LandownerPrograms/DeerManagementAssistanceProgram/Pages/default.aspx

Information on applying for an elk license can be found at http://www.pgc.pa.gov/Wildlife/WildlifeSpecies/Elk/Pages/default.aspx

Antlerless deer license applications must be made directly to county treasurers. Information and Application can be found at http://www.pgc.pa.gov/HuntTrap/LicensesandPermits/Pages/AntlerlessDeerLicenseandApplications.aspx

Antlerless License Update can be found at https://www.pa.wildlifelicense.com/deeravail.php
July 9 is the first day Pennsylvania residents can apply. July 16 is the first day nonresidents can apply.

Shooting Range Permit information can be found at http://www.pgc.pa.gov/HuntTrap/StateGameLands/StateGameLandsRanges/Pages/Permits.aspx. Permits are valid from July 1-June 30.