Pennsylvania 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Pennsylvania's listed 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Nov 28-Dec 13, 2026.
Archery White-tailed Deer opens Sep 19, 2026 and closes Jan 24, 2027.
Spring Gobbler - Junior/Mentored Special Wild Turkey opens Apr 24, 2027 and closes Apr 25, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Pennsylvania Game Commission.
- firearm deer
- Nov 28-Dec 13, 2026
- archery deer
- Sep 19, 2026-Jan 24, 2027
- spring turkey
- Apr 24-25, 2027
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Key seasons by species
What changed for 2026-27
Wildlife management units drive the final answer
Pennsylvania hunters should treat statewide season dates as the first pass. WMU rules, antlerless allocations, and special firearms opportunities often decide the real plan.
Use the linked Pennsylvania Game Commission source before choosing a unit, buying tags, or setting a camp schedule.
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Pennsylvania Game Commission before hunting.
Proposed 2026-27
federal openings
in Pennsylvania
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing hunting and fishing access changes at 2 stations in Pennsylvania. Public comment closes June 26, 2026.
Deer
White-tailed Deer
Antlerless - Military Bases
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Hunting permitted on days established by the U.S. Department of the Army.
Zone: Letterkenny Army Depot, New Cumberland Army Depot, Fort Detrick Raven Rock Site
White-tailed Deer
Antlerless - Agricultural Deer Control
Aug 1, 2026-Apr 15, 2027
Fluorescent orange required: 250 sq. in. on head, chest and back.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 19, 2026-Jan 24, 2027
Season runs Sept. 19-Nov. 27 and Dec. 26-Jan. 24, 2027. Antlered and Antlerless. Fluorescent orange not required.
Zone: WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Oct 3, 2026-Jan 24, 2027
Season runs Oct. 3-Nov. 20 and Dec. 26-Jan. 24, 2027. Antlered and Antlerless. Fluorescent orange not required.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Antlerless Muzzleloader
Oct 17-25, 2026
Fluorescent orange required: 250 sq. in. on head, chest and back.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Antlerless Special Firearms
Oct 22-25, 2026
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 U.S. Armed Forces or U.S. Coast Guard.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearms
Nov 28-Dec 13, 2026
Antlered and Antlerless.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Antlerless Extended Regular Firearms
Dec 26, 2026-Jan 24, 2027
Fluorescent orange required: 250 sq. in. on head, chest and back.
Zone: WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D
White-tailed Deer
Antlerless Extended Regular Firearms - DMAP
Dec 26, 2026-Jan 24, 2027
Fluorescent orange required: 250 sq. in. on head, chest and back.
Zone: DMAP properties statewide
White-tailed Deer
Antlerless Extended Regular Firearms
Dec 26, 2026-Jan 18, 2027
Date listed as Jan. 18, 2026 in source - may be a typo for 2027. Fluorescent orange required: 250 sq. in. on head, chest and back.
Zone: WMUs 4A, 4C, 4D and 5A
White-tailed Deer
Flintlock Muzzleloader
Dec 26, 2026-Jan 24, 2027
Antlered or Antlerless. Fluorescent orange not required.
Zone: Statewide
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Fall - General
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
CLOSED TO FALL TURKEY HUNTING.
Zone: WMUs 5C and 5D
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - Junior/Mentored Special
Apr 25-25, 2026
Special season for eligible junior hunters (with required license) and mentored hunters 16 and under. Hunting hours end at noon. 2025-26 season.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - General
May 2-16, 2026
Bearded bird only. May be hunted 1/2 hour before sunrise to 12 noon. Second spring gobbler may only be taken by persons who possess a valid special wild turkey license. 2025-26 season.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - General (Extended Hours)
May 18-30, 2026
Bearded bird only. May be hunted 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. Second spring gobbler may only be taken by persons who possess a valid special wild turkey license. 2025-26 season.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Fall - General
Oct 31-Nov 8, 2026
Male or female. No single-projectile firearms; shotguns and archery gear only.
Zone: WMUs 1B, 3D, 4C and 4E
Wild Turkey
Fall - General
Oct 31-Nov 27, 2026
Male or female. Season runs Oct. 31-Nov. 20 and Nov. 25-27. No single-projectile firearms; shotguns and archery gear only.
Zone: WMUs 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E
Wild Turkey
Fall - General
Oct 31-Nov 3, 2026
Male or female. No single-projectile firearms; shotguns and archery gear only.
Zone: WMUs 5A and 5B
Wild Turkey
Fall - General
Oct 31-Nov 27, 2026
Male or female. Season runs Oct. 31-Nov. 15 and Nov. 25-27. No single-projectile firearms; shotguns and archery gear only.
Zone: WMUs 2A, 2F, 3B, 3C
Wild Turkey
Fall - General
Oct 31-Nov 15, 2026
Male or female. No single-projectile firearms; shotguns and archery gear only.
Zone: WMUs 1A, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B and 4D
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - Junior/Mentored Special
Apr 24-25, 2027
Special season for eligible junior hunters (with required license) and mentored hunters 16 and under. Hunting hours end at noon. 2026-27 season.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - General
May 1-15, 2027
Bearded bird only. May be hunted 1/2 hour before sunrise to 12 noon. 2026-27 season.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - General (Extended Hours)
May 16-31, 2027
Bearded bird only. May be hunted 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. 2026-27 season.
Zone: Statewide
Bear
Black Bear
Archery
Sep 19-Nov 27, 2026
Zone: WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D
Black Bear
Archery
Oct 3-Nov 20, 2026
Zone: WMUs 3C, 3D and 5B
Black Bear
Archery
Oct 17-25, 2026
Zone: WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 5A
Black Bear
Special Firearms
Oct 22-25, 2026
Junior and Senior License Holders, Mentored Permit Holders ages 7 and older, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) Holders, PA residents on active duty in U.S. Armed Services or Coast Guard, and persons reaching 65th birthday in license year only.
Zone: Statewide
Black Bear
Muzzleloader
Oct 22-25, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Black Bear
Firearms - Statewide
Nov 21-24, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Black Bear
Firearms - Extended
Nov 28-Dec 13, 2026
Zone: WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D
Black Bear
Firearms - Extended
Nov 28-Dec 6, 2026
Zone: WMUs 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4E and 5A
Elk
Elk
Archery
Sep 12-27, 2026
Antlered or Antlerless.
Zone: Elk Range
Elk
Regular Firearms - First
Oct 3-11, 2026
Antlered or Antlerless.
Zone: Elk Range
Elk
Regular Firearms - Second
Oct 31-Nov 8, 2026
Antlered or Antlerless.
Zone: Elk Range
Elk
Regular Firearms - Third
Jan 9-17, 2027
Antlered or Antlerless.
Zone: Elk Range
Waterfowl
Ducks (including sea ducks, coots and mergansers)
General
Oct 10, 2026-Jan 9, 2027
Season runs Oct. 10-Nov. 27 and Dec. 21-Jan. 9. Sunday hunting prohibited. Scaup: 1 daily Oct. 10-Nov. 25; 2 daily Nov. 26-27 and Dec. 21-Jan. 9.
Zone: Northwest Zone
Ducks (including sea ducks, coots and mergansers)
General
Oct 10, 2026-Jan 18, 2027
Season runs Oct. 10-17 and Nov. 18-Jan. 18. Sunday hunting prohibited. Scaup: 1 daily Oct. 10-17 and Nov. 18-Dec. 25; 2 daily Dec. 26-Jan. 18.
Zone: South Zone
Ducks (including sea ducks, coots and mergansers)
General
Oct 10, 2026-Jan 9, 2027
Season runs Oct. 10-24 and Nov. 17-Jan. 9. Sunday hunting prohibited. Scaup: 1 daily Oct. 10-24 and Nov. 17-Dec. 17; 2 daily Dec. 18-Jan. 9.
Zone: North Zone
Ducks (including sea ducks, coots and mergansers)
General
Nov 2, 2026-Jan 9, 2027
Sunday hunting prohibited. Scaup: 1 daily Nov. 2-24 and Dec. 18-Jan. 9; 2 daily Nov. 25-Dec. 17.
Zone: Lake Erie Zone
Pheasant
Ring-necked Pheasant
Junior/Mentored Special
Oct 10-18, 2026
Special season for eligible junior hunters (with or without required license) and all mentored hunters regardless of age.
Zone: Statewide
Ring-necked Pheasant
General
Oct 24, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Season runs Oct. 24-Dec. 24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 28, 2027. Dec. 25 excluded. Male and female pheasants may be taken in all WMUs. No open season in Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas except as authorized by executive order.
Zone: Statewide
Quail
Bobwhite Quail
General
Sep 1, 2026-Mar 31, 2027
Season runs Sept. 1-Dec. 24 and Dec. 26-March 31, 2027. Dec. 25 excluded. No open season in the Letterkenny Army Depot Bobwhite Quail Recovery Area.
Zone: Statewide
Grouse
Ruffed Grouse
General
Oct 17-Dec 24, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Rabbit
Cottontail Rabbit
Junior Special
Oct 3-18, 2026
Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license.
Zone: Statewide
Cottontail Rabbit
General
Oct 17, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Season runs Oct. 17-Dec. 24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 28, 2027. Dec. 25 excluded.
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel
Squirrel (Red, Gray, Black and Fox Combined)
General
Sep 12, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Season runs Sept. 12-Dec. 24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 28, 2027. Dec. 25 excluded.
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel (Red, Gray, Black and Fox Combined)
Junior Special
Sep 12-27, 2026
Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license.
Zone: Statewide
Furbearer
Beaver
Trapping
Dec 19, 2026-Mar 31, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Bobcat
Trapping
Dec 19, 2026-Jan 10, 2027
Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
Zone: WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 5A
Bobcat
Hunting
Jan 9-Feb 3, 2027
Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
Zone: WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 5A
Coyote and Fox
Trapping - Cable Restraints
Dec 26, 2026-Feb 21, 2027
Participants must pass cable restraint certification course.
Zone: Statewide
Coyote, Fox, Opossum, Raccoon, Striped Skunk and Weasel
Trapping
Oct 24, 2026-Feb 21, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Fisher
Trapping
Dec 19, 2026-Jan 10, 2027
Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
Zone: WMUs 1B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E
Fox
Hunting
Oct 24, 2026-Feb 21, 2027
May be hunted any hour, day or night, Oct. 24-Nov. 27 and Dec. 14-Feb. 21, 2027. During Nov. 28-Dec. 13 (regular firearms deer season), may only be hunted from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise.
Zone: Statewide
Mink and Muskrat
Trapping
Nov 21, 2026-Jan 10, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Opossum, Striped Skunk and Weasel
Hunting
Jul 1, 2026-Jun 30, 2027
No closed season except during the firearms deer season (Nov. 28-Dec. 13). May be hunted any hour day or night July 1-Nov. 27 and Dec. 14-June 30, 2027. During Nov. 28-Dec. 13, may only be hunted from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise.
Zone: Statewide
Porcupine
Hunting
Oct 10, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Season runs Oct. 10-Nov. 27, Dec. 14-24 and Dec. 26-Jan. 31, 2027. May not be hunted at night.
Zone: Statewide
Raccoon
Hunting
Oct 24, 2026-Feb 21, 2027
May be hunted any hour, day or night, Oct. 24-Nov. 27 and Dec. 14-Feb. 21, 2027. During Nov. 28-Dec. 13 (regular firearms deer season), may only be hunted from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise.
Zone: Statewide
River Otter
Trapping
Feb 13-21, 2027
Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
Zone: WMUs 1A, 1B, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C and 4E
Small Game
Snowshoe Hare / Varying Hare
General
Dec 26-31, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Woodchuck (Groundhog)
General
Jul 1, 2026-Jun 30, 2027
Season runs July 1-Dec. 24 and Dec. 26-June 30, 2027. Dec. 25 excluded.
Zone: Statewide
Coyote
Coyote
General/Furbearer Hunting
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No closed season. Outside of any big game season, coyotes may be taken with a hunting license or furtaker license. During any big game season, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting big game or with a furtaker license.
Zone: Statewide
Other
Crow
General
Aug 20, 2026-Mar 21, 2027
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday only.
Zone: Statewide
Starlings and English Sparrows
General
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No closed season except during the regular firearms deer season.
Zone: Statewide
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Pennsylvania Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Pennsylvania?
August 1, 2026 is the first listed deer opener for Pennsylvania; it is antlerless - agricultural deer control white-tailed deer Aug 1, 2026-Apr 15, 2027.
When is Pennsylvania's firearm deer season?
Nov 28-Dec 13, 2026 is the listed firearm deer window for Pennsylvania. Check zone and permit details with Pennsylvania Game Commission before hunting.
When does spring turkey open in Pennsylvania?
April 24, 2027 is the first listed spring turkey opener for Pennsylvania; the listed window is Apr 24-25, 2027.
Do I need a license to hunt in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Pennsylvania hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Pennsylvania Game Commission.
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