Seasons and Bag Limits

Sept. 14-Nov. 16; Sunday, Nov. 17; Nov. 18-23; Sunday, Nov. 24; Nov. 25-29; Dec. 16-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 28, 2025 

(6 daily, 18 possession)


Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license

Sept. 14-28 

(6 daily, 18 possession limit after first day)

​Oct. 19-Nov. 16; Sunday, Nov. 17; Nov. 18-23; Sunday, Nov. 24; Nov. 25-29 and Dec. 16-24 

(2 daily, 6 possession)

Oct. 19-Nov. 16; Sunday, Nov. 17; Nov. 18-23; Sunday, Nov. 24; Nov. 25-29; Dec. 16-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 28, 2025 

(4 daily, 12 possession)

Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license. 

Oct. 5-19 

(4 daily, 12 possession)

​Oct. 26-Nov. 16; Sunday, Nov. 17; Nov. 18-23; Sunday, Nov. 24; Nov. 25-29; Dec. 16-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 28, 2025 

(2 daily, 6 possession)

Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license, and all mentored hunters, regardless of age 

Oct. 12-19 

(2 daily, 6 possession)

Male and female pheasants may be taken in all WMUs. There is no open season for taking pheasants in Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas, except as authorized by executive order.

Sept. 2-Nov. 16; Sunday, Nov. 17; Nov. 18-23; Sunday, Nov. 24; Nov. 25-29; Dec. 16-24 and Dec. 26-March 31, 2025. 

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, 2025, statewide 

(1 daily, 3 possession)

​July 1-Nov. 16; Sunday, Nov. 17; Nov. 18-23; Sunday, Nov. 24; Nov. 25-29 and Dec. 16-June 30, 2025. 

No limit.

Aug. 22-March 23, 2025, on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. 

No limit.​

No closed season, except during the regular firearms deer season. 

No limit.

WMUs 1A, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B and 4D – Nov. 2-Nov. 16 

WM​Us 1B, 3D, 4C and 4E – Nov. 2-Nov. 9 

WMUs 2A, 2F, 3B, 3C – Nov. 2-Nov. 16 and Nov. 27-29

WMUs 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E – Nov. 2-Nov. 22 and Nov. 27-29

WMU 5A and 5B – Nov. 2-Nov. 5

WMUs 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 3 - May 17, 2025; May be hunted ½ hour before sunrise to 12 noon
• May 19 - May 31, 2025; 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 26, 2025.

Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt. Hunting hours end at noon.​

​STATEWIDE: 

​Nov. 23; Sunday, Nov. 24; and Nov. 25-26. 

Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

EXTENDED FIREARMS:

(WMUs 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4E and 5A):

Nov. 30, Sunday, Dec. 1, and Dec. 2-Dec. 7. 

(WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D):

Nov. 30, Sunday, Dec. 1, and Dec. 2-Dec. 14. 

Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

​Oct. 24-26.

Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

​Oct. 24-26. 

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. 21-Nov. 16; Sunday, Nov. 17; Nov. 18-23; Sunday, Nov. 24 and Nov. 25-29. 

(WMU 5B): Oct. 5-Nov. 16, Sunday Nov. 17 and Nov. 18-22

(WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 5A​): Oct. 19-Nov. 9.

Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

ARCHERY: Sept. 14-28

GENERAL: Nov. 4-Nov. 9

LATE SEASON: Dec. 28-Jan 4, 2025

Only one elk may be taken during the license year with elk permit.

WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Sept. 21-Nov. 16, Sunday Nov. 17, Nov. 18-23, Sunday Nov. 24, Nov. 25-29 and Dec. 26-Jan. 25, 2025

Statewide: Oct. 5-Nov. 16, Sunday Nov. 17, Nov. 18-22 and Dec. 26-Jan. 20, 2025. 

One antlered deer per hunting license year.

One antlered deer, and an antlerless deer with each required antlerless license. 

Oct. 19-26. 

An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.​

Oct. 24-26. 

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. 30; Sunday, Dec. 1; and Dec. 2-Dec. 14. 

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. 20, 2025

(WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D) with required muzzleloading license: Dec. 26-Jan. 25, 2025.

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. 25, 2025​. 

(WMUs 4A, 4D, and 5A): Jan. 2, 2025-Jan. 20, 2025.​

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.​

​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. 26-Feb. 22, 2025

No limit.

Sunday hunting permitted.​

Oct. 26-Nov. 16, Sunday Nov. 17, Nov. 18-23, Sunday Nov. 24, Nov. 25-30, Sunday Dec. 1 and Dec. 2-Feb. 22, 2025. ​

No limit.​

​No closed season: No closed season, except during the firearms deer season. No Sunday hunting with the exceptions of Nov. 17, Nov. 24 and Dec. 1.

No limit.

​(WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E): Jan. 11-Feb. 5, 2025.

One bobcat per license year.

Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.

Nov. 23-Jan. 12, 2025​. 

No limit.

​Oct. 26-Feb. 23, 2025.

No limit.

​Dec. 26-Feb. 23, 2025. Participants must pass cable restraint certification course.

No limit.​

​Dec. 21-March 31, 2025 

(Limits vary depending on WMU).

(WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E)​: Dec. 21-Jan. 12, 2025. 

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. 21-Jan. 12, 2025. 

One fisher per license year.

Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.

(WMUs 1A, 1B, 2F, 3B, 3C, 3D and 4E): Feb. 15-22, 2025. 

One river otter per license year. 

Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.

DUCKS:

North Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Oct. 12-26, and Nov. 19-Jan. 11. 

South Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Oct. 12-19, and Nov. 19-Jan. 18.

Northwest Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Oct. 12-Nov. 29, and Dec. 23-Jan. 11. 

Lake Erie Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Nov. 4-Jan. 11.

Total Duck Bag Limits: 6 daily, 18 in possession of any species, except for the following restrictions: daily limit may not include more than 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, and 3 scoters. Daily limit for scaup varies; see below. Possession limits are three times the daily limits.

Scaup Bag Limits:

North Zone: 1 scaup daily, Oct. 12-26 and Nov. 19-Dec. 19; 2 scaup daily, Dec. 20-Jan.11

South Zone: 1 scaup daily, Oct. 12-19 and Nov. 19-Dec. 26; 2 scaup daily, Dec. 27-Jan. 18

Northwest Zone: 1 scaup daily, Oct. 12-Nov. 27; 2 scaup daily, Nov. 28-29 and Dec. 23-Jan. 11

Lake Erie Zone: 1 scaup daily, Nov. 4- Dec. 19; 2 scaup daily, Dec. 20-Jan. 11​

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.

• Statewide - Youth only – Sept. 21

• North Zone

  • Youth, veterans and active military – Nov. 2

  • Veterans and active military only – Jan. 18
    

• Northwest Zone
  

  • Youth, veterans and active military – Sept. 28

  • Veterans and active military only – Jan. 18
    

• Lake Erie Zone

  • Youth, veterans and active military – Oct. 26

  • Veterans and active military only – Jan. 18
    

• South Zone

  • Youth, veterans and active military – Nov. 9

  • Veterans and active military only – Jan. 25​

(5 daily, 15 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.​

• Statewide - Youth only – Sept. 21

• North Zone

  • Youth, veterans and active military – Nov. 2

  • Veterans and active military only – Jan. 18
    

• Northwest Zone
  

  • Youth, veterans and active military – Sept. 28

  • Veterans and active military only – Jan. 18
    

• Lake Erie Zone

  • Youth, veterans and active military – Oct. 26

  • Veterans and active military only – Jan. 18
    

• South Zone

  • Youth, veterans and active military – Nov. 9

  • Veterans and active military only – Jan. 25

(15 daily, 45 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.​​

• Statewide - Youth only – Sept. 21

• North Zone

  • Youth, veterans and active military – Nov. 2

  • Veterans and active military only – Jan. 18
    

• Northwest Zone
  

  • Youth, veterans and active military – Sept. 28

  • Veterans and active military only – Jan. 18
    

• Lake Erie Zone

  • Youth, veterans and active military – Oct. 26

  • Veterans and active military only – Jan. 18
    

• South Zone

  • Youth, veterans and active military – Nov. 9

  • Veterans and active military only – Jan. 25​

​**​(includes WHITE-FRONTED GEESE)**

Resident Population Goose Zone (RP):

All of Pennsylvania except for the Atlantic Population zone. Sept. 2-25 (8-goose daily bag limit); and Oct. 26-Nov. 29, Dec. 16-Jan. 18, and Jan. 31-Feb. 22 (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. 2-25 (8-goose daily bag limit); and Nov. 23-29 and Dec. 23-Jan. 18 (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.

Same daily bag limits as regular season.​

• Statewide - Youth only – Sept. 21

• North Zone

  • Youth, veterans and active military – Nov. 2

  • Veterans and active military only – Jan. 18
    

• Northwest Zone
  

  • Youth, veterans and active military – Sept. 28

  • Veterans and active military only – Jan. 18
    

• Lake Erie Zone

  • Youth, veterans and active military – Oct. 26

  • Veterans and active military only – Jan. 18
    

• South Zone

  • Youth, veterans and active military – Nov. 9

  • Veterans and active military only – Jan. 25​

(All Zones): Oct. 12-Nov. 15. 

(1 daily, 3 possession)

Atlantic Population Zone:

Regular: Oct. 1-Jan. 25; 25 daily, no possession limit.

Conservation Order: Jan. 27 – April 25; 25 daily, no possession limit.

Resident Population Zone:

Regular: Oct. 22-Feb. 22; 25 daily, no possession limit.

Conservation Order: Feb. 24 – April 25; 25 daily, no possession limit.

​No open season.​

​Sept. 2-Nov. 29, and Dec. 21-Jan. 4. 

(15 daily, 45 in possession)

Oct. 19-Nov. 29, and Dec. 16-24. 

(3 daily, 9 in possession)

Oct. 19-Nov. 29, and Dec. 16-24. 

(8 daily, 24 in possession)

Sept. 2-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.

Same daily bag limits as regular season.​

• ​Statewide - Youth only – Sept. 21

• North Zone

  • Youth, veterans and active military – Nov. 2

  • Veterans and active military only – Jan. 18
    

• Northwest Zone
  

  • Youth, veterans and active military – Sept. 28

  • Veterans and active military only – Jan. 18
    

• Lake Erie Zone

  • Youth, veterans and active military – Oct. 26

  • Veterans and active military only – Jan. 18
    

• South Zone

  • Youth, veterans and active military – Nov. 9

  • Veterans and active military only – Jan. 25​

Sept. 2-Nov. 21. 

Bag limits by single species or in the aggregate; 

(3 daily, 9 possession)

No open season.

Sept. 2-Nov. 16; Sunday, Nov. 17; Nov. 18-23; Sunday, Nov. 24; Nov. 25-30; Sunday, Dec. 1 and Dec. 2-March 31, 2025 ​

(6 daily, 18 possession).​

Sept. 2-Nov. 16; Sunday, Nov. 17; Nov. 18-23; Sunday, Nov. 24; Nov. 25-30; Sunday, Dec. 1 and Dec. 2-March 31, 2025 ​

No Limit.

Sept. 2-Nov. 16; Sunday, Nov. 17; Nov. 18-23; Sunday, Nov. 24; Nov. 25-30; Sunday, Dec. 1 and Dec. 2-March 31, 2025 ​

(2 daily, 6 possession).​

Sept. 2-Nov. 16; Sunday, Nov. 17; Nov. 18-23; Sunday, Nov. 24; Nov. 25-30; Sunday, Dec. 1 and Dec. 2-March 31, 2025 ​

(1 daily, 3 possession).​​

Sept. 2-Nov. 16; Sunday, Nov. 17; Nov. 18-23; Sunday, Nov. 24; Nov. 25-30; Sunday, Dec. 1 and Dec. 2-March 31, 2025 ​

(2 daily, 6 possession).​​​