eLaws | eCases | State of Pennsylvania |
 Pennsylvania Code (Last Updated: April 5, 2016)
 Title 58. RECREATION
 PART III. Game Commission
 Chapter 139. Seasons and Bag Limits

  Section 139.4. Seasons and bag limits for the license year  

Latest version.


  • 2016-2017 OPEN HUNTING AND FURTAKING SEASONS,
    DAILY LIMIT, FIELD POSSESSION LIMIT AND SEASON LIMIT
    OPEN SEASON INCLUDES FIRST AND LAST DATES LISTED



    Species First Day Last Day Daily
    Limit     		Field
    Possession
    Limit After
    First Day
    Squirrels—(Combined species) Oct. 1 Oct. 15 6 18
    Eligible Junior Hunters only, with or without the required junior license
    Squirrels—(Combined species) Oct. 15 Nov. 26 6 18
    and
    Dec. 12 Dec. 24
    and
    Dec. 26 Feb. 28, 2017
    Ruffed Grouse Oct. 15 Nov. 26 2 6
    and
    Dec. 12 Dec. 24
    and
    Dec. 26 Jan. 21, 2017
    Rabbits, Cottontail—Oct. 1 Oct. 15 4 12
    Eligible Junior Hunters only, with or without the required junior license
    Rabbits, Cottontail Oct. 15 Nov. 26 4 12
    and
    Dec. 12 Dec. 24
    and
    Dec. 26 Feb. 28, 2017
    Ring-necked Pheasant—There is no open season for the taking of pheasants in any area designated as a wild pheasant recovery area within any wildlife management unit.
    Ring-necked Pheasant Oct. 8 Oct. 15 2 6
    Eligible Junior Hunters only, with or without the required junior license
    WMUs 2A, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B—Male only
    WMUs 1A, 1B, 2B, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4D, 5C and 5D—Male or female
    Ring-necked Pheasant Oct. 22 Nov. 26 2 6
    and
    WMUs 2A, 2C, 4C, 4E,
    5A and 5B—Male     		Dec. 12Dec. 24
    onlyand
    WMUs 1A, 1B, 2B, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4D, 5C and 5D—Male or female Dec. 26Feb. 28, 2017
    Bobwhite Quail—The hunting and taking Oct. 22 Nov. 26 4 12
    of bobwhite quail is permitted in all WMUs except in WMU 5A where the season is closed.
    Hares (Snowshoe Rabbits)
    or Varying Hares     		Dec. 26 Dec. 31 1 3
    Woodchucks (Groundhog) No closed season except during the regular firearms Unlimited
    deer seasons.
    Hunting on Sundays is prohibited.
    Porcupines Sept. 1 Mar. 31, 2017 3 Season limit
    10


    SpeciesFirst DayLast DayDaily
    Limit    		Season
    Limit
    Turkey, Fall—Male or Female 1 1
    WMU 2B Oct. 29 Nov. 18
    (Shotgun, Bow and Arrow only) and
    Nov. 24 Nov. 26
    WMU 1B Oct. 29 Nov. 5
    WMUs 1A and 2A Oct. 29 Nov. 5
    and
    Nov. 24 Nov. 26
    WMUs 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G,
    		Oct. 29 Nov. 12
    2H 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A,
    4B, 4C and 4DNov. 24and Nov. 26
    WMUs 2C and 4EOct. 29Nov. 18
    and
    Nov. 24 Nov. 26
    WMU 5A Nov. 3 Nov. 5
    WMUs 5B, 5C and 5D Closed to fall turkey hunting
    Turkey, Spring1 Apr. 22, 2017 Apr. 22, 20171 1
    Bearded Bird only,
    Eligible Junior Hunters only, with the required junior license
    Turkey, Spring1 1 2
    Bearded Bird only Apr. 29, 2017 May 13, 2017 May be hunted 1/2 hour before sunrise to 12 noon
    and
    May 15, 2017 May 31, 2017 May be hunted 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset

    MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS

    Except as further restricted by this chapter, the seasons, bag limits, hunting hours and hunting regulations for migratory game birds shall conform to regulations adopted by the United States Secretary of the Interior under authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C.A. § § 703—712) as published in the Federal Register on or about February 28 of each year.

    Exceptions:

    (a) Hunting hours in § 141.4 (relating to hunting hours).

    (b) Nontoxic shot as approved by the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service is required for use Statewide in hunting and taking of migratory waterfowl.

    SpeciesFirst DayLast DayDaily
    Limit    		Field
    Possession
    Limit After
    First Day
    Crow July 1 Apr. 9, 2017 Unlimited
    (Hunting permitted on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only)
    Starling and English
    Sparrow     		No closed season except during the regular firearms deer seasons. Unlimited

    FALCONRY



    SpeciesFirst DayLast DayDaily
    Limit    		Field
    Possession
    Limit After
    First Day
    Squirrels—(Combined species)Sept. 1 Mar. 31, 2017 6 18
    Quail Sept. 1 Mar. 31, 2017 4 12
    Ruffed Grouse Sept. 1Mar. 31, 201726
    Cottontail RabbitsSept. 1 Mar. 31, 2017 412
    Snowshoe or Varying Hare Sept. 1 Mar. 31, 2017 13
    Ring-necked Pheasant—
    Male and Female—    		Sept. 1 Mar. 31, 2017 26
    (Combined)
    Migratory Game Birds—Seasons and bag limits shall be in accordance
    with Federal regulations.

    WHITE-TAILED DEER



    Species First Day Last Day Season
    Limit
    Deer, Archery (Antlered
    and Antlerless)2     		Sept. 17 Nov. 26 One antlered deer, and an antlerless
    With the required
    archery license    		and deer with each required anterless
    WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D Dec. 26 Jan. 28, 2017 license.
    Deer, Archery (Antlered
    and Antlerless)2     		Oct. 1 Nov. 12 One antlered deer, and an antlerless
    With the required archery license and deer with each required antlerless
    WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A,Dec. 26 Jan. 14, 2017 license.
    3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A and 5B
    Deer, Muzzleloading (Antlerless only)
    With the required muzzleloading license     		Oct. 15 Oct. 22 An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
    Deer, Special firearms (Antlerless only) Oct. 20 Oct. 22 An antlerless deer with each required
    Only Junior and Senior License Holders,3 antlerless license.
    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 United States Coast Guard
    Deer, Regular firearms Nov. 28 Dec. 10 One antlered deer,
    (Antlered and Antlerless)2 and an antlerless
    WMUs 2B, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5Ddeer with each required antlerless license.
    Deer, Regular firearms Nov. 28 Dec. 2 One antlered deer.
    (Antlered only)2
    WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A,
    3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E
    Deer, Regular firearms Dec. 3 Dec. 10 One antlered deer,
    (Antlered and Antlerless)2 and an antlerless
    WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E deer with each required antlerless license.
    Deer, Flintlock (Antlered
    or Antlerless)2     		Dec. 26 Jan. 14, 2017 One antlered or one antlerless deer,
    With the required muzzleloading license plus an additional antlerless deer
    WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, with each required antlerless license.
    3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A and 5B
    Deer, Flintlock (Antlered
    or Antlerless)2     		Dec. 26 Jan. 28, 2017 One antlered or one antlerless deer,
    With the required muzzleloading license plus an additional antlerless deer
    WMUs 2B, 5C and 5Dwith each required
    antlerless license.
    Deer, Extended Regular firearms (Antlerless) Dec. 26 Jan. 28, 2017 An antlerless deer with each required
    Allegheny, Bucks, Chester,antlerless license.
    Delaware, Montgomery
    and Philadelphia Counties
    Deer, Antlerless Hunting is permitted on days An antlerless deer
    (Letterkenny Army
    Depot, Franklin County and New Cumberland Army Depot, York County and Fort Detrick, Raven Rock Site, Adams County)     		established by the United
    States Department of the
    Army.     		with each required antlerless license.

    BLACK BEAR



    Species First Day Last Day Daily Limit Season
    Limit
    Bear, Archery4 Sept. 17 Nov. 18 1
    WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D
    Bear, Archery4 Oct. 1 Nov. 18 1
    WMU 5B
    Bear, Archery4Nov. 14Nov. 181
    WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 5A
    Bear, Muzzleloader4 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 1
    WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D
    Bear, Special Firearms4 Oct. 20 Oct. 221
    Only Junior and Senior License Holders,3
    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 in the United
    States Coast Guard, with required anterless license
    WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D
    Bear, Regular Firearms4 Nov. 19 Nov. 231
    (Statewide)
    Bear, Extended Firearms4 Nov. 28 Dec. 31
    WMUs 3B, 3C and 3D
    Bear, Extended Firearms4 Nov. 28 Dec. 10 1
    WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and
    5D
    Bear, Extended Firearms4 Nov. 30 Dec. 31
    WMUs 1B, 2C, 4B, 4C,
    4D and 4E

    ELK



    Species First Day Last Day Season
    Limit
    Elk, Special Conservation Tag5
    		Sept. 1Nov. 51
    (Antlered and Anterless)
    Elk, Regular firearms5 Oct. 31 Nov. 5 1
    (Antlered and Antlerless)
    Elk, Extended firearms5 Nov. 7 Nov. 12 1
    (Antlered and Antlerless)

    FURTAKING—TRAPPING



    Species First Day Last Day Daily Limit Season
    Limit
    Minks and Muskrats Nov. 19 Jan. 8, 2017 Unlimited
    Beaver Dec. 26 Mar. 31, 2017
    WMUs 1A, 1B and 3C (Combined) 20 40
    WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 3A, 3B, 3D, 5C and 5D (Combined) 20 20
    WMUs 2G, 2H, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A and 5B (Combined) 5 5
    Coyotes, Foxes, Opossums, Raccoons, Skunks and Oct. 23 Feb. 19, 2017 Unlimited
    Weasels
    Coyotes and Foxes Dec. 26 Feb. 19, 2017 Unlimited
    Use of cable restraint devices authorized with required certification
    Bobcat, with required bobcat permit
    WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F,
    2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D,     		Dec. 17 Jan. 8, 2017 1 1
    4A, 4C, 4D and 4E
    Fisher, with required fisher permit Dec. 17 Dec. 28 1 1
    WMUs 1B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4D and 4E
    River Otter, with required otter permitFeb. 18, 2017Feb. 25, 201711
    WMUs 3C and 3D

    FURTAKING—HUNTING



    Species First Day Last Day Daily Limit Season
    Limit
    Coyotes—(Outside of any big game season)May be taken with a hunting license or a furtaker’s license. Unlimited
    Coyotes—(During any big game season) May be taken while lawfully hunting big game or with a furtaker’s license.Unlimited
    Opossums, Striped Skunks, Weasels No closed season.
    Raccoons and Foxes Oct. 22 Feb. 18, 2017 Unlimited
    Bobcat, with required bobcat permit
    WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F,
    2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D,     		Jan. 14 Feb. 8, 2017 1 1
    4A, 4C, 4D and 4E
    No open seasons on other wild birds or wild mammals.

    1 Only persons who possess a special wild turkey license as provided for in section 2709 of the act (relating to license costs and fees) may take a second spring gobbler during the hunting license year; all other persons, including mentored youth hunters, may take only one spring gobbler. A maximum of two spring gobblers per license year may be taken by any combination of licenses or exceptions for mentored youth.

    2 Only one antlered deer (buck) may be taken during the hunting license year.

    3 Includes residents and nonresident license holders who have reached or will reach their 65th birthday in the year of the application for the license and hold a valid adult license or qualify for license and fee exemptions under section 2706 of the act (relating to resident license and fee exemptions).

    4 Only one bear may be taken during the hunting license year with the required bear license.

    5 Only one elk may be taken during the hunting license year with the required