PA Game Commission Seasons 2026 [Explore the Wild]

The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s (PGC) aim is to safeguard and preserve the natural resources of the state, particularly its wildlife. They are committed to protecting the state’s wildlife for future generations while also giving hunters and trappers adequate opportunities to hunt and trap sustainably. The PGC sets hunting and trapping seasons each year to protect the state’s wildlife populations from over harvesting and to encourage the responsible and moral conduct of these activities. They work together with like organizations throughout the state and the nation to advance this objective. The PGC plays a significant role in safeguarding Pennsylvania’s wildlife for current and future generations.

Key Changes for the 2026-2027

Before diving into the tables, here are the major changes Pennsylvania hunters should know about:

• Sunday Hunting Expanded: All seasons include Sundays that fall within their start and end dates—except for migratory game birds . Seasons that previously ended on Saturdays now largely end on Sundays.
• One Spring Gobbler Limit: Turkey hunters can only take one spring gobbler during the season, down from the previous two-bird limit .
• Bobcat Expansion: WMU 5A is now open to bobcat hunting and trapping .
• River Otter Expansion: WMUs 2G, 3A, and 4C are now open to river otter trapping .
• Longer Bear Archery Season: WMUs 3C and 3D have extended archery bear seasons overlapping with the entire first archery deer segment .

PA Game Commission Seasons

The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) is responsible for establishing hunting seasons in the state to ensure the long-term health of the state’s wildlife population while also satisfying the needs of sportsmen and women. The Pennsylvania Game Commission regulates the shooting of both large and small game in the state. This includes big game like deer, bear, elk, and turkey, and small game like squirrels, rabbits, and grouse. Season lengths, preferred hunting techniques, and bag limitations vary per species. The PGC also establishes hunting laws, such as allowed hunting times, equipment requirements, and species limits. The overall goal of Pennsylvania’s hunting seasons is to promote appropriate and sustainable hunting practices.

1. Big Game Seasons

Pennsylvania’s big game opportunities include white-tailed deer, black bear, elk, and wild turkey. All seasons include Sundays unless noted.

Deer Seasons

Bear Seasons

Elk Seasons

Turkey Seasons

Fall Turkey WMU Dates :

• WMUs 1A, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B, 4D: Oct. 31 – Nov. 15, 2026
• WMUs 1B, 3D, 4C, 4E: Oct. 31 – Nov. 8, 2026
• WMUs 2A, 2F, 3B, 3C: Oct. 31 – Nov. 15, 2026 and Nov. 25-27, 2026
• WMUs 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E: Oct. 31 – Nov. 20, 2026 and Nov. 25-27, 2026
• WMUs 5A, 5B: Oct. 31 – Nov. 3, 2026
• WMUs 5C, 5D: Closed to fall turkey hunting

2. Small Game Seasons

Important Notes:

• Pheasant hunting is closed in Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas
• Bobwhite quail hunting is closed in the Letterkenny Army Depot Recovery Area
• Small game seasons now remain open during the firearms deer season

3. Trapping Seasons

4. Furbearer Hunting Seasons

5. Migratory Bird Seasons

There is no Sunday hunting for migratory game birds in 2026-2027 . A Migratory Game Bird License is required for all migratory bird hunting .

Duck Seasons (All Zones)

Duck Bag Limit Restrictions :

• No more than 4 mallards (including no more than 2 hen mallards)
• No more than 2 black ducks
• No more than 3 wood ducks
• No more than 2 redheads
• No more than 2 canvasbacks
• No more than 3 pintails
• Sea ducks: no more than 4 (including no more than 3 eiders, 1 female eider, 3 long-tailed ducks, 3 scoters)

Scaup Limits by Zone :

Additional Waterfowl :

• Mergansers: 5 daily, 15 possession
• Coots: 15 daily, 45 possession

Goose Seasons

Change: Atlantic Population Zone season increased from 30 to 45 days, bag limit from 1 to 3 birds based on population increases .

Light Geese (Snow and Ross’s Geese)

Note: Conservation season decision pending spring 2026 population surveys .

Other Migratory Birds

Special Youth/Veteran/Military Days

6. Falconry Seasons

Falconry seasons in Pennsylvania generally follow the small game and migratory bird frameworks, with special regulations established by the PGC.

Note: Falconry regulations are governed by federal law under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and seasons must align with federal frameworks .

Note: For Complete Details on the season and regulation read the article Pennsylvania Hunting Season.

Dates & Regulations source: PGC PA

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John Lewis

John Lewis, the passionate founder of HuntingSeasons.org, is committed to promoting responsible hunting and a profound love for the wilderness. With years of expertise, his platform serves as a reliable guide for hunting enthusiasts, advocating ethical practices and nature preservation.

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