HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to the 2026-27 hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits.
All 2026-27 seasons include the Sundays that fall within their listed start and end dates. Also, seasons that previously ended on Saturdays largely will end on Sundays, providing additional days of opportunity throughout the year.
The lone exception is for migratory game birds. There will be no Sunday hunting for migratory game birds – including waterfowl, woodcock and mourning doves – this coming season.
The Game Commission surveyed migratory game bird hunters in recent weeks, which showed a slight preference for keeping Sundays out of migratory seasons, allowing seasons to stretch farther. That, combined with federal rules that say if Pennsylvania starts incorporating Sundays into migratory seasons, it must do so always – there’s no going back – led commissioners to exclude Sundays for the 2026-27 seasons. Agency staff and board members say they will revisit the issue prior to 2027-28 after further study and input.
The full slate of migratory game bird seasons, which are set through federal frameworks, will be announced after they are finalized.
The approved 2026-27 seasons include several significant changes:
- For wild turkeys, a bag limit of one spring gobbler is approved to offset possible additional harvest due to the inclusion of Sundays and ensure that harvest rates remain within sustainable levels. Hunters are reminded that no Sundays are open for the upcoming 2026 spring gobbler season. Sunday hunting for spring turkeys won’t begin until 2027.
- For white-tailed deer, minor adjustments to date structures of extended firearms, flintlock and late archery seasons are approved to reduce complexity and to ensure season lengths correspond to sporting-arm efficiency and management objectives.
- For black bears, in WMUs 3C and 3D, a longer archery bear season (overlapping with the entire first segment of the archery deer season) is approved to increase harvest in response to bear-human conflicts in these areas.
- For elk, a new early October firearms season segment is approved to limit crowding and maintain hunter satisfaction under current and potential future increased license allocations. The late firearms elk season is approved to be moved later in January to avoid conflicts with major holidays.
- For small game, the squirrel, ruffed grouse, rabbit, pheasant, bobwhite quail and woodchuck seasons all are approved to remain open during the firearms deer season.
- For furbearers, WMU 5A is approved to be opened to bobcat hunting and trapping, and WMUs 2G, 3A, and 4C are approved to be opened to river otter trapping. Habitat and population data indicate that these units can support sustainable harvest for these species.
The Game Commission also announced 1,469,000 antlerless deer licenses will be allocated statewide for 2026-27, which is up from the 1,312,000 licenses allocated for 2025-26.
Allocations by Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) are as follows, with the allocation from the previous license year appearing in parentheses. WMU 1A – 52,000 (46,000); WMU 1B – 44,000 (44,000); WMU 2A – 49,000 (44,000); WMU 2B – 62,000 (59,000); WMU 2C – 117,000 (93,000); WMU 2D – 112,000 (96,000); WMU 2E – 63,000 (51,000); WMU 2F – 67,000 (51,000); WMU 2G – 57,000 (57,000); WMU 3A – 21,000 (21,000); WMU 3B – 53,000 (53,000); WMU 3C – 57,000 (57,000); WMU 3D – 52,000 (52,000); WMU 4A – 64,000 (64,000); WMU 4B – 71,000 (60,000); WMU 4C – 51,000 (51,000); WMU 4D – 120,000 (83,000); WMU 4E – 61,000 (61,000); WMU 5A – 65,000 (46,000); WMU 5B – 86,000 (86,000); WMU 5C – 101,000 (98,000); and WMU 5D – 44,000 (39,000).
Once again this year, each Pennsylvania resident hunter will be guaranteed one antlerless deer license in the Wildlife Management Unit of their choice, as long as they buy the license before sales open to nonresidents. Resident hunters can purchase a guaranteed tag at any time between 8 a.m. on June 22, when 2026-27 hunting licenses go on sale, and 8 a.m. on July 13, when nonresidents are eligible to purchase an antlerless license in WMUs where licenses remain available.
All hunters may purchase a second antlerless license for any available WMU in the second round of sales to begin July 27 at 8 a.m. Similarly, the third round begins at 8 a.m. Aug. 10, when a hunter can get a third license. The fourth round – during which hunters can purchase additional tags to reach their personal limit of six active antlerless licenses – begins Aug. 24 at 8 a.m.
After the guaranteed period closes, though, all antlerless licenses are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis, with tags only available before the allocated number for the WMU is sold out.
Meanwhile, 155 elk licenses (80 antlered, 75 antlerless) were allocated across four 2026-27 elk seasons, which includes a new October season in which rifle hunters will get to experience some of the elk rut.
For the Sept. 12-27 archery elk season, 15 antlered and seven antlerless tags are available across open Elk Hunt Zones. For the new Oct. 3-11 season – the first regular firearms elk season segment – 15 antlered and 15 antlerless licenses are available. The Oct. 31-Nov. 8 second regular firearms season provides 26 antlered and 25 antlerless licenses, while the Jan. 9-17, 2027 third regular firearms season offers 24 antlered and 28 antlerless tags.
Elk license applications for the 2026-27 seasons go on sale May 1. The application process will be different this year, and the Elk Hunt Zones are being reconfigured and renamed, so hunters might need to familiarize themselves with these changes prior to applying.
Antlerless deer and elk license allocations are based on scientific data and staff recommendations tailored to meet population objectives within each WMU and Elk Hunt Zone.
The final 2026-27 hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits appear below.
FINAL 2026-27 HUNTING SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS
SQUIRREL, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license – Sept. 12-27 (6 daily, 18 in possession limit after second day).
SQUIRREL, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Sept. 12-Dec. 24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 28, 2027 (6 daily, 18 possession).
RUFFED GROUSE: Oct. 17-Dec. 24 (2 daily, 6 possession).
RABBIT (Cottontail): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license, and Mentored Permit Holders age 16 and under – Oct. 3-18 (4 daily, 12 possession).
RABBIT (Cottontail): Oct. 17-Dec. 24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 28, 2027 (4 daily, 12 possession).
PHEASANT: Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license, and all mentored hunters, regardless of age – Oct. 10-18 (2 daily, 6 in 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.
PHEASANT: Oct. 24-Dec. 24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 28, 2027 (2 daily, 6 in 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.
BOBWHITE QUAIL: Sept. 1-Dec. 24 and Dec. 26-March 31, 2027. No limit. There is no open season for the taking of bobwhite quail in the Letterkenny Army Depot Bobwhite Quail Recovery Area.
WOODCHUCK (GROUNDHOG): July 1-Dec. 24 and Dec. 26-June 30, 2027. No limit.
HARE (SNOWSHOE RABBIT) OR VARYING HARE: Dec. 26-Dec. 31, statewide (1 daily, 3 season).
CROW: Aug. 20-March 21, 2027, on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. No limit.
STARLING AND ENGLISH SPARROW: No closed season, except during the regular firearms deer season. No limit.
WILD TURKEY, FALL (Male or Female): WMUs 1A, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B and 4D – Oct. 31-Nov. 15; WMUs 1B, 3D, 4C and 4E – Oct. 31-Nov. 8; WMUs 2A, 2F, 3B and 3C – Oct. 31-Nov. 15 and Nov. 25-27; WMUs 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E – Oct. 31-Nov. 20 and Nov. 25-27; WMUs 5A and 5B – Oct. 31-Nov. 3; WMUs 5C and 5D – CLOSED TO FALL TURKEY HUNTING.
SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with required license, and mentored hunters 16 and under – April 24-25, 2027. Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt.
SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): May 1-31, 2027. Daily limit 1, season limit 1. From May 1-16, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until noon; from May 17-31, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.
DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Sept. 19-Nov. 27 and Dec. 26-Jan. 24, 2027. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license or permit. One antlered deer per hunting license year.
DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide: Oct. 3 -Nov. 20 and Dec. 26-Jan. 24, 2027. One antlered deer per hunting license year. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license or permit.
DEER, ANTLERLESS MUZZLELOADER (Statewide): Oct. 17-25. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license or permit.
DEER, ANTLERLESS SPECIAL FIREARMS (Statewide): Oct. 22-25. Junior and Senior License Holders, Mentored Permit Holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) Holders, and Pennsylvania residents serving on active duty in U.S. Armed Services or in the U.S. Coast Guard only, with required antlerless license. Also included are persons who have reached or will reach their 65th birthday in the year of the application for a license and hold a valid adult license or qualify for license and fee exemptions under section 2706. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license or permit.
DEER, REGULAR FIREARMS (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide: Nov. 28-Dec. 13. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license or permit.
DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (Statewide): Dec. 26-Jan. 24, 2027. One antlered deer per hunting license year. One antlerless deer may be taken with a general license antlered deer harvest tag, and an antlerless deer with each required antlerless license or permit.
DEER, ANTLERLESS EXTENDED REGULAR FIREARMS (WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D): Dec. 26-Jan. 24, 2027. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license or permit.
DEER, ANTLERLESS EXTENDED REGULAR FIREARMS (WMUs, 4A, 4C, 4D and 5A): Dec. 26-Jan. 18, 2026. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license or permit.
DEER, ANTLERLESS EXTENDED REGULAR FIREARMS (Statewide DMAP): Dec. 26-Jan. 24, 2027. Only on properties enrolled in the Deer Management Assistance Program. An antlerless deer with each required DMAP harvest permit.
DEER, ANTLERLESS (Military Bases): 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 or permit.
DEER, ANTLERLESS (Agricultural Deer Control): Aug. 1-April 15, 2027. An antlerless deer with each required agricultural deer control harvest permit.
BLACK BEAR, ARCHERY (WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D): Sept. 19-Nov. 27. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR, ARCHERY (WMUs 3C, 3D and 5B): Oct. 3-Nov. 20. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR, ARCHERY (WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 5A): Oct. 17-25. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR, MUZZLELOADER (Statewide): Oct. 22-25. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR, SPECIAL FIREARMS (Statewide): Oct. 22-25, Junior and Senior License Holders, Mentored Permit Holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) Holders, and Pennsylvania residents serving on active duty in U.S. Armed Services or in the U.S. Coast Guard only. Also included are persons who have reached or will reach their 65th birthday in the year of the application for a license and hold a valid adult license or qualify for license and fee exemptions under section 2706. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR REGULAR FIREARMS (Statewide): Nov. 21-24. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR, EXTENDED FIREARMS (WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D): Nov. 28-Dec. 13. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR, EXTENDED FIREARMS (WMUs 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4E and 5A): Nov. 28-Dec. 6. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
ELK, ARCHERY (Antlered or Antlerless): Sept. 12-27. Only one elk may be taken during the license year.
ELK, REGULAR FIREARMS – FIRST (Antlered or Antlerless): Oct. 3-11. Only one elk may be taken during the license year.
ELK, REGULAR FIREARMS – SECOND (Antlered or Antlerless): Oct. 31-Nov. 8. Only one elk may be taken during the license year.
ELK, REGULAR FIREARMS – THIRD (Antlered or Antlerless): Jan. 9-17, 2027. Only one elk may be taken during the license year.
FINAL 2026-27 FURBEARER HUNTING SEASONS
COYOTE: 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, and without wearing orange. During any big game season, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting big game or with a furtaker license.
OPOSSUM, STRIPED SKUNK and WEASEL: No closed season, except during the firearms deer season. No limit. May be hunted any hour, day or night, from July 1–Nov. 27 and Dec. 14–June 30, 2027. May only be hunted from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise from Nov. 28–Dec. 13.
FOX and RACCOON: Oct. 24-Feb. 21, 2027. No limit. May be hunted any hour, day or night, from Oct. 24-Nov. 27 and Dec. 14–Feb. 21, 2027. May only be hunted from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise from Nov. 28–Dec. 13.
BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 5A): Jan. 9-Feb. 3, 2027. One bobcat per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
PORCUPINE: Oct. 10-Nov. 27; Dec. 14-24 and Dec. 26-Jan. 31, 2027. (3 daily, season limit of 10).
FINAL 2026-27 TRAPPING SEASONS
MINK and MUSKRAT: Nov. 21-Jan. 10, 2027. No limits.
BEAVER (Statewide): Dec. 19-March 31, 2027 (Limits vary depending on WMU).
COYOTE, FOX, OPOSSUM, RACCOON, STRIPED SKUNK and WEASEL: Oct. 24-Feb. 21, 2027. No limits.
COYOTE and FOX, CABLE RESTRAINTS (Statewide): Dec. 26-Feb. 21, 2027. No limits. Participants must pass cable restraint certification course.
BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 5A): Dec. 19-Jan. 10, 2027. One bobcat per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
FISHER (WMUs 1B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E): Dec. 19-Jan. 10, 2027. One fisher per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
RIVER OTTER (WMUs 1A, 1B, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C and 4E): Feb. 13-21, 2027. One river otter per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
FINAL 2026-27 FALCONRY SEASONS
SQUIRREL (combined): Sept. 1-March 31, 2027 (6 daily, 18 possession).
BOBWHITE QUAIL Sept. 1-March 31, 2027 (No limit).
RUFFED GROUSE Sept. 1-March 31, 2027 (2 daily, 6 possession).
COTTONTAIL RABBIT Sept. 1-March 31, 2027 (4 daily, 12 possession).
PHEASANT (Male or Female combined): Sept. 1-March 31, 2027 (2 daily, 6 possession).
SNOWSHOE OR VARYING HARE Sept. 1-March 31, 2027 (1 daily, 3 season).
MINK, MUSKRAT, FOX, OPOSSUM, RACCOON, STRIPED SKUNK and WEASEL Sept. 1-March 31, 2027 (No limits).
MIGRATORY GAME BIRD Seasons and bag limits shall be in accordance with Federal regulations.