As hunting seasons open up in Pennsylvania, there are a few important things to know about when you can hunt and what to wear.
I took some time this week to highlight some of the most popular things athletes should remember this fall.
What Sundays are you allowed to hunt in Pennsylvania for 2022?
Pennsylvania has three Sundays open to hunters this fall.
On November 13, you can hunt deer with archery equipment. Bear may be hunted with archery equipment in Wildlife Management Units 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D only. If you like small game, on this date you can hunt squirrels, pheasants, rabbits, grouse, quail, groundhogs, ravens, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, opossums, striped skunks, weasels and porcupines.
On November 20, you can hunt bear, deer (with archery equipment only at WMUs 2B, 5C, and 5D), and small game such as squirrels, pheasants, rabbits, grouse, quail, groundhogs, ravens, raccoons, foxes, coyotes and opossums. , striped skunk, weasel and porcupine.
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November 27 is deer and bear hunting season for WMUs in extended season, including 1B, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A , 5B, 5C and 5D. This Sunday is also open to fox, raccoon and coyote hunters.
Please note that if you are hunting on private land on one of these three Sundays, you must bring written permission from the owner that includes the owner’s name, address and phone number.
What are the 2022-2023 small game hunting seasons in Pennsylvania?
- Squirrel season is from September 10 to November 1. December 25, December 12-23 and December 26-February. 27
- Rabbit season statewide is from October 15 to November 1. December 25, 12-23 and December 26-February. 27. Young hunters can go from October 1 to 15.
- Pheasant season runs from October 22 to November 2. December 25, 12-23 and December 26-February. 27. Young hunters have from October 8 to 15 to chase pheasants.
- Grouse are open for hunting from October 15 to November 1. December 25 and 12-23.
When is deer hunting season in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has generous opportunities that allow deer hunting in certain parts of the state from mid-September through January 28, with some days closed.
- Archery season runs from September 17 to November 1. December 25 and 26-28 at WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D. The statewide archery season runs from October 1 to November 1. December 18 and 26-Jan. sixteen.
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- Muzzleloader season for antlerless deer is October 15-22
- Special Antlerless Deer Firearms for Young and Old Hunters, Mentored Youth, Active Duty Military and Certain Disabled Permit Holders runs from October 20-22.
- The regular firearms season for both males and females is from November 26 to December 26. 10
- Flintlock muzzleloader deer season is from December 26 to January 2. 16. At WMU, 2B, 5C and 5D continues until January 28. You can also use a firearm at those three WMUs during this time for antlerless deer.
Where can I get an antlerless deer license in Pennsylvania?
Antlerless deer licenses went on sale July 11. While some parts of the state have sold out, other parts of the state still have some deer tags available. Beginning September 12, hunters can visit their county treasurer’s office to purchase a remaining doe tag for their WMU. Visit huntfish.pa.gov to see where antlerless licenses are still available.
When is fall turkey season in Pennsylvania?
This season fluctuates more than others as hunting opportunities are adjusted based on population research and past hunter success. For example, at WMUs 5A, 5C, and 5D in southeastern Pennsylvania, it is closed this year. In WMU 5B, you can only hunt from November 1 to 3.
Other parts of the state start on October 29. At WMUS, 1A, 1B, 4A, 4B, 4D and 4E, the season ends on November 5. In WMU 2A, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, and 4C, it ends on November 12. In WMU 2C, 2D and 2E, it ends on November 12 but returns from November 23 to 25. WMU 2B around Allegheny County has the longest fall turkey season. It works from October 29 to November 1. November 18 and 23-25.
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When can you hunt black bears in Pennsylvania?
- Early season, WMU 2B, 5C and 5D from September 17 to November 1. 25 and WMU 5B from October 1 to November 1. 18
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- State archery season, from October 15 to November 1. 5
- Muzzleloader Season, October 15-22
- Specialty Firearms for Junior and Senior License Holders, Active Duty Military and Certain Persons with Disabilities Permit Holders, Oct. 20-22
- Bears with Guns Regular Season, November 19-22
- Extended season overlapping with rifle deer hunting in Wildlife Management Units 2B, 5B, 5C, and 5D, November 26-December 26. 10
- At WMU, 1B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 5A, the season runs from November 26 to December 2. 3.
When is moose hunting season in Pennsylvania?
Moose hunting seasons are Archery September 10-24, Firearms October 31-November 31. 5 and end of season from December 31 to January 31. 7. The deadline to apply for a license this year has passed.
The Gaming Commission received 104,250 applications for the 178-moose tag lottery draw held in August. Pennsylvania has more than 1,300 wild elk in north-central Pennsylvania.
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What can guided hunters chase?
If you have someone you want to introduce to the hunt, the Pennsylvania Game Commission has provided opportunities for unlicensed hunters of all ages to go with a licensed adult.
A mentored hunter may hunt squirrels, rabbits, hares, grouse, quail, pheasants, ravens, pigeons, porcupines, woodchucks, coyotes, deer, and turkeys while hunting with a licensed adult.
Youth who participate in the mentoring program for at least three years before their 12th birthday must obtain a license at age 12 instead of continuing as a mentored hunter. License buyers must first successfully complete a Hunter-Trapper Education course. Mentor Hunters ages 12 and older may participate in the program for a maximum of three license years. After that time, they must take a Hunter-Trapper Education course to purchase a hunting license.
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Mentor Hunting Program permit fees are $2.97 for resident and non-resident applicants under the age of 12; $6.97 for resident applicants ages 12-16; $41.97 for non-resident applicants ages 12-16; $20.97 for residents 17 and older and $101.97 for non-residents 17 and older.
Mentor Hunting Program licenses and permits may be obtained from any licensing agent or online at www.huntfish.pa.gov.
How do I report a violation?
If you see someone doing something illegal, like shooting a deer from the road, the Gaming Commission has three phone numbers to call: 833-PGC-HUNT (833-742-4868), 833-PGC-Wild (833- 742-9453) and Operation Game Thief at 888-PGC-8001. The agency’s website is pgc.pa.gov to report something online. The agency would like people to report wildlife crime as quickly as possible and callers should try to document a physical description of people, animals and vehicles.
When do I have to wear fluorescent orange while hunting in Pennsylvania?
This is a common question as regulation varies depending on what you are hunting.
For example, those who hunt groundhogs only need to wear an orange hat.
If you are hunting small game or hunting deer, bear, or elk with a firearm, you must have at least 250 inches of combined orange clothing on your head, chest, and back.
If you hunt from a blind where other hunters cannot see you, you should also place 100 square inches of orange on the outside of the blind.
If you walk on state game lands during rifle hunting season, from November 15 to December 15. 15, you must wear at least 250 inches of orange clothing, regardless of whether you are hunting.
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If you’re hunting archery for deer, bear or elk and after the holiday season for muzzleloaders, you don’t need to wear orange.
Personally, if there is a season when we are not required to wear orange, I still keep an orange item in my coat that I pull out when I see another hunter approaching. Remember, the point of wearing orange is to reduce the chances of being shot by another hunter.
This column was meant to highlight some of the more common things that we as hunters need to remember. But it is in no way intended to replace the 74-page hunt and capture summary you received with your license. If you still have questions, you’ll probably find the answers there. If not, please contact me and I will trace the information.
Good luck hunting.
Brian Whipkey is the outdoor columnist for USA TODAY Network sites in Pennsylvania. Contact him at [email protected] and sign up for our weekly Go Outdoors PA newsletter via email on your website home page with his username. Follow him on social media @whipkeyoutdoors.
