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Pennsylvania Hunting Seasons & Prices

2026 big-game season dates and license/tag prices.

Pennsylvania offers 2026 hunting seasons for whitetail, turkey, and black bear across archery, muzzleloader, any method, and firearm methods. Seasons run from October 3, 2026 through May 31, 2027. A resident adult hunting license costs $20.97.

Planning reference only — always confirm dates and prices with the state wildlife agency before applying, buying a license, or hunting.

Season dates

Whitetail

SeasonMethodOpensClosesNotesTrack
ArcheryArcheryOct 3, 2026Nov 20, 2026🔔
Muzzleloader (antlerless)MuzzleloaderOct 17, 2026Oct 25, 2026🔔
FirearmsFirearmNov 28, 2026Dec 13, 2026🔔
Late ArcheryArcheryDec 26, 2026Jan 24, 2027🔔
FlintlockMuzzleloaderDec 26, 2026Jan 24, 2027🔔

Black bear

SeasonMethodOpensClosesNotesTrack
GeneralFirearmNov 21, 2026Nov 24, 2026Extended season varies by WMU through Dec. 13🔔

Turkey

SeasonMethodOpensClosesNotesTrack
FallAny methodOct 31, 2026Nov 20, 2026Season length varies by Wildlife Management Unit🔔
Spring GobblerAny methodMay 1, 2027May 31, 2027Statewide; youth day in late April🔔

License & tag prices

LicenseResidentNonresidentNotes
Resident Adult Hunting License$20.97—
Resident Senior Hunting License$13.97—
Nonresident Adult Hunting License—$101.97
Antlerless Deer License$6.97—
Bear License$16.97$36.97
Archery License$16.97—Required to hunt archery deer
Muzzleloader License$11.97—

The general hunting license includes one antlered deer tag plus a fall and a spring turkey tag. Antlerless deer, bear, and the archery/muzzleloader seasons require separate licenses added to the base license.

Source: Pennsylvania Game Commission License Types (pa.gov/agencies/pgc)

Pennsylvania hunt units

Explore harvest history, success rates, and draw odds by unit.

Adams Black bearAllegheny Black bearArmstrong Black bearBeaver Black bearBedford Black bearBerks Black bearBlair Black bearBradford Black bearButler Black bearCambria Black bearCameron Black bearCarbon Black bear
Browse all Pennsylvania harvest data →

Pennsylvania hunting FAQ

When does whitetail season open in Pennsylvania in 2026?
Pennsylvania's 2026 whitetail archery season opens October 3 and runs through November 20. Always confirm exact dates with the state wildlife agency before hunting.
What big-game species can you hunt in Pennsylvania?
In 2026, Pennsylvania has hunting seasons for whitetail, turkey, and black bear.

📊 Pennsylvania harvest trends

How Pennsylvania's harvest has moved season to season, from official state reports.