Pennsylvania Deer Season 2025-2026: Important Checklist for Preparation!
Hey there, outdoor enthusiast! If you’re dreaming of pursuing majestic bucks across Pennsylvania’s diverse landscapes, you’ve come to the right place. This guide breaks down everything you need for the 2025-2026 cycle, from precise dates and wildlife management units to licensing details and regulations. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned tracker, we’ve got you covered 🌲.
🗓️ Quick Glance: Pennsylvania’s 2025 Deer Opportunities
Here’s a snapshot of key periods for the state’s prized whitetails:
| Season Type | Dates | Legal Take | Key Zones |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sept 20 – Nov 28; Dec 26 – Jan 24, 2026 | Antlered or Antlerless | WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D |
| Archery (Statewide) | Oct 4 – Nov 21; Dec 26 – Jan 19, 2026 | Antlered or Antlerless | Statewide |
| Muzzleloader (Antlerless) | Oct 18-25 | Antlerless Only | Statewide |
| Special Firearms | Oct 23-25 | Antlerless Only (Special Groups) | Statewide |
| Regular Firearms | Nov 29 – Dec 13 | Antlered or Antlerless | Statewide |
| Flintlock | Dec 26 – Jan 19/24, 2026 | Antlered or Antlerless | Varies by WMU |
| Extended Firearms | Dec 26 – Jan 24, 2026 | Antlerless Only | WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D, DMAP lands |
🏹 All Deer Seasons: Archery, Rifle, and More
Archery
Pennsylvania offers an extended archery period, perfect for those who enjoy the quiet pursuit of whitetails with a bow.
- WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D: September 20 – November 28, 2025, and December 26, 2025 – January 24, 2026 .
- Statewide: October 4 – November 21, 2025, and December 26, 2025 – January 19, 2026 .
- Details: One antlered animal per license year. Antlerless harvest requires a valid antlerless license .
Muzzleloader (Antlerless Only)
- Dates: October 18-25, 2025 .
- Details: This is an antlerless-only pursuit. Participants must have a valid antlerless license .
Special Firearms (Antlerless Only)
- Dates: October 23-25, 2025 .
- Details: Exclusively for junior and senior license holders, mentored youth, disabled permit holders, and active-duty military personnel. An antlerless license is required .
Regular Firearms
This is the most popular time to be in the woods.
- Dates: November 29 – December 13, 2025 .
- Details: One antlered animal per license year. Antlerless harvest requires a valid antlerless license .
Flintlock Muzzleloader
A traditional favorite for many.
- WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D: December 26, 2025 – January 24, 2026 .
- Other WMUs: December 26, 2025 – January 19, 2026 .
- Details: Hunters may take one antlered animal (if they haven’t already) or use their general tag for an antlerless animal. Additional antlerless animals require a valid license .
Extended Firearms (Antlerless Only)
- Dates: December 26, 2025 – January 24, 2026 .
- Zones: WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D, and all DMAP properties statewide. A special season in WMU 4C runs January 2-19, 2026, due to CWD detection .
- Details: Antlerless only. A valid DMAP permit is required for DMAP properties .
🐂 More Deer-Related Game Opportunities
Elk
Pennsylvania offers a limited but exciting elk pursuit.
- Archery: September 13-27, 2025 (select zones) .
- General: November 3-8, 2025 .
- Late: December 27, 2025 – January 3, 2026 .
- Tags: 140 licenses were allocated for 2025-2026 (65 antlered, 75 antlerless). Drawing applications cost $11.97 per chance, and the deadline is July 13, 2025 .
- New: Starting 2026-2027, drawing a bull tag is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! .
⏳ Pennsylvania Late Deer Seasons Snapshot
For those looking to extend their time afield:
| Season Type | Dates | Zones | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flintlock | Dec 26 – Jan 19/24 | Varies by WMU | Antlered or Antlerless |
| Extended Firearms | Dec 26 – Jan 24 | WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D, DMAP | Antlerless Only |
| Extended Firearms | Jan 2 – Jan 19 | WMU 4C | CWD Management Hunt |
📜 Pennsylvania Deer Regulations List
Knowing the rules ensures a safe and successful trip:
- 🦌 Antler Restrictions: In most WMUs, an antlered animal must have at least 3 points on one side. In WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, and 2D, the “three up” rule applies (including the main beam but excluding the brow tine) .
- ⏰ Legal Shooting Hours: From one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset for most pursuits .
- 📱 Harvest Reporting: Mandatory within 24 hours of harvest .
- 🚫 Sunday Pursuit: Allowed on three Sundays in 2025: November 16, 23, and 30. Written landowner permission is required for private land .
- 🧤 Blaze Orange: Required during the regular firearms period .
🎟️ Pennsylvania Deer License & Tag Fees
Securing the proper permissions is a key step. Here’s a breakdown of costs:
| License/Tag Type | Resident Fee | Non-Resident Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| General License | $20.97 | $101.97 | Required for all hunters |
| Antlerless License | $6.97 | $26.97 | WMU-specific |
| Archery Permit | $16.97 | $26.97 | Required for archery periods |
| Muzzleloader Permit | $11.97 | $21.97 | Required for muzzleloader periods |
✅ Pennsylvania Deer License Requirements
Before you head out:
- General License: Required for all participants .
- Season-Specific Permits: An archery or muzzleloader permit is required for those respective periods .
- Antlerless Licenses: WMU-specific and required for harvesting antlerless animals in most periods. They are sold in rounds, with residents getting first access .
- Hunter Education: Required for first-time license buyers .
❓ Pennsylvania Deer Hunting FAQs
Q: How many antlerless licenses can I buy?
A: Initially, one in the first round. Limits increase in subsequent rounds. In WMUs 5C and 5D, hunters can obtain up to 15 additional licenses for those units, for a total of 21! .
Q: Can I use my regular tag for an antlerless animal?
A: Only during the flintlock muzzleloader period, and only if you haven’t already harvested an antlered animal .
Q: What are the new Sunday rules?
A: For 2025, pursuit is allowed on three Sundays: November 16, 23, and 30. You must have written permission from the landowner to pursue on private land on these days .
Q: Are there any new seasons for 2025?
A: Yes! An extended antlerless firearms period has been added for all DMAP properties statewide (Dec 26 – Jan 24) and a special CWD management hunt in WMU 4C (Jan 2-19) .
Q: What is the bag limit?
A: One antlered animal per license year. There is no set limit on antlerless animals, but each requires a separate, WMU-specific antlerless license .
🌲 Conclusion
Pennsylvania offers a rich mosaic of whitetail pursuit opportunities, from the early archery period to the late flintlock season. With over 1.3 million antlerless licenses available and new Sunday opportunities, there’s never been a better time to explore the state’s vast public lands and private holdings. Remember to check WMU-specific rules, apply for antlerless licenses early, and always prioritize safety and ethics in the wild.
This guide is for informational purposes only. Regulations can change, so always verify details through the 🔗 Pennsylvania Game Commission before your trip.
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- West Virginia Deer Season 2025-2026 Complete Date & Guide - 15 September 2025
Can an out of Pa. state resident who has owned Pa. property in Pa. for many years and now a senior, hunt his owned property without a license?
Have the license laws changed regarding out of state residents owning Penn. property in the last few years?