Pennsylvania’s deer hunting seasons offer plenty of opportunities for hunters to pursue whitetails across the Keystone State. Here is a detailed guide to the Pennsylvania deer seasons for 2023–2024, including with dates, rules, licensing requirements, and more.
Pennsylvania Deer Hunting Dates
Pennsylvania’s deer seasons for 2023-2024 include:
| PA Deer Location | Method | Season Dates | Deer Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D | Archery | Sept. 16-Nov. 11 | Antlered and Antlerless |
| WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D | Archery | Nov. 12, Nov. 13-18 | Antlered and Antlerless |
| WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D | Archery | Nov. 19, Nov. 20-24 | Antlered and Antlerless |
| WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D | Archery | Dec. 26-Jan. 27, 2024 | Antlered and Antlerless |
| Statewide | Archery | Sept. 30-Nov. 11 | Antlered and Antlerless |
| Statewide | Archery | Nov. 12, Nov. 13-17 | Antlered and Antlerless |
| Statewide | Archery | Dec. 26-Jan. 15, 2024 | Antlered and Antlerless |
| Statewide | Muzzleloader | Oct. 14-21 | Antlerless |
| Statewide | Special Firearms | Oct. 19-21 | Antlerless |
| Statewide | Regular Firearms | Nov. 25, Nov. 26, Nov. 27-Dec. 9 | Antlered and Antlerless |
| Statewide | Flintlock | Dec. 26-Jan. 15, 2024 | Antlered and Antlerless |
| WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D | Flintlock | Dec. 26-Jan. 27, 2024 | Antlered and Antlerless |
| WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D | Extended Regular Firearms | Dec. 26-Jan. 27, 2024 | Antlered and Antlerless |
| Antlerless (Military Bases) | Dates established by the Army in particular locations | Antlerless (Military Bases) |
PA Elk Season
| PA Elk Season | Season Start Dates | Season End Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | 16-Sep-23 | 30-Sep-23 |
| Antlered | 30-Oct-23 | 4-Nov-23 |
| Antlerless | 30-Oct-23 | 4-Nov-23 |
| Late Season | 30-Dec-23 | 6-Jan-24 |
Pennsylvania Deer Bag Limits
- One antlered deer per license year
- One antlerless deer per antlerless deer license
- Maximum of 6 unfilled antlerless deer licenses per hunter statewide
Pennsylvania Deer Hunting Regulations
Deer hunters in Pennsylvania should be aware of the following laws:
- Hunting deer in any season requires a general hunting license.
- Per license year, only one antlered deer may be taken.
- Antlerless deer must be harvested with a DMAP permit or an antlerless deer license.
- Fluorescent orange requirements: 250 square inches must be worn on the head, chest, and back during rifle seasons. During the archery seasons, not necessary.
- Except for those who have a License to Carry guns permit, archery hunters are not permitted to carry guns when bowhunting.
- Depending on the season, muzzleloader hunters must adhere to particular rules regarding caliber, ignition type, sights, and projectile style.
- There is a statewide limit of six unused antlerless deer permits per hunter.
Other Pennsylvania Hunting Regulations and Resources
For complete information on hunting laws, safety precautions, licensing information, season dates, bag limits, and other topics, be sure to read the yearly Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest.
For the most recent information and updates on the deer season, see the website of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. For essential instruction on hunting regulations, morals, shooting techniques, and safety, sign up for a hunter safety education course.
Pennsylvania Deer Hunting Licenses
The following list includes important license categories and costs for deer hunting in Pennsylvania:
| License Type | Fee | Age Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Adult License | $20.97 | 17-64 |
| Resident Junior License | $6.97 | 16-Dec |
| Resident Senior License | $13.97 | 65+ |
| Nonresident Adult License | $101.97 | 17+ |
| Resident Archery License | $16.97 | - |
| Resident Muzzleloader License | $11.97 | - |
| Antlerless Deer License | $6.97 per deer | - |
For certain organizations, including local landowners, members of the military services, and injured veterans, special permits and discounts are available.
Applying for Pennsylvania Hunting Licenses
Pennsylvania hunting licenses can be purchased:
- Online at www.huntfishpa.com
- In person at any of the over 900 issuing agents across the state
- By mailing an application to the Harrisburg headquarters
When applying, you will need:
- A valid photo ID if purchasing in person
- Proof of residency if claiming resident status
- Your previous year’s hunting license number
In the middle of June, licenses go on sale. Your chances of being approved for restricted privileges like antlerless tags increase with the sooner you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few questions about the 2023–2024 Pennsylvania deer season:
1. What are the dates for the 2023 Pennsylvania archery deer season?
September 16 through November 11, November 13 through 18, and December 26 through January 27, 2024 are the dates for the Pennsylvania 2023 archery deer season in WMUs 2B, 5C, and 5D. The season lasts from September 30 to November 11, November 13 to 17, and December 26 to January 15, 2024, across the whole state.
2. How many antlered deer can I harvest in Pennsylvania per license year?
In Pennsylvania, one antlerless deer may be taken every license year. One buck tag is included with each general hunting license and may be used during any open deer season.
3. Do I need an antlerless deer license to harvest a doe in PA?
In order to legally harvest an antlerless deer in Pennsylvania, you must obtain a valid antlerless deer license for the particular WMU you are hunting. Any deer season that allows antlerless hunting is eligible for usage of the license.
4. What caliber muzzleloader can I use to hunt deer in Pennsylvania?
You must use a muzzleloader of at least.44 caliber during the flintlock muzzleloading season. A muzzleloader of at least.50 caliber, or a rifle of at least.44 caliber, is required for the statewide muzzleloader deer season.
5. What fluorescent orange is required during PA deer seasons?
During each open firearms deer season, every deer hunter is required to wear 250 square inches of neon orange material on their head, chest, and back combined. For deer seasons with just archery allowed, no orange is needed.
6. How late can I hunt deer in Pennsylvania with a muzzleloader?
Statewide, the late flintlock muzzleloader deer season lasts from December 26 through January 15, and in WMUs 2B, 5C, and 5D, it lasts from December 26 through January 27, 2024. These are Pennsylvania’s newest deer seasons.
7. At what age can my child first hunt deer in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, as long as they have successfully completed a Hunter-Trapper Education course, children as young as 12 years old are permitted to obtain junior hunting licenses and take down deer.
8. How many unfilled antlerless licenses can I have at one time in PA?
In Pennsylvania, a hunter may only possess a total of six antlerless deer permits open at any one time. Once harvests have been reported, more may be bought.
9. What is the deadline for applying for antlerless deer licenses in PA?
Although there is no stated closing date, WMU might run out of antlerless deer permits. Apply as soon as sales start in the summer to improve your chances.
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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?