Pennsylvania’s 2025–26 hunting season calendar is now official, and for most hunters, it looks pretty familiar — which isn’t a bad thing. The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) has kept the core structure of deer, bear, turkey, and small game seasons mostly unchanged.
That said, there are a few tweaks worth noting, especially for those chasing antlerless deer or planning hunts across different Wildlife Management Units (WMUs). If you hunted last season, you won’t have to rethink your entire game plan. But it’s still smart to brush up on what’s shifting, what’s solid, and how to get the most out of your time in the field.
What’s New for 2025–26
Let’s start with the stuff that’s actually changed.
Sunday Hunting Dates Finalized
The same three Sundays are approved for hunting again this year:
- Nov. 16 (Archery Deer, small game and furbearers)
- Nov. 23 (Rifle Bear, small game and furbearers)
- Nov. 30 (Rifle Deer)
That’s no change in number, but these dates are confirmed early, so you can plan around them. A push continues to open more Sundays, but for now, these three remain your bonus days.
WMU Adjustments
The PGC adjusted season lengths and bag limits in a few WMUs based on local wildlife data. For example:
- Some WMUs with higher deer densities may see increased allocations of antlerless tags
- Fall turkey seasons are still closed in WMUs 5C and 5D, and remain limited or shortened in several others
These closures are aimed at protecting low population numbers, not part of any new policy shift. Still, it’s a reminder to double-check your WMU details before locking in plans.
Extended Youth and Special Hunt Access
Mentored youth, juniors, and senior hunters continue to have priority seasons — that’s not new — but the timing and structure in some areas have been refined. Some youth-only hunts now start earlier, and a few areas have expanded access for disabled hunters.
Deer Season: Mostly Unchanged, Still Full of Opportunity
No major shifts here — just a reminder of how things line up:
- Archery Deer: Oct. 5–Nov. 15 (most WMUs), then Dec. 26–Jan. 19. In WMUs 2B, 5C, and 5D, archery runs Sept. 20–Nov. 15, with additional late-season dates through Jan. 24.
- Regular Firearms Deer: Nov. 29–Dec. 13
- Late Flintlock (Antlerless Only): Dec. 26–Jan. 19 (most WMUs; WMUs 2B, 5C, and 5D extend to Jan. 24)
- Muzzleloader (Antlerless Deer): Oct. 19–26
You still get Saturday openers for archery and rifle. That gives more folks time in the woods right out of the gate, especially those juggling work or school schedules.
And while the structure hasn’t changed, timing is key. That long archery season means early rut scouting in late September can pay off big by mid-October.
Bear, Turkey, and Small Game: Keep an Eye on Timing
Bear Season
- The general bear season runs Nov. 22–26, right before the rifle opener for deer
- Archery and muzzleloader overlaps run Oct. 19–26
If you time it right, you may be able to work both into the same trip.
- Youth Day: April 26
- Regular Season: May 3–31
Fall Turkey
- Still varies significantly by WMU. In many regions, it’s either limited or closed entirely
That’s not a new trend — just a reminder to check your unit before heading out.
Small Game
Seasons for squirrel, rabbit, and pheasant remain mostly the same, running from mid-September through February. Stocked pheasant hunts continue to offer great access, especially for youth and new hunters.
Planning Tips: Start Early, Stay Legal
While not much changed on paper, prepping early makes all the difference. Here’s a quick checklist to help you get the most out of the season:
- Scout early, especially for archery setups
- Buy your license as soon as it goes live
- Check WMU updates — even small changes matter
- Stay sharp on legal hours and tagging rules
The best seasons are built before they start. Don’t wait until November to find out your tag’s no good where you’re hunting.
Ahead of the 2025–26 season, the Hunterizer team is already working to update the app with all finalized season dates and WMU-specific regulations. That means hunters can head into fall knowing everything’s accurate and ready to go — no second-guessing, no digging through PDFs.
If you’re planning hunts across zones or bouncing between bear, archery, and small game, it’s a smart way to stay organized.
Final Thoughts
The 2025–26 season doesn’t rewrite the rulebook, and that’s just fine. Most of what hunters know and rely on is still in place. The changes that did happen — a few WMU tweaks, Sunday hunting confirmations, and some youth access adjustments — are manageable.
If you hunted last year, you’re already ahead of the curve. Just don’t skip the homework. Review your WMU, tag availability, and dates, and make sure your gear and game plan match the calendar.
This season’s shaping up steady. Sometimes, steady is exactly what we need.
