Recent Game Commission decisions will expand hunting access, protect wildlife corridors, and support habitat restoration projects benefiting deer, turkey, waterfowl, woodcock, and other wildlife.
With approximately 19,000 black bears occupying much of Pennsylvania, wildlife managers are balancing expanding bear distribution, hunting opportunities, and increasing encounters with people.
September Board meeting gives PGC more flexibility over antlerless license sales while approving several land deals that could improve hunting access across Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s 2026–27 hunting calendar gets busy in September, starting with mourning dove and Canada goose on Sept. 1 and followed by squirrel hunting and special youth waterfowl opportunities later in the month.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has issued one of the most significant Second Amendment rulings in recent years, striking down New Jersey’s ban on so-called “assault firearms” and magazines holding more than 10 rounds. Because Pennsylvania is also within the Third Circuit, the decision could have important implications well beyond New Jersey—even though it does not immediately change Pennsylvania law.
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has voted 180–22 to approve House Bill 2460, a bipartisan proposal that would allow public schools to offer hunter and trapper education courses to students in grades 6 through 12. If the bill becomes law, it could help introduce a new generation of Pennsylvanians to safe, ethical hunting and wildlife conservation.
A newly proposed bill would give the Pennsylvania Game Commission the authority to deny or revoke hunting licenses for people convicted of animal cruelty or who engage in the torture or cruel treatment of wildlife. Supporters say the measure targets unethical behavior—not lawful hunting—and aims to protect the reputation of Pennsylvania’s hunting community.
Pennsylvania hunters can begin purchasing 2026–27 hunting and trapping licenses on June 22, marking the start of a new license year that includes increased antlerless deer allocations, multiple deer license sale rounds, and several important changes hunters should know before heading into the fall seasons.
Pennsylvania Hunters Can Now Access Seasons and Regulations for Ducks, Geese, Migratory Birds, and Furbearers in the Hunterizer App
The latest Hunterizer update brings fully integrated Pennsylvania hunting seasons for 2026–2027, including expanded Sunday hunting opportunities. Migratory game bird seasons will be added later once finalized by PGC.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission approved new hunting seasons this weekend, expanding Sunday hunting across most seasons while introducing important changes to deer, bear, elk and turkey regulations. Here’s what hunters need to know heading into the 2026–27 season.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission will convene April 10–11 to discuss regulations, wildlife management updates, and potential changes impacting hunters. From deer and turkey seasons to habitat priorities, several agenda items could shape upcoming hunting opportunities across the state.
Lawmakers in Pennsylvania are advancing a proposal that could bring hunter education directly into classrooms—an idea that supporters say could help recruit new hunters, improve safety, and preserve outdoor traditions.
Preliminary numbers show a stable whitetail population and strong participation across the state. Officials highlight antlerless harvest as a key management tool.
We sat down with Rick Larnerd — U.S. Army veteran, former Pennsylvania game warden, former Tennessee police chief — for a conversation about wildlife conservation, hunting culture, and the real role of game wardens in America.
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Deer management and agricultural crop damage were front and center during a recent town hall discussion hosted by the Pennsylvania G…
The Sunday hunting era is expanding fast in Pennsylvania. Following the January 24 PGC Board meeting, nearly every open season in 2026-27 will now include Sundays, delivering a major boost in hunting opportunity after decades of limited weekend access.
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners will review proposed hunting seasons and bag limits for the 2026–27 license year, including a possible shift of the firearms deer opener to before Thanksgiving. Other topics include Sunday hunting for spring gobblers, bear season adjustments, elk management, and Chronic Wasting Disease response.
Hunterizer, a leader in hunting regulation tools and public land access, proudly announces the release of the Hunterizer—a powerful new tool for understanding when hunting seasons are open across the U.S. (now supports California, Georgia, Idaho, Michigan, Montana, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin). Built to simplify the confusing patchwork of hunting regulations, …
Most of us are out scouting this time of year—checking trail cams, glassing fields, watching patterns shift with the summer heat. But there’s one simple habit more hunters ought to work into their routine: reporting wild turkey sightings. The Pennsylvania Game Commission is asking the public to help log sightings of wild turkeys throughout July …
Pennsylvania hunters just scored a major victory. On July 8, 2025, Governor Josh Shapiro signed a bill that removes all remaining restrictions on Sunday hunting in the state. For the first time in Pennsylvania’s long hunting history, sportsmen and women will have access to all Sundays during hunting season — not just a select few. …
Every hunter in Pennsylvania knows this time of year-it’s not just summer, it’s license season. The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) officially opens the sale of 2025-26 hunting and furtaker licenses on Monday, June 23. If you’re planning your fall hunts or looking to fill the freezer come winter, now’s the time to get your paperwork …
Hunters in Pennsylvania are closer than ever to gaining full access to the woods on Sundays. On June 11, the Pennsylvania House passed House Bill 1431 by a 131 to 72 vote. This bill would repeal the state’s long-standing ban on Sunday hunting, which has roots going back nearly 200 years. This is a big …
If you’ve ever looked at the younger crowd and wondered who’s going to carry the torch for hunting, land stewardship, and wildlife management, Pennsylvania’s got an answer: Junior Game Warden Camps. Run by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, these one-day camps are more than just a field trip with a badge. They’re boots-on-the-ground, hands-on experiences designed …
Pennsylvania’s 2024 Bear Harvest: By the Numbers Pennsylvania hunters wrapped up the 2024 bear season with a solid showing, harvesting 2,642 bears statewide, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. While this number is slightly lower than the 2023 harvest of 2,920 bears, it still reflects the strength of Pennsylvania’s black bear population and the quality …
With the Hunterizer you will always know exactly what you can hunt today – in any specific location, at any WMU. 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, …
Every spring, Pennsylvania hunters get a deeper look into how deer season really shook out. The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s annual deer harvest report isn’t just numbers on a page—it’s a snapshot of how our hunting grounds are changing, what tactics are working, and what we might need to adjust for next season. 2023-24 Harvest Recap …
When the charges were dropped against a Pennsylvania man for using a drone to locate deer, the legal system may have closed the case – but for hunters, it opened a big debate. The man, who was originally charged by the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) for allegedly using a drone to hunt, walked away free …
Pennsylvania hunters may soon have more opportunities to hit the woods as lawmakers push to repeal the state’s long-standing ban on Sunday hunting. Senate Bill 67, reintroduced this week by Senator Dan Laughlin (R-Erie), seeks to eliminate the restriction and give the Pennsylvania Game Commission full authority over hunting seasons, including Sundays. If passed, the …
Spring Gobbler Season in Pennsylvania: Everything You Need to Know for 2025 As winter fades and the Pennsylvania woods begin to come alive, hunters across the state eagerly prepare for one of the most anticipated seasons of the year-spring gobbler season. This is more than just a hunt; it’s a time-honored tradition that has been …
Pennsylvania hunters are in for some good news-2,000 acres of new public hunting land will soon be available across the state. Thanks to a combination of land donations and purchases, these additions will expand access to prime hunting grounds, improve habitat for game species, and open up fresh territory for sportsmen and women. Expanding Hunting …
Few topics in Pennsylvania’s hunting community spark more debate than when the firearms deer season should start. Since the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) made the switch in 2019, opening day has fallen on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, breaking with the long-standing tradition of a Monday start. The reasoning behind the change? The PGC argues that …
This past January, the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) shared details about possible adjustments to the state’s elk hunting regulations, aiming to refine the application and tag distribution process. For those with their sights set on a Pennsylvania bull elk, whether it’s your first time applying or you’ve already drawn a tag, some notable tweaks to …
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