Pennsylvania Rifle Season Dates: A Complete Guide
When Does Rifle Season Start in Pennsylvania?
Rifle season in Pennsylvania is a time-honored tradition for many hunters. It’s a chance to get out in the woods, enjoy the fresh air, and test your skills against some of the state’s most challenging game. But when does rifle season start in Pennsylvania?
The answer to that question depends on the type of game you’re hunting. For deer, rifle season typically starts in late November and runs through early January. For bear, rifle season starts in late September and runs through early November. And for turkey, rifle season starts in early April and runs through early May.
Of course, these are just general guidelines. The specific dates of rifle season vary from county to county, so be sure to check the Pennsylvania Game Commission website for the exact dates in your area.
Rifle season is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy all that Pennsylvania has to offer. So what are you waiting for? Get your gear ready and start planning your trip!
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| Species | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Deer | November 26 | January 1 |
| Elk | November 1 | December 31 |
| Bear | October 1 | December 31 |
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Pennsylvania Rifle Season Dates
The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) regulates the rifle season for deer in Pennsylvania. The general rifle season is the longest and most popular deer hunting season in the state. It runs from November 27 to December 11, 2023. The early antlerless rifle season is shorter and runs from November 13 to 19, 2023. The late antlerless rifle season is also shorter and runs from December 12 to 18, 2023. There are also special permit rifle seasons for certain areas of the state.
General Rifle Season Dates
The general rifle season for deer in Pennsylvania is November 27 to December 11, 2023. The season is open statewide for all licensed hunters. The daily bag limit is one antlered deer and two antlerless deer.
Early Antlerless Rifle Season Dates
The early antlerless rifle season for deer in Pennsylvania is November 13 to 19, 2023. The season is open in the following counties:
- Adams
- Bedford
- Berks
- Blair
- Bradford
- Bucks
- Butler
- Cameron
- Carbon
- Centre
- Chester
- Clarion
- Clearfield
- Clinton
- Columbia
- Crawford
- Cumberland
- Dauphin
- Delaware
- Elk
- Erie
- Fayette
- Franklin
- Fulton
- Greene
- Huntingdon
- Indiana
- Jefferson
- Juniata
- Lackawanna
- Lancaster
- Lawrence
- Lebanon
- Lehigh
- Luzerne
- Lycoming
- McKean
- Mercer
- Mifflin
- Monroe
- Montgomery
- Montour
- Northumberland
- Northampton
- Perry
- Pike
- Potter
- Schuylkill
- Snyder
- Somerset
- Sullivan
- Susquehanna
- Tioga
- Union
- Venango
- Warren
- Washington
- Wayne
- Westmoreland
- Wyoming
The daily bag limit is two antlerless deer.
Late Antlerless Rifle Season Dates
The late antlerless rifle season for deer in Pennsylvania is December 12 to 18, 2023. The season is open in the following counties:
- Adams
- Bedford
- Berks
- Blair
- Bradford
- Bucks
- Butler
- Cameron
- Carbon
- Centre
- Chester
- Clarion
- Clearfield
- Clinton
- Columbia
- Crawford
- Cumberland
- Dauphin
- Delaware
- Elk
- Erie
- Fayette
- Franklin
- Fulton
- Greene
- Huntingdon
- Indiana
- Jefferson
- Juniata
- Lackawanna
- Lancaster
- Lawrence
- Lebanon
- Lehigh
- Luzerne
- Lycoming
- McKean
- Mercer
- Mifflin
- Monroe
- Montgomery
- Montour
- Northumberland
- Northampton
- Perry
- Pike
- Potter
- Schuylkill
- Snyder
- Somerset
- Sullivan
- Susquehanna
- Tioga
- Union
- Venango
- Warren
- Washington
- Wayne
- Westmoreland
- Wyoming
The daily bag limit is two antlerless deer.
Special Permit Rifle Season Dates
In addition to the general, early antlerless, and late antlerless rifle seasons, there are also special permit rifle seasons for certain areas of the state. These seasons are designed to provide hunters with an opportunity to harvest deer in areas where the population is high.
The following is a list of the special permit rifle seasons for 2023:
- Antlerless Deer Special Permit Season: November 13 to 19, 2023. This season is open in the following counties: Adams, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Bradford, Bucks, Butler, Cameron, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Crawford, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Mifflin, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northumberland, Northampton, Perry, Pike, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Venango, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Westmoreland, and Wyoming.
- Black Bear Special Permit Season: November 13 to 1
When Does Rifle Season Start In Pennsylvania?
Rifle season for deer in Pennsylvania begins on Saturday, November 26, 2022, and runs through Sunday, January 9, 2023. The season is divided into two parts: the early season, which runs from November 26 to December 11, and the late season, which runs from December 12 to January 9.
The early season is open to hunters with a Pennsylvania hunting license and a valid deer permit. The late season is open to hunters with a Pennsylvania hunting license and a valid antlerless deer permit. Antlerless deer permits are available for purchase online or at any Pennsylvania Game Commission office.
The daily bag limit for deer during the early season is one antlered deer and two antlerless deer. The daily bag limit for deer during the late season is one antlered deer and one antlerless deer.
Hunters are required to wear hunter orange during rifle season. Hunter orange is a bright orange color that helps to make hunters visible to other hunters and to motorists.
For more information on rifle season for deer in Pennsylvania, please visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission website.
Pennsylvania Rifle Season Tips
There are a few things that you can do to increase your chances of success during rifle season for deer in Pennsylvania. Here are a few tips:
- Scout for deer. The best way to find deer is to scout for them before the season starts. Pay attention to the areas where deer are feeding, bedding, and traveling.
- Choose a hunting spot. Once you have found some deer, you need to choose a hunting spot that will give you a good chance of seeing and shooting a deer. Consider the terrain, the wind direction, and the sun’s position when choosing a spot.
- Prepare your gear. Make sure that your rifle is in good working order and that you have plenty of ammunition. You should also pack a lunch, water, and a first-aid kit.
- Take ethical shots. When you see a deer, take your time and make sure that you have a clear shot. Aim for the vital organs, such as the heart or lungs.
By following these tips, you can increase your chances of success during rifle season for deer in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Rifle Season Safety
Rifle season for deer in Pennsylvania is a time for excitement and fun, but it is also important to be safe. Here are a few safety tips to remember:
- Wear hunter orange. Hunter orange is a bright orange color that helps to make hunters visible to other hunters and to motorists.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to the other hunters in the area and be aware of the potential for danger.
- Treat all firearms with respect. Never point a firearm at anything you do not intend to shoot. Always unload your firearm when you are not using it.
- Follow all hunting regulations. Make sure that you are familiar with the hunting regulations in Pennsylvania before you go hunting.
By following these safety tips, you can help to ensure a safe and enjoyable rifle season for deer in Pennsylvania.
Rifle season for deer in Pennsylvania is a time for excitement and fun. By following the tips in this article, you can increase your chances of success and have a safe and enjoyable hunting experience.
When Does Rifle Season Start in Pennsylvania?
Rifle season in Pennsylvania begins on Saturday, November 26, 2022 and ends on Sunday, January 8, 2023.
What are the bag limits for each species?
The bag limits for each species are as follows:
- Deer: 2 antlered bucks
- Elk: 1 bull
- Bear: 1 bear
- Turkey: 2 bearded turkeys
What are the legal shooting hours?
Legal shooting hours are from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
Where can I hunt?
You can hunt on any state-owned land or on private land with the permission of the landowner.
What do I need to do to get a hunting license?
You must be at least 16 years old to purchase a hunting license in Pennsylvania. You can purchase a license online, at a license agent, or at a state park.
What are the safety rules for hunting?
Always wear a hunter orange vest or hat when you are in the woods. Be sure to identify your target before you shoot. Never shoot at a moving target.
What if I have more questions?
You can find more information about hunting in Pennsylvania on the Pennsylvania Game Commission website.
the rifle season in Pennsylvania starts on November 28th and ends on January 1st. The season is divided into two parts, the early season and the late season. The early season runs from November 28th to December 11th and the late season runs from December 12th to January 1st. The early season is open to all hunters, while the late season is only open to those who have purchased a late season license. The bag limit for deer is one per day during the early season and two per day during the late season. Hunters are also required to wear blaze orange clothing during the rifle season.