Deer Season In Pennsylvania: Everything You Need To Know To Be Prepared

Written by Kristin Hitchcock
Published: October 24, 2022
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Like many states, Pennsylvania has several seasons. For instance, many hunting areas have an archery-only season, when legal bows may only be used. When certain seasons start in Pennsylvania depends mainly on the particular hunting unit. Though many are grouped and have the same schedule, different units have different dates.

However, unlike other states, Pennsylvania does not have a continuous season. Therefore, specific seasons do not start on one date but continue until the end. Instead, each season is on particular dates. You may have only a few days for one particular weapon, a break of a few days, and then the same weapon may be allowed again.

Therefore, hunting in Pennsylvania often requires much planning and preparation. You’ll need to figure out exactly when certain weapons can be used to hunt deer in your area. These dates change yearly, so your best option is to check the state’s website.

Pennsylvania Hunting License Requirements

To hunt during any season, you must have a general hunting license. With one of these licenses, you may take one antlered deer annually. You may also use this license to take an antlerless deer after Christmas if your antlered deer tag goes unused. However, you may only do this during the flintlock muzzleloader season after Christmas.

To participate in any muzzleloader season, you must purchase a muzzleloader permit. There are several throughout the year, but the permit allows you to participate in any of them (though you may still only hunt one deer annually).

To participate in an archery-only season, you must also purchase an additional archery license.

Otherwise, to harvest an antlerless deer, you must possess a special antlerless deer license or permit. These must be purchased separately. One antlerless deer can be taken per license. You may only purchase up to six unused antlerless deer permits at one time. However, you can apply for more as you harvest antlerless deer and report them.

Special permits and licenses are available for junior and senior hunters, active military, mentored youth, and people with disabilities.

Different Types of Deer Seasons in Pennsylvania

three deer in yard

The deer season in Pennsylvania depends on the unit.

©Lester Graham/Shutterstock.com

There are many different types of deer seasons in Pennsylvania. Many hunting units have similar dates, though some may vary. Therefore, check the specific seasons in the unit you plan to hunt in.

Generally, there are a few basic season types in the state. Firstly, archery season typically occurs from late September through November. However, some areas don’t have this season begin until October. Archery season also encompasses some specific dates in December and January.

Muzzleloader season allows for the use of muzzleloaders. This season is relatively short, though the dates are the same state-wide.

There is also a special muzzleloader season that allows you to hunt with only flintlock firearms. However, you may take an antlerless deer without an antlerless permit during this time – only if you have not harvested an antlered deer that year.

The state also has a special weekend in October for certain individuals where an antlerless deer may be harvested. These individuals include junior license holders, senior license holders, disabled permit holders, and active duty military.

Of course, there is also a statewide firearm season. You may take a single antlered deer using legal firearms during this time. You can also take additional antlerless deer for each antlerless permit you purchase.

Season-Specific Regulations

Because each season is a bit different, they all have slightly different regulations. Some only allow you to use specific weapons, while others have specific deer you’re allowed to hunt. Therefore, you’ll need to hunt in the season that matches the regulations you’d like to hunt by.

Archery Deer Season

During archery deer season, you may use a long, recurve, compound bow, or crossbow. Each arrow must have a broadhead that is designed for cutting. The outside diameter of the broadhead must be 7/8 inch and may not exceed 3.25 inches.

You may use scopes and red-dot sights on crossbows.

You may not possess a firearm while hunting in this season unless you have a license to carry a firearm. However, you may only use weapons as specified on that permit, and they must not be used to take deer. You may carry a muzzleloader if the muzzleloader season crosses into archery season. However, you must have the appropriate permit.

Firearms Deer Season

You can use centerfire rifles, handguns, and shotguns during this season. All-lead bullets or balls must be used, or the bullet must expand on impact. You may not use full-metal jacket bullets, in other words.

Some areas have special regulations that adjust what can and cannot be used. Therefore, be sure to check for special regulations in your area.

Antlerless Muzzleloader Season

You may use a muzzleloader during this short period in October to take an antlerless deer (assuming you have the correct permits). You may use scope sights, though other sights are not allowed.

The gun must be 44 caliber or longer if it is a long gun. Handguns must be 50 caliber or larger.

Special Antlerless Deer-Only Firearms

Sometimes, some seasons allow hunters to use a firearm to take an antlerless deer. All regulations for the firearm season above apply to this season. You may also use a muzzleloader with all the above requirements applying.

You may not use telescopic sights during this season. However, peep sights are permitted.

General Deer Season Regulations

On top of each season having specific bag limits, timing, and guns, there are some general regulations to consider, too. These regulations apply no matter the season you’re in. Not abiding by these regulations can be serious, so be sure you read through all of them before hunting.

  • You must have all the required licenses to hunt. Ensure you have all the permits necessary, as you often need more than one.
  • Without the occupants’ permission, you may not hunt, shoot, or chase wildlife 150 yards from a residency, camp, building, or school. You may not shoot into this zone, even if you are standing outside of the zone. You may also not drive the animal within this zone, even if you have no weapon.
  • You must wear 250 square inches of fluorescent orange during most seasons. Archery-only seasons are the exception.
  • It is unlawful to hunt from a vehicle, shoot on a public road, shoot across a road, or jump from a vehicle and then shoot. However, those with disabilities may have exceptions to this rule.
  • It is unlawful to hunt with electronic devices in most cases. Lighted pins for bow sights may be used if they do not cast a beam. Portable, two-way radios and cell phones may also be used for general communication. However, they may not be used to locate or find deer.
  • You may not spotlight wildlife while possessing a firearm or during deer season. This includes casting lights from buildings and vehicles.
  • You may bait deer in certain regulation areas throughout the state. However, in much of the state, this practice is still illegal. The exception is normal grain and waste associated with farming activities.
  • If you accidentally take the wrong animal, you must legally dress and tag that animal (using the tag you were legally hunting with). Then, you must present that animal to the Game Commission officer in the county.
  • You must never hunt deer on Sundays.
  • It is unlawful to hunt when under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Chronic Wasting Disease in Pennsylvania

Swamp deer

CWD has been detected in Pennsylvania.

©Sunil lodhwal/Shutterstock.com

Chronic Wasting Disease is a severe brain disease that is always fatal in deer, moose, and similar animals. It is similar to scrapie in sheep and mad cow disease in cattle, though they are not completely the same. It is caused by a prion that is abnormal – not a virus or bacteria.

These prions kill the brain cells of the infected animal. Eventually, enough of the brain dies that the infected animal is impaired. Usually, the animals forget how to eat and appear unaware of their surroundings. However, infected animals may not show symptoms for as long as 18 to 24 months.

The immune system does not respond to prions. Therefore, this disease is not “cured” by the body, and all infected animals eventually die.

The prions are shed through bodily fluids and live a long time in the soil. Therefore, they do not go away once they are in an area.

Pennsylvania has reported CWD in wild deer as of 2013. Since then, the disease has spread over a relatively large geographic area. Much of the state has now located infected deer within the area.

To help with testing and preventing further spread, special surveillance areas have been put in place. In these areas, hunters may apply to take extra deer. Successful hunters can submit the head of the animal for testing, which lets officials know the extent of the disease in that area.

If you have the license and means to harvest a deer that appears sick, do so. You may then submit the animal for testing to the nearest Game Commission. You will be provided a replacement tag for the animal.

What To Do After a Deer is Harvested

Once a deer is harvested, you must detach your harvest tag from your license. Fill out the tag and attach it to the ear of the deer. You must notch the tag with the correct month and day of the harvest.

Double-check that you’re using the correct tag. Be sure to remove it from your license – don’t attach your actual license to the animal.

Two holes in the middle of the tag can be used to attach the tag to the animal. However, the specifics of how you do this are up to you.

Once the deer is tagged, you may move it. Leave the tag attached to the ear until the animal is processed. The bar code on the edge of the tag should be readily visible. A Game Commission worker may need to scan this code while calculating the deer harvest.

Fines for Not Following Regulations

Not following hunting regulations can be serious. One of the most serious crimes is taking a deer illegally. This break of regulation can occur in different ways. For instance, the hunter may have a suspended license, or the wrong deer may have been taken for the season.

Depending on the situation’s specifics, the crime will get put to a certain “degree.” The lower the degree, the more serious the crime. The first degree has the highest possible fines, while a fine for the eighth degree is only $25.

On top of fines, your license can also be suspended or revoked by the commission. There aren’t set rules for this, so it depends largely on the commissioner. You may also be required to take a remedial hunter education course, a vision examination, or a drug and alcohol education course. Of course, the specifics will depend on the situation.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Tiago_Fernandez


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About the Author

Kristin is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering dogs, cats, fish, and other pets. She has been an animal writer for seven years, writing for top publications on everything from chinchilla cancer to the rise of designer dogs. She currently lives in Tennessee with her cat, dogs, and two children. When she isn't writing about pets, she enjoys hiking and crocheting.

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Sources
  1. Pennsylvania Game Commission, Available here: https://www.pgc.pa.gov/Wildlife/WildlifeHealth/Pages/ChronicWastingDisease.aspx#:~:text=CWD%20was%20first%20found%20in,over%20a%20larger%20geographic%20area.
  2. ERegulations, Available here: https://www.eregulations.com/pennsylvania/hunting/deer-hunting-seasons