Sunday, Nov. 17 Sunday, Nov. 24
6 daily, 18 possession
Combined Species
JUNIOR HUNT
Sept. 14-28
STATEWIDE
Sept. 14-Nov. 29Dec. 16-24Dec. 26-Feb. 28
2 daily, 6 possession
Oct. 12-19
Oct. 26-Nov. 29Dec. 16-24Dec. 26-Feb. 28
A pheasant permit is required for most pheasant hunters.
4 daily, 12 possession
Oct. 5-19
Oct. 19-Nov. 29Dec. 16-24Dec. 26-Feb. 28
Oct. 19-Nov. 29Dec. 16-24
No Limit
Sept. 2-Nov. 29Dec. 16-24Dec. 26-March 31
No open season for quail and no release of quail in the Letterkenny Army Depot Bobwhite Quail Recovery Area
Aug. 22-March 23
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays Sundays only
July 1-June 30
Except during regular firearms deer seasons
1 daily, 3 possession
Dec. 26-Jan. 1
1) Manually operated and semiautomatic 10-gauge or less shotguns with a capacity of no more than 3 shells in the chamber and magazine combined; 2) Manually operated and semi-automatic rifles and manually operated handguns .22-caliber rimfire or less; 3) Air-guns for small game in calibers from .177 to .22, for woodchucks at least .22-caliber, that propel a single-projectile or bullet. BB ammunition is prohibited. 4) Muzzleloading rifles and handguns .40-caliber or less, and shotguns 10-gauge or less; and 5) Long, recurve and compound bows and arrows, and crossbows. Singleprojectile ammunition, or fine shot pellets no larger than No. 4 lead, bismuth-tin, or tungsten-iron, or other approved non-toxic shot or No. 2 steel. There is no restriction on magazine capacity for semiautomatic rifles used to hunt small game.
Note: Rifle and handgun caliber restrictions (except air-guns) do not apply when hunting woodchucks.
Small game and porcupine hunters must wear at least 250 square inches of fluorescent orange at all times on the head, chest and back combined. Woodchuck hunters must wear a solid fluorescent orange cap on the head. Orange must be visible 360 degrees. No orange is required for crow hunters.
Pheasant hunting is open statewide during the Junior Hunt, Oct. 12-19. Junior Hunt stocking locations are available at www.pgc.pa.gov. Hunters statewide may hunt pheasants from Oct. 26-Nov. 29, Dec. 16-24, and Dec. 26-Feb. 28. Male and female pheasants may be taken in all WMUs.
It is unlawful to discharge a firearm within 150 yards of a Game Commission vehicle if its occupants are releasing pheasants.
There is no open season for the taking of pheasants in any Wild Pheasant Recovery Area (WPRA), except the executive director may authorize limited pheasant hunting opportunities. All other small game species can be hunted in WPRAs when in season. Dog training is now permitted in WPRAs. For WPRA boundaries, visit www.pgc.pa.gov.
It is unlawful to hunt small game in a party of more than six persons. This does not apply to waterfowl or dove hunters when hunting from a blind or other stationary positions.
Small game may be transported untagged by the owner. Small game unaccompanied by the owner must be labeled with the name, address, CID number and signature of the owner.
English sparrows and European starlings may be taken in unlimited numbers, but cannot be hunted during the regular firearms deer season. There is no open season for pine martens or sharp-tailed grouse.
Pheasant Permit Required
All adult hunters and some senior hunters who pursue pheasants in Pennsylvania are required to purchase a pheasant permit in addition to a general hunting license or Mentored permit. Pheasant permits cost $26.97 and must be signed and carried while hunting pheasants. Senior lifetime resident hunting or senior lifetime resident combination license holders who acquired their licenses prior to May 13, 2017 are exempt from needing a pheasant permit. Junior hunters and Mentored permit holders under 17 need a FREE permit.
