Pennsylvania Code › Title 58 - RECREATION › Part III - GAME COMMISSION › Chapter 139 - SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS › Section 139.4 - Seasons and bag limits for the license year

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
2023-2024 OPEN HUNTING AND FURTAKING SEASONS, DAILY
				  LIMIT, FIELD POSSESSION LIMIT AND SEASON LIMIT OPEN SEASON INCLUDES FIRST AND
				  LAST DATES LISTED
Species
First Day
Last Day
Daily Limit
Field Possession Limit After Second
							 day
Squirrel
-(Combined
							 species)1 Eligible Junior Hunters only, with or
							 without the required junior license
Sept. 9
Sept. 23
6
18
Squirrel
-(Combined
							 species)2
Sept. 9
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 13
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 20
Dec. 11
Dec. 26
and
and
and
and
and
and
Nov. 11
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 18
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 24
Dec. 23
Feb. 29, 2024
6
18
Ruffed
							 Grouse
2
Oct. 14
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 13
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 20
Dec. 11
and
and
and
and
and
Nov. 11 Sun.3, Nov. 12
							 Nov. 18 Sun.3, Nov. 19 Nov. 24 Dec.
							 23
2
6
Rabbit,
							 Cottontail
1 Eligible Junior Hunters only,
							 with or without the required junior license
Sept. 30
Oct. 14
4
12
Rabbit,
							 Cottontail
2
Oct. 14
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 13
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 20
Dec. 11
Dec. 26
and
and
and
and
and
and
Nov. 11
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 18
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 24
Dec. 23
Feb. 29, 2024
4
12
Ring-necked Pheasant
-There is no
							 open season for the taking of pheasants in the Franklin County Wild Pheasant
							 Recovery Area.
Central Susquehanna Wild Pheasant Recovery Area-
Male only
1
As authorized by the Executive Order
Ring-necked Pheasant-Male or
Female
1 Eligible Junior Hunters
							 only, with or without the required junior license
Oct. 7
Oct. 14
2
6
Ring-necked Pheasant-Male or
							 Female
2
Oct. 21
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 13
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 20
Dec. 1
Dec. 26
and
and
and
and
and
and
Nov. 11
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 18 Sun.3,
Nov. 19
Nov. 24
Dec. 23
Feb. 29, 2024
2
6
Bobwhite Quail
-There is no open
							 season for the taking of bobwhite quail in the area surrounding the Letterkenny
							 Bobwhite Quail Focus Area, as designated in §
													141.30 (relating to bobwhite quail
							 recovery area).
Bobwhite
							 Quail
2
Sept. 1
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 13
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 20
Dec. 11
Dec. 26
and
and
and
and
and
and
Nov. 11
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 18
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 24
Dec. 23
Mar. 30, 2024
Unlimited
Hare (Snowshoe Rabbits) or Varying
							 Hare
1
Dec. 26
Jan. 1, 2024
1
3
Woodchuck
							 (Groundhog)
2
July 1
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 13
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 20
and
and
and
and
and
Nov. 11
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 18
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 24
Unlimited
Crow
3
							 (Hunting permitted on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
							 only)
Aug. 24
Mar. 24, 2024
Unlimited
Starling and English
							 Sparrow
3
No closed season, except season closed during the
							 regular firearms deer season(s).
Unlimited
MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS
Except as further restricted by this chapter, the seasons,
				  bag limits, hunting hours and hunting regulations for migratory game birds must
				  conform to regulations adopted by the United States Secretary of the Interior
				  under authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C.A. §§
										703-712) as published in the
Federal Register
on or about February 28 of each year.
Exceptions:
(a)
				Hunting hours in §
									141.4 (relating to hunting
				hours).
(b) Nontoxic shot as
				approved by the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service is
				required for use Statewide in hunting and taking of migratory
				waterfowl.
(c) Hunting on Sunday
				not authorized.1
WILD TURKEY
Species
First Day
Last Day
Daily Limit
Season Limit
Turkey, Fall-Male or
							 Female
1
WMU 2B
WMUs 1A, 1B, 4A, 4B, 4D and 4E
WMUs 2A, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 4C
WMUs 2C, 2D and 2E
WMU 5B
WMUs 5A, 5C and 5D
Oct. 28
Nov. 22
Oct. 28
Oct. 28
Oct. 28
Nov. 22
Oct. 31
and
and
Nov. 17
Nov. 24
Nov. 4
Nov. 11
Nov. 11
Nov. 24
Nov. 2
1
1
Closed to fall turkey hunting
Turkey,
							 Spring
1
Bearded Bird only, Eligible Junior Hunters only,
							 with the required junior license
Apr. 27, 2024
Apr. 27, 2024
1
1
Turkey, Spring
1,4
Bearded Bird only
May 4, 2024
May 20, 2024
and
May 18, 2024
May 31, 2024
1
2
May be hunted 1/2 hour before sunrise to 12
							 noon
May be hunted 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour
							 after sunset
Squirrel
-(Combined
							 species)2
Sept. 1
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 13 Sun.3, Nov.
							 19
Nov. 20
Sun.3, Nov. 26
Nov. 27
and
and
and
and
and
and
Nov. 11 Sun.3, Nov. 12
							 Nov. 18 Sun.3, Nov. 19 Nov. 25
							 Sun.3, Nov. 26 Mar. 30, 2024
6
18
Quail
2
Sept. 1 Sun.3, Nov. 12
							 Nov. 13 Sun.3, Nov. 19 Nov. 20
							 Sun.3, Nov. 26 Nov. 27
and
and
and
and
and
and
Nov. 11
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 18
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 25
Sun.3, Nov. 26
Mar. 30, 2024
Unlimited
Ruffed
							 Grouse
2
Sept. 1
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 13
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 20
Sun.3, Nov. 26 Nov.
							 27
and
and
and
and
and
and
Nov. 11
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 18
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 25
Sun.3, Nov. 26
Mar. 30, 2024
2
6
Cottontail
							 Rabbits
2
Sept. 1
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 13
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 20
Sun.3, Nov. 26
Nov. 27
and
and
and
and
and
and
Nov. 11
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 18
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 25
Sun.3, Nov. 26
Mar. 30, 2024
4
12
Snowshoe or Varying
							 Hare
2
Sept. 1
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 13
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 20
and
and
and
and
and
Nov. 11
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 18
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 25
1
3
Sun.3, Nov. 26
Nov. 27
and
Sun.3, Nov. 26
Mar. 30, 2024
Ring-necked
							 Pheasant-Male
2
and Female
(Combined)
Sept. 1
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 13 Sun.3, Nov.
							 19
Nov. 20
Sun.3, Nov. 26
Nov. 27
and
and
and
and
and
and
Nov. 11
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 18
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 25 Sun.3, Nov.
							 26
Mar. 30, 2024
2
6
Mink, Muskrat, Fox, Opossum, Raccoon,
							 Striped Skunk and Weasel
2
Sept. 1
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 13
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 20
Sun.3, Nov. 26
Nov. 27
and
and
and
and
and
and
Nov. 11
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 18
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 25
Sun.3, Nov. 26
Mar. 30, 2024
Unlimited
Migratory Game
							 Bird
1-Seasons and bag limits shall be in
							 accordance with Federal regulations.
WHITE-TAILED DEER
Species
First Day
Last Day
Season Limit
Deer, Archery (Antlered and
							 Antlerless)
2, 5 With the required archery
							 license WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D
Sept. 16
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 13 Sun.3, Nov.
							 19
Nov. 20
Dec. 26
and
and
and
and
and
Nov. 11
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 18
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 24
Jan. 27, 2024
One antlered deer and an antlerless deer with each
							 required antlerless license.
Deer, Archery (Antlered and
							 Antlerless)
2, 5 With the required archery
							 license WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D,
							 4E, 5A and 5B
Sept. 30
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 13
Dec. 26
and
and
and
Nov. 11
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 17
Jan. 15, 2024
One antlered deer and an antlerless deer with each
							 required antlerless license.
Deer, Muzzleloading (Antlerless
							 only)
1 With the required muzzleloading
							 license
Oct. 14
Oct. 21
An antlerless deer with each required antlerless
							 license.
Deer, Special firearms (Antlerless
							 only)
Only Junior and Senior License
							 Holders6 Mentored Permit
							 Holders9, Commission Disabled Person Permit Holders
							 (to use a vehicle as a blind), and Residents serving on active duty in the
							 United States Armed Forces or United States Coast Guard
Oct. 19
Oct. 21
An antlerless deer with each required antlerless
							 license.
Deer, Regular Firearms (Antlered and
							 Antlerless)
2, 5 Statewide
Nov. 25
Sun.3, Nov. 26
Nov. 27
and
and
Nov. 25
Sun.3, Nov. 26
Dec. 9
One antlered deer and an antlerless deer with each
							 required antlerless license.
Deer, Flintlock (Antlered or
							 Antlerless)
1, 5 With the required
							 muzzleloading license WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A,
							 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A and 5B
Dec. 26
Jan. 15, 2024
One antlered or one antlerless deer plus an
							 additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
Deer, Flintlock (Antlered or
							 Antlerless)
1, 5 With the required
							 muzzleloading license WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D
Dec. 26
Jan. 27, 2024
One antlered or one antlerless deer plus an
							 additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
Deer, Extended Regular firearms
							 (Antlerless)
1 WMUs 2B, 5C and
							 5D
Dec. 26
Jan. 27, 2024
An antlerless deer with each required antlerless
							 license.
Deer,
							 Antlerless
1 (Letterkenny Army Depot,
							 Franklin County and New Cumberland Army Depot, York County and Fort Detrick,
							 Raven Rock Site, Adams County)
Hunting is permitted on days established by the
							 United States Department of the Army.
An antlerless deer with each required antlerless
							 license.
BLACK BEAR
Species
First Day
Last Day
Season Limit
Bear, Archery
2,
								7 WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D
Sept. 16
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 13
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 20
and
and
and
and
Nov. 11
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 18
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 24
1
Bear, Archery
2,
								7 WMU 5B
Sept. 30
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 13
and
and
Nov. 11
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 17
1
Bear, Archery
1,
								7 WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B,
							 4C, 4D, 4E and 5A
Oct. 14
Nov. 4
1
Bear, Muzzleloader
1, 7
								(Statewide)
Oct. 14
Oct. 21
1
Bear, Special
							 firearms
7 Only Junior and Senior License
							 Holders6, Mentored Permit
							 Holders9, Commission Disabled Person Permit Holders
							 (to use a vehicle as a blind), and Residents serving on active duty in the
							 United States Armed Forces, or in the United States Coast Guard
							 (Statewide)
Oct. 19
Oct. 21
1
Bear, Regular
							 Firearms
2, 7 (Statewide)
Nov. 18
Nov. 18
1
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 20
and
and
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 21
Bear, Extended
							 firearms
2, 7 WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and
							 5D
Nov. 25 Sun.3, Nov.
							 26
Nov. 27
and
and
Nov. 25
Sun.3, Nov. 26
Dec. 9
1
Bear, Extended
							 firearms
2, 7 WMUs 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4E
							 and 5A
Nov. 25
and
Nov. 25
1
Sun.3, Nov. 26
Nov. 27
and
Sun.3, Nov. 26
Dec. 2
ELK
Species
First Day
Last Day
Season Limit
Elk, Special Conservation
							 Tag
1, 8
and Special-License
							 Tag
1, 8
(Antlered and
							 Antlerless)
Sept. 1
Nov. 4
1
Elk, Archery1,
								8
Sept. 16
Sept. 30
1
Elk, Regular
1, 8
(Antlered and Antlerless)
Oct. 30
Nov. 4
1
Elk, Late
1,
								8
Dec. 30
Jan. 6, 2024
1
FURTAKING-TRAPPING
Species
First Day
Last Day
Daily Limit
Season Limit
Mink and Muskrat
Nov. 18
Jan. 7, 2024
Unlimited
Beaver
Dec. 16
Mar. 31, 2024
WMUs 1A and 1B (Combined)
20
60
WMUs 2A, 2B and 3C (Combined)
20
40
WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 3A, 3B, 3D, 5C and 5D
							 (Combined)
20
20
WMUs 2G, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A and 5B
							 (Combined)
5
5
Species
First Day
Last Day
Season Limit
Coyote, Fox, Opossum, Raccoon, Striped Skunk
							 and Weasel
Oct. 21
Feb. 18, 2024
Unlimited
Coyote and Fox
Use of cable
							 restraint devices authorized with required certification
Dec. 26
Feb. 18, 2024
Unlimited
Bobcat, with required bobcat permit
WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and
							 4E
Dec. 16
Jan. 7, 2024
1
Fisher, with required fisher permit
WMUs 1B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and
							 4E
Dec. 16
Dec. 31
1
River Otter, with required otter
							 permit
WMUs 1A, 1B, 2F, 3B, 3C, 3D and 4E
Feb. 10, 2024
Feb. 17, 2024
1
FURTAKING-HUNTING
Species
First Day
Last Day
Daily Limit
Season Limit
Coyote-(Outside of any big game
							 season)
3
May be taken with a hunting license or a furtaker's
							 license.
Unlimited
Coyote-(During any big game
							 season)
May be taken while lawfully hunting big game or with
							 a furtaker's license.
Unlimited
Opossum, Striped Skunk,
							 Weasel
2
July 1
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 13
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 20
Sun.3, Nov. 26
Nov. 27
and
and
and
and
and
and
Nov. 11
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 18
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 25 Sun.3, Nov.
							 26
June 29, 2024
Unlimited May be hunted any hour, day or night, on
							 open dates from July 1- Nov. 24 and Dec. 10-June 29, 2024. May only be hunted
							 from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise from Nov. 25-Dec.
							 9.
Fox
3
Oct. 21
Feb. 17, 2024
Unlimited May be hunted any hour, day or night, from
							 Oct. 21-Nov. 24 and Dec. 10-Feb. 17, 2024. May only be hunted from 1/2 hour
							 after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise from Nov. 25-Dec. 9.
Raccoon
2
Oct. 21
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 13 Sun.3, Nov.
							 19
Nov. 20
Sun.3, Nov. 26
Nov. 27
and
and
and
and
and
and
Nov. 11
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 18
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 25 Sun.3, Nov.
							 26
Feb. 17, 2024
Unlimited May be hunted any hour, day or night, on
							 open dates from Oct. 21- Nov. 24 and Dec. 10-Feb. 17, 2024. May only be hunted
							 from 1/2 and hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise from Nov. 25-Dec.
							 9.
Bobcat, with required bobcat
							 permit
1 WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A,
							 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E
Jan. 6, 2024
Jan. 31, 2024
1
1
Porcupine
2
Oct. 7
Sun.3, Nov. 12
Nov. 13
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 20
Dec. 11 Dec. 26
and
and
and
and
and
and
Nov. 11
Sun.3 , Nov. 12
Nov. 18
Sun.3, Nov. 19
Nov. 24
Dec. 23
Jan. 27, 2024
3
10
No open seasons on other wild birds or wild
				  mammals.
1 No hunting on Sunday authorized.
				  See
				  34 Pa.C.S. §
										2303
				  (relating to hunting on Sunday prohibited).
2 Hunting on Sunday authorized on
				  separately delineated Sunday date(s) only. See
				  34 Pa.C.S. §
										2303.
3 Hunting on Sunday is authorized.
				  See
				  34 Pa.C.S. §
										2303.
4 Only persons who possess a
				  special wild turkey license as provided for in
				  34 Pa.C.S. §
										2709
				  (relating to license costs and fees) may take a second spring gobbler during
				  the hunting license year; all other persons, including mentored youth hunters,
				  may take only one spring gobbler. A maximum of 2 spring gobblers per license
				  year may be taken by any combination of licenses or exceptions for mentored
				  youth.
5 Only one antlered deer (buck)
				  may be taken during the hunting license year.
6 Includes resident and
				  nonresident license holders who have reached or will reach their 65th birthday
				  in the year of the application for the license and hold a valid adult license
				  or qualify for license and fee exemptions under
				  34 Pa.C.S. §
										2706
				  (relating to resident license and fee exemptions).
7 Only one bear may be taken
				  during the hunting license year with the required bear license.
8 Only one elk may be taken during
				  the hunting license year with the required elk license.
9 Includes mentored youth and
				  mentored adults with a valid mentored hunter permit issued under Chapter 147,
				  Subchapter X (relating to Special Permits; Mentored Hunting Program
				  Permit).
The provisions of this §
											139.4 issued and amended under the
					 Game and Wildlife Code, 34 Pa.C.S.
This section cited in 58 Pa. Code §
											135.41 (relating to State game
					 lands); 58 Pa. Code §
											135.106 (relating to Pymatuning
					 Wildlife Management Area); 58 Pa. Code §
											139.6 (relating to field
					 possession and transportation limits); 58 Pa. Code §
											143.206 (relating to validity of
					 elk licenses); 58 Pa. Code §
											143.243 (relating to general); 58
					 Pa. Code §
											147.315 (relating to purpose); 58
					 Pa. Code §
											147.664 (relating to permit); 58
					 Pa. Code §
											147.701 (relating to general); and
					 58 Pa. Code §
											147.804 (relating to
					 general).