HUNTING LICENSES

A Hunting License is required in the state of Pennsylvania to hunt any game animal. There are a variety of license types available depending on your age, residency status, and what type of game you plan to hunt. Some of the hunting license types in Pennsylvania include:   

Resident Adult Hunting License

Issued to residents of Pennsylvania who are aged 17-64. This license type includes one antlered-deer tag and one spring turkey tag as well as small game hunting privileges. The license is valid for one license year. 

Resident Junior Hunting License

This license type is issued to Pennsylvania residents who are 12-16 years of age, who have successfully completed a Hunter Education Course. The license must be signed by the applicant, in addition to a parent or guardian. The license includes one antlered deer tag, a fall turkey tag and one spring turkey tag as well as small hunting game privileges. The license does not permit for archery, muzzleloader or furtaker add-on privileges – these privileges are available with the Resident Junior Combination License. Applicants who are 11 years of age may also apply for the license if they will be 12 years of age by June 30th of the license year. 

Resident Senior Hunting License

This license type is available to residents of Pennsylvania who are 65 years of age or older. Hunters who are 64 years of age may apply for the license so long as they will be 65 years of age by June 30th of the incense year. The license includes one antlered deer tag, one fall turkey tag, and a spring turkey tag and includes small game hunting privileges for one license year. 

Add-on Licenses

Add on license types must be purchased in addition to regular hunting licenses in order to hunt specific game animals, or with a particular firearm. License types include bear licenses, archery licenses, and migratory game licenses among others. Hunters should be familiar with and possess the correct licenses required for the game animal they’ll be hunting or the type of firearm being used. 

GAME SPECIES

Pennsylvania offers a wide variety of game species for all types of hunters. The state boasts mountainous landscape and rolling hills and valleys – In addition, 50% of the state’s lands are still forested, offering a wide range of habitats and ecosystems for wildlife, including game species.  

Game species in Pennsylvania are categorized as follows:

• Big game including white-tailed deer, black bear, elk and turkey.
• Small game including woodcock, pheasant, ruffed grouse and quail, among others.
• Waterfowl and other migratory game birds including ducks, geese, and mourning dove.
• Furbearers including beaver, bobcat, fisher, fox, coyote among others.

NON-GAME SPECIES

Nongame species within the state makeup 75% of the state’s wildlife and include mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates which typically may not be hunted, are considered a nuisance or are protected, endangered, or at risk. There is, unfortunately, a lengthy list of endangered, protected, and threatened species within the state. For more information on nongame, and endangered species within the state visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife page.  

INVASIVE SPECIES

Invasive animals and other pests have been introduced to the United States, including the State or Pennsylvania, and have become a threat to native wildlife. These animals, plants, fish, and invertebrates typically have no natural predators which can result in rapid spread and population growth. This in turn can seriously harm the state’s lands and waters, and can be detrimental to the health and population numbers of a variety of the state’s native plants and animals. Some common invasive species in Pennsylvania include Asian Tiger Mosquito, Zebra Mussel, Brown Marmorated Stinkbug, and the Japanese Beetle, as well as the Feral Hog – one of the most destructive and notable of the state’s pests. 

In order to protect Pennsylvania’s native plants and animals, invasive species must be controlled and eradicated. Anyone who encounters or suspects that they have encountered an invasive species within the state is encouraged to report the sighting so that it can be monitored and controlled. For information on how to report various types of invasive species in Pennsylvania visit the US Department of Agriculture, National Invasive Species Information Center.

PRIVATE LAND

Much of the land in Pennsylvania is privately owned. Hunters can typically freely take game animals hunted on their own private property, or may seek permission from a landowner to hunt on private property. Hunters who wish to take game on privately owned land must follow state hunting regulations as well as any regulations specified by the landowner. Hunters must ensure they respect the rights and property of the landowner at all times. 

PENNSYLVANIA HUNTER ACCESS PROGRAM

The Pennsylvania Game Commission has partnered with private landowners to provide additional hunting opportunities and land access throughout the state, under the Hunter Access Program. The Program has existed for more than 80 years to provide access to millions of acres of private lands. For more information on how to use private lands through the Hunter Access program, or to participate in the program as a landowner, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission Hunter Access Program webpage. 

PUBLIC LAND

Nearly 1.5 million acres of game lands throughout the state are owned and managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commision. The purpose of the state owned land is to provide management of wildlife and habitat, and to provide hunting and trapping opportunities for hunters. 

State managed lands have species rules and regulations in place that must be followed by all land users. State lands may also be used for other recreational purposes including horseback riding, snowmobiling, and bicycling.  

For more information on the rules and regulations that apply to hunter and other recreational users of state lands, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commision website, or review the Pennsylvania Code State Game Lands Chapter. 

SPECIAL REGULATIONS AREAS

Certain counties and regions within the State of Pennsylvania are considered to be Special Regulations Areas – additional rules and regulations may apply within these regions. Hunters must ensure that they are familiar with and follow these regulations if they are hunting within a Special Regulations Area. Special Regulations Areas within the state include: 

• Allegheny County (western Pennsylvania)
• Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties in southeastern Pennsylvania
• Ridley Creek and Tyler State Parks during special controlled hunts.

Additional regulations within these areas may include firearm types restrictions (ex. Centrefire rifles may not be permitted), baiting restrictions, shotgun gauge restrictions, as well as minimum caliber requirements for rifles when used on certain game animal types. 

Hunting in Pennsylvania’s State Parks & Forests

All of Pennsylvania’s 20 state forests are open to public hunting, providing hunters with 2.2 million acres of accessible lands. Additionally, 97 state parks are also open to hunters during established hunting seasons. Hunters who are accessing these properties to take game must understand and follow the rules and regulations that apply in these areas.

State Forest Regulations

The following activities are prohibited within Pennsylvania’s State Forests:

• Operating an ATV in an area that has not been posted as open for off-road vehicles
• Cutting, picking, damaging or removing any plant life such as vines, trees, flower or shrubs
• Littering
• Releasing any animal that was brought into a state forest

State Parks Regulations

The following activities are prohibited in Pennsylvania’s State Parks:

• Pursuing or intentionally disturbing wildlife, unless the person is engaged in legal hunting activities
• Hunting with any firearm within a state park without a hunting license
• Possession of an uncased firearm unless engaged in hunting activities