HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Game Commission has finalized the 2025-26 hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits, announcing major changes for deer hunters, bear archers, and Sunday hunting access across the state.
Key Points
- After-Christmas extended firearms season expanded statewide on DMAP lands
- Antlerless deer licenses guaranteed to residents if purchased before July 7
- Bear archery season cut to one week statewide, with exceptions in four WMUs
Firearms seasons and Sunday access expanded
Hunters statewide will benefit from a broader After-Christmas extended firearms season. All Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) properties will be open from Dec. 26, 2025, to Jan. 24, 2026. Additionally, Wildlife Management Unit 4C will have its own extended firearms season from Jan. 2 to Jan. 19, 2026.
Three Sunday hunting dates have also been confirmed for the upcoming license year: Nov. 16, Nov. 23, and Nov. 30, continuing the push for expanded weekend hunting opportunities in the state.
Antlerless tags guaranteed for early-bird residents
In a notable shift for deer hunters, antlerless licenses will be guaranteed to Pennsylvania residents for all Wildlife Management Units—if purchased before 7 a.m. on July 7. That’s when nonresidents will become eligible to buy their first-round tags.
This early purchase window aims to ensure resident hunters secure their preferred hunting areas without competition from out-of-state applicants.
Shorter bear season, region-specific exceptions
The statewide bear archery season will see a significant reduction in 2025, running only from Oct. 18 to Oct. 25. However, longer seasons will still apply to WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C, and 5D, which traditionally support extended bear hunting formats due to regional population and habitat factors.
Complete details on the finalized seasons and bag limits can be found on the Game Commission’s website.
Pa. hunters face shorter bear seasons but wider deer access and more Sunday hunts in 2025-26 changes.
