Pennsylvania’s Hunting Seasons Open for Various Small Game Species
Pennsylvania, widely recognized for its robust deer populations, is preparing to open multiple hunting seasons this fall, including opportunities for rabbits, grouse, pheasants, and turkeys. These seasons offer crucial access for hunters of varying experience levels and serve as an important management tool for sustaining healthy wildlife populations.
This year, the Pennsylvania Game Commission has expanded hunting opportunities by allowing hunting on Sundays through December 7, with the exception of waterfowl seasons, enhancing accessibility while supporting regulated harvest.
Ruffed Grouse Season Dates and Limits
The ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus), a species closely tied to early successional forest habitats, has a season starting October 18 and continuing through November 28, with a second season from December 15 to 24. The daily bag limit is two birds. Maintaining hunting seasons on grouse supports sustainable population management, given their sensitivity to habitat changes.
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit Season Schedules
The Eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus) season opens October 4 for junior hunters and October 18 for the general public. Season durations include October 18 to November 28 and a secondary season from December 15 to 24, plus from December 26 to February 28. Hunters may harvest up to four cottontails daily. This extended season corresponds with the rabbit’s reproductive cycles and population dynamics.
Additionally, hare species such as the snowshoe hare have a limited season from December 26 to January 1, with a season limit of three, reflecting their lower abundance and unique ecological requirements.
Pheasant Season Timeline and Limits
Pheasant hunting opens October 11 for junior hunters and October 25 for all hunters. Junior hunters enjoy a dedicated week from October 11 to 18. The statewide season extends through November 28, with a late season from December 15 to 24 and another from December 26 to February 28. The daily limit is two birds of either sex, promoting balanced harvest of this introduced game species crucial to agricultural landscapes.
Fall Turkey Hunting Regulations and Zones
Fall turkey season for both gobblers and hens begins November 1, but season lengths vary by Wildlife Management Unit (WMU):
- WMUs 5A and 5B close on November 4.
- WMUs 1B, 3D, 4C, and 4E close November 8.
- WMUs 1A, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B, and 4D offer a two-week season until November 15.
- WMUs 2A, 2F, 3B, and 3C have a split season: November 1–15 and November 26–28, permitting hunting during Thanksgiving week.
- WMUs 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E feature the longest season, November 1–21 and November 26–28.
Fall turkey hunting is closed in WMUs 5C and 5D in southeastern Pennsylvania. Hunters are allowed to take one gobbler or hen during the fall season. This management structure reflects localized turkey population dynamics and habitat availability.
Squirrel Hunting Season and Limits
Squirrel hunting remains open with a daily bag limit of six squirrels. The seasons run from September 13 to November 28, December 15 to 24, and December 26 to February 28. Squirrel species, particularly the gray squirrel, play an important ecological role in forest regeneration through seed dispersal.
Bobwhite Quail Season and Regulation
Bobwhite quail hunting seasons run September 1 to November 28, December 15 to 24, and December 26 to March 31. The Pennsylvania Game Commission does not impose a daily bag limit on quail, reflecting their fluctuating population levels and management strategies aimed at supporting this declining species.
Waterfowl and Canada Goose Hunting Zones
Canada geese hunting occurs across the state in designated zones, including the Atlantic Population Zone in southeastern Pennsylvania and the Resident Population Zone covering most of the state. Pennsylvania is divided into four zones for waterfowl management to balance conservation needs with hunting demand.
Waterfowl hunting seasons are managed separately and remain closed on Sundays, consistent with conservation policies during critical migration periods.
Additional reporting and sources from: From turkeys, rabbits, pheasants to geese, here’s a look at Pa.’s new hunting seasons
