While Pennsylvania is well-known for deer hunting, there are many other hunting seasons that are soon opening, including for rabbits, grouse, pheasants and turkeys.
Small game hunting in Pennsylvania is a good way to introduce new hunters to the sport as well as have a good time with family and friends.
New this year, hunting is open every Sunday through Dec. 7 for the different seasons, except for waterfowl.
The ruffed grouse season opens Oct. 18 and continues through Nov. 28. There’s also a second season that runs Dec. 15-24. Hunters are permitted two grouse a day.
Rabbit hunters have several months of opportunities, including a season for junior hunters Oct. 4-18. The regular season is Oct. 18-Nov. 28. The second season runs Dec. 15-24 and then Dec. 26-Feb. 28. The daily limit is four cottontails.
There’s also one week of hare season, including snowshoes, Dec. 26-Jan. 1 with a season limit of three.
Pheasant hunters also have a special week for junior hunters that runs Oct. 11-18. The statewide season begins Oct. 25 and continues through Nov. 28. The late season for pheasants is Dec. 15-24 and then Dec. 26-Feb. 28. The daily limit is two birds, male or female.
Turkey season for gobblers and hens
The fall turkey season starts Nov. 1 and the season length varies across the state for different Wildlife Management Units (WMUs).
In WMUs 5A and 5B, the season ends Nov. 4. In 1B, 3D, 4C and 4E, the season ends Nov. 8.
In 1A, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B and 4 D, hunters get two weeks to hunt turkeys through Nov. 15.
Other parts of the state have a longer turkey season. In WMUs 2A, 2F, 3B and 3C, the season is Nov. 1-15 and Nov. 26-28 allow hunters to be out during Thanksgiving week.
WMUs 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E have the longest season. It includes Nov. 1-21 and Nov. 26-28. Fall turkey hunters are permitted one gobbler or hen each fall.
Fall turkey season is closed in WMUs 5C and 5D in southeastern Pennsylvania.
A small game animal that has a long hunting season is the squirrel. Hunters can take six squirrels a day while hunting Sept. 13 to Nov. 28, Dec. 15-24 and Dec. 26 to Feb. 28.
Bobwhite quail season provides opportunities for hunters now as well as into the spring. The seasons run Sept. 1-Nov. 28, Dec. 15-24 and Dec. 26 to March 31. The Game Commission doesn’t have a daily limit on quail.
Waterfowl and goose hunting
Pennsylvania is broken into four zones for hunting ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers.
The Lake Erie Zone season is Nov. 3-Jan. 10.
The Northwest Zone has hunting Oct. 11 to Nov. 28 and Dec. 22 to Jan. 10.
The North Zone has waterfowl hunting Oct. 11-25 and Nov. 18 to Jan. 10.
The South Zone that includes the southern half of Pennsylvania runs Oct. 11-18 and Nov. 19-Jan. 19.
Canada geese have their own seasons. For most of Pennsylvania, the Resident Population Zone for geese was Sept. 1-25. The season continues Oct. 25-Nov. 28, Dec. 15- Jan. 17, and Jan. 30 to Feb. 21.
In the Atlantic Population Zone of southeastern Pennsylvania, Canada geese were hunted Sept. 1-25. The season reopens Nov. 25-28 and Dec. 20-Jan. 19.
For light geese, including snow geese and Ross’ geese, the Resident Population Zone season includes Oct. 21 to Feb. 21 and a conservation season of Feb. 23-April 24. For the Atlantic Zone, the season is Oct. 1-Jan. 24 and a conservation season of Jan. 26-April 24. During conservation seasons, hunters are permitted to use recorded or amplified calls.
Fluorescent orange
Small game hunters must wear at least 250 square inches of fluorescent orange clothing on their head, back and chest. Hunters pursuing turkeys, waterfowl and doves are not required to wear orange clothing.
With the numerous types of hunting that occur each fall and winter, it’s good to review the Hunting and Trapping Digest that’s available on the Game Commission’s website on a regular basis for updates, including the new 10 Sundays hunters have for certain seasons through Dec. 7.
