Pennsylvania Deer Season 2026-27: Archery, Rifle and Flintlock Dates
Pennsylvania deer, Oct. 26, 2026
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Archery
Archery
Next to open
Nov. 28
Deer season dates by WMU
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D | Sept. 19, 2026 to Nov. 27, 2026 | Open now |
| Archery | All other WMUs | Oct. 3, 2026 to Nov. 20, 2026 | Open now |
| Antlerless Muzzleloader | Statewide | Oct. 17, 2026 to Oct. 25, 2026 | Closed |
| Antlerless Special Firearms | Statewide | Oct. 22, 2026 to Oct. 25, 2026 | Closed |
| Regular Firearms | Statewide | Nov. 28, 2026 to Dec. 13, 2026 | Opens in 33 days |
| Extended Antlerless Firearms | WMUs 4A, 4C, 4D and 5A | Dec. 26, 2026 to Jan. 18, 2027 | Opens in 61 days |
| Extended Antlerless Firearms | DMAP properties | Dec. 26, 2026 to Jan. 24, 2027 | Opens in 61 days |
| Late Archery | Statewide | Dec. 26, 2026 to Jan. 24, 2027 | Opens in 61 days |
| Flintlock | Statewide | Dec. 26, 2026 to Jan. 24, 2027 | Opens in 61 days |
| Extended Antlerless Firearms | WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D | Dec. 26, 2026 to Jan. 24, 2027 | Opens in 61 days |
Rifle season (regular firearms)
The regular firearms season runs Nov. 28, 2026 to Dec. 13, 2026, 16 days statewide, starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Antlered and antlerless deer may be taken: one antlered deer per license year, plus one antlerless deer with each antlerless license. Fluorescent orange is required.
Only manually operated centerfire rifles (pump, lever, bolt or single-shot) are legal for deer, and the Special Regulations Areas are limited to straight-walled cartridges. See the deer rifle rules by state.
Sunday hunting
All 2026-27 deer seasons include the Sundays that fall within their dates. The rifle season includes three Sundays.
Seasons that depend on your WMU
Pennsylvania sets several deer seasons by Wildlife Management Unit (WMU). Find your unit on the PGC WMU map.
- WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: archery opens early, Sept. 19, 2026 to Nov. 27, 2026, and the extended antlerless firearms season runs Dec. 26, 2026 to Jan. 24, 2027.
- WMUs 4A, 4C, 4D and 5A: extended antlerless firearms season, Dec. 26, 2026 to Jan. 18, 2027.
- DMAP properties: extended antlerless firearms season, Dec. 26, 2026 to Jan. 24, 2027, with a valid DMAP harvest permit, on enrolled properties only.
- All other WMUs: archery runs Oct. 3, 2026 to Nov. 20, 2026.
The PGC Seasons and Bag Limits page lists the end of the WMU 4A, 4C, 4D and 5A extended season as Jan. 18, 2026. The final 2026-27 seasons release and the 2026-27 Pocket Guide both list Jan. 18, 2027, the date shown here.
Antlerless licenses by WMU
The statewide antlerless license allocation rose from 1,312,000 in 2025-26 to 1,469,000 in 2026-27. After the guaranteed resident period, licenses are sold first-come, first-served until each WMU sells out, up to a limit of six active antlerless licenses per hunter.
| WMU | 2026-27 | 2025-26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1A | 52,000 | 46,000 | +6,000 |
| 1B | 44,000 | 44,000 | No change |
| 2A | 49,000 | 44,000 | +5,000 |
| 2B | 62,000 | 59,000 | +3,000 |
| 2C | 117,000 | 93,000 | +24,000 |
| 2D | 112,000 | 96,000 | +16,000 |
| 2E | 63,000 | 51,000 | +12,000 |
| 2F | 67,000 | 51,000 | +16,000 |
| 2G | 57,000 | 57,000 | No change |
| 3A | 21,000 | 21,000 | No change |
| 3B | 53,000 | 53,000 | No change |
| 3C | 57,000 | 57,000 | No change |
| 3D | 52,000 | 52,000 | No change |
| 4A | 64,000 | 64,000 | No change |
| 4B | 71,000 | 60,000 | +11,000 |
| 4C | 51,000 | 51,000 | No change |
| 4D | 120,000 | 83,000 | +37,000 |
| 4E | 61,000 | 61,000 | No change |
| 5A | 65,000 | 46,000 | +19,000 |
| 5B | 86,000 | 86,000 | No change |
| 5C | 101,000 | 98,000 | +3,000 |
| 5D | 44,000 | 39,000 | +5,000 |
Antler restrictions
In WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 2D, the rule is "three up": a legal antlered deer must have three points on one antler, not counting the brow tine. Antler rules for other WMUs and for junior, mentored and other exempt hunters are in the 2026-27 Hunting & Trapping Digest.
Fluorescent orange
- Required during the regular, special and extended firearms seasons and the antlerless muzzleloader season, whatever firearm you carry.
- At least 250 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange on the head, chest and back combined, visible from 360 degrees. An orange hat and vest meets the rule.
- Worn from one hour before legal hunting hours begin until one hour after they end.
- Hunting from a blind or enclosed tree stand during the regular firearms season requires a 100-square-inch orange band within 15 feet of the blind or stand.
- Not required during archery seasons or the flintlock season.
Special firearms season eligibility
The antlerless special firearms season (Oct. 22, 2026 to Oct. 25, 2026) is open only to junior and senior license holders, mentored permit holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) holders, Pennsylvania residents on active duty in the U.S. Armed Services or U.S. Coast Guard, and hunters who reached or will reach age 65 in the application year and hold a valid adult license or qualify for license and fee exemptions under section 2706.
Legal hunting hours
Deer may be hunted from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
Licenses
The antlerless muzzleloader and flintlock seasons require a muzzleloader license in addition to the general hunting license. Licenses are sold through the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Frequently asked questions
When does rifle season start in Pennsylvania?
The regular firearms deer season, which most hunters call rifle season, runs Nov. 28, 2026 to Dec. 13, 2026 statewide. Antlered and antlerless deer may be taken.
When does archery deer season start in Pennsylvania?
Archery opens Sept. 19, 2026 in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D and Oct. 3, 2026 in all other WMUs. The late archery season runs Dec. 26, 2026 to Jan. 24, 2027 statewide.
When is flintlock season in Pennsylvania?
The flintlock season runs Dec. 26, 2026 to Jan. 24, 2027 statewide, for antlered or antlerless deer. A muzzleloader license is required.
Can you hunt deer on Sundays in Pennsylvania?
Yes. All 2026-27 seasons include the Sundays that fall within their listed start and end dates.
What does "three up" mean?
In WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 2D, a legal antlered deer must have three points on one antler not counting the brow tine.
When is fluorescent orange required?
During the regular, special and extended firearms seasons and the antlerless muzzleloader season: at least 250 square inches on the head, chest and back combined, visible from 360 degrees. It is not required during archery seasons or the flintlock season.
What are legal hunting hours for deer?
From one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
Deer season in other states
Texas · Michigan · Wisconsin · Ohio · Georgia · New York · Missouri · Minnesota · Indiana · Virginia · North Carolina · Kentucky · Tennessee · Alabama. Compare every state on the deer season dates by state page.
Duck seasons are on the Pennsylvania duck season page, and turkey seasons on the Pennsylvania turkey season page.
Source: Pennsylvania Game Commission, final 2026-27 seasons release (April 11, 2026), Seasons and Bag Limits and the 2026-27 Pocket Guide.
Verified on Oct. 24, 2026.
Always check the 2026-27 Hunting & Trapping Digest for your WMU before hunting. Seasons and limits can change.