JUNIOR HUNTING SEASONS JUST AROUND THE CORNERIn addition to the upcoming junior pheasant season, which will be held Oct. 9-16, the Pennsylvania Game Commission has established other special seasons for those 12 to 16 years of age, who can hunt either with or without a junior hunting license.
Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director, noted that the newest junior season to the agency’s line up is the junior rabbit season, which will run from Oct. 9-16, and run concurrent with the junior pheasant season.
“As pheasants and rabbits inhabit similar habitat and can both be pursued using bird or rabbit hunting dogs, running these two seasons together broadens the opportunity and excitement for younger hunters,” Roe said. “Experienced hunters with dogs are encouraged to pass along our state’s hunting heritage by serving as mentors for junior hunters. In fact, the Game Commission has published a new planning guide to assist individual hunters or conservation organizations to host guided hunts for eligible junior hunters.”
To view a copy of the new manual, go to the Game Commission website (
www.pgc.state.pa.us), click on “Education” in the menu bar at the top of the homepage, select “Special Hunts” in the “Special Events and Programs,” and then choose “Youth Hunt Planning Guide” in the “Special Hunt Guides.”
Other junior-only seasons in which participating youth are not required to first obtain a license are for squirrel (Oct. 9-15) and waterfowl (Sept. 18). While they are not required to purchase a license, participating youth must first pass a basic Hunter-Trapper Education course.
Junior-only seasons in which participating youth must pass a basic Hunter-Trapper Education course and obtain the required licenses are: antlerless deer (Oct. 21-23) and spring gobbler day (April 23).
Roe also noted that junior license holders’ antler restrictions require that a legal buck must have one antler of more than three inches in length or one antler with at least two points.
