2012-13 PA Hunting Seasons and Bag Limits
These are the seasons and bag limits for hunting and trapping from July 1,
2012, through June 30, 2013.
SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Special season for eligible
junior hunters, with or without required license, and mentored youth – Oct.
6-12 (6 daily, 12 in possession limit after first day).
SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Oct. 13-Nov. 24; Dec. 10-24
and Dec. 26-Feb. 23 (6 daily, 12 possession).
RUFFED GROUSE: Oct. 13–Nov. 24, Dec. 10-24 and Dec. 26-Jan. 26 (2 daily, 4
possession).
RABBIT (Cottontail) Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or
without required license: Oct. 6-13 (4 daily, 8 possession).
RABBIT (Cottontail): Oct. 20-Nov. 24, Dec. 10-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 23 (4
daily, 8 possession).
PHEASANT: Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without
required license – Oct. 6-13 (2 daily, 4 in possession). Male pheasants only
in WMUs 2A, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B. Male and female pheasants may be taken in
all other WMUs. There is no open season for the taking of pheasants in any
Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas in any WMU.
PHEASANT: Male only in WMUs 2A, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B – Oct. 20-Nov. 24.
Male and female may be taken in all other WMUs – Oct. 20-Nov. 24, Dec. 10-24
and Dec. 26-Feb. 2 (2 daily, 4 in possession). There is no open season for
the taking of pheasants in any Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas in any WMU.
BOBWHITE QUAIL: Oct. 20-Nov. 24 (4 daily, 8 possession). (Closed in WMUs 4A,
4B, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.)
HARES (SNOWSHOE RABBITS) OR VARYING HARES: WMUs 2F, 2G and 3A - Dec. 26–Jan.
1 (1 daily, 2 possession); CLOSED in all other WMUs.
WOODCHUCKS (GROUNDHOGS): No closed season, except: Sundays and during the
regular firearms deer seasons. No limit.
PORCUPINES: Sept. 1-March 31, except during overlap with the regular
firearms deer season. Daily limit of three, season limit of 10.
CROWS: July 1-April 7, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. No limit.
STARLINGS AND ENGLISH SPARROWS: No closed season, except during the antlered
and antlerless deer season. No limit.
WILD TURKEY (Male or Female): WMU 2B (Shotgun and bow and arrow) – Oct.
27-Nov. 16 and Nov. 22-24; WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 4A, 4B and 4D – Oct.
27-Nov. 10 and Nov. 22-24; WMUs 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C and 4E – Oct.
27-Nov. 16 and Nov. 22-24; WMU 5A – Oct. 30-Nov. 1; WMUs 5B, 5C and 5D –
CLOSED TO FALL TURKEY HUNTING.
SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): Special season for eligible junior
hunters, with required license, and mentored youth – April 20, 2013. Only 1
spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt.
SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): April 27-May 31, 2013. Daily limit 1,
season limit 2. (Second spring gobbler may be only taken by persons who
possess a valid special wild turkey license.) From April 27-May 11, legal
hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until noon; from May 13-31,
legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour
after sunset.
BLACK BEAR (Statewide) Archery: Nov. 12-16. Only 1 bear may be taken during
the license year.
BLACK BEAR (Statewide): Nov. 17, and Nov. 19-21. Only 1 bear may be taken
during the license year.
BLACK BEAR (WMUs 3D, 4C, 4D and 4E): Nov. 28-Dec. 1. Only 1 bear may be
taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR (Designated Areas): Nov. 26-Dec. 1. Only 1 bear may be taken
during the license year.
- WMUs 3A and 3C;
- Portions of WMU 3B, East of Rt. 14 from Troy to Canton, East of Rt. 154
from Canton to Rt. 220 at Laporte and East of Rt. 42 from Laporte to Rt. 118
and that portion of 4E, East of Rt. 42; and
- Portions of WMUs 2G in Lycoming and Clinton counties and 3B in Lycoming
County that lie North of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River from the
Rt. 405 Bridge, West to Rt. 15 at Williamsport, Rt. 15 to Rt. 220, and North
of Rt. 220 to the Mill Hall exit, North of SR 2015 to Rt. 150; East of Rt.
150 to Lusk Run Rd. and South of Lusk Run Rd. to Rt. 120, Rt. 120 to
Veterans Street Bridge to SR 1001; East of SR 1001 to Croak Hollow Rd.,
South of Croak Hollow Rd. to Rt. 664 (at Swissdale), South of Rt. 664 to
Little Plum Rd. (the intersection of SR 1003), South of SR 1003 to SR 1006,
South of SR 1006 to Sulphur Run Rd., South of Sulphur Run Rd. to Rt. 44,
East of Rt. 44 to Rt. 973, South of Rt. 973 to Rt. 87, West of Rt. 87 to Rt.
864, South of Rt. 864 to Rt. 220 and West of Rt. 220 to Rt. 405 and West of
Rt. 405 to the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.
BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D) archery: Sept. 15-Sept. 28. Only 1 bear may
be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D) archery: Sept. 29-Nov. 10. Only 1 bear
may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D) muzzleloader: Oct. 13-20. Only 1 bear
may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D): Oct. 18-20. Junior and Senior License
Holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) Holders, and Pennsylvania
residents only serving on active duty in U.S. Armed Services or in the U.S.
Coast Guard. Also included are persons who have reached or will reach their
65th birthday in the year of the application for a license and hold a valid
adult license, or qualify for license and fee exemptions under section 2706.
BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D): Nov. 26-Dec. 8. Only 1 bear may be
taken during the license year.
ELK (Antlered or Antlerless): Nov. 5-10. Only one elk may be taken during
the license year.
ELK, EXTENDED (Antlered and Antlerless): Nov. 12-17. Only one elk may be
taken during the license year. Eligible elk license recipients who haven’t
harvested an elk by Nov. 6, in designated areas.
Elk, Special Conservation Tag (Antlered or Antlerless): Sept. 1-Nov. 10. One
elk tag for one antlered or antlerless elk, which was auctioned at the
Eastern Chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation Banquet.
DEER, ARCHERY (Antlerless Only) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Sept. 15-28, and Nov.
12-24. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Jan. 14-26. One
antlered deer per hunting license year. One antlerless deer with each
required antlerless license.
DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide: Sept. 29-Nov. 12 and Dec.
26-Jan. 12. One antlered deer per hunting license year. One antlerless deer
with each required antlerless license.
DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 1A, 1B, 2B, 3A, 3D, 4A, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C
and 5D: Nov. 26-Dec. 8. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An
antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
DEER (Antlered Only) WMUs 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E:
Nov. 26-30. One antlered deer per hunting license year. (Holders of valid
DMAP antlerless deer permits may harvest antlerless deer on DMAP properties
during this period.)
DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D
and 4E: Dec. 1-8. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An antlerless
deer with each required antlerless license.
DEER, ANTLERLESS (Statewide): Oct. 18-20. Junior and Senior License Holders,
Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) Holders, and Pennsylvania
residents serving on active duty in U.S. Armed Services or in the U.S. Coast
Guard only, with required antlerless license. Also included are persons who
have reached or will reach their 65th birthday in the year of the
application for a license and hold a valid adult license, or qualify for
license and fee exemptions under section 2706. One antlerless deer with each
required antlerless license.
DEER, ANTLERLESS MUZZLELOADER (Statewide): Oct. 13-20. An antlerless deer
with each required antlerless license.
DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (Statewide): Dec. 26-Jan. 12. One
antlered deer per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an
additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D): Dec. 26-Jan. 26.
One antlered deer per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an
additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
DEER, Antlerless (WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D): Dec. 26-Jan. 26. An antlerless deer
with each required antlerless license.
DEER, ANTLERLESS (Military Bases): Hunting permitted on days established by
the U.S. Department of the Army at Letterkenny Army Depot, Franklin County;
New Cumberland Army Depot, York County; and Fort Detrick, Raven Rock Site,
Adams County. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
2012-13 FURBEARER HUNTING SEASONS
COYOTES: No closed season. Unlimited. Outside of any big game season (deer,
bear, elk and turkey), coyotes may be taken with a hunting license or a
furtaker license, and without wearing orange. During any big game season,
coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting big game or with a furtakers
license.
RACCOON and FOXES: Oct. 20–Feb. 16, unlimited.
OPOSSUM, SKUNKS and WEASELS: No closed season, except Sundays. No limits.
BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4C, 4D and 4E): Jan.
15-Feb. 5. One bobcat per license year, but all licensed furtakers may
obtain one permit.
2012-13 TRAPPING SEASONS
MINK and MUSKRAT: Nov. 17–Jan. 6. Unlimited.
COYOTE, FOXES, OPOSSUM, RACCOON, SKUNKS and WEASELS: Oct. 21–Feb. 17. No
limit.
COYOTE and FOXES (Statewide) Cable Restraints: Dec. 26-Feb. 17. No limit.
Participants must pass cable restraint certification course.
BEAVER (Statewide): Dec. 26–March 31 (Limits vary depending on WMU).
BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4C, 4D and 4E): Dec.
15-Jan. 6. One bobcat per license year, and all licensed furtakers may
obtain one permit.
FISHER (WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G and 4D): Dec. 15-20. One fisher per license
year, and all licensed furtakers may obtain one permit.
2012-13 FALCONRY SEASONS
SQUIRRELS (combined), BOBWHITE QUAIL, RUFFED GROUSE, COTTONTAIL RABBITS,
SNOWSHOE OR VARYING HARE, RINGNECK PHEASANT (Male or Female combined): Sept.
1-March 31. Daily and Field Possession limits vary. (Migratory game bird
seasons and bag limits for falconers will be set in accordance with federal
regulations in August.)
No open season on other wild birds or mammals. Waterfowl and Migratory Game
Bird seasons will be established in accordance with Federal Regulations this
summer.
During the regular
firearms deer and any bear seasons, coyotes may be taken while lawfully
hunting deer or bear, or with a furtaker license while wearing 250 square
inches of fluorescent orange.