Pennsylvania Deer Season 2026–27: Dates, Zones & Bag Limits

The earliest 2026–27 opener is September 19, 2026 — Archery (early), limited to WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D. Other weapons and zones start later — see the table above.

The latest 2026–27 closing date is January 24, 2027. Individual methods and zones close on their own dates.

Archery (early) opens September 19, 2026 (WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D). Later segments may follow — see the seasons table.

Regular firearms opens November 28, 2026 (Statewide). Later segments may follow — see the seasons table.

Antlerless muzzleloader opens October 17, 2026 (Statewide). Later segments may follow — see the seasons table.

2026–27 bag limits: Statewide — 1 antlered deer per license year (antler restrictions apply). Antlerless — One antlerless deer per required antlerless license; licenses allocated by WMU. See PGC. Limits are set per zone and per permit — check the agency's own regulations before you hunt.

On opening day (September 19, 2026) legal light runs 06:25 to 19:42. The rule is: Half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset — the PGC digest prints this once as the rule 'for all small and big game', so it covers deer in every weapon season. Pennsylvania's printed hours table is calibrated to the 75th meridian: hours begin and end 4 minutes later for each meridian west of it, up to +20 minutes in the far west of the state. Sunrise and sunset shift daily, so work the offset against your local Pennsylvania sun times for any other date.

Pennsylvania's exemption only covers someone whose primary livelihood is farming that specific land — owner, tenant, family member, or farmhand — who may then hunt and take furbearers on it without a license. Owning rural land you don't farm for a living doesn't qualify; discounted Landowner Hunting Licenses exist separately for owners of 50 or more acres.