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Hunting in Pennsylvania
Hunting in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has one of the strongest hunting cultures in the United States, with a tradition that stretches back to the state’s earliest European settlement. The Keystone State consistently ranks near the top nationally for licensed hunter numbers, with hunting deeply embedded in the culture of its rural communities. Pennsylvania’s diverse terrain—from the Appalachian ridges and valleys of the central mountains to the agricultural lowlands of the south—supports outstanding populations of white-tailed deer, wild turkey, black bear, and small game.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission manages hunting across the state’s 29,000 square miles and oversees over 1.5 million acres of State Game Lands open to public hunting. These Game Lands, combined with portions of two national forests and extensive private farmland, give Pennsylvania hunters abundant hunting options throughout the state. Pennsylvania is also home to some of the largest block of public forest land in the eastern United States.
Pennsylvania’s whitetail hunting legacy is the stuff of legends. The state has produced numerous Boone and Crockett and Pope and Young record bucks, and deer camp is a sacred tradition for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania families. The first day of the firearms deer season is essentially a state holiday in rural Pennsylvania, with schools and businesses often closing to accommodate the tradition. The state consistently ranks among the top three nationally for deer license sales.
Key Insights
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- Pennsylvania issues nearly 900,000 hunting licenses annually, making it one of the top states in the nation for total hunter numbers.
- The first day of firearms deer season is a cultural institution in Pennsylvania, with hundreds of thousands of hunters taking to the woods.
- Pennsylvania has one of the largest black bear populations in the eastern US, with over 20,000 bears and annual harvests of 3,000-4,000 animals.
- Over 2.1 million acres of public hunting land including State Game Lands and the Allegheny National Forest provide extensive hunting access.
- Pennsylvania’s north-central counties offer some of the finest ruffed grouse and woodcock hunting in the eastern United States.
Table of Contents
Hunters (Based on Hunting Licenses)
Land Types (Acres)
Pennsylvania ranks 21st among all 50 states for percentage of private land.
Pennsylvania Hunting Seasons
For the most accurate information on Pennsylvania Hunting Seasons, along with the state’s requirements for tag and bag limits, it’s a good idea to check with the Pennsylvania DNR. We’ve provided their contact information below, along with links to helpful resources, including licensing.
Pennsylvania Game Commission
2001 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110
- (717) 787-4250
Popular Game in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s hunting is led by white-tailed deer, the state’s most iconic game animal and the centerpiece of a hunting culture that is among the strongest in the nation. Wild turkey, black bear, and ruffed grouse complete the big game and upland offerings, while waterfowl hunting along the Susquehanna River, Delaware River, and Lake Erie shoreline adds important diversity. Small game hunting for pheasant, rabbit, and squirrel remains popular across the state’s diverse landscape of farmland, second-growth forest, and Appalachian ridges.
Small Game Hunting in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s small game hunting heritage is rich and diverse. Ruffed grouse hunting in the state’s extensive forests of aspen, birch, and mixed hardwoods is a beloved tradition, and Pennsylvania consistently produces some of the finest grouse hunting in the eastern United States. The state’s central and northern tier counties—Clinton, Potter, Lycoming, Sullivan, and their neighbors—are particularly renowned for ruffed grouse hunting quality.
American woodcock hunting during the October migration is exceptional in Pennsylvania, with the state’s alder runs, aspen thickets, and wet forest edges providing ideal habitat for migrating birds. The combination of grouse and woodcock hunting in the same cover makes Pennsylvania a destination for upland bird hunters across the Northeast. Ring-necked pheasant hunting is popular in the agricultural south and southwest, with the Pennsylvania Game Commission operating a stocking program on State Game Lands.
Gray squirrel and cottontail rabbit hunting are traditional fall pursuits for Pennsylvania hunters, and many hunters remember their first hunting experiences pursuing these species with family members. Squirrel season opens in late September, providing an early season hunting opportunity before deer season begins.
Big Game Hunting in Pennsylvania
White-tailed deer hunting is the heart of Pennsylvania’s hunting tradition. The state issues nearly 900,000 hunting licenses annually, many of them primarily for deer hunting. The statewide firearms deer season in late November/early December draws hundreds of thousands of hunters to the woods simultaneously, creating one of the most remarkable hunting spectacles in North America. Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna drainage, Potter County, and the northern tier counties are particularly known for quality deer hunting.
Pennsylvania has one of the largest black bear populations in the eastern United States, with an estimated herd of over 20,000 animals. The annual bear season in November draws significant participation, and the state consistently harvests 3,000-4,000 bears annually—one of the highest totals of any eastern state. Bears are found primarily in the large forested blocks of the northern and central counties.
Wild turkey populations are excellent throughout Pennsylvania, and the spring gobbler season is one of the most popular hunting events in the state. Eastern wild turkeys are found in all 67 counties, and both spring and fall turkey seasons are available. Pennsylvania also offers elk hunting through a very limited lottery permit system in the Benezette area of Elk County, where a small but growing elk herd has been established.
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Hunting Areas in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania offers great hunting opportunities across the state, both on public and private land. We’ve included some of the best areas for public hunting below and as we have access we’ll be adding more private land too.
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We’re working with landowners all across Pennsylvania to provide private land access for more activities. Add your information below to stay up to date.
Public Land Hunting in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has over 2.1 million acres of public hunting land through its 283 State Game Lands plus the Allegheny National Forest and Tuscarora and Buchanan State Forests. The Allegheny National Forest in the northwest encompasses over 500,000 acres of forest land, providing outstanding deer, bear, turkey, and grouse hunting in the remote hill country along the New York border. This area also hosts Pennsylvania’s premier elk viewing and hunting opportunities.
Susquehannock State Forest, Tiadaghton State Forest, and Sproul State Forest in the north-central counties of the state contain hundreds of thousands of acres of prime public hunting land for deer, bear, turkey, and especially ruffed grouse. These large forested blocks are among the finest public hunting country in the eastern United States, offering solitude and quality wildlife experiences.
Pennsylvania’s 283 State Game Lands units total over 1.5 million acres and are distributed throughout all 67 counties of the state. These properties are purchased specifically for public hunting and trapping and provide critical hunting access across Pennsylvania’s diverse landscape.
1. Allegheny National Forest
2. Susquehannock State Forest
3. Tiadaghton State Forest
4. Sproul State Forest
5. Elk State Forest
Hunting Private Land in Pennsylvania
Since a large portion of Pennsylvania is private land, getting access for hunting can be very appealing. When you hunt private land, it’s not only less crowded, the animals also tend to be less skittish and this means you’ll have a better day out in the field. Traditionally, accessing private land for hunting has been complicated and expensive. You either needed to join a club, hire a guide, or start knocking on doors.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying this for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts of all types. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some options below.