‘Tis that season once again – hunting season that is, so if you found a shotgun, rimfire rifle, flintlock, bow, crossbow, or goose decoys under your tree and maybe a stocking full of ammo or arrows yesterday, you’re in luck. That’s because today, Dec. 26, marks the opening of a potpourri of late hunting seasons courtesy of the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC).
First and foremost, our late deer hunting opportunities include the flintlock muzzleloader and late archery seasons that kicked off today. Those seasons run until Jan. 13 in most of the state, and until Jan. 27 here in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 5C and 5D. Additionally, the extended firearms season allows hunters in WMUs 2B, 5C, and 5D to use shotguns and inline muzzleloaders to harvest antlerless deer from Dec. 26 through Jan. 27.
Participants in the flintlock deer season may harvest an antlerless deer with either a WMU-specific antlerless license, a Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) permit, or an unused antlered deer harvest tag from a general hunting license. This is the only season in which the antlered tag can be used for antlerless deer, and each participant in the flintlock muzzleloader season must have a muzzleloader license in addition to a general license.
Antlered deer may be taken in the late season only by bowhunters and flintlock hunters who possess an unused antlered deer harvest tag.
If you’ve already filled all of your deer tags, late season opportunities to hunt small game, waterfowl, and furbearers abound (although the ruffed grouse season closed on Dec. 23). The brief snowshoe hare season runs statewide from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. Other small game and migratory bird seasons include bobwhite quail, which is open until March 30, and mourning doves which is now open until Jan. 6.
Waterfowl hunters also have plenty of opportunities during the winter months. Here in our South Zone the season on ducks opened back on Nov. 21 and remains open through January 20. Our season on Canada geese here in the Atlantic Population Zone opened on Dec. 7 with a 3 goose daily limit and won’t close until January 20. I’ll likely be spending significant time in my goose blind up until then.
Dove hunters need a migratory game bird license in addition to their general hunting license, and waterfowl hunters need a general license, migratory game bird license, and federal duck stamp.
The rabbit, squirrel, and pheasant seasons also are open now. While hunting still isn’t permitted on Sundays, those seasons are open until Feb. 29, 2024. Happy leap year!
Furbearer hunting seasons continuing through the winter months include foxes and raccoons until Feb. 18; porcupines until Jan. 27; and bobcats in WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E from Jan. 6 through Jan. 31.
Trapping seasons include beavers, from Dec. 16 through March 31; minks and muskrats, until Jan. 7; raccoons, opossums, striped skunks, foxes, coyotes and weasels, until Feb. 18, bobcats in designated WMUs until Jan. 7; fishers in WMUs 1B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B,4C,4D and 4E from Dec. 16 through 31; and river otters in WMUs 1A, 1B,2F, 3B, 3C. 3D and 4E from Feb. 10 through 17.
Trappers also may use cable restraints for foxes and coyotes from Dec. 26 through Feb. 18, provided they have passed a mandatory cable restraint certification course. All hunters and trappers of furbearers must possess a valid furtaker license, and additional permits are required to hunt or trap bobcats, or trap fishers or river otters
According to Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans, it’s unlikely you’d find a better way than hunting to spend quality family time together. “The holiday season is a time to reconnect with family and friends, and there’s no better setting than on the ridgeline of a nearby tract of state game lands, a brushy meadow of your favorite farm-country hunting property or in countless other wild places throughout our Commonwealth,” Burhans said. “Especially for those who are returning home to Pennsylvania.”
A MESSAGE FROM HUNTERS SHARING THE HARVEST
“We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” -President Ronald Reagan. Sometimes giving back or donating can be overwhelming, but if you are able to pair that with a passion, like hunting, it becomes a bit easier! We would like to remind hunters who have filled their freezers, but still have tags, to consider donating extra venison to Hunters Sharing the Harvest.Hunters can help a neighbor in need by donating extra venison to HSH, simply by taking a deer to a participating processor. There is no cost to the hunter, and you are giving back to your local community. Nearly two million Pennsylvanians are struggling with hunger. One deer provides 200 servings of high-protein, low-cholesterol venison. The Pennsylvania Game Commission is a proud partner and supporter of HSH’s mission. Visit www.sharedeer.org to learn more. Thank you for remembering this meaningful program this holiday [and deer] season!
Source: Berkshire mont
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