Our welcome change in the weather over the weekend from sweltering, hot and humid August heat to much cooler and comfortable autumnal-like conditions presages the coming of fall, the start of the school year, and the beginning of Pennsylvania’s hunting seasons. In fact, seasons for two of the state’s most popular fall quarry kick off on Labor Day, this coming Monday.
That’s right, Sept. 1 signals the opening of the Keystone State’s seasons on certain migratory birds and includes both our smallest and largest game birds. In one corner, weighing in at barely 4.2 ounces, we have the diminutive mourning dove; in the other, tipping the scales at as much as 14 pounds, the portly Canada goose.
Truth be told, when wild bobwhite quail and ringed-necked pheasants disappeared from our local scene so many years ago, wing-shooters here turned to what have become our area’s most populous and popular feathered targets in doves and geese. Safe to say that hunters today burn more shotgun powder in quest of these two migratory species than all others combined.
The two-segment season on mourning doves (classified as webless migratory birds) opens on Monday, Sept. 1, and runs clear through Nov. 28. An abbreviated second segment opens on Dec. 20 running through Jan. 3, 2026. The daily limit on doves is 15 with 45 in possession. These acrobatic, speedy flyers are challenging targets even for accomplished veterans of the smoothbore, especially those who prefer smaller gauges like .410, .28, and .20, so good luck getting your daily limits!
If you’re one of those hunters who hasn’t picked up the old shootin’ iron since last season, it might be a good idea to shake that rust off with a few sessions of skeet, trap, or sporting clays at your local gun club. Other more obscure species that become legal game on Sept. 1 include gallinules and Virginia and Sora rails with a season that runs through Nov. 20 (daily limit 3 with 9 in possession for each species).
The September statewide season for resident Canada geese here in our southeastern Atlantic Population Zone also opens on Sept. 1 and runs through Sept. 25. The September season boasts a liberal daily bag limit of eight Canada geese with a possession limit of 24. A second goose season will run from Nov. 25 through 28 with a third and final season opening on Dec. 20 and running through Jan. 19. Limits in those two later seasons are not as generous with hunters permitted to take just one goose each day with a possession limit of three.
If Monday’s sunrise finds you afield in pursuit of doves or geese (or both), good luck, shoot straight, hunt safe, and always respect the rights and generosity of the landowner.
Hunters Sharing the Harvest sets record for venison donations
Pennsylvania hunters once again demonstrated their generosity this past year by setting a record for venison donations through Hunters Sharing the Harvest (HSH): an impressive 283,789 pounds of venison was donated from 7,855 deer harvested statewide during the 2024–25 hunting seasons.
The year’s donation total equates to approximately 1.1 million servings of venison delivered to food-insecure individuals and families throughout the commonwealth.
“Every year, our expectations are surpassed,” said HSH Executive Director Randy Ferguson. “Hunters across Pennsylvania continue to embody this notion of hunting as social service in which hunters demonstrate just how much they care about feeding families in need. These record-breaking numbers reflect not only their commitment, but also the dedication of processors, volunteers, sponsors and partners across the state.”
“We’re proud to support this impactful program that brings hunters, processors, and hunger relief organizations together to make a difference,” said HSH board chairman Bill Sordoni. “This year’s milestone demonstrates the power of collective action and the importance of continuing to expand access to this life-changing resource.”
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture remains a cornerstone partner, allocating state and federal hunger relief funds to help reimburse processors who convert donated deer into ground venison for local food banks.
“Hunting and generosity are ingrained in Pennsylvania’s rural culture,” said Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “Every pound of venison hunters donate through Hunters Sharing the Harvest stretches household budgets and nonprofit resources and combines the best of our traditions to feed our neighbors who need a leg up in difficult times.”
Because of the deer herd management by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, hunters can fill multiple tags each season. HSH gives them a meaningful reason to harvest an extra deer or two — turning a traditional outdoor pursuit into a direct social service.
“When hunters donate through HSH, they’re not only helping their neighbors in need; they’re also playing a critical role in helping to manage Pennsylvania’s deer herd,” said Steve Smith, executive director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. “This year’s record-breaking total is a testament to their generosity and commitment to their communities.”
HSH currently partners with more than 100 licensed processors across 56 counties, and the organization continues seeking new processor partners to meet growing demand. Ground venison from these processors is distributed statewide through regional food banks in partnership with Feeding Pennsylvania and Hunger-Free Pennsylvania.
“Protein-rich venison is a critical part of our hunger relief network,” said Julie Bancroft, CEO of Feeding Pennsylvania. “The relationship between our food banks and HSH helps us meet nutritional needs with a healthy, high-quality food source.”
Since its founding in 1991, HSH has provided more than three million pounds of venison — equal to over 12 million servings — to Pennsylvanians struggling with food insecurity.
“The need across Pennsylvania is at an all-time high” said Stuart Haniff, executive director of Hunger-Free Pennsylvania. “But thankfully, for our food insecure Pennsylvania neighbors, so too is the impact of programs like HSH. We are grateful and proud to stand beside them in this mission to ensure no one in the Commonwealth goes to bed hungry.”
Hunters wishing to participate need only to legally harvest, tag, and field dress a deer and drop it off at a participating processor. The current list of processors and donation resources is available at https://sharedeer.org/meat-processors/.
A network of nearly 60 volunteer county coordinators helps keep the program running smoothly, supporting processors and increasing awareness in their local communities. Those interested in volunteering can visit https://sharedeer.org/get-involved/.
“Each record-breaking year brings new responsibility,” Ferguson said. “We urgently need corporate sponsors, donors, and processors to help us meet rising processing costs and growing demand for food assistance. Now more than ever, your support matters.”
Businesses interested in becoming HSH sponsors can reach out to Randy Ferguson at 866-474-2141 or randy@sharedeer.org. Individuals can contribute online at https://sharedeer.org/support-our-mission/.
For more information, visit www.ShareDeer.org.
Tom Tatum is the outdoors columnist for MediaNews Group. You can reach him at tatumt2@yahoo.com.
Source: Berkshire mont