Pa. Game Commission: Deer season over, marking historic milestone for hunters

Pennsylvania’s firearms deer season wrapped up Saturday and the Pennsylvania Game Commission said this year marked a historic milestone for hunters across the Commonwealth.

Thanks to the new Sunday hunting law, the fall hunting season included a total of 13 Sunday hunting opportunities, giving more hunters more chances to get afield with family and friends than ever before.

While all seasons kept their originally scheduled closing dates — including the firearms deer season ending Saturday, Dec. 13 — the added Sundays provided a welcome boost for hunting participation.

All of the expanded Sunday opportunities for the 2025-26 seasons have now come and gone, with the final Sunday occurring on Dec. 7.

Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith praised hunters for maintaining an exemplary safety record during those 13 Sundays, noting that even with the additional opportunities, there was not a single safety incident reported involving a hunter and a non-hunter.

“This demonstrates what we have stated all along — hunters and non-hunters can safely share Pennsylvania’s outdoors together,” Smith said. “We look forward to building on the success from this year and continuing to expand hunting access for generations to come.”

For the remainder of the license year, through June 30, Sunday hunting remains open only for foxes, coyotes, and crows during their respective seasons. There is no Sunday hunting during the upcoming extended firearms deer seasons or during the late archery and flintlock deer seasons.

Looking ahead to next license year, the Game Commission will begin the process of adopting the 2026-27 hunting seasons in January 2026. This will mark the first time the Board of Commissioners can consider adding more Sunday opportunities from the outset. That means hunters could see even greater access next year.

The new law lifting Pennsylvania’s longstanding prohibition on Sunday hunting took effect in September, well after the 2025-26 seasons were finalized.

Still, the Game Commission moved quickly to implement the change, adding Sundays where doing so would provide meaningful opportunities without negatively impacting wildlife populations.

Voting begins for Pa. 2026 River of the Year

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is inviting the public to vote for Pennsylvania’s 2026 River of the Year.

Online voting is open now through Jan. 16, 2026, giving Pennsylvanians the opportunity to choose among three nominated waterways — the Chillisquaque Creek, the Conestoga River, and the lower portion of the Schuylkill River in the greater Philadelphia region.

“Each of these worthy waterways makes a unique case to be the top river for 2026 and I am excited to see which one wins,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “I enjoy this annual competition for the community pride it builds and focus it provides for the recreational, cultural, and economic importance of our rivers. Vote now and make your voice heard.”

2026 River of the Year nominees

• The Conestoga River flows for more than 61 miles, joining the Susquehanna River below the Safe Harbor Dam. It is one of Lancaster County’s most scenic waterways and is a popular spot for canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and fishing.

• The Chillisquaque Creek is a 20-mile tributary of the West Branch of Susquehanna River with numerous natural and cultural points of interest across its 112-square-mile watershed, which spans Montour, Northumberland, Columbia, and Lycoming counties. It offers a wide range of outdoor recreation and fishing opportunities.

• The lower portion of the Schuylkill River in the greater Philadelphia region spans 36 miles from Phoenixville in Chester County to the mouth of the river near the Schuylkill Navy Yard in Philadelphia. The Schuylkill serves as a popular destination for kayaking, canoeing, fishing, boating, and other outdoor activities in the Commonwealth’s most densely populated region.

The River of the Year program, administered by the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) with funding from DCNR, celebrates Pennsylvania’s waterways while raising awareness of conservation needs.

“We’re excited to once again launch the public online voting process for the 2026 Pennsylvania River of the Year,” said Janet Sweeney of POWR. “As more people connect with the outdoors and deepen their appreciation for Pennsylvania’s remarkable waterways, the River of the Year vote offers a fun and meaningful way to show support for your favorite river.”

How to vote

Voting is open now through 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. Votes can be cast online through the POWR website, with details on each nominee and the River of the Year program. One vote per email address is permitted.

The winning river’s nominating organization will receive a $15,000 DCNR grant to fund year-long celebrations, including paddling events and community activities. A commemorative poster will also be created to honor the 2026 River of the Year.

DCNR investing to protect Pa. native biodiversity

The Shapiro Administration this week announced nearly $530,000 in funding for 15 projects across the Commonwealth dedicated to conserving Pennsylvania’s native biodiversity.

“Every species plays a role in keeping Pennsylvania’s natural world healthy and resilient, and science is our most powerful tool to protect them,” said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “These investments ensure we can better understand the challenges wildlife and plants face and take action to safeguard them. Protecting biodiversity isn’t just environmental work — it’s our responsibility to future generations.”

The 2025 grant round includes projects focused on surveying and studying rare plants, wildlife, fungi, and invertebrates to fill critical knowledge gaps and guide conservation, including:

• Wilkes University – $27,182 to examine how forest management affects the breeding and migration of prairie warblers and wood thrush in northeastern Pennsylvania.

• Penn State – $53,924 to assess bee biodiversity using DNA barcoding and the Master Gardeners’ monitoring network, creating a statewide database of bee–host plant relationships.

Administered by DCNR, the Wild Resource Conservation Program supports work to safeguard the Commonwealth’s non-game animals, native plants, and their habitats. Grants are awarded across three categories: species surveys, conservation, and management.

Established in 1982, the Wild Resource Conservation Program advances research and protection efforts for Pennsylvania’s diverse native wildlife — including birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and plants.