Half a million orange-clad hunters expected for Pennsylvania’s deer season

Pennsylvania’s statewide firearms deer season — which runs from Nov. 29 through Dec. 13 and includes two Sundays, Nov. 30 and Dec. 7 — will send more than half a million orange-clad hunters out to share time with family and friends, connect with nature, perform boots-on-the-ground wildlife management and secure healthy venison.

No other single day on the state’s hunting calendar is as anticipated or busy.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission this week said hunters are permitted to harvest one antlered deer with a valid general hunting license, which costs $20.97 for adult residents and $101.97 for adult nonresidents.

To take an antlerless deer, a hunter must possess either a valid antlerless deer license, valid Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) permit or valid Agricultural Deer Control (Ag Tag) permit.

A mentored hunter under the age of 7 cannot obtain their own antlerless license, DMAP permit or Ag Tag permit, but can harvest an antlerless deer if an antlerless license or DMAP permit is transferred to them by a mentor at the time of harvest. Ag Tag permits cannot be transferred.

Antlerless deer licenses can be used anywhere within the Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) for which they’re issued.

Hunters can buy licenses directly from any license issuing agent or online at huntfish.pa.gov.

Be aware that big-game harvest tags must be in a hunter’s possession when hunting big game, including deer. For that reason, hunters buying their licenses close to the start of the season should consider obtaining tags, in person, directly from an issuing agent. Tags purchased online are sent through the mail and might not arrive in time.

A DMAP or Ag Tag permit can be used only on the specific property for which it is issued. Some DMAP and Ag Tag permits might remain available on private and public properties throughout the state.

As for mentored hunting permits, they’re available to hunters of all ages. Mentored hunters ages 7 and older receive an antlered deer harvest tag with their permit and can purchase their own antlerless deer license. Those under 7 must receive deer harvest tags from their mentors. A mentor can transfer an antlered deer harvest tag and an antlerless license and/or DMAP permit to a mentored hunter under 7.

Mentored hunting permit fees are $2.97 for residents and nonresidents under 12; $6.97 for residents 12 to 16; $41.97 for nonresidents 12 to 16; $20.97 for residents 17 and older; and $101.97 for nonresidents 17 and older.

Hunters 12 or older who complete the Game Commission’s Hunter-Trapper Education program can purchase general hunting licenses, which provide more privileges. Those 12 to 16 can obtain junior licenses, the least expensive of which cost $6.97 for residents and $41.97 for nonresidents.

Those holding senior lifetime licenses are reminded they must obtain a new antlered deer harvest tag each year, free of charge, to participate in the season.

Hunters are reminded the field possession of expired licenses or tags, or another hunter’s licenses or tags, is unlawful.

Deer season regulations

Antler point restrictions vary by WMU. In most WMUs, a buck with three points to a side, counting the brow tine, is legal to harvest. But in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 2D, a buck must have at least three points to a side, not counting the brow tine.

Junior license holders, mentored youth, disabled hunters with a permit to use a vehicle, and resident active-duty U.S. Armed Services personnel, can harvest antlered deer with two or more points on one antler, or a spike 3 or more inches in length.

For a complete breakdown of antler restrictions, WMU boundaries and other regulations, consult the 2025-26 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest, which is provided to hunters and available online at the Game Commission’s website, pa.gov/pgc.

Deer hunters everywhere statewide must wear at all times a minimum of 250 square inches of fluorescent orange material on their head, chest and back combined, visible from 360 degrees, during the firearms deer season. An orange hat and vest will satisfy the requirement.

Non-hunters who might be afield during deer season and other hunting seasons might consider wearing orange, as well. And on state game lands between Nov. 15 and Dec. 15, non-hunters are required to meet the 250-square-inch fluorescent orange requirement.

Hunters who harvest a deer are required to affix a valid tag to the ear — not an antler — before the deer is moved. Hunters can use a large safety pin to attach the tag, as it won’t damage the ear. The tag must be filled out with a ballpoint pen.

Hunters must then report their harvests to the Game Commission within 10 days. Harvests can be reported online at — www.huntfish.pa.gov — by calling 1-800-838-4431 or by mailing in the postage-paid cards that are provided in the digest.

Mentored youth hunters are required to report deer harvests within five days. Hunters with DMAP permits must report on their hunting success within 10 days of the last possible date of harvest, regardless of whether they harvest deer.

Chronic Wasting Disease

Hunters harvesting deer within a CWD Disease Management Area (DMA) or Established Area (EA), can take them directly to any Game Commission-approved processor or taxidermist anywhere in the state. The processor or taxidermist will properly dispose of high-risk deer parts. The list of cooperators can be found through the CWD page at the agency’s website.

Proper disposal helps prevent CWD’s spread to new areas and enhances CWD surveillance, as cooperators allow Game Commission staff to collect samples for CWD testing.

Hunters may not take a deer from any DMA or EA and process it themselves outside the DMA or EA. Nor can hunters place any high-risk parts from deer harvested within a DMA or EA on the landscape away from the harvest site.

Just remember one thing: there are, across Pennsylvania, fewer butchers handling deer than in years past. Some get all that they can handle quickly, too, especially around opening day.