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Fall Hunting Seasons Unfold in Pennsylvania

Over the past few years, Pennsylvania’s hunters have experienced many changes in season start dates, lengths and regulations. Seasons and bag limits for the fall are usually discussed and voted on at the commission’s January meeting.

Due to vacancies on the Board of Game Commissioners, there was no quorum in January, so therefore official votes could not be taken. Accordingly, the same season and bag limit structure that was in place for the 2021-22 license year will be in effect for 2022-23.

Only a few changes affect this year’s seasons, none of which impact Centre County.

The dove and resident Canada geese seasons have been underway since Sept.1. The early resident Canada goose season ended on Sept. 24, but will reopen on Oct. 22. Squirrel season began on Sept. 10 and runs through Nov. 25.

ARCHERY DEER

One of the seasons with the highest participation rates is archery deer season, which began Oct. 1 and runs through Nov. 18. Although the season is seven weeks long, many archery hunters concentrate their hunting during the rut, which peaks in November.

SMALL GAME

Pheasant, rabbit and ruffed grouse seasons are set to begin on Oct. 15. State Game Land 333 is the only game land in the area that contains extensive fields, grasslands and old orchards. It is the only area SGL that is stocked with ring-necked pheasants. Beginning before the Oct. 15 opener and through early January, the Game Commission will stock pheasants almost every week — totaling more than 4,300 pheasants on SGL 333. This game land, former Rockview Correctional Institution land, can be accessed from the Shiloh Road exit off I-99.

Due to the impact of West Nile virus on grouse, most of the huntable populations are found along the Allegheny Front. Appropriate habitat on SGLs 33 and 60 are the best bets.

WILD TURKEY

Hunters have been reporting turkey sightings all over this area — indicating a robust local population, likely up from last fall. Just like last year, rifles and handguns, except muzzleloaders, are not permitted during fall turkey season.

Five different season structures occur across Pennsylvania, depending on the health of the turkey population in particular WMUs. Centre County falls into two of the different season lengths. WMU 2G (Centre County north of I-80) has a season that runs Oct. 29 through Nov. 12. WMU 4D (Centre County south of I-80) has a shorter season — Oct. 29 to Nov. 5. In addition, units 5A, 5C and 5D are closed to fall turkey hunting. Be sure to check the Hunting and Trapping Digest for season lengths before heading out.

BEAR

There are five different bear seasons in Centre County. Archery bear season begins on Oct. 15 and ends Nov. 5. Muzzleloader season also begins on Oct. 15, but ends after one week — on Oct. 22. The regular firearms season runs Nov. 19-22 and includes a Sunday. Centre County, south of I-80 (WMU 4D), also has an extended bear season, Nov. 26 to Dec. 3. Finally, a special firearms season will run Oct. 20-22 for junior and senior license holders, active-duty military and certain disabled persons’ permit holders.

Pennsylvania has an estimated black bear population of 16,000, which is down from a high of 20,000 only a few years ago. Some hunters are concerned that the extra seasons, particularly the October muzzleloader season, has put too much pressure on the population and is responsible for the decline. Hunters harvested 3,659 bears in Pennsylvania last fall.

RIFLE DEER

The entire state has a 14-day concurrent deer season, beginning the Saturday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 26) and ending Dec. 10. Both antlered and antlerless deer (with proper licenses) may be harvested any day during the season.

SUNDAY HUNTING

Hunting foxes, coyotes and crows has long been permitted on Sundays during their respective seasons. In addition, three Sundays are open for hunting other species. Sunday, Nov. 13, is open for archery deer and small game. Nov. 20, part of bear season, is also open for small game hunting. Finally, the second day of the regular firearm deer season is Sunday, Nov. 27. With a proper license, you can also hunt bears on that day in 12 wildlife management units, including WMU 4D — which includes Centre County south of I-80.

JUNIOR HUNTS

Junior and mentored youth hunters have special early seasons for deer, bear, squirrel, pheasant, rabbit and spring turkey. Consult the Pennsylvania Hunting and Trapping Digest or www.pgc.pa.gov for the exact dates.

TICK WARNING

Black-legged deer ticks seem to have two peak seasons in central Pennsylvania and we are just about to enter the second peak. Be cautious when you are afield.