# PennsylvaniaS Firearm Deer Hunting Season Begins Saturday
by Ian Karbal, Pennsylvania Capital-Star
November 27,2025
More than half a million hunters are expected to participate in Pennsylvania’s firearm deer hunting season,beginning Saturday,Nov. 29.
The season will run through Dec. 13, and includes hunting on two Sundays – Nov. 30 and Dec. 7.”Opening day of deer season here touches countless families, mine included, as well as offices, work sites and schools,” said State Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith. “It’s about more than recreation, though. Deer season is also conservation and compassion turned into action,as our hunters keep deer in balance with their habitat,while feeding themselves and hungry neighbors.There’s truly nothing like it.”
Last year, hunters harvested an estimated 476,880 deer in Pennsylvania, with approximately 283,760 taken during firearm season.
Through the Hunters Sharing the Harvest program, nearly 284,000 pounds of venison were donated at over 100 licensed butcher shops in 56 counties. This resulted in the delivery of approximately 1.1 million servings of venison to food banks across the state.
During rifle deer hunting season, hunters are permitted to harvest one antlered deer per hunting license and one antlerless deer per Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) with a specific antlerless license, Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) permit, or Agricultural Deer Control Permit.
Hunters must wear 250 square inches of fluorescent orange material, visible 360 degrees around their head, chest, and back.shooting hours are from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset.This year marks the first firearm deer hunting season following the passage of legislation allowing hunting on sundays in Pennsylvania. Thirteen Sundays were designated for hunting throughout the year, with two falling during rifle deer season.
However, hunting will not be permitted in Pennsylvania state parks on Dec. 7, but is allowed on state game lands, state forests, and private lands with the owner’s permission.
Licenses cost $20.97 for adult Pennsylvania residents and $101.97 for nonresidents.
Antler restrictions vary by WMU. Detailed data on antler restrictions statewide and harvest reporting can be found on the game commission’s website.
Hunters are required to complete and attach harvest tags,provided with their licenses,to the ear of each deer harvested.
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