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Earlier Deer Opener? Game Commission to Propose Change to Hunting Season

On Jan. 23 and Jan. 24, the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners will meet to consider two proposals for the 2026 regular firearms deer season, including moving opening day to the Saturday before Thanksgiving or keeping it the Saturday after.
To improve access and maximize participation, the board says opening earlier could help families, young hunters and long-distance travelers enjoy opening weekend without competing with Thanksgiving.
Moving the opener up would push firearms bear season one week earlier and reduce early bear muzzleloader, archery and special firearms seasons to a single weekend; the proposal specifies rifle deer season running Saturday, Nov. 21 through Sunday, Dec. 6.
No public comment will be accepted on Jan. 23, with limited comment on Jan. 24 for public speakers who must register at 7:45 a.m.; the board will tentatively approve seasons then finalize on April 11, 2026.
State lawmakers' 2025 change allows the Game Commission to add Sunday hunting dates to rifle deer season and may limit the spring gobbler bag to one bird amid second gobbler tag sales of 19,048 through Dec. 31, 2025.

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