Specific deer hunting re-opens Dec. 26

If you still have an unfilled antlered or antlerless deer hunting tag, you get another shot sort of speak when specific seasons open Dec 26. 

For firearm hunters, the antlerless deer season runs Dec. 26 – Jan. 28 in Wildlife Management Units (WMU) 2B, 5C and 5D. 

If you’re hunting with a flintlock, the season for antlered and antlerless deer runs Dec. 26 – Jan. 16 in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A and 5B provided you have a muzzleloader license. The flintlock season is longer if hunting in 2B, 5C, and 5D that runs Dec 26 – Jan. 29. 

If you’re a bowhunter, the archery deer season for antlered and antlerless runs Dec. 26 – Jan. 28 in WMUs 2B, 5C, and 5D. 

For those bowhunters hunting in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 5B, the season runs Dec. 26 – Jan. 16. 

Now if you’ve already filled your tags but love to hunt possibly with some snow on the ground, the small game season also reopens for Squirrel, Pheasant and rabbits from Dec.26 – Feb. 27. 

Waterfowlers can also pursue the resident ducks until Jan. 21, and the resident goose population that runs Dec. 12 – Jan 14 and again from Feb. 3 – Feb. 25. 

Snow geese have arrived with a sizable flock spotted in East Allen Township, Northampton County. Their seasons run from now until Jan. 28 and then the Conservation Hunt kicks off Jan. 30 – Apr. 20. 

Snow geese do a lot of damage to local farmers winter wheat crops and many would be most happy to have you hunt them, with permission of course. 

Recently posted on The Sportsmen Party’s Facebook page was crossbow hunter Dave Kammerdieneer’s new Pennsylvania record bull elk that scored 446 Boone & Crockett Club points that beat the old record of 400 2/8 according to the posting.  The majestic elk was taken on 9-15-22 in Pebble Run, Clearfield County and had 11 points on the right antler and seven on the left. 

As for the recent deer hunting season, Bob Danenhower, of Bob’s Wildlife Taxidermy in Orefield, has had one of his best seasons with loads of 8-point and better bucks brought in for shoulder mounts. When asked, he said that most of the trophy racks were brought in during the archery season as opposed to firearms season. 

While his business in booming, he said it’s also true for deer processors. Danenhower said a lot of butchers have had to turn deer away since they’re inundated with more work that they can handle. And over the year there are less butchers as some retired or just couldn’t get the help. And there’s another season forthcoming. 
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