The much awaited statewide archery deer hunting season gets underway in Pennsylvania

The much awaited statewide bowhunting season for deer opens Oct. 4 and runs through Nov. 21 and again from Dec. 26 through Jan. 19, 2026. 
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For bowhunters in WMU’s 2B, 5C and 5D, the season opens Saturday (Sept 20) and runs through Nov. 28 and again from Dec. 26 through Jan. 24, 2026.

In the 2024-25 bowhunting season, the state’s 350,000 plus bowhunters took an estimated 178,140 deer of which 87,540 were antlered and 90,600 antlerless deer. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), this accounts for about one-third of all deer taken in Pennsylvania.

It appears bowhunters do a good job of culling the large herds that seem to be everywhere. In fact, I spotted a buck and doe browsing in the grass behind Cedar Crest College that borders Allentown’s Rose Garden land. A few weeks before, there was a doe browsing grass by Muhlenberg College across from Allentown School District’s baseball field and Cedar Beach pond and swimming pool. Back in March, I had a doe in my back yard in the West End of Allentown. It makes one wonder where it came from? It meandered off toward busy 19th and Tilghman streets. 

This season marks a big change in Penn’s Woods in that expanded Sunday hunting is now allowed on 13 Sunday’s from Sept. 14 through Dec. 7 as long as they fall within established seasons. Seven of those fall within the statewide archery deer season, nine within the archery deer season in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D. 

The PGC reminds hunters that within Pennsylvania state parks, Sunday hunting will only be allowed this year on Nov. 16, Nov 23 and Nov. 30. Also, there is no Sunday hunting for any migratory game birds. And those hunting private property on Sundays must carry with them written permission from the landowner. 

Bowhunting has become so popular that the PGC says there are more bowhunters than in any state of the country. The National Deer Association has said that bowhunting has grown to the point that archers typically  harvest about one-third of all deer across what’s considered the Northeast regions, a 13-state area stretching from Maine to Virginia. And bowhunting helps manage deer in areas that are more heavily urban and suburban were firearms hunting is not always feasible. I recall one Bucks County female landowner who said she’ll allowed bowhunting on her property because she doesn’t hear it happening, referring to gun shots. 

Here are a few reminders from the PGC. Illuminated nocks that aid in tracking or locating the arrow or bolt after being launched are legal, but transmitter-tracking arrows are not. Additionally, when Act 36 of 2025 became law, it not only removed the prohibition on Sunday hunting, it also increased the fines for those caught trespassing on private property. The penalty now for trespassing while hunting has increased to a second-degree summary offense, in most cases. Trespassers who refuse to leave a property when asked, if convicted, will lose their hunting privileges for three years, while those convicted of a second or subsequent offense within seven years, will lose their hunting privilege for five years. Lands can be posted with signs or purple paint used on trees, fence posts and the like. 

Deer urine scent products are legal statewide which was previously prohibited within Chronic Wasting Disease Management Areas. Speaking of scents, Bob’s Wildlife Taxidermy on Kernsville Road in Orefield is once again selling fresh Yurine Luck buck and doe urine. Call the shop to make sure it’s not sold out and for his operating hours (610-398-7609). 
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