Hunting in Pennsylvania: 3 Animals to Hunt in the Summer

For residents of Pennsylvania, July 1 signals the time to renew hunting licenses, which usually go on sale starting in mid-June. First-time license applicants need to show proof that they have completed an approved hunter and trapper education class, which teaches basic rules and etiquette, including safety rules, related to hunting and trapping live game.

Veteran hunters only need to provide their customer identification number in order to renew their license. Hunting is a year-round pastime in Pennsylvania, however, only a limited number of animals are available to hunt during the warmest time of the year.

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Here are three animals to hunt in the summer:

1. Woodchucks
Also known as groundhogs, woodchucks are a popular sport-hunting animal in Pennsylvania in the summer. The season for hunting woodchucks never closes in Pennsylvania, except during firearms deer season, which usually takes place during the first two weeks of December.

In addition, woodchucks are among a list of animals that cannot be hunted on Sunday. There is no bag limit to hunting woodchucks.

These rodents from the squirrel family can weigh up to 13 pounds and have a body length of up to 20 inches. They create burrow systems that are deep and often destructive on farmland, creating a nuisance that farmers are happy to be rid of. Hunters should ask permission first, which is state law in Pennsylvania, but may find themselves welcome if they are hunting woodchucks on private land.

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2. Coyotes
Similar to woodchucks, coyotes are another animal that can be hunted year-round in Pennsylvania, including in the summer. The only exception is that they cannot be hunted during specific days and time during big game seasons, such as deer and wild turkey. This also holds true for opossums, weasels, and striped skunks.

Coyotes are members of the dog family can be nuisance animals, sometimes threatening pets as well as gardens or farms. They acclimate to humans easily and will intrude in urban and rural areas.

They grow to stand 24 inches high at the shoulder and weigh 20 to 50 pounds. They operate in pairs. Coyotes are swift and keen hunters, with good eyesight. They prey on whitetailed deer and snowshoe hare.

3. Crows
Hunting season for crows begins the first week of July and extends all the way until April of the following year. However, hunting crows, which tend to be a nuisance to farmers by eating grain, berries, and even small farm animals, can only be hunted on Fridays through Sundays in season. There is no bag limit imposed for crows.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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