Winter in Pennsylvania brings plentiful hunting and trapping opportunities. From deer to small game to game birds, hunters have a wide variety of choices to bag during the winter months.
Hunters need to have the proper license for the particular type of game they are hunting, and first-time license applicants must pass an approved hunter and trapper education class before obtaining a license.
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Here is a look at some of the animals available to hunt and trap during the winter in Pennsylvania:
1. Otters
The first otter-trapping season since 1952 will be allowed starting the third Sunday in February 2016, lasting for three days. The Pennsylvania Game Commission has the option of extending it five more days.
Otter trapping will require a valid fur trapping license plus a special otter-trapping license. Harvests must be reported within 24 hours, faster than for most animals.
2. Deer
The statewide season for antlered or antlerless deer when using archery or flintlocks is generally the day after Christmas through the second Saturday in January. Some areas extend the season until the fourth Saturday. Contact the nearest game commission office or check the state commission website to determine which geographic areas are affected.
Meanwhile, only a few counties in the state allow hunting deer with regular firearms. These areas have an extended season, from the day after Christmas through the fourth Saturday in January.
3. Cottontail Rabbits
The season for this plentiful game is the second Monday in December through the end of February, except on Christmas Day. There is a daily limit of four rabbits and possession limit of 12.
4. Pheasants
The season is the second Monday in December through the end of February, except on Christmas Day. In some areas, only the male may be hunted, and there is no pheasant hunting in Pheasant Recovery Areas.
Check with the regional game commission office for details. There is a daily limit of four pheasants and possession limit of six.
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5. Bobcat
The bobcat season for fur trappers is the third Saturday in December through the second Sunday in January. The season for hunters is the third Saturday in January through the second Tuesday in February. Bobcat hunting is limited to about half the state.
6. Foxes
The season for foxes the last week in October until the third Sunday in February. The bag and possession limits for foxes are unlimited.
7. Beavers
The season for beaver is the day after Christmas until the end of March. Limits vary based on the wildlife management unit in which the hunt is taking place.
8. Squirrels
The season for squirrel begins the middle of December through the third week of February, except for Christmas Day. There is a possession limit of 18 with a daily bag limit of six squirrels.
9. Ruffed Grouse
The season for ruffed grouse, the state bird, lasts all December until the third week of January, except for Christmas Day. There is a possession limit of 18 with a daily bag limit of six ruffed grouse.
This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.
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