Pennsylvania Non-Resident Hunting License 2026: Deer, Turkey & Total Costs

Pennsylvania for Non-Resident Hunters

Pennsylvania is one of the most popular eastern deer states for non-residents, offering:

• Affordable non-resident fees — $101.97 base license is among the lowest in the East
• No draw required — all deer seasons are OTC
• Abundant public land — 1.5 million acres of State Game Lands
• Long seasons — archery from September through November; rifle 12 days; late muzzleloader through mid-January
• Turkey — strong populations statewide, both spring and fall seasons

Pennsylvania has the highest licensed deer hunter density of any state in the country — approximately 950,000 deer hunters take the field each year. This creates pressure, but also opportunity.

---

Non-Resident License Costs 2026

Total NR firearms deer hunt: $101.97 Total NR archery deer hunt: $101.97 + $26.97 = $128.94 Total NR archery + muzzleloader: $101.97 + $26.97 + $21.97 = $150.91

Purchase at huntfish.pa.gov or county treasurer offices.

---

Season Dates 2026–27

[DATA UNVERIFIED] — Confirm 2026 dates at pgc.pa.gov

---

Antler Restrictions (AR) by WMU

Pennsylvania's most important regulation for out-of-state hunters: Antler Point Restrictions vary by Wildlife Management Unit.

In AR WMUs:

• Bucks must have at least 3 points on one side to be taken with a firearm (some WMUs require 4 points)
• Archery hunters in AR WMUs: any antlered buck is legal during archery
• Youth hunters have different rules — verify before hunting

Check your specific WMU before purchasing a license. WMU maps are at pgc.pa.gov.

---

Antlerless Deer Licenses

To harvest antlerless deer, NR hunters must purchase a separate NR Antlerless Deer License ($26.97) for their specific WMU. These are available through the PGC, but some WMUs have limited allocations for non-residents. Purchase early in the season.

---

Sunday Hunting

Pennsylvania expanded Sunday hunting — hunters may now hunt on private land on all Sundays, and on certain State Game Lands on 3 selected Sundays per year. This is a major quality-of-life improvement for non-residents traveling for weekend hunts.

---

State Game Lands (SGLs)

Pennsylvania's 1.5 million acres of State Game Lands are free to hunt with a valid Pennsylvania hunting license. SGLs are spread across all 67 counties. Key areas for deer:

• SGL 13 (Sullivan/Lycoming) — Large tract; good deer and turkey
• SGL 100 (Adams County) — Accessible from I-81 corridor
• SGL 108 (Centre County) — Popular north-central location
• Pocono/Northeast — Dense SGLs with easy I-78/I-80 access from the New York/New Jersey area

---

Hunter Education

Required for all first-time buyers. Pennsylvania offers both free online and in-person courses. Accepts certificates from all other states. Complete at hunter-ed.com/pennsylvania.

---

License Validity

Pennsylvania hunting licenses run July 1 through June 30 — a fiscal year format. If you hunt both the archery season (September) and the late muzzleloader season (January), you use the same license year. Purchase as early as July 1 for the upcoming season.

---

Bear Hunting for Non-Residents

Pennsylvania has one of the largest black bear populations east of the Mississippi — estimated at 20,000+ animals. Non-residents can pursue bear during:

• Archery bear — Runs concurrent with archery deer season (Sept–Nov)
• Firearms bear — Typically a 4-day season in late November, immediately before the deer firearms opener
• Extended bear — Available in select WMUs with high bear density

A separate bear license ($16.97 NR) is required in addition to the base hunting license. Bear tags are OTC — no draw required.

---

CWD Disease Management Areas

Pennsylvania has active Chronic Wasting Disease management in several WMUs, primarily in south-central PA. Non-residents should know:

• DMA boundaries change annually — check pgc.pa.gov before your trip
• Mandatory CWD testing may be required if you harvest a deer in a DMA
• Carcass transport restrictions apply within and out of DMAs
• Feeding and baiting bans are enforced year-round in all DMAs

Currently affected WMUs include portions of 2C, 4A, 4B, 4D, and 5A. Plan your hunting area accordingly and know the rules before heading afield.

---

Detailed State Game Land Recommendations

Beyond the popular SGLs, non-residents should consider these areas based on target species and region:

Northern Tier (Potter, Tioga, Lycoming Counties)

• SGL 12 — 53,000+ acres of big woods terrain; excellent bear and deer
• Sproul State Forest — Over 300,000 acres adjacent to SGLs; one of the wildest areas in the East
• Lower pressure than southern PA SGLs; more challenging terrain rewards fit hunters

Pocono/Northeast (Pike, Monroe, Wayne Counties)

• SGL 180, 183 — Easy access from I-80 and I-84; popular with NY/NJ non-residents
• Delaware State Forest — 80,000+ acres of mixed hardwoods; good turkey and deer
• Bear density is among the highest in the state in this region

South-Central (Centre, Huntingdon, Blair Counties)

• SGL 176 — Bald Eagle State Forest adjacent; classic ridge-and-valley terrain
• Rothrock State Forest — 96,000 acres; challenging mountain hunting but quality bucks
• CWD awareness — Some south-central WMUs have active disease management

---

Trip Planning for Non-Residents

Best timing: The two-week firearms season (Nov 28–Dec 13) is the main event. For less pressure, archery season (September–November) and late muzzleloader (December–January) offer excellent opportunities with fewer hunters.

Lodging: Small-town motels and hunting camps are abundant throughout northern PA. Budget $60–100/night. State park cabins offer an affordable base camp option — book early for fall availability.

Getting there: I-80 crosses northern PA east-to-west, providing access to the best deer and bear country. I-81 serves the southern SGLs. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh airports are well-served, with rental car access to hunting areas within 2–4 hours.

Meat processing: Local processors charge $80–150 for standard venison processing. During firearms season, expect wait times — drop off early in the day. Some processors offer shipping for non-residents.

Weather: November/December conditions range from 20–45°F with rain, wind, and potential snow. Northern tier elevations can see significantly colder temperatures and deeper snow. Layer appropriately and bring rain gear.

Blaze orange: Required during firearms seasons — minimum 250 square inches on the head, chest, and back combined.