CHAPTER 139. SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS

Sec.

139.1.    Scope.
139.2.    Definitions.
139.3.    Authority to alter seasons and bag limits.
139.4.    Seasons and bag limits for the license year.
139.5.    Regulated hunting grounds.
139.6.    Field possession and transportation limits.
139.7.    [Reserved].
139.8.    [Reserved].
139.9.    [Reserved].
139.10.    [Reserved].
139.11.    [Reserved].
139.12.    [Reserved].
139.13.    [Reserved].
139.14.    [Reserved].
139.15.    [Reserved].
139.16.    [Reserved].
139.17.    Wildlife management units.
139.18.    Elk management area and hunt zones.

Cross References

   This chapter cited in 58 Pa. Code §  135.106 (relating to controlled hunting and trapping area harvest limitations).

§ 139.1. Scope.

 This chapter relates to the hunting and trapping of game and wildlife for the license year.

Source

   The provisions of this §  139.1 amended September 1, 1978, effective September 2, 1978, 8 Pa.B. 2455; amended November 23, 1984, effective November 24, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 4285; amended June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464; amended June 3, 1988, effective June 4, 1988, 18 Pa.B. 2530. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (118681).

§ 139.2. Definitions.

 The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

   Daily limit—The maximum number permitted to be taken by one person in 1 day during the open season.

   Field possession limit—The maximum number of legally taken wildlife of a species which a person may legally possess or transport between the place of taking and the person’s permanent place of residence.

   Season limits—The maximum number of wildlife which may be taken during a designated open season or license year.

Authority

   The provisions of this §  139.2 issued under 34 Pa.C.S. § §  322(c)(1) and 2102(a) and (b)(1).

Source

   The provisions of this §  139.2 adopted June 3, 1971, effective July 17, 1971, 1 Pa.B. 1542; amended October 9, 1972, effective October 28, 2 Pa.B. 2080; amended June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464; amended May 12, 2000, effective May 13, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 2366; amended June 1, 2001, effective June 2, 2001, 31 Pa.B. 2791; corrected August 17, 2001, effective May 13, 2000, 31 Pa.B. 4536; amended August 17, 2001, effective August 18, 2001, Pa.B. 4536; amended August 9, 2002, effective August 10, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 3945; amended June 20, 2003, effecitve June 21, 2003, 33 Pa.B. 2878; amended July 15, 2005, effective July 16, 2005, 35 Pa.B. 3927; amended June 16, 2006, effective June 17, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 2971; amended August 22, 2008, effective August 23, 2008, 38 Pa.B. 4615. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (320707) to (320708).

§ 139.3. Authority to alter seasons and bag limits.

 (a)  Alteration of hunting seasons. If it is determined following review of wildlife surveys and inventory data, that certain wildlife species are available in sufficient number throughout this Commonwealth or in specific areas, or it is determined that inclement weather conditions or other factors resulted in an underharvest of certain species of wildlife, the Director has authority by order to:

   (1)  Extend hunting or trapping seasons set forth in this chapter.

   (2)  Designate specific areas where hunting and trapping seasons may be extended.

   (3)  Increase the bag limits for those species of wildlife listed in this chapter.

 (b)  Emergency authority of Director. The Director has emergency authority to remove protection on wildlife Statewide, or in a designated area and prohibit its possession alive and order the method of disposal, if he determines the spread of a disease poses a threat to human safety, farm animals, pets and wildlife within or adjacent to this Commonwealth.

 (c)  Removal of protection on wildlife.

   (1)  If the Director removes the protection on wildlife in designated areas, except for animals or their parts submitted for laboratory analysis, it is unlawful to:

     (i)   Remove the wildlife or their carcasses from the areas.

     (ii)   Possess the wildlife alive.

   (2)  Nothing in this subsection prevents removal of dried or cured skins of wildlife from the areas where the protection has been removed, if removal poses no threat to other areas of this Commonwealth.

 (d)  Restrictions. If it is determined due to drought, storm, cold, heat or other uncontrollable circumstances that a specific wildlife population is not at a sufficient level to permit the seasons or bag limits established, the Director may shorten seasons or further restrict bag limits until the conditions improve.

Source

   The provisions of this §  139.3 adopted July 1, 1948; amended June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464; amended August 24, 1990, effective September 24, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 4488; amended July 15, 2005, effective July 16, 2005, 35 Pa.B. 3927; amended June 16, 2006, effective June 17, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 2971. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (312309) to (312310).

§ 139.4. Seasons and bag limits for the license year.

2024-2025 OPEN HUNTING AND FURTAKING SEASONS, DAILY LIMIT, FIELD POSSESSION LIMIT AND SEASON LIMIT OPEN SEASON INCLUDES FIRST AND LAST DATES LISTED

Species	First Day		Last Day	Daily Limit	Field Possession Limit After Second Day
Squirrel—(Combined species)1 Eligible Junior Hunters only, with or without the required junior license	Sept. 14		Sept. 28	6	18
Squirrel—(Combined species)2	Sept. 14		Nov. 16	6	18
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 17		Sun.3, Nov. 17
		and
	Nov. 18		Nov. 23
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 24		Sun.3, Nov. 24
		and
	Nov. 25		Nov. 29
		and
	Dec. 16		Dec. 24
		and
	Dec. 26		Feb. 28, 2025
Ruffed Grouse2	Oct. 19		Nov. 16	2	6
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 17		Sun.3, Nov. 17
		and
	Nov. 18		Nov. 23
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 24		Sun.3, Nov. 24
		and
	Nov. 25		Nov. 29
		and
	Dec. 16		Dec. 24
Rabbit, Cottontail1 Eligible Junior Hunters only, with or without the required junior license	Oct. 5		Oct. 19	4	12
Rabbit, Cottontail2	Oct. 19		Nov. 16	4	12
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 17		Sun.3, Nov. 17
		and
	Nov. 18		Nov. 23
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 24		Sun.3, Nov. 24
		and
	Nov. 25		Nov. 29
		and
	Dec. 16		Dec. 24
		and
	Dec. 26		Feb. 28, 2025
Ring-necked Pheasant Central Susquehanna and Franklin County Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas Male only1	As authorized by the Executive Order
Ring-necked Pheasant—Male or Female1 Junior License Holders and Mentored Permit Holders9	Oct. 12		Oct. 19	2	6
Ring-necked Pheasant—Male or Female2	Oct. 26		Nov. 16	2	6
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 17		Sun.3, Nov. 17
		and
	Nov. 18		Nov. 23
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 24		Sun.3, Nov. 24
		and
	Nov. 25		Nov. 29
		and
	Dec. 16		Dec. 24
		and
	Dec. 26		Feb. 28, 2025
Bobwhite Quail—There is no open season for the taking of bobwhite quail in the area surrounding the Letterkenny Bobwhite Quail Focus Area, as designated in §  141.30 (relating to bobwhite quail recovery area).
Bobwhite Quail2	Sept. 2		Nov. 16	Unlimited
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 17		Sun.3, Nov. 17
		and
	Nov. 18		Nov. 23
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 24		Sun.3, Nov. 24
		and
	Nov. 25		Nov. 29
		and
	Dec. 16		Dec. 24
		and
	Dec. 26		Mar. 31, 2025
Snowshoe or Varying Hare1	Dec. 26		Jan. 1, 2025	1	3
Woodchuck (Groundhog)2	July 1		Nov. 16	Unlimited
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 17		Sun.3, Nov. 17
		and
	Nov. 18		Nov. 23
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 24		Sun.3, Nov. 24
		and
	Nov. 25		Nov. 29
		and
	Dec. 16		June 30, 2025
Crow3 (Hunting permitted on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday only)	Aug. 22		Mar. 23, 2025	Unlimited
Starling and English Sparrow3	No closed season, except season closed during the regular firearms deer seasons.			Unlimited

MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS

 Except as further restricted by this chapter, the seasons, bag limits, hunting hours and hunting regulations for migratory game birds shall conform to regulations adopted by the United States Secretary of the Interior under authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § §  703—712) as published in the Federal Register on or about February 28 of each year.

 Exceptions:

 (a)  Hunting hours in §  141.4 (relating to hunting hours).

 (b)  Nontoxic shot as approved by the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service is required for use Statewide in hunting and taking of migratory waterfowl.

 (c)  Hunting on Sunday not authorized.¹

WILD TURKEY

Species	First Day		Last Day	Daily Limit	Season Limit
Turkey, Fall—Male or Female1				1	1
WMUs 1A, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B and 4D	Nov. 2		Nov. 16
WMUs 1B, 3D, 4C and 4E	Nov. 2		Nov. 9
WMUs 2A, 2F, 3B and 3C	Nov. 2		Nov. 16
		and
	Nov. 27		Nov. 29
WMUs 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E	Nov. 2		Nov. 22
		and
	Nov. 27		Nov. 29
WMUs 5A and 5B	Nov. 2		Nov. 5
WMUs 5C and 5D	Closed to fall turkey hunting
Turkey, Spring1 Bearded Bird only, Eligible Junior Hunters only, with the required junior license	Apr. 26, 2025		Apr. 26, 2025	1	1
Turkey, Spring1,4 Bearded Bird only				1	2
	May 3, 2025		May 17, 2025	May be hunted 1/2 hour before sunrise to 12 noon
		and
	May 19, 2025		May 31, 2025	May be hunted 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset

FALCONRY

Species	First Day		Last Day	Daily Limit	Field Possession Limit After Second Day
Squirrel—(Combined species)2	Sept. 2		Nov. 16	6	18
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 17		Sun.3, Nov. 17
		and
	Nov. 18		Nov. 23
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 24		Sun.3, Nov. 24
		and
	Nov. 25		Nov. 30
		and
	Sun.3, Dec. 1		Sun.3, Dec. 1
		and
	Dec. 2		Mar. 31, 2025
Quail2	Sept. 2		Nov. 16	Unlimited
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 17		Sun.3, Nov. 17
		and
	Nov. 18		Nov. 23
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 24		Sun.3, Nov. 24
		and
	Nov. 25		Nov. 30
		and
	Sun.3, Dec. 1		Sun.3, Dec. 1
		and
	Dec. 2		Mar. 31, 2025
Ruffed Grouse2	Sept. 2		Nov. 16	2	6
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 17		Sun.3, Nov. 17
		and
	Nov. 18		Nov. 23
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 24		Sun.3, Nov. 24
		and
	Nov. 25		Nov. 30
		and
	Sun.3, Dec. 1		Sun.3, Dec. 1
		and
	Dec. 2		Mar. 31, 2025
Cottontail Rabbits2	Sept. 2		Nov. 16	4	12
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 17		Sun.3, Nov. 17
		and
	Nov. 18		Nov. 23
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 24		Sun.3, Nov. 24
		and
	Nov. 25		Nov. 30
		and
	Sun.3, Dec. 1		Sun.3, Dec. 1
		and
	Dec. 2		Mar. 31, 2025
Snowshoe or Varying Hare2	Sept. 2		Nov. 16	1	3
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 17		Sun.3, Nov. 17
		and
	Nov. 18		Nov. 23
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 24		Sun.3, Nov. 24
		and
	Nov. 25		Nov. 30
		and
	Sun.3, Dec. 1		Sun.3, Dec. 1
		and
	Dec. 2		Mar. 31, 2025
Ring-necked Pheasant—Male2 and Female (Combined)	Sept. 2		Nov. 16	2	6
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 17		Sun.3, Nov. 17
		and
	Nov. 18		Nov. 23
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 24		Sun.3, Nov. 24
		and
	Nov. 25		Nov. 30
		and
	Sun.3, Dec. 1		Sun.3, Dec. 1
		and
	Dec. 2		Mar. 31, 2025
Mink, Muskrat, Fox, Opossum, Raccoon, Striped Skunk and Weasel2		Sept. 2		Nov. 16	Unlimited
	and
	Sun.3, Nov. 17		Sun.3, Nov. 17
		and
	Nov. 18		Nov. 23
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 24		Sun.3, Nov. 24
		and
	Nov. 25		Nov. 30
		and
	Sun.3, Dec. 1		Sun.3, Dec. 1
		and
	Dec. 2		Mar. 31, 2025
Migratory Game Bird1—Seasons and bag limits shall be in accordance with Federal regulations.

WHITE-TAILED DEER

Species

First Day

Last Day

Season Limit

Deer, Archery (Antlered and Antlerless)2,5 With the required archery license WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D

Sept. 21

Nov. 16

One antlered deer, and an antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

and

Sun.3, Nov. 17

Sun.3, Nov. 17

and

Nov. 18

Nov. 23

and

Sun.3, Nov. 24

Sun.3, Nov. 24

and

Nov. 25

Nov. 29

and

Dec. 26

Jan. 25, 2025

Deer, Archery (Antlered and Antlerless)2,5 With the required archery license WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A and 5B

Oct. 5

Nov. 16

One antlered deer, and an antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

and

Sun.3, Nov. 17

Sun.3, Nov. 17

and

Nov. 18

Nov. 22

and

Dec. 26

Jan. 20, 2025

Deer, Muzzleloading (Antlerless only)1 With the required muzzleloading license

Oct. 19

Oct. 26

An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

Deer, Special firearms (Antlerless only) Only Junior and Senior License Holders6 Mentored Permit Holders9, Commission Disabled Person Permit Holders (to use a vehicle as a blind), and Residents serving on active duty in the United States Armed Forces or United States Coast Guard

Oct. 24

Oct. 26

An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

Deer, Regular Firearms (Antlered and Antlerless)2,5 Statewide

Nov. 30

Nov. 30

One antlered deer, and an

and

antlerless deer with each

Sun.3, Dec. 1

Sun.3, Dec. 1

required antlerless license.

and

Dec. 2

Dec. 14

Deer, Flintlock (Antlered or Antlerless)1,5 With the required muzzleloading license WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A and 5B

Dec. 26

Jan. 20, 2025

One antlered or one antlerless deer, plus an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

Deer, Flintlock (Antlered or Antlerless)1,5 With the required muzzleloading license WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D

Dec. 26

Jan. 25, 2025

One antlered or one antlerless deer, plus an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

Deer, Extended Regular firearms (Antlerless)1 WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D

Dec. 26

Jan. 25, 2025

An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

Deer, Extended Regular firearms (Antlerless)1 WMUs 4A, 4D and 5A

Jan. 2, 2025

Jan. 20, 2025

An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

Deer, Antlerless1 (Letterkenny Army Depot, Franklin County and New Cumberland Army Depot, York County and Fort Detrick, Raven Rock Site, Adams County)

Hunting is permitted on days established by the United States Department of the Army.

An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

BLACK BEAR

Species	First Day		Last Day	Season Limit
Bear, Archery2,7 WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D	Sept. 21		Nov. 16	1
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 17		Sun.3, Nov. 17
		and
	Nov. 18		Nov. 23
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 24		Sun.3, Nov. 24
		and
	Nov. 25		Nov. 29
Bear, Archery2,7 WMU 5B	Oct. 5		Nov. 16	1
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 17		Sun.3, Nov. 17
		and
	Nov. 18		Nov. 22
Bear, Archery1,7 WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 5A	Oct. 19		Nov. 9	1
Bear, Muzzleloader1,7 (Statewide)	Oct. 24		Oct. 26	1
Bear, Special firearms7 Only Junior and Senior License Holders6, Mentored Permit Holders9, Commission Disabled Person Permit Holders (to use a vehicle as a blind), and Residents serving on active duty in the United States Armed Forces or in the United States Coast Guard (Statewide)	Oct. 24		Oct. 26	1
Bear, Regular Firearms2,7 (Statewide)	Nov. 23		Nov. 23	1
		and
	Sun.3, Nov. 24		Sun.3, Nov. 24
		and
	Nov. 25		Nov. 26
Bear, Extended firearms2,7 WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D	Nov. 30		Nov. 30	1
		and
	Sun.3, Dec. 1		Sun.3, Dec. 1
		and
	Dec. 2		Dec. 14
Bear, Extended firearms2,7 WMUs 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4E and 5A	Nov. 30		Nov. 30	1
		and
	Sun.3, Dec. 1		Sun.3, Dec. 1
		and
	Dec. 2		Dec. 7

ELK

Species	First Day		Last Day	Season Limit
Elk, Special Conservation Tag1,8 and Special-License Tag1,8 (Antlered and Antlerless)	Sept. 2		Nov. 9	1
Elk, Archery1,8 (Antlered and Antlerless)	Sept. 14		Sept. 28	1
Elk, Regular1,8 (Antlered and Antlerless)	Nov. 4		Nov. 9	1
Elk, Late1,8 (Antlered and Antlerless)	Dec. 28		Jan. 4, 2025	1

FURTAKING—TRAPPING

Species	First Day		Last Day	Daily Limit	Season Limit
Mink and Muskrat	Nov. 23		Jan. 12, 2025	Unlimited
Beaver	Dec. 21		Mar. 31, 2025
WMUs 1A and 1B (Combined)				20	60
WMUs 2A, 2B and 3C (Combined)				20	40
WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 3A, 3B, 3D, 5C and 5D (Combined)				20	20
WMUs 2G, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A and 5B (Combined)				5	5

Species	First Day		Last Day	Season Limit
Coyote, Fox, Opossum, Raccoon, Striped Skunk and Weasel	Oct. 26		Feb. 23, 2025	Unlimited
Coyote and Fox Use of cable restraint devices authorized with required certification	Dec. 26		Feb. 23, 2025	Unlimited
Bobcat, with required bobcat permit WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E	Dec. 21		Jan. 12, 2025	1
Fisher, with required fisher permit WMUs 1B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E	Dec. 21		Jan. 12, 2025	1
River Otter, with required otter permit WMUs 1A, 1B, 2F, 3B, 3C, 3D and 4E	Feb. 15, 2025		Feb. 22, 2025	1

FURTAKING—HUNTING

Species	First Day		Last Day	Daily Limit	Season Limit
Coyote—(Outside of any big game season)3	May be taken with a hunting license or a furtaker’s license.			Unlimited
Coyote—(During any big game season)	May be taken while lawfully hunting big game or with a furtaker’s license.			Unlimited
Opossum, Striped Skunk, Weasel2	July 1		Nov. 16	Unlimited May be hunted any hour, day or night, on open dates from July 1—Nov. 29 and Dec. 15— June 30, 2025. May only be hunted from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise from Nov. 30— Dec. 14.
	and
Sun.3, Nov. 17		Sun.3, Nov. 17
	and
Nov. 18		Nov. 23
	and
Sun.3, Nov. 24		Sun.3, Nov. 24
	and
Nov. 25		Nov. 30
	and
Sun.3, Dec. 1		Sun.3, Dec. 1
	and
	Dec. 2		June 30, 2025
Fox3	Oct. 26		Feb. 22, 2025	Unlimited May be hunted any hour, day or night, from Oct. 26—Nov. 29 and Dec. 15— Feb. 22, 2025. May only be hunted from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise from Nov. 30— Dec. 14.
Raccoon2	Oct. 26		Nov. 16	Unlimited May be hunted any hour, day or night, on open dates from Oct. 26—Nov. 29 and Dec. 15— Feb. 22, 2025. May only be hunted from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise from Nov. 30— Dec. 14.
	and
Sun.3, Nov. 17		Sun.3, Nov. 17
	and
Nov. 18		Nov. 23
	and
Sun.3, Nov. 24		Sun.3, Nov. 24
	and
Nov. 25		Nov. 30
	and
Sun.3, Dec. 1		Sun.3, Dec. 1
	and
	Dec. 2		Feb. 22, 2025
Bobcat, with required bobcat permit1 WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E	Jan. 11, 2025		Feb. 5, 2025	1	1
Porcupine2	Oct. 12		Nov. 16	3	10
	and
Sun.3, Nov. 17		Sun.3, Nov. 17
	and
Nov. 18		Nov. 23
	and
Sun.3, Nov. 24		Sun.3, Nov. 24
	and
Nov. 25		Nov. 29
	and
Dec. 16		Dec. 24
	and
Dec. 26		Feb. 1, 2025

 No open seasons on other wild birds or wild mammals.

 ¹ No hunting on Sunday authorized. See 34 Pa.C.S. §  2303 (relating to hunting on Sunday prohibited).

 ² Hunting on Sunday authorized on separately delineated Sunday dates only. See 34 Pa.C.S. §  2303.

 ³ Hunting on Sunday is authorized. See 34 Pa.C.S. §  2303.

 ⁴ Only persons who possess a special wild turkey license as provided for in 34 Pa.C.S, §  2709 (relating to license costs and fees) may take a second spring gobbler during the hunting license year; all other persons, including mentored youth hunters, may take only one spring gobbler. A maximum of two spring gobblers per license year may be taken by any combination of licenses or exceptions for mentored youth.

 ⁵ Only one antlered deer (buck) may be taken during the hunting license year.

 ⁶ Includes resident and nonresident license holders who have reached or will reach their 65th birthday in the year of the application for the license and hold a valid adult license or qualify for license and fee exemptions under 34 Pa.C.S. §  2706 (relating to resident license and fee exemptions).

 ⁷ Only one bear may be taken during the hunting license year with the required bear license.

 ⁸ Only one elk may be taken during the hunting license year with the required elk license.

 ⁹ Includes mentored youth and mentored adults with a valid mentored hunter permit issued under Chapter 147, Subchapter X (relating to Mentored Hunting Program permit).

Appendix A. [Reserved]

Authority

   The provisions of this §  139.4 issued and amended under 34 Pa.C.S.

Source

   The provisions of this §  139.4 adopted June 3, 1971, effective July 3, 1971, 1 Pa.B. 1473; amended July 8, 1977, effective July 9, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 1915; amended April 30, 1982, effective May 1, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 1396; amended June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464; amended October 30, 1987, effective October 31, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 4320; amended June 3, 1988, effective June 4, 1988, 18 Pa.B. 2530; amended April 28, 1989, effective April 29, 1989, 19 Pa.B. 1842; amended May 25, 1990, effective July 1, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 2752; amended May 29, 1992, effective July 1, 1992, 22 Pa.B. 2839; amended November 27, 1992, effective November 28, 1992, 22 Pa.B. 5685; amended May 28, 1993, effective July 1, 1993, 23 Pa.B. 2565; amended June 3, 1994, effective June 4, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 2797; amended May 26, 1995, effective from July 1, 1995, to June 30, 1996, 25 Pa.B. 2072; amended October 27, 1995, effective from December 1995, to June 30, 1996, 25 Pa.B. 4614; amended September 6, 1996, effective July 1, 1996, to June 30, 1997, 26 Pa.B. 4339; amended May 16, 1997, effective May 17, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 2417; amended May 29, 1998, effective May 30, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 2504; amended October 30, 1998, effective October 31, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 5486; amended May 7, 1999, effective May 8, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2454; amended May 12, 2000, effective May 13, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 2366; amended June 1, 2001, effective July 1, 2001, to June 30, 2002, 31 Pa.B. 2793; amended July 12, 2002, effective July 13, 2002, and apply retroactively to July 1, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 3392; amended June 20, 2003, effective June 21, 2003, 33 Pa.B. 2872; amended July 16, 2004, effective July 17, 2004, and apply retroactively to July 1, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 3705; amended July 15, 2005, effective from July 1, 2005, to June 30, 2006, 35 Pa.B. 3928; amended June 30, 2006, effective July 1, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 3244; amended June 29, 2007, effective June 30, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 2949; amended June 27, 2008, effective June 28, 2008, 38 Pa.B. 3491; amended June 5, 2009, effective July 1, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 2792; amended June 11, 2010, effective June 12, 2010, 40 Pa.B. 3096; amended September 24, 2010, effective September 25, 2010, and remain in effect until June 30, 2011, 40 Pa.B. 5454; amended May 27, 2011, effective from July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2012, 41 Pa.B. 2688; amended June 22, 2012, effective from July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2013, 42 Pa.B. 3581; amended May 31, 2013, effective July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2014, 43 Pa.B. 2999; amended May 23, 2014, effective July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015, 44 Pa.B. 3091; amended May 29, 2015, effective July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016, 45 Pa.B. 2596; amended May 27, 2016, effective July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017, 46 Pa.B. 2665; amended May 5, 2017, effective July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018, 47 Pa.B. 2603; amended May 25, 2018, effective July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019, 48 Pa.B. 3082; amended May 17, 2019, effective July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020, 49 Pa.B. 2500; amended May 1, 2020, effective July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, 50 Pa.B. 2258; amended May 21, 2021, effective July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, 51 Pa.B. 2929; amended June 9, 2023, effective July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, 53 Pa.B. 3090; amended May 31, 2024, effective July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, 54 Pa.B. 3021. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (414497) to (414517).

Cross References

   This section cited in 58 Pa. Code §  135.41 (relating to State game lands); 58 Pa. Code §  139.6 (relating to field possession and transportation limits); 58 Pa. Code §  143.42 (relating to antlerless deer license required); 58 Pa. Code §  143.206 (relating to validity of elk licenses); 58 Pa. Code §  143.243 (relating to general); 58 Pa. Code §  147.315 (relating to purpose); 58 Pa. Code §  147.664 (relating to permit); 58 Pa. Code §  147.701 (relating to general); and 58 Pa. Code §  147.804 (relating to general).

§ 139.5. Regulated hunting grounds.

 (a)  The period to hunt on regulated hunting areas will be the first Monday in September through the last Saturday in April for both private and commercial areas. Sunday hunting is prohibited on commercial areas.

 (b)  Shooting hours are 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.

 (c)  Seasons for taking unmarked mallard ducks and other waterfowl on regulated hunting grounds will conform with established waterfowl seasons.

 (d)  This section may be amended to comply with further restrictions or modifications as established by the Director, the Commission or Federal authority fixing hunting hours and seasons.

Authority

   The provisions of this §  139.5 amended under 34 Pa.C.S. § §  101—2965.

Source

   The provisions of this §  139.5 adopted June 3, 1971, effective July 3, 1971, 1 Pa.B. 1473; amended April 23, 1976, effective April 24, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 959; amended July 10, 1981, effective July 11, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 2492; amended June 17, 1983, effective June 18, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 1941; amended July 5, 1985, effective July 6, 1985, 15 Pa.B. 2462; amended June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464; amended June 3, 1988, effective June 4, 1988, 18 Pa.B. 2530; amended May 25, 1990, effective July 1, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 2752; amended February 17, 1995, effective February 18, 1995, 25 Pa.B. 613. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (191437).

§ 139.6. Field possession and transportation limits.

 (a)  Opening day of season. It is unlawful for a person to possess or transport game or wildlife in excess of the daily limit as set forth in §  139.4 (relating to seasons and bag limits for the license year).

 (b)  Second day of season. On the second day of the season, it is unlawful for a person to possess or transport game or wildlife, at or between the place where taken and his place of permanent residence, in excess of twice the daily limit, or the season limit, whichever applies, as set forth in §  139.4.

 (c) Following the second day of season. After second day of the season, it is unlawful for a person to possess or transport game or wildlife, at or between the place where taken and his place of permanent residence, in excess of triple the daily limit, or the season limit, whichever applies, as set forth in §  139.4.

Authority

   The provisions of this §  139.6 amended under 34 Pa.C.S. § §  101—2965.

Source

   The provisions of this §  139.6 adopted July 9, 1976, effective September 1, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 1633; amended November 23, 1984, effective November 24, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 4285; amended July 11, 1986, effective July 12, 1986, 16 Pa.B. 2527; amended June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464; amended June 3, 1988, effective June 4, 1988, 18 Pa.B. 2530; amended April 28, 1989, effective April 29, 1989, 19 Pa.B. 1842; amended May 5, 2017, effective May 6, 2017, 47 Pa.B. 2609. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (381015).

§ 139.7. [Reserved].

Source

   The provisions of this §  139.7 adopted June 10, 1966; amended September 1, 1978, effective September 2, 1978, 8 Pa.B. 2456; amended July 13, 1984, effective July 14, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 2413; amended February 21, 1986, effective February 22, 1986, 16 Pa.B. 526. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (110914) to (110916).

§ 139.8. [Reserved].

Source

   The provisions of this §  139.8 adopted June 3, 1971, effective July 3, 1971, 1 Pa.B. 1473; amended July 6, 1979, effective September 1, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 2264; amended July 10, 1981, effective July 11, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 2492; amended April 30, 1982, effective May 1, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 1395; amended June 17, 1983, effective June 18, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 1941; amended December 16, 1983, effective December 17, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 3879; amended July 13, 1984, effective July 14, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 2414; amended July 11, 1986, effective July 12, 1986, 16 Pa.B. 2527; reserved June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (110916) to (110917).

§ 139.9. [Reserved].

Source

   The provisions of this §  139.9 adopted July 6, 1979, effective September 1, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 2265; amended July 10, 1981, effective July 11, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 2493; amended June 17, 1983, effective June 18, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 1941; reserved June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (110918).

§ 139.10. [Reserved].

Source

   The provisions of this §  139.10 adopted November 15, 1974, effective November 16, 1974, 4 Pa.B. 2380; amended September 1, 1978, effective September 2, 1978, 8 Pa.B. 2456; reserved July 13, 1984, effective July 14, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 2413. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (110918).

§ 139.11. [Reserved].

Source

   The provisions of this §  139.11 amended March 6, 1981, effective March 7, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 810; amended September 18, 1981, effective September 19, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 3218; amended December 4, 1981, effective December 5, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 4193; amended February 12, 1982, effective February 13, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 645; amended April 30, 1982, effective May 1, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 1395; amended June 18, 1982, effective June 19, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 1870; corrected November 5, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 3905; amended November 18, 1983, effective November 19, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 3669; amended July 11, 1986, effective July 12, 1986, 16 Pa.B. 2527; reserved June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (110918) to (110919).

§ 139.12. [Reserved].

Source

   The provisions of this §  139.12 adopted March 4, 1977, effective March 5, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 609; amended September 12, 1980, effective September 13, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 3668; amended February 21, 1986, effective February 22, 1986, 16 Pa.B. 525; reserved June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (110918) to (110920) and (104959) to (104966).

§ 139.13. [Reserved].

Source

   The provisions of this §  139.13 adopted June 1, 1972, effective June 2, 1972, 2 Pa.B. 1074; amended April 23, 1976, effective April 24, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 960; reserved June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (104966).

§ 139.14. [Reserved].

Source

   The provisions of this §  139.14 adopted July 5, 1985, effective July 6, 1985, 15 Pa.B. 2463; reserved June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (104967).

§ 139.15. [Reserved].

Source

   The provisions of this §  139.15 adopted June 17, 1983, effective June 18, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 1941; amended July 5, 1985, effective July 6, 1985, 15 Pa.B. 2462; reserved June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (104967).

§ 139.16. [Reserved].

Source

   The provisions of this §  139.16 adopted May 14, 1999, effective May 15, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2576; corrected June 11, 1999, effective May 15, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2999; reserved August 24, 2001, effective August 25, 2001, 31 Pa.B. 4650. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (280077).

§ 139.17. Wildlife management units.

 (a)  The divisional line between two or more wildlife management units shall be the center of the highway, natural water course or other natural boundary.

 (b)  The outline map of Pennsylvania sets forth wildlife management units.

 

   

 New WMU 2C—From the West Virginia/PA state line, US Route 119 north to Toll Road Route 66 near New Stanton. Toll Road Route 66 north to US Route 22 near Delmont. US Route 22 east to I-99 near Hollidaysburg. I-99 south to US Route 220 near Bedford. US Route 220 south to the Maryland/PA state line.

 New WMU 2E—From near DuBois, I-80 east to PA Route 53 near Kylertown. PA Route 53 south to US Route 22 near Cresson. US Route 22 west to US Route 119 near Blairsville. US Route 119 north to US Route 219 near DuBois. US Route 219 north to I-80 near DuBois.

   

Authority

   The provisions of this §  139.17 issued under 34 Pa.C.S. § §  322(c)(1) and (4) and 2102(a); amended under 34 Pa.C.S. § §  322(c)(4) and (6) and 2102(a).

Source

   The provisions of this §  139.17 adopted June 20, 2003, effective June 21, 2003, 33 Pa.B. 2878; corrected December 5, 2008, effective June 28, 2008, 38 Pa.B. 6615; amended May 31, 2013, effective June 1, 2013, 43 Pa.B. 3006; amended May 29, 2015, effective May 30, 2015, 45 Pa.B. 2603; amended May 27, 2016, effective May 28, 2016, 46 Pa.B. 2671; amended May 12, 2017, effective May 13, 2017, 47 Pa.B. 2717; amended June 9, 2023, effective June 10, 2023, 53 Pa.B. 3100. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (404723) to (404725).

§ 139.18. Elk management area and hunt zones.

 (a)  The elk management area is broad geographical range used for management of the Commonwealth’s elk population.

 (b)  Elk hunt zones are those individual and distinct areas within the elk management area in which elk may be hunted according to annual elk allocations.

 (c)  The division line between two or more hunt zones shall be the center of the highway, road, natural water course or other natural boundary.

 (d)  The outline map of the elk management area sets forth the elk hunt zones.

   

Authority

   The provisions of this §  139.18 added under 34 Pa.C.S. § §  2102(a) and 2722(g).

Source

   The provisions of this §  139.18 adopted May 21, 2021, effective May 22, 2021, 51 Pa.B. 2937.

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