Hunting Licenses Available June 23 for 2025-26 Season

By Blake Jackson

Hunting and furtaker licenses for Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 season will become available on Monday, June 23. Hunters will have time to purchase licenses without facing long wait times, especially Pennsylvania residents.

As in previous years, antlerless deer licenses will go on sale the same day general licenses are available. However, this year brings a significant benefit for residents: every Pennsylvania resident is guaranteed an antlerless license for the Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) of their choice if they make their purchase by 7 a.m. on Monday, July 14. After that, sales open to nonresidents, and licenses will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

This gives Pennsylvania residents a full three weeks to purchase an antlerless license without concern about availability.

After July 14 at 8 a.m., remaining licenses will be open to nonresidents, and quantities will no longer be guaranteed. Additional sales rounds begin on Monday, July 28 (second license), Monday, August 11 (third license and DMAP permits), and Monday, August 25 (fourth license), all at 8 a.m.

Across most of the state, hunters may hold up to six unfilled antlerless licenses. However, WMUs 5C and 5D-areas with limited public access in southeastern Pennsylvania-hunters may possess up to 15 unfilled licenses.

Hunters can monitor real-time license availability by visiting HuntFish.PA.gov, navigating to the Antlerless Deer section, and checking the Antlerless Deer Quota page.

“Guaranteeing resident hunters an antlerless license for the WMU of their choice provides them flexibility in deciding when to purchase and ensures every resident hunter can get a license without waiting, if so inclined,” said Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith.

Because the number of antlerless licenses allocated in a given WMU is driven by deer-management objectives, and often fluctuates from one year to the next, there’s no guaranteeing a statewide guarantee will continue. But for this year, it is certain to further alleviate the first-round rush and create additional convenience.”

The new license year starts July 1, when all 2024-25 licenses expire. Licenses can be purchased online or from authorized agents statewide.

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