Outdoors Calendar
(To request to have an item added to the Outdoors Calendar or to send a digital image of your harvested bear, deer or turkey photo for possible publication please email hssports@heraldstandard.com.)
YOUTH FISH CASTING CONTEST
Meadow Run Conservation Club and Uniontown Izaak Walton League is sponsoring a youth fish casting contest for ages 12-and-under on Aug 23 at 10 a.m. in Braddock’s Field, Farmington Pa. There is no entry fee and trophies will be awarded. Equipment will be provided. For more information, call 724-257-2557.
TRAIL AT LAUREL HILL STATE PARK
The Scenic View Trail at Laurel Hill State Park begins where the Lake Trail ends, just across Copper Kettle Highway. The trail starts in a large pine plantation and extends to a series of meandering switch back terrain to climb the hillside. Near the top of the hill, you can follow signs through the extensive wildflower meadow to traverse along a gravel path to the end of the Scenic View Overlook tower. At the overlook you can see a view of the horizon in all directions. This linear trail is approximately 1.3 miles in length and considered more difficult hiking.
5 STAND, TRAP, SKEET AND WOBBLE AT FAYETTE GUN CLUB
The Fayette Gun Club is having 5 stand, trap, skeet and wobble trap shooting at its facility at 1435 Gun Club Road, Uniontown every Sunday from 1 to 5 pm and every Wednesday from 3 to 6 p.m. or last shooter.
Cost for 5 stand is $8 for members and $10 for nonmembers. Trap, skeet and wobble are $5 for members and $6 for nonmembers. Club memberships are $45. The club also offers corporate memberships for other local shooting facilities. For more information contact Terry at 724-366-1831.
HUNTER-TRAPPER INDEPENDENT STUDY COURSE
NOTE: Must be 11 years old to register. Students must attend the two- to three-hour class to be tested and certified. Students must study the entire course content on their own online, taking about 8-10 hours to complete.
SUCCESSFUL TURKEY HUNTING
Online registration only; must be at least age 11 to register.
Prior to attending, you should complete the independent study part of this program online. If you don’t want to study online, please telephone the PGC Hunter-Trapper Education Division at 717-787-7015 (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday) to request a copy of our “Successful Turkey Hunting Student Manual.”
SUCCESSFUL FURTAKING
Prior to attending the one-day class, all students must complete the independent study part of the training by clicking on the link “Successful Furtaking Student Manual” on the website at www.pgc.state.pa.us.
If not online, please telephone the PGC Hunter-Trapper Education Division at 717-787-7015 (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday) to request a printed version of the manual.
FAIRBANK ROD AND GUN CLUB SPORTING CLAYS
Every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
Find us on Facebook.
SUCCESSFUL BOWHUNTER-ED CLASSES
NOTE: All the online Pennsylvania Bowhunter Education Course must be completed before registering for Successful Bowhunting.
The online bowhunter education course (Pennsylvania Bowhunter Education Course) and Successful Bowhunting field day to complete the requirements for bowhunter education.
FINAL 2025-26 HUNTING SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS
SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license – Sept. 13-27 (6 daily, 18 in possession limit after second day).
SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Sept. 13-Nov. 15; Sunday, Nov. 16; Nov. 17-22; Sunday, Nov. 23; Nov. 24-28; Dec. 15-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 28, 2026 (6 daily, 18 possession).
RUFFED GROUSE: Oct. 18-Nov. 15; Sunday, Nov. 16; Nov. 17-22; Sunday, Nov. 23; Nov. 24-28 and Dec. 15-24 (2 daily, 6 possession).
RABBIT (Cottontail): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license – Oct. 4-18 (4 daily, 12 possession).
RABBIT (Cottontail): Oct. 18-Nov. 15; Sunday, Nov. 16; Nov. 17-22; Sunday, Nov. 23; Nov. 24-28; Dec. 15-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 28, 2026 (4 daily, 12 possession).
PHEASANT: Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license, and all mentored hunters, regardless of age – Oct. 11-18 (2 daily, 6 in possession). Male and female pheasants may be taken in all WMUs. There is no open season for taking pheasants in Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas, except as authorized by executive order.
PHEASANT: Oct. 25-Nov. 15; Sunday, Nov. 16; Nov. 17-22; Sunday, Nov. 23; Nov. 24-28; Dec. 15-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 28, 2026 (2 daily, 6 in possession). Male and female pheasants may be taken in all WMUs. There is no open season for taking pheasants in Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas, except as authorized by executive order.
BOBWHITE QUAIL: Sept. 1-Nov. 15; Sunday, Nov. 16; Nov. 17-22; Sunday, Nov. 23; Nov. 24-28; Dec. 15-24 and Dec. 26-March 31, 2026. No limit. There is no open season for the taking of bobwhite quail in the Letterkenny Bobwhite Quail Focus Area.
WOODCHUCK (GROUNDHOG): July 1-Nov. 15; Sunday, Nov. 16; Nov. 17-22; Sunday, Nov. 23; Nov. 24-28 and Dec. 15-June 30, 2026. No limit.
HARES (SNOWSHOE RABBITS) OR VARYING HARES: Dec. 26-Jan. 1, 2026, statewide (1 daily, 3 season).
CROW: Aug. 21-March 22, 2026, on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. No limit.
STARLING AND ENGLISH SPARROW: No closed season, except during the regular firearms deer season. No limit.
WILD TURKEY (Male or Female): WMUs 1A, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B and 4D – Nov. 1-15; WMUs 1B, 3D, 4C and 4E – Nov. 1-8; WMUs 2A, 2F, 3B and 3C – Nov. 1-15 and Nov. 26-28; WMUs 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E – Nov. 1-21 and Nov. 26-28; WMUs 5A and 5B – Nov. 1-4; WMUs 5C and 5D – CLOSED TO FALL TURKEY HUNTING.
SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with required license, and mentored hunters 16 and under – April 25, 2026. Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt. Hunting hours end at noon.
SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): May 2-30, 2026. Daily limit 1, season limit 2. (Second spring gobbler may be only taken by persons who possess a valid special wild turkey license.) From May 2-16, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until noon; from May 18-30, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.
DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Sept. 20-Nov. 15; Sunday, Nov. 16; Nov. 17-22; Sunday, Nov. 23; Nov. 24-28 and Dec. 26-Jan. 24, 2026. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license or permit. One antlered deer per hunting license year.
DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide: Oct. 4 -Nov. 15; Sunday, Nov. 16; Nov. 17-21 and Dec. 26-Jan. 19, 2026. One antlered deer per hunting license year. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license or permit.
DEER, ANTLERLESS MUZZLELOADER (Statewide): Oct. 18-25. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license or permit.
DEER, ANTLERLESS SPECIAL FIREARMS (Statewide): Oct. 23-25. Junior and Senior License Holders, Mentored Permit Holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) Holders, and Pennsylvania residents serving on active duty in U.S. Armed Services or in the U.S. Coast Guard only, with required antlerless license. Also included are persons who have reached or will reach their 65th birthday in the year of the application for a license and hold a valid adult license or qualify for license and fee exemptions under Section 2706. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license or permit.
DEER, REGULAR FIREARMS (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide: Nov. 29; Sunday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1-13. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license or permit.
DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (Statewide): Dec. 26-Jan. 19, 2026. One antlered deer per hunting license year. One antlerless deer may be taken with a general license antlered deer harvest tag, and an antlerless deer with each required antlerless license or permit.
DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D): Dec. 26-Jan. 24, 2026. One antlered deer per hunting license year. One antlerless deer may be taken with a general license antlered deer harvest tag, and an antlerless deer with each required antlerless license or permit.
DEER, ANTLERLESS EXTENDED REGULAR FIREARMS (WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D and on all DMAP properties statewide): Dec. 26-Jan. 24, 2026. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license or permit.
DEER, ANTLERLESS EXTENDED REGULAR FIREARMS (WMUs, 4A, 4C, 4D and 5A): Jan. 2-Jan. 19, 2026. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license or permit.
DEER, ANTLERLESS (Military Bases): Hunting permitted on days established by the U.S. Department of the Army at Letterkenny Army Depot, Franklin County; New Cumberland Army Depot, York County; and Fort Detrick, Raven Rock Site, Adams County. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license or permit.
DEER, ANTLERLESS (Agricultural Deer Control): Aug. 1-April 15, 2026. An antlerless deer with each required agricultural deer control harvest permit.
BLACK BEAR, ARCHERY (WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D): Sept. 20-Nov. 15; Sunday, Nov. 16; Nov. 17-22; Sunday, Nov. 23 and Nov. 24-28. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR, ARCHERY (WMU 5B): Oct. 4-Nov. 15; Sunday, Nov. 16 and Nov. 17-21. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR, ARCHERY (Statewide): Oct. 18-Oct. 25. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR, MUZZLELOADER (Statewide): Oct. 23-25. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR, SPECIAL FIREARMS (Statewide): Oct. 23-25, Junior and Senior License Holders, Mentored Permit Holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) Holders, and Pennsylvania residents serving on active duty in U.S. Armed Services or in the U.S. Coast Guard only. Also included are persons who have reached or will reach their 65th birthday in the year of the application for a license and hold a valid adult license or qualify for license and fee exemptions under section 2706. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR (Statewide): Nov. 22; Sunday, Nov. 23; and Nov. 24-25. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR, EXTENDED FIREARMS (WMUs 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4E and 5A): Nov. 29; Sunday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1-Dec. 6. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR, EXTENDED FIREARMS (WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D): Nov. 29; Sunday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1-13. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
ELK, RAFFLE OR AUCTION TAGS (Antlered or Antlerless): July 1-Nov. 8. One tag each available through RMEF auction and KECA raffle. Only one elk may be taken during the license year.
ELK, ARCHERY (Antlered or Antlerless): Sept. 13-27. Only one elk may be taken during the license year.
ELK, REGULAR (Antlered or Antlerless): Nov. 3-8. Only one elk may be taken during the license year.
ELK, LATE (Antlered or Antlerless): Dec. 27-Jan. 3, 2026. Only one elk may be taken during the license year.
FINAL 2025-26 FURBEARER HUNTING SEASONS
COYOTE: No closed season. No limit. Outside of any big game season (deer, bear, elk and turkey), coyotes may be taken with a hunting license or a furtaker license, and without wearing orange. During any big game season, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting big game or with a furtaker license.
OPOSSUM, STRIPED SKUNK and WEASEL: No closed season, except during the firearms deer season. No Sunday hunting with the exceptions of Nov. 16, Nov. 23 and Nov. 30. No limits.
FOX: Oct. 25-Feb. 21, 2026. No limit. Sunday hunting permitted.
RACCOON: Oct. 25-Nov. 15; Sunday, Nov. 16; Nov. 17-22; Sunday, Nov. 23; Nov. 24-29; Sunday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1-Feb. 21, 2026. No limit.
BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E): Jan. 10-Feb. 4, 2026. One bobcat per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
PORCUPINE: Oct. 11-Nov. 15; Sunday, Nov. 16; Nov. 17-22; Sunday, Nov. 23; Nov. 24-28; Dec. 15-24 and Dec. 26-Jan. 31, 2026. (3 daily, season limit of 10).
FINAL 2025-26 TRAPPING SEASONS
MINK and MUSKRAT: Nov. 22-Jan. 11, 2026. No limits.
BEAVER (Statewide): Dec. 20-March 31, 2026 (Limits vary depending on WMU).
COYOTE, FOX, OPOSSUM, RACCOON, STRIPED SKUNK and WEASEL: Oct. 25-Feb. 22, 2026. No limits.
COYOTE and FOX, CABLE RESTRAINTS (Statewide): Dec. 26-Feb. 22, 2026. No limits. Participants must pass cable restraint certification course.
BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E): Dec. 20-Jan. 11, 2026. One bobcat per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
FISHER (WMUs 1B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E): Dec. 20-Jan. 11, 2026. One fisher per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
RIVER OTTER (WMUs 1A, 1B, 2F, 3B, 3C, 3D and 4E): Feb. 14-21, 2026. One river otter per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
FINAL 2025-26 FALCONRY SEASONS
SQUIRRELS (combined): Sept. 1-Nov. 15; Sunday, Nov. 16; Nov. 17-22; Sunday, Nov. 23; Nov. 24-29; Sunday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1-March 31, 2026 (6 daily, 18 possession).
BOBWHITE QUAIL Sept. 1-Nov. 15; Sunday, Nov. 16; Nov. 17-22; Sunday, Nov. 23; Nov. 24-29; Sunday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1-March 31, 2026 (No limit).
RUFFED GROUSE Sept. 1-Nov. 15; Sunday, Nov. 16; Nov. 17-22; Sunday, Nov. 23; Nov. 24-29; Sunday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1-March 31, 2026 (2 daily, 6 possession).
COTTONTAIL RABBIT Sept. 1-Nov. 15; Sunday, Nov. 16; Nov. 17-22; Sunday, Nov. 23; Nov. 24-29; Sunday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1-March 31, 2026 (4 daily, 12 possession).
PHEASANT (Male or Female combined): Sept. 1-Nov. 15; Sunday, Nov. 16; Nov. 17-22; Sunday, Nov. 23; Nov. 24-29; Sunday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1-March 31, 2026 (2 daily, 6 possession).
SNOWSHOE OR VARYING HARES Sept. 1-Nov. 15; Sunday, Nov. 16; Nov. 17-22; Sunday, Nov. 23; Nov. 24-29; Sunday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1-March 31, 2026 (1 daily, 3 season).
MINK, MUSKRAT, FOX, OPOSSUM, RACCOON, STRIPED SKUNK and WEASEL Sept. 1-Nov. 15; Sunday, Nov. 16; Nov. 17-22; Sunday, Nov. 23; Nov. 24-29; Sunday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1-March 31, 2026 (No limits).
No hunting on Sundays with the exceptions of Nov. 16, Nov. 23 and Nov. 30.
No open season on other wild birds or mammals.
2025-26 MIGRATORY GAME BIRD SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS
DUCKS:
North Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Oct. 11-25, and Nov. 18-Jan. 10.
South Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Oct. 11-18, and Nov. 19-Jan. 19.
Northwest Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Oct. 11-Nov. 28, and Dec. 22-Jan. 10.
Lake Erie Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Nov. 3-Jan. 10.
Total Duck Bag Limits: 6 daily, 18 in possession of any species, except for the following restrictions: daily limit may not include more than 4 mallards including no more than 2 hen mallards, 2 black ducks, 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 3 pintails, 4 sea ducks; including no more than 3 eiders and no more than 1 female eider, 3 long-tailed ducks, and 3 scoters. Daily limit for scaup varies; see below. Possession limits are three times the daily limits.
Scaup Bag Limits:
North Zone: 1 scaup daily, Oct. 11-25 and Nov. 18-Dec. 18; 2 scaup daily, Dec. 19-Jan.10
South Zone: 1 scaup daily, Oct. 11-18 and Nov. 19-Dec. 26; 2 scaup daily, Dec. 27-Jan. 19
Northwest Zone: 1 scaup daily, Oct. 11-Nov. 26; 2 scaup daily, Nov. 27-28 and Dec. 22-Jan. 10
Lake Erie Zone: 1 scaup daily, Nov. 3- Dec. 18; 2 scaup daily, Dec. 19-Jan. 10
Mergansers: 5 daily, 15 in possession
Coots: 15 daily, 45 in possession.
CANADA GEESE (includes WHITE-FRONTED GEESE):
Resident Population Goose Zone (RP)
All of Pennsylvania except for the Atlantic Population zone. Sept. 1-25 (8-goose daily bag limit); and Oct. 25-Nov. 28, Dec. 15-Jan. 17, and Jan. 30-Feb. 21 (5-goose daily bag limit in latter 3 segments).
Exception: See hunting digest
Atlantic Population Zone (AP)
The area east of SR 97 from Maryland State Line to the intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 to intersection of US Route 30, south of US Route 30 to SR 441, east of SR 441 to SR 743, east of SR 743 to intersection of I-81, east of I-81 to intersection of I-80, south of I-80 to New Jersey state line. Sept. 1-25 (8-goose daily bag limit); and Nov. 25-28 and Dec. 20-Jan. 19 (1-goose daily bag limit in latter two segments).
Exception: See hunting digest
BRANT (All Zones): Oct. 11-Nov. 14. 1 daily, 3 in possession.
LIGHT GEESE (Snow Geese and Ross’ Geese):
Atlantic Population Zone:
Regular: Oct. 1-Jan. 24, 25 daily, no possession limit.
Conservation Order: Jan. 26 – April 24; 25 daily, no possession limit.
Resident Population Zone:
Regular: Oct. 21-Feb. 21; 25 daily, no possession limit.
Conservation Order: Feb. 23 – April 24; 25 daily, no possession limit.
HARLEQUIN DUCKS, and TUNDRA and TRUMPETER SWANS: No open season.
Junior Days:
Sept. 20; Open to junior hunters and mentored youth hunters when properly accompanied, for ducks, mergansers, gallinules and coots, and Canada geese as permitted. Same daily bag limits as regular season. Hunting hours to close at sunset.
Junior, Veteran and Active Duty Military Days:
In Lake Erie Zone, Oct. 25; in Northwest Zone, Sept. 27; in North Zone, Nov. 1; and in South Zone, Nov. 8. Open to junior hunters and mentored youth hunters, when properly accompanied; veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code); and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training) for ducks, mergansers, gallinules and coots, and Canada geese as permitted. Same daily bag limits as regular season.
Veteran and Active Duty Military Days:
In Lake Erie Zone, Jan. 17; in Northwest Zone, Jan. 17; in North Zone, Jan. 17; and in South Zone, Jan. 24. Veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code); and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training) for ducks, mergansers, gallinules and coots, and Canada geese as permitted. Same daily bag limits as regular season.
DOVES: Sept. 1-Nov. 28, and Dec. 20-Jan. 3. 15 daily, 45 in possession.
WOODCOCK: Oct. 18-Nov. 28, and Dec. 15-24. 3 daily, 9 in possession.
WILSON’S SNIPE: Oct. 18-Nov. 28, and Dec. 15-24. 8 daily, 24 in possession.
GALLINULES: Sept. 1-Nov. 20. 3 daily, 9 in possession.
VIRGINIA AND SORA RAILS: Sept. 1-Nov. 20. Bag limits by single species or in the aggregate; 3 daily, 9 in possession.
CLAPPER AND KING RAILS: No open season.
All hunters are required to have a Migratory Game Bird License to hunt migratory birds including waterfowl, doves, woodcock, brant, coots, gallinules, rails and snipe. In addition to a Migratory Game Bird License, waterfowl hunters 16 or older need a federal duck stamp, and if the actual stamp is carried, it must be signed across the face. The electronic duck stamp, or E-Stamp, version of the federal duck stamp has now been authorized for use through the entirety of a waterfowl hunting season. Stamps can be purchased online at www.HuntFish.PA.gov or at any issuing agent. Physical stamps will be mailed to E-stamp purchasers in March. A Snow Goose Permit is required to participate in the Conservation Order for light geese.