Pennsylvania Archery Deer Season 2026-27
Opens in 6 daysPennsylvania's archery deer season opens October 3, 2026 statewide (September 19 in WMUs 2B, 5C, and 5D) and runs through November 20, 2026 for segment one, with a second segment from December 26, 2026 through January 24, 2027.
Zones & dates
- Opens in 6 days
Statewide (excl. WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D)
Archery - segment 1
- Opens
- October 3, 2026
- Closes
- November 20, 2026
- Bag limit
- WMUs 2B/5C/5D open 2026-09-19.
- Opens in 90 days
Statewide
Archery - segment 2
- Opens
- December 26, 2026
- Closes
- January 24, 2027
- Bag limit
- See official regulations for bag limits.
Legal equipment
Pennsylvania allows compound bows, recurve bows, and (in most cases) crossbows during archery season, each meeting the state's minimum specifications. Some equipment rules — broadhead design, crossbow eligibility, and any zone-specific restrictions — vary and are set by the wildlife agency each year. Confirm the current equipment list with Pennsylvania's wildlife agency before you hunt.
Tags and antlerless rules during archery
Tag allowances and antlerless-only windows vary by zone and by segment within Pennsylvania's deer season — some of the dates in the table above are antlerless-only, while others allow either sex. Review each zone row for its specific rules, and confirm current tag limits, antler-point restrictions, and any special antlerless permits required for the archery season with Pennsylvania's wildlife agency.
How archery overlaps firearm seasons
Archery segment one closes November 20, before the November 28 firearms opener, so there's no overlap with the main firearm week. Archery segment two then reopens December 26 — after firearms closes on December 13 — giving bowhunters roughly four extra weeks once firearm season ends.
What changed for 2026-27
Season dates are set annually by Pennsylvania's wildlife agency and can shift from year to year based on herd surveys, weather, and management goals. The dates above reflect the official 2026–27 season as published by the Pennsylvania wildlife agency; check the source link above for any addenda issued after publication, and always reverify before you hunt.
Frequently asked questions
Pennsylvania's archery deer season opens October 3, 2026 statewide, or September 19, 2026 in WMUs 2B, 5C, and 5D.
Nearby states
Regulations change every year and can vary by county or unit. Hunting Season by State is a reference tool, not a substitute for the official regulation book — always verify dates, zones, and bag limits with the state wildlife agency before you hunt.