Pennsylvania

Sub-species: Eastern

Tags: Over the counter

Application Period: n/a

Electronic or Print at Home Fulfillment: NO

Hunter Education Required: Yes for all first time hunters regardless of age

Limit: 2 bearded turkeys but only 1 per day (2nd spring turkey license must be purchased separately)

2026 Spring Season Dates: May 2-16 (noon close), May 18-30 (1/2 hour after sunset close). Sunday hunting is still not legal at this time however PA did allow Sunday hunting this past Fall so it is expected to change for turkey season also.

2025 Fall Season Dates:

WMUs 1A, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B and 4D: Nov 1-15 

WM​Us 1B, 3D, 4C and 4E: Nov 1-8

WMUs 2A, 2F, 3B, 3C: Nov 1-15 and Nov 26-28

WMUs 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E: Nov 1-21 and Nov 26-28

WMU 5A and 5B: Nov 1-4

WMUs 5C and 5D: CLOSED TO FALL TURKEY HUNTING.

Special Youth Hunt: April 25 (noon close)

Special Disabled Hunt: Some opportunities through special permit

Decoys Allowed: Yes

Tagging Instructions: The turkey must be tagged immediately after harvest and before the carcass is moved. The tag must be securely attached to a leg until the bird is prepared for consumption or mounting. Once you have used your tag, it is unlawful to possess it in the field. Also, please remember to remove your old hunting license from your possession while in the field. It is unlawful to possess old licenses while hunting. Within 10 days of harvest (five days for mentored hunters), turkey hunters must report harvests to the Game Commission, either by going online to the Game Commission’s website, calling toll-free, or by sending in a postage-paid report card received with this digest. Hunters can report their turkey harvests over the telephone by calling 1-800-838-4431. Hunters will need to have their license and information from the completed tag, including the tag number, beard length and spur length. All hunters reporting harvests are asked to identify the WMU, county and township where the bird was taken.

Hunters who purchase a second spring gobbler license have a mandatory reporting requirement, regardless of whether they harvest a bird using this special license.

Noteworthy Restrictions: Legal hunting hours end at 12 noon and hunters are asked to be out of the field by 1:00pm during the first half of the season.  You may hunt until 30 minutes after sunset during the second half of the season.  It is illegal to stalk turkeys.  Only artificial blinds are legal – blinds made by piling rocks, logs, branches, etc. are unlawful.  It is also unlawful to conduct drives for turkeys.  Turkey blinds made to represent the fanned tails of turkeys are illegal. Sunday hunting is still not legal at this time however PA did allow Sunday hunting this past Fall so it is expected to change for turkey season also. No stalking.  Spring turkey hunting is by calling only.  Shotguns must be plugged to hold no more than 3 shells.

Pennsylvania Game Commission

833-742-4868

Purchase License Online

Licenses Needed to Hunt Turkeys