Duck Hunting Season in Pennsylvania: Season Dates, Bag Limits, and More

Looking is a well-liked pastime for many individuals, particularly those that take pleasure in nature and the joys of the hunt. Pennsylvania affords loads of alternatives to hunt varied sport animals, together with geese.

To make sure you benefit from the subsequent Pennsylvania looking season, we’ve compiled a information about duck looking. This text covers looking locations and necessities, reminiscent of authorized looking age, permits, and looking gear. Additionally, you will discover data on the day by day bag restrict and possession restrict.

Duck Looking Dates in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has an in depth record of dates for duck looking seasons. If you’re trying ahead to looking duck, coots, mergansers, or sea duck, it’s best to know the season begins October 8 and ends November 30 every year, with a couple of exceptions. In some locations, looking ends in December or January.

• If you’re primarily based within the North Zone of Pennsylvania, the looking season lasts from October 8-22 and later resumes from November 15 to January 7.
• For these primarily based within the South Zone, the looking season runs from October 8 to fifteen, and later resumes on November 22 and ends on January 21.
• For hunters primarily based within the Northwest Zone, the looking season begins on October 8 and ends on December 3. They will resume looking on December 27 to January 7.
• And for these primarily based in Lake Erie Zone, the duck looking season begins on October 31 and ends on January 7.

It’s essential to notice that the rules differ relying on what physique of water you intend to hunt in, so make certain to examine with the native fish and sport fee earlier than heading out.

Do You Want a Allow to Hunt Geese in Pennsylvania?

All hunters aged 16 or older should have a sound looking license to duck hunt in Pennsylvania. The looking licenses in Pennsylvania are issued from July 1 by way of June 30.

All first timers should full the Hunter and Trapping Security Course earlier than they’ll start looking. The looking lessons are free and obtainable at varied places in Pennsylvania.

The price of a looking license in Pennsylvania is as follows:

• Grownup (17-64): $20.97
• Junior (12-16): $6.97
• Senior residents (65+): $9.97. And lifelong licenses go for $51.97, however holders are required to use for renewal every year. They’re given a sound harvest tag for the present looking yr.
• Navy: $2.97
• Disabled Veteran: free

Out-of-state guests pays the next:

• Grownup (17 and over): $101.97
• Junior (12-16): $41.97
• Momentary allow (7-day): $31.97

Moreover, those that want to hunt migratory birds, together with geese, should additionally buy a federal stamp generally known as a Migratory Sport Hen Stamp, obtainable at any licensed vendor all through the state and on-line by way of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service web site.

Hunters are inspired to provide a web-based report concerning the banded geese, geese, woodcock, and doves they harvest. This data assists the Sport Fee and the united statesFish and Wildlife Service in studying the place, when, and what species of migratory birds have been hunted.

It additionally informs them on fowl motion, survival, and harvest price, which is essential in efficiently managing migration birds and setting looking rules.

Word that Sunday looking is illegitimate for all sport besides foxes, crows, and coyotes.

What’s the Age Restrict for Looking Geese?

The authorized minimal age for duck looking in Pennsylvania is 12 years previous; nonetheless, minors below 16 should not allowed to own firearms until accompanied by an grownup of 18 years or over. Accountable gun security practices should be taught so children can take pleasure in these actions safely and responsibly. Eleven-year-olds may apply for the allow supplied they attain 12 years by June 30.

Individuals over 16 should have a federal duck stamp or an digital duck stamp with their Pennsylvania looking license. And people aged 12 should have a Pennsylvania migratory sport fowl license.

What’s the Each day Bag Restrict? 

The day by day 2022-2023 bag restrict for geese in Pennsylvania is 6. You possibly can have as much as 18 in possession of any species at a time.

Nonetheless, there are exceptions. For example, if you’re looking the next species, then your day by day restrict shouldn’t exceed the next:

• One hen mallard
• Two black geese
• Two redheads
• One pintail
• Three wooden geese
• Two canvasbacks
• One fulvous whistling duck
• Three eiders (one feminine and two male)
• Three lengthy tailed geese
• Three scoters

Extra restrictions could apply seasonally, so you could keep present on the rules.

Possession Restrict

The possession restrict is 3 times the day by day bag restrict. 

Locations to Go Duck Looking in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania affords loads of alternatives to duck hunt all through the state, because of its many wetlands, rivers, lakes, and different our bodies of water, dwelling to numerous geese.

Some common locations for duck looking embody Pymatuning State Park close to Meadville, Lackawanna State Park close to Scranton, Prompton Lake close to Honesdale, and French Creek State Park in Berks County.

One other jewel for looking geese in Penn State is the Susquehanna River Basin, which is the principle waterway within the basin and flows from the north of the state to the south. The river is accessible to the general public and has loads of geese, making it the very best place to kick off your looking season.

The Harrisburg space and different stretches of the Susquehanna River Basin provide a variety of migratory birds, reminiscent of scaup, canvasbacks, mergansers, mallards, and black geese. Nonetheless, the quantity dwindles as you progress away from the principle river.

Kind of Gear You Want for Duck Looking

If you wish to hunt geese efficiently, you could have the fitting gear, together with a gun, bow & arrow, decoys, and camouflage clothes. The kind of gun or bow it’s best to use relies upon primarily on private choice. It’s essential to notice that lead shot has been banned inside sure zones, so it’s best to use a metal shot as a substitute.

One additionally wants correct camo clothes and a wide range of decoys relying on the species you’re looking.

You could even have a dependable duck name. Most geese will reply to the decision, making looking straightforward. So make it possible for the gadget is simple to make use of.

Shotguns are restricted to a few shells and solely use non-toxic photographs when capturing (no lead shotgun shells). It’s also possible to use digital looking decoys. Keep away from sporting fluorescent orange vests as they alert the geese. Bear in mind to put on lifejackets when utilizing boats, canoes, or kayaks.

And since most duck looking occurs in water, guarantee you may have correct clothes to maintain you heat and dry, together with waterproof gloves and a gear bag to hold your equipment.

Learn how to Discover Duck Looking Spots

Other than Susquehanna River Basin, different duck looking spots in Pennsylvania exist, together with lakes and state parks. Chances are you’ll surprise how one can discover duck looking spots in Pennsylvania. The very best methodology is to tail them, and finally, you’ll discover a bunch of them.

It’s also possible to ask looking specialists about hotspots, although you might have to pay entrance charges to personal properties. It’s also possible to use digital maps, as most looking apps present hunters with areas the place you will discover geese, thus serving to you eradicate sure areas. Lastly, contemplate forming a bunch with different duck hunters. This may assist you acquire entry to data on the place the geese are throughout that season.

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