Pennsylvania

When does hunting season begin in Pennsylvania?

Published

2 years ago

July 13, 2024

When does hunting season begin in Pennsylvania?

If you’re planning on doing some hunting while lodging at one of Pennsylvania’s top campgrounds, you will need to know when the different hunting seasons begin, and if you’ll need a particular license to hunt that season.

When does hunting season begin in Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania Game Commission authorizes six broad hunting seasons in Pennsylvania: big game; falconry; furbearer; migratory game bird; trapping; and small game.

Hunters need to pay close attention to each season’s subcategories, which list the actual game hunters can go for and when the season begins for hunting that particular animal.

For example, the small game season lists season opening and closing dates for hunting bobwhite quail, crow, pheasant, rabbits, ruffed grouse and woodchuck.

The next small game hunting season, which is for squirrels, opens on September 14.

Can I hunt for black bear and deer in Pennsylvania?

Hunters going for big game in Pennsylvania, which also includes wild turkeys, will have to wait until Pennsylvania’s big game/black bear season opens on November 23.

Hunters are only allowed to bag one black bear per season, cautioned the Pennsylvania Game Commission, which also declared it unlawful to hunt on Sundays except for coyotes, crows and foxes.

Hunters looking to bag deer should know there are different statewide opening dates for deer hunting, depending on your hunting hardware and species of deer:

Hunting deer using archery: October 5
Hunting anterless deer using a muzzleloader: October 19
Hunting anterless deer using specialized firearms: October 24
Hunting deer using regular firearms: November 30
Hunting deer using flintlock firearms: December 26
Hunting deer with extended regular firearms: December 26

The Pennsylvania Game Commission also published a hunting and trapping digest which includes season dates, reminders and other hunting tips for the 2024-25 hunting season.

Do I need a license to hunt in Pennsylvania?

You will need a license to hunt in Pennsylvania, which can be obtained after completing a hunter-trapper education course.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission offers more than two dozen different types of hunting licenses and add-ons, beginning at $6.97.

“With a resident adult hunting license, hunters receive an antlered deer tag, one fall turkey tag, one spring turkey tag and small game hunting privileges for one license year,” read the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s hunting licensing website. “To legally pursue antlerless deer in Pennsylvania, hunters must apply for and purchase an antlerless deer license.

“Special licensesmust be purchased in addition to a general hunting license to pursue black bear, migratory game birds, elk, and furbearers, and special licenses must also be purchased to pursue deer during archery or muzzleloader seasons.”

Damon C. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist reporting on trending topics across the Mid-Atlantic Region.

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Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania House passes bill that would raise minimum wage over several years

Published

10 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Press Room

Pennsylvania House passes bill that would raise minimum wage over several years

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHP) — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday that would raise the minimum wage statewide.

The bill would raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $11 per hour starting Jan. 1, 2027. The minimum wage would then increase to $13 per hour in 2028 and finally $15 per hour in 2029.

Representatives voted 104-95 to pass House Bill 2189, which is sponsored by Rep. Jason Dawkins, the House Democratic Communications Office announced Tuesday.

If the bill passes, counties would have the option to implement the $15 per hour minimum wage sooner than 2029. The bill would also set the minimum wage for tipped employees at 60% of the statewide minimum wage.

Pennsylvania’s minimum wage was last raised in 2009 when the federal minimum wage was increased to $7.25, House Democrats wrote in a press release.

The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration.

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“Research shows that increasing the minimum wage does not lead to job losses or business closures,” Dawkins said. “What it does lead to is financial security and better life outcomes for families relying on minimum wage work. To my colleagues in the Senate, I implore you to take up this bill and finally raise the wage in Pennsylvania.”

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Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania lawmaker’s remove one, plant one bill to preserve state foliage advances

Published

22 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Press Room

Pennsylvania lawmaker’s remove one, plant one bill to preserve state foliage advances

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHP) — In an attempt to protect and preserve a healthy tree canopy for communities across the Commonwealth, a Pennsylvania lawmaker is taking action.

Rep. Abigail Salisbury (D-Allegheny) previously introduced House Bill 2161, which would require utility companies to plant a new tree for each one they cut down within two years of cutting it down.

“I introduced this bill after residents and environmental advocates in our district expressed concerns that trees were being removed entirely, instead of simply being pruned or trimmed,” Salisbury said. “Maintaining a healthy tree canopy is essential for communities because it reduces stormwater runoff and air pollution, provides shade that lowers energy costs, raises property values, and increases pedestrian traffic for local businesses, among other benefits.

On Monday, the Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee voted to advance the bill to the House for consideration, according to legislative records.

“Monday’s committee action moved us a step closer to making sure those benefits continue,” Salisbury added.

Electric utilities would be required to plant a new one in a location that the municipality chooses.

She said her bill would align with existing regulations that require damage caused by utility work to be repaired, primarily work that would require excavation or other projects that break into streets and sidewalks.

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Pennsylvania

Gas prices continue climb across Pennsylvania as averages near $4 per gallon

Published

1 day ago

March 23, 2026

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Gas prices continue climb across Pennsylvania as averages near per gallon

HARRISBURG, DAUPHIN CO. (WOLF) — Gas prices across Pennsylvania are nearing $4 per gallon, reaching their highest point in several years.

As of March 23, the statewide average stands at about $3.94 per gallon, according to AAA.

Analysts say current prices are now at their highest level since late 2023, with national averages also approaching levels last seen during the 2022–2023 surge.

The last time prices were significantly higher in Pennsylvania was in June 2022, when the average peaked at around $5.07 per gallon, the highest on record.

The increase marks the 24th consecutive day of rising gas prices across the Commonwealth.

The national average has also climbed, reaching approximately $3.96 per gallon, as global energy markets remain volatile.

Diesel prices have surged even more sharply. AAA reports the Pennsylvania average is now about $5.67 per gallon, reflecting significant increases tied to global supply concerns.

Analysts point to ongoing tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to key shipping routes as major factors driving prices higher. Oil prices have climbed above $90 per barrel, adding pressure across all fuel types.

Across the country, California continues to have the highest gas prices, while states in the Midwest remain among the lowest. Current prices are now the highest seen since late 2023.

Pennsylvania Gas Price Trend

Prices have steadily climbed since late February:

Feb. 27 — about $3.10 per gallon
Feb. 28 — above $3.15
March 1 — surpassed $3.20
March 2 — near $3.24
March 3 — about $3.28
March 4 — above $3.30
March 5 — around $3.35
March 6 — high $3.30s, some above $3.40
March 7 — about $3.45
March 8 — about $3.50
March 9 — near $3.55
March 10 — around $3.60
March 11 — about $3.65
March 12 — about $3.66
March 13 — around $3.67
March 14 — about $3.69
March 15 — about $3.70
March 16 — about $3.72
March 17 — about $3.74
March 18 — about $3.80
March 19 — about $3.81
March 20 — about $3.82
March 21 — about $3.85
March 22 — about $3.93
March 23 — about $3.94

Gas Prices in Nearby States

Drivers in Pennsylvania continue to pay slightly more than those in surrounding states, though prices are rising across the region:

New Jersey: about $3.88 per gallon
New York: about $3.90 per gallon
Ohio: about $3.74 per gallon
Delaware: about $3.70 per gallon

Northeast Pennsylvania Prices

Northeast Pennsylvania remains among the most expensive regions in the state, with many stations now charging between $3.90 and $4.10 per gallon, especially along major roadways and in metro areas.