How Much Does a Pennsylvania Hunting License Cost?
A Pennsylvania hunting license costs $20.97 for residents and $101.97 for non-residents, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC). That price already includes one antlered deer tag and two turkey tags, one for fall and one for spring, so most hunters don't need to add much beyond the base license.
Pennsylvania runs its license year from July 1 through June 30 of the following year rather than a rolling 365-day window, so every license expires at the same point each summer regardless of when you bought it.
Once you add a bear license, an antlerless deer license, or the permits needed for archery or muzzleloader season, the total cost of a Pennsylvania season can add up beyond the base price. Here's what to know about hunting license costs in Pennsylvania.
How Much Does a Pennsylvania Hunting License Cost?
Pennsylvania's base license already bundles in deer and turkey tags, so your main decision is which license category fits your age and residency.
Common Pennsylvania Hunting License Fees | ||
| License Type | Resident | Non-Resident |
| Adult Hunting License (includes 1 deer tag, 2 turkey tags) | $20.97 | $101.97 |
| Junior Hunting License (ages 12–16) | $6.97 | $41.97 |
| Junior Combination License (adds archery, muzzleloader, furtaker) | $9.97 | $51.97 |
| Senior Hunting License (65 and older) | $13.97 | Not available |
| Senior Lifetime Hunting License (65 and older, one-time fee) | $51.97 | Not available |
Pennsylvania's Junior license doesn't include archery, muzzleloader, or furtaker privileges the way the adult license does. Young hunters who want those need the separate Junior Combination License instead.
The Senior Lifetime option is a one-time purchase that covers a resident for life, with a free annual renewal required each year to receive that year's harvest tags.
Required Stamps and Permits
A Pennsylvania hunting license already covers deer and turkey, but several common activities need something extra.
Pennsylvania Hunting Permits and Stamps | ||
| Item | Resident | Non-Resident |
| Antlerless Deer License | $6.97 | $26.97 |
| Bear License (age 12 and older) | $16.97 | $36.97 |
| Archery License (deer archery season) | $16.97 | $26.97 |
| Muzzleloader License (muzzleloader and flintlock seasons) | $11.97 | $21.97 |
| Migratory Game Bird License | $3.97 | $6.97 |
| Federal Duck Stamp (eDuck, required age 16 and older) | $28.97 | $28.97 |
Waterfowl hunters age 16 and older need the Federal Duck Stamp in addition to the Migratory Game Bird License, and the electronic eDuck stamp prints immediately while the physical stamp arrives by mail within 45 days.
Youth and Discounted Licenses
Pennsylvania offers several ways to lower costs for younger hunters, seniors, and veterans.
- Junior Hunting License (ages 12–16): Priced at $6.97 for residents, a steep discount from the standard $20.97 adult license.
- Senior Hunting License (65 and older): Reduced to $13.97 annually, or $51.97 as a one-time Senior Lifetime purchase that never needs repurchasing.
- Free or reduced-fee licenses for disabled veterans: Qualifying 100% disabled veterans receive a free license, while veterans with a 60–99% disability rating pay just $2.97.
These programs make it considerably more affordable for young hunters to get started and for seniors and veterans to stay in the field long-term.
What Is a Pennsylvania Hunting License?
A Pennsylvania hunting license is the legal document that allows you to take wildlife in the state. The general license already includes one antlered deer tag and two turkey tags, so most hunters only need to add extras if they're after bear, antlerless deer, or migratory birds.
The license is separate from your Hunter Education Certificate. The certificate proves you completed a PGC-approved safety course, and once earned, it's valid for life.
The license itself, by contrast, expires every June 30 and must be purchased again for the next license year.
Who Needs a Pennsylvania Hunting License?
Pennsylvania requires a hunting license for all residents and non-residents who hunt in the state, with no general age exemption the way many other states offer. Hunters under 12 can still participate through the Mentored Youth Permit, hunting under a licensed mentor age 21 or older without a license of their own.
For the full breakdown of license types and current fees, PGC's license types page lays out every option in detail.
What Are the Requirements to Get a License?
Before buying a license, most Pennsylvania hunters need to clear the state's hunter education requirement. Anyone who has never held a hunting license or hunter education certificate, in Pennsylvania or elsewhere, must complete an approved course before buying a license.
The course covers:
- Firearm and archery safety
- Wildlife identification and conservation
- Pennsylvania-specific hunting laws and ethics
Pennsylvania doesn't require an in-person field day for either of its two main course paths. Residents 16 and older can complete the Hunter-Ed Pennsylvania course fully online, while hunters of any age can instead take a free in-person classroom course run directly by the PGC.
How to Get a Pennsylvania Hunting License
Getting licensed in Pennsylvania depends mostly on whether you've ever held a license before, since the hunter education requirement is tied to first-time status rather than age.
- Complete an approved hunter education course if you've never held a hunting license or hunter education certificate.
- Choose your license type: standard resident or non-resident, Junior, Senior, or Senior Lifetime if you qualify.
- Purchase your license through the PGC website, by mail, or at an approved license agent.
- Add species-specific permits as needed, such as a Bear License, Antlerless Deer License, or Archery License.
- Add the Migratory Game Bird License and Federal Duck Stamp if you're hunting waterfowl or other migratory birds.
- Carry your digital or printed license, plus your Hunter Education Certificate, any time you hunt.
You can purchase your hunting license directly through HuntFishPA, PGC's official online licensing system, or in person at an approved license agent statewide.
Why It's Important to Have a Hunting License
Buying a Pennsylvania hunting license does more than keep you legal in the field.
- Legal Compliance: Hunting or furtaking without a valid license is a summary offense carrying a fine of $250 to $500, with repeat violations leading to a suspension of hunting privileges for up to five years.
- Wildlife Conservation Funding: License and permit revenue funds PGC's work managing deer, bear, turkey, and waterfowl populations statewide.
- Population Management: Pennsylvania's Wildlife Management Unit system for antlerless deer licenses gives PGC the harvest data needed to keep herds balanced across the state.
- Ethical Hunting: A license ties every hunt to a defined season and bag limit, keeping the sport fair and sustainable for everyone afield.
- Public Land Access: License revenue helps support Pennsylvania's extensive network of State Game Lands available for public hunting.
Costs and rules vary by species and Wildlife Management Unit, so it's worth checking current season dates and bag limits before you finalize your plans. And because hunting license costs and requirements vary widely by state, it's worth confirming Pennsylvania's specific rules even if you've hunted elsewhere.
Ready to Hunt in Pennsylvania? Get Your Hunter Safety Certification and Hunting License
A Pennsylvania hunting license is one of the more affordable options nationwide for residents, and it already bundles in a deer tag and two turkey tags most hunters would otherwise pay extra for. Whether you're budgeting for a Bear License or getting a young hunter started with the discounted Junior license, knowing the full fee breakdown ahead of time means no surprises at checkout.
Complete your hunter education course if you need to. Decide which license fits your plans, and you'll be ready for opening day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is the Pennsylvania hunting license fee a one-time payment?
A: No, a Pennsylvania hunting license expires every June 30. It must be renewed annually to keep hunting, except for the Senior Lifetime license, which is purchased once and renewed for free each year. The hunter education course is a one-time requirement, and certification never expires once earned.
Q: Are there discounts for Pennsylvania hunting licenses?
A: Yes. Pennsylvania offers a $6.97 Junior Hunting License for residents ages 12 to 16, a $13.97 Senior Hunting License for residents 65 and older, and a free license for qualifying 100% disabled veterans. Veterans with a 60–99% disability rating pay a reduced $2.97 fee instead.
Q: How much does a non-resident hunting license cost in Pennsylvania?
A: A non-resident adult hunting license costs $101.97 in Pennsylvania, which includes the same antlered deer tag and turkey tags residents receive. Non-resident hunters ages 12 to 16 pay $41.97 for a Junior Hunting License instead.
Q: Does a Pennsylvania hunting license expire on a fixed date?
A: Yes, every Pennsylvania hunting license expires June 30 regardless of when you bought it. The state runs its license year from July 1 through the following June 30. That means a license purchased in the spring covers only a few months before it needs renewing.
Q: Do I need a separate license to hunt bear or antlerless deer in Pennsylvania?
A: Yes, the base hunting license in Pennsylvania doesn't include bear or antlerless deer privileges, so hunters need a Bear License ($16.97 for residents) or an Antlerless Deer License ($6.97 for residents) on top of it. Non-residents pay $36.97 and $26.97 for the same two licenses.
Q: How much does the Pennsylvania hunter education course cost?
A: Pennsylvania's online hunter education course through Hunter-Ed costs $34.95 for residents 16 and older, while the in-person classroom course run by the PGC is completely free regardless of age. Neither path requires a separate in-person field day to finish certification.
