This Pennsylvania black bear guide covers season dates by method and Wildlife Management Unit (WMU), license costs and eligibility, and where to hunt, including public land, private leases, land for sale, and guided hunts. Before you head out, pick up gear for Pennsylvania hunting.
What’s inside:
- 2026 Pennsylvania bear season dates by method and WMU
- Bear license costs for residents and non-residents, plus permits and eligibility
- Where to hunt, covering public land, private leases, land for sale, and guided hunts, plus tips and gear
Quick Overview: 2026 Pennsylvania Black Bear Season at a Glance
Pennsylvania is divided into WMUs, and your archery and extended dates depend on which one you hunt. As of October 25, 2026, the 16-WMU archery window and the Special Firearms Bear Season close today. Archery stays open in WMUs 2B, 5C, and 5D through Nov 27 and in 3C, 3D, and 5B through Nov 20. Rifle opens statewide Nov 21.
| Season | WMUs | Dates | Bag Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 2B, 5C, 5D | Sep 19 – Nov 27, 2026 | 1 bear per license year | Longest archery window |
| Archery | 3C, 3D, 5B | Oct 3 – Nov 20, 2026 | 1 bear per license year | Closes the day before rifle opener |
| Archery | 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A | Oct 17 – 25, 2026 | 1 bear per license year | Closes Oct 25 |
| Special Firearms | Statewide | Oct 22 – 25, 2026 | 1 bear per license year | Eligible hunters only |
| Regular Firearms | Statewide | Nov 21 – 24, 2026 | 1 bear per license year | Includes qualifying Sunday hunting |
| Extended Firearms | 2B, 5B, 5C, 5D | Nov 28 – Dec 13, 2026 | 1 bear per license year | Late-season option |
| Extended Firearms (per PGC) | 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4E, 5A | Nov 28 – Dec 6, 2026 | 1 bear per license year | Additional extended window per PGC 2026-27 seasons |
Rules verified for the 2026–27 license year; always confirm in the official Pennsylvania Game Commission Hunting & Trapping Digest.
The core rules are short. You may take 1 bear per license year, per the Game Commission’s 2026-27 seasons. Baiting is strictly prohibited. Every harvested bear must be reported and checked within 24 hours at a Pennsylvania Game Commission station or official check point. Legal hunting hours run from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
Every bear hunter needs the same basics:
- General Hunting License. Required for everyone. Price varies by residency.
- Bear License. Required in addition to the general license: $16.97 resident / $36.97 non-resident.
- Hunter education. Required for license purchase. Non-residents can use certification from any U.S. state or Canadian province.
- Special-season eligibility. Juniors, seniors, mentored permit holders, disabled person permit holders, and qualifying active-duty military (details below).
- Fluorescent orange. Firearms hunters must meet PGC fluorescent-orange requirements. The figure commonly cited is 250 square inches; confirm in the digest.
See every species in our Pennsylvania hunting season guide.
If the rifle season is short and the game lands are crowded, you may want ground lined up before the Nov 21 opener. Browse Pennsylvania hunting leases.
Pennsylvania Black Bear Hunting Seasons
Pennsylvania’s 2026 black bear season runs from September 19 through December 13, 2026, depending on WMU and method. The statewide Regular Firearms Bear Season is November 21–24, 2026. Archery dates vary by WMU, and extended firearms seasons run November 28 – December 13 in WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C, and 5D.
Planning a trip from out of state? Build your trip around the Regular Firearms season (Nov 21–24) or the Extended Firearms season. A lease or guided hunt can help you make the most of a short trip.
Archery Bear Season by WMU
Archery dates fall into three tiers, so your WMU decides your window:
- WMUs 2B, 5C, and 5D: September 19 – November 27, 2026
- WMUs 3C, 3D, and 5B: October 3 – November 20, 2026
- WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, and 5A: October 17 – 25, 2026
As of late October, archery is still open in 2B, 5C, and 5D, and in 3C, 3D, and 5B. Confirm your WMU boundaries on the official PGC maps before you head out.
Special Firearms Bear Season
The Special Firearms Bear Season runs October 22–25, 2026, statewide. It is open only to these hunters:
- Junior license holders
- Senior license holders and hunters 65 or older with a valid adult license
- Mentored permit holders
- Disabled person permit holders (the PGC specifies a permit “to use a vehicle”)
- Active-duty U.S. military/Coast Guard (the PGC specifies Pennsylvania residents)
The PGC lists “senior license holders,” so confirm in the digest which license type qualifies.
If the October window closes before you fill your tag, you can still hunt Nov 21–24 and, in eligible WMUs, the extended season. Mentors should plan now.
Regular Firearms Bear Season
The Regular Firearms Bear Season runs November 21–24, 2026, statewide. It is the highest-pressure window of the year and includes qualifying Sunday hunting. Confirm the approved Sunday in the digest.
Many camps plan for both bear and whitetail during this stretch. Our Pennsylvania deer hunting season guide can help you plan both.
Extended Firearms Bear Season
The primary extended season runs November 28 – December 13, 2026, in WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C, and 5D. Per the PGC 2026-27 seasons, additional extended windows run November 28 – December 6, 2026, in WMUs 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4E, and 5A. Check the official digest for any additional rifle/archery overlaps.
The extended season is a second chance if you don’t fill your tag in November, and it works well for non-residents.
Pennsylvania Black Bear Licenses and Permits
You need two licenses to hunt bears in Pennsylvania: a General Hunting License and a Bear License.
Pennsylvania Hunting Licenses
| License | Resident | Non-Resident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear License | $17 | $37 | Required in addition to General license for any bear season |
Non-residents pay the non-resident general license plus the $36.97 Bear License. Buy your Bear License before the season rather than on opener morning. Hunter education certification from any U.S. state or Canadian province is accepted.
Pennsylvania Hunting Permits
Two permits matter for the Special Firearms Bear Season: the mentored permit and the disabled person permit (to use a vehicle). Permit holders follow the same bear tag rules as everyone else. Purchase through official PGC licensing channels, and check the digest for current application steps, fees, and timelines.
The 24-hour check is your responsibility. Report and check your bear at a PGC station or official check point within 24 hours.
Pennsylvania Black Bear: Where to Hunt
Pennsylvania is a no-bait, four-day rifle state, so your choice of ground matters a great deal. Public land gives you room to roam but also company. Private ground gives you control.
Best Public Lands for Bear Hunting
Hunters consistently cite the Northern Tier as top bear country, including Tioga, Potter, Lycoming, Clinton, Bradford, Sullivan, Cameron, and Elk Counties. The Pocono region (Pike, Monroe, and Luzerne) is also increasingly productive. Your best public options include:
- State Game Lands. Open to licensed hunters statewide. Expect heavy pressure during Nov 21–24.
- State forests. Large Northern Tier and central-mountain tracts with good bear habitat.
- Allegheny National Forest. Large, contiguous habitat in the northwest.
Elk and Cameron Counties overlap Pennsylvania’s elk range, so see our Pennsylvania elk hunting season guide if you plan to hunt there.
With only four days of rifle season and crowded game lands, many hunters look to private ground.
Private Land Hunting with Hunting Locator
Leasing private land means less pressure, time to scout ahead, and controlled drives with a group you know. It also suits camps that hunt deer and bear in the same trip. If you want long-term access, buying land can anchor a family camp for years.
Four weeks isn’t much time to scout, and a lost lease or a crowded ridge makes it tighter. Hunting Locator connects you directly with landowners who lease or sell hunting land, so you can search by state and game type and secure ground quickly. The platform lists land for sale as well as leases.
Browse Pennsylvania hunting leases and connect directly with landowners. Check the page for current county, acreage, and game details on each listing.
Guided Bear Hunts
Guided hunts suit non-residents and first-timers. Outfitters in the northern and central mountains often bundle deer and bear hunts in November, which can stretch a short trip.
Match your choice to your time, budget, and experience.
Black Bear Hunting Tips
These are widely used Pennsylvania approaches, built around the state’s no-bait rule. Find the essentials in the Hunting Locator store for bear hunting gear.
- Scout the mast. Focus on acorns and beechnuts. With no bait allowed, natural food drives bear movement.
- Hunt the November weather. Cold fronts and fresh snow can get bears moving and make tracking easier.
- Run safe drives with a group plan. Assign set positions, keep shooting lanes clear, and communicate. Use extra care with youth.
- Glass clear-cuts and laurel edges. Bears feed and travel along cover edges.
- Run trail cameras pre-season. Use them to pattern feeding areas before opening day.
- Carry good optics. Quality binoculars help you identify and judge a bear at distance.
- Wear blaze orange. Meet the PGC fluorescent-orange rules and confirm the details in the digest.
- Pack a sharp knife and game bags. Plan for field dressing and meat care.
- Bring drag gear. Bears are heavy, so bring a partner and a plan.
- Plan your 24-hour check. Know your nearest PGC check station before opener, and respect landowners when retrieving game.
New or mentored hunters should start with blaze orange, a reliable knife, and a partner who knows the ground.
More Resources from Hunting Locator
Plan the rest of your season with these guides.
Plan Your Season
- Pennsylvania hunting season guide: every species, one place
- Pennsylvania black bear hunting season: bookmark this page, since we update it each season
- Pennsylvania deer hunting season: plan bear and deer camp together
- Pennsylvania elk hunting season: details for the state’s elk range
Other Pennsylvania Game: Fill the rest of your fall and winter
- Turkey: spring and fall turkey seasons
- Small game: rabbit, squirrel, grouse, and more
- Coyote: a year-round option
- Waterfowl: ducks and geese
- Migratory birds: doves, woodcock, and other migratory species
Access & Gear
- Pennsylvania hunting leases: private ground from landowners
- Hunting Locator homepage: leases, outfitters, and guides in one place
- Store: gear for your next hunt
FAQ
When is bear season in Pennsylvania in 2026?
The statewide Regular Firearms season is November 21–24, 2026. Archery runs by WMU from September 19 to November 27, and extended firearms runs through December 13 in select WMUs. Check our Pennsylvania black bear hunting season page for updates.
How much does a non-resident bear license cost in Pennsylvania?
The non-resident Bear License costs $36.97. You also need the non-resident General Hunting License, and that price varies. Confirm the current general license price when you purchase.
Is baiting bears legal in Pennsylvania?
No. Baiting is strictly prohibited in Pennsylvania. Hunters rely on natural food sources like mast, along with drives, stand hunting, and spot-and-stalk tactics.
How do I check a harvested bear in Pennsylvania?
Report and check your bear within 24 hours at a Pennsylvania Game Commission station or official check point. Know your nearest station before opening day so you aren’t scrambling after the shot.
Who is eligible for the Special Firearms Bear Season?
The October 22–25 season is open to junior and senior license holders, mentored permit holders, disabled person permit holders, and active-duty U.S. military or Coast Guard. Hunters 65 or older with a valid adult license also qualify. Confirm which senior license type qualifies in the digest.
Can I bear hunt on Sunday in Pennsylvania?
The Regular Firearms Bear Season includes qualifying Sunday hunting. Confirm the approved Sunday in the official Game Commission digest before you plan your hunt.
Do non-residents need Pennsylvania hunter education?
Hunter education is required for license purchase. Non-residents can use certification from any U.S. state or Canadian province.
What are the best counties for bear hunting in Pennsylvania?
The Northern Tier is widely considered the core of Pennsylvania bear country, including Tioga, Potter, Lycoming, Clinton, and Bradford. The Pocono counties of Pike, Monroe, and Luzerne are also productive.
How many bears can I take in Pennsylvania?
You may take one bear per license year, across all seasons and methods.
What are legal bear hunting hours in Pennsylvania?
Legal hunting hours run from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
The Final Shot
For 2026, know your WMU, buy your General and Bear licenses now, and follow the rules: one bear, no bait, a 24-hour check, and legal hours only. Then secure your ground before November 21.
Respect the land and the landowners who share it, and check your bear on time. That keeps these opportunities open for the next hunter.
With the November 21 opener less than four weeks away, browse Pennsylvania hunting leases or start your search on Hunting Locator.
