HUNT reaches THOUSANDS of households in Northcentral Pennsylvania and thousands more online via www.sungazette.com and ww.lockhaven.com.
Fall 2025, Volume 4, Issue 2
PUBLISHER
John Leeser jleerser@sungazette.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Nick Seitzer
DESIGN EDITOR
Timothy R. Wertz Jr.
WEST BRANCH LIFE EDITOR
Nick Seitzer
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Chuck Smith
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HUNT was founded in 2022 and is a publication of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette and The (Lock Haven) Express community newspapers and websites.
2 HUNT
* Thank you to Pennsylvania Game Commission for use of the provided content.
Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license, and all mentored hunters, regardless of age
Oct. 11-18
(2 daily, 6 possession)
Male and female pheasants may be taken in all WMUs. There is no open season for taking pheasants in Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas, except as authorized by executive order.
WMUs 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E – Nov. 1-Nov. 21 and Nov. 26-28
WMU 5A and 5B – Nov. 1-Nov. 4
WMUs 5C and 5D – CLOSED TO FALL TURKEY HUNTING.
(Season Limit - 1 bird per license year.)
*As a reminder, no single-projectile firearms may be used in the fall turkey seasons. Hunters may use shotguns and archery gear only.
SPRING
GOBBLER - Bearded bird only
May 2 - May 16, 2026; May be hunted ½ hour before sunrise to 12 noon
May 18 - May 30, 2026; May be hunted ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset
(Daily limit 1, season limit 2)
(Second spring gobbler may be only taken by persons who possess a valid special wild turkey license.)
Special season for eligible junior hunters, with required license, and mentored hunters 16 and under April 25, 2026.
Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt. Hunting hours end at noon.
BLACK BEAR
- FIREARMS (Statewide)
Nov. 22; Sunday, Nov. 23; and Nov. 24-25.
(Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.)
EXTENDED FIREARMS:
(WMUs 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4E and 5A): Nov. 29; Sunday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1-Dec. 6.
(WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D): Nov. 29; Sunday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1-13.
(Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.)
BLACK BEAR - MUZZLELOADER (Statewide)
Oct. 23-25.
(Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.)
BLACK BEAR
- SPECIAL FIREARMS (Statewide) Oct. 23-25.
Only Junior and Senior license holders, active duty military and disabled persons’ permit holders. Arms and ammunition permitted during the regular firearms bear season can be used.
(Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.)
BLACK BEAR
- ARCHERY
(WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D): Sept. 20Nov. 15; Sunday, Nov. 16; Nov. 17-22; Sunday, Nov. 23 and Nov. 24-28.
One antlered deer, and an antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
DEER
- ANTLERLESS MUZZLELOADER
Oct. 18-25.
(One antlered deer per hunting license year.)
DEER
- ANTLERLESS SPECIAL FIREARMS (Statewide)
Oct. 23-25.
Only Junior and Senior License Holders,Commission Disabled Person Permit Holders (to use a vehicle as a blind), and Residents serving on active duty in the United States Armed Forces or U.S. Coast Guard
(One antlered deer per hunting license year.)
DEER
- REGULAR FIREARMS (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide
Nov. 29; Sunday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1-13.
(One antlered deer per hunting license year.)
An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
(WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D) with required muzzleloading license: Dec. 26-Jan. 24, 2026.
One antlered deer per hunting license year,
or one antlerless deer and an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
DEER
- ANTLERLESS EXTENDED REGULAR FIREARMS
(WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D and on all DMAP properties statewide): Dec. 26-Jan. 24, 2026.
(WMUs 4A, 4C, 4D, and 5A): Jan. 2-Jan. 19, 2026.
An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
DEER
- ANTLERLESS (Military Bases)
* Hunting permitted on days established by the U.S. Department of the Army at Letterkenny Army Depot, Franklin County; New Cumberland Army Depot, York County; and Fort Detrick, Raven Rock Site, Adams County.
An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
DEER
- ANTLERLESS (Agricultural Deer Control) Aug. 1-April 15, 2026.
An antlerless deer with each required agricultural deer control harvest permit.
FURBEARER HUNTING
COYOTES
No closed season.
(No limit.)
Outside of any big game season (deer, bear, elk and turkey), coyotes may be taken with a hunting license or a furtaker license. During any big game season, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting big game or with a furtaker license.
(WMUs 1A, 1B, 2F, 3B, 3C, 3D and 4E): Feb. 14-21, 2026.
(One river otter per license year.) Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
MIGRATORY GAME BIRD
DUCK
North Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Oct. 11-25, and Nov. 18-Jan. 10.
South Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Oct. 11-18, and Nov. 19-Jan. 19.
Northwest Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Oct. 11-Nov. 28, and Dec. 22-Jan. 10.
Lake Erie Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Nov. 3-Jan. 10.
Total Duck Bag Limits: 6 daily, 18 in posses
sion of any species, except for the following restrictions: daily limit may not include more than 4 mallards including no more than 2 hen mallards, 2 black ducks, 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 3 pintails, 4 sea ducks; including no more than 3 eiders and no more than 1 female eider, 3 long-tailed ducks, and 3 scoters. Daily limit for scaup varies; see below. Possession limits are three times the daily limits.
SCAUP
North Zone: 1 scaup daily, Oct. 11-25 and Nov. 18-Dec. 18; 2 scaup daily, Dec. 19-Jan.10
South Zone: 1 scaup daily, Oct. 11-18 and Nov. 19-Dec. 26; 2 scaup daily, Dec. 27-Jan. 19
Gloves • Socks (Made in USA) • Orange Caps • Orange Vests
(5 daily, 15 in possession.)
COOTS
(15 daily, 45 in possession.)
JUNIOR DAYS
Sept. 20
Open to junior hunters and mentored youth hunters when properly accompanied, for ducks, mergansers, gallinules and coots, and Canada geese as permitted. Same daily bag limits as regular season. Hunting hours to close at sunset.
JUNIOR, VETERAN AND ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY DAYS:
Lake Erie Zone - Oct. 25
Northwest Zone - Sept. 27
North Zone - Nov. 1
South Zone - Nov. 8
Open to junior hunters and mentored youth hunters, when properly accompanied; veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code); and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training) for ducks, mergansers, gallinules and coots, and Canada geese as permitted. Same daily bag limits as regular season.
VETERAN AND ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY DAYS:
Lake Erie Zone - Jan. 17
Northwest Zone - Jan. 17
North Zone - Jan. 17
South Zone - Jan. 24
Veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code); and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training) for ducks, mergansers, gallinules and coots, and Canada geese as permitted. Same daily bag limits as regular season.
CANADA GEESE (includes WHITE-FRONTED GEESE
RESIDENT POPULATION GOOSE ZONE (RP)
All of Pennsylvania except for the Atlantic Population zone. Sept. 1-25 (8-goose daily bag limit); and Oct. 25-
Nov. 28, Dec. 15-Jan. 17, and Jan. 30Feb. 21 (5-goose daily bag limit in latter 3 segments).
ATLANTIC POPULATION ZONE (AP)
The area east of SR 97 from Maryland State Line to the intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 to intersection of US Route 30, south of US Route 30 to SR 441, east of SR 441 to SR 743, east of SR 743 to intersection of I-81, east of I-81 to intersection of I-80, south of I-80 to New Jersey state line. Sept. 1-25 (8-goose daily bag limit); and Nov. 25-28 and Dec. 20-Jan. 19 (1-goose daily bag limit in latter two segments).
JUNIOR DAYS:
Sept. 20
Open to junior hunters and mentored youth hunters when properly accompanied, for ducks, mergansers, gallinules and coots, and Canada geese as permitted. Same daily bag limits as regular season. Hunting hours to close at sunset.
JUNIOR, VETERAN AND ACTIVE
DUTY MILITARY DAYS:
Lake Erie Zone - Oct. 25
Northwest Zone - Sept. 27
North Zone - Nov. 1
South Zone - Nov. 8
Open to junior hunters and mentored youth hunters, when properly accompanied; veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code); and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training) for ducks, mergansers, gallinules and coots, and Canada geese as permitted. Same daily bag limits as regular season.
VETERAN AND ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY DAYS:
Lake Erie Zone - Jan. 17
Northwest Zone - Jan. 17
North Zone - Jan. 17
South Zone - Jan. 24
Veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code); and members of
the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training) for ducks, mergansers, gallinules and coots, and Canada geese as permitted. Same daily bag limits as regular season.
BRANT
(All Zones): Oct. 11-Nov. 14. (1 daily, 3 in possession)
LIGHT GEESE - Snow Geese and Ross’ Geese
Atlantic Population Zone:
Regular: Oct. 1-Jan. 24, 25 daily, no possession limit.
Conservation Order: Jan. 26 – April 24; 25 daily, no possession limit.
Resident Population Zone:
Regular: Oct. 21-Feb. 21; 25 daily, no possession limit.
Conservation Order: Feb. 23 – April 24; 25 daily, no possession limit.
HARLEQUIN DUCKS, and TUNDRA and TRUMPETER SWANS
NO OPEN SEASON.
DOVES
Sept. 1-Nov. 28, and Dec. 20-Jan. 3. (15 daily, 45 in possession)
WOODCOCK
Oct. 18-Nov. 28, and Dec. 15-24. (3 daily, 9 in possession)
WILSON’S SNIPE
Oct. 18-Nov. 28, and Dec. 15-24. (8 daily, 24 in possession)
GALLINULES
Sept. 1-Nov. 20.
(3 daily, 9 in possession)
JUNIOR DAYS:
Sept. 20
Open to junior hunters and mentored youth hunters when properly accompanied, for ducks, mergansers, gallinules and coots, and Canada geese as permitted. Same daily bag limits as regular season. Hunting hours to close at sunset.
JUNIOR, VETERAN AND ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY DAYS:
Lake Erie Zone - Oct. 25
Northwest Zone - Sept. 27
North Zone - Nov. 1
South Zone - Nov. 8
Open to junior hunters and mentored youth hunters, when properly accompanied; veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code); and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training) for ducks, mergansers, gallinules and coots, and Canada geese as permitted. Same daily bag limits as regular season.
VETERAN AND ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY DAYS:
Lake Erie Zone - Jan. 17
Northwest Zone - Jan. 17
North Zone - Jan. 17
South Zone - Jan. 24
Veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code); and members of
the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training) for ducks, mergansers, gallinules and coots, and Canada geese as permitted. Same daily bag limits as regular season.
VIRGINIA AND SORA RAILS
Sept. 1-Nov. 20.
Bag limits by single species or in the aggregate; (3 daily, 9 in possession)
* Thank you to the Pennsylvania Game Commission for use of the provided content.
FLUORESCENT ORANGE REQUIREMENTS FOR PENNSYLVANIA
Fluorescent orange requirements for Pennsylvania hunters are simpler and easier to follow than ever. In nearly all seasons orange is required, the requirements are identical. And whenever orange is required, it must be worn at all times while hunting. When not required, the use of orange is strongly recommended, especially while moving.
Generally, when orange is required, hunters must wear 250 SQUARE INCHES of daylight fluorescent orange material on the head, chest and back combined and it must be visible from 360 degrees. An orange hat and vest satisfies this requirement.
This requirement applies to hunters in:
• ALL SMALL GAME SEASONS
• DEER, BEAR AND ELK FIREARMS SEASONS
Those using archery equipment during deer, bear or elk firearms seasons must comply with these fluorescent orange requirements.
• OCTOBER MUZZLELOADER, ANTLERLESS DEER AND BEAR SEASONS
• EXTENDED ANTLERLESS FIREARMS SEASONS IN WMUS 2B, 4A, 4C, 4D, 5A, 5C & 5D and DMAP
Woodchuck hunters must wear a hat made of solid fluorescent orange that’s visible from 360 degrees. When using a blind or enclosed tree stand during the firearms deer, bear or elk seasons, a minimum of 100 square inches of fluorescent orange material (orange alert band) must be displayed within 15 feet of the blind or stand and visible from 360 degrees. This is in addition to wearing orange while inside. See the turkey section for details on blind use while turkey hunting. In firearms seasons for deer, bear or elk, orange is required, regardless of the sporting arm carried. When
ORANGE CAMOUFLAGE
Camouflage fluorescent orange may satisfy orange regulations when 250 square inches of safety material is required if the orange content is at least 250 square inches. When a hat containing 100 square inches of orange is specified, the cap must be solid fluorescent orange.
fluorescent orange is required, the full amount of orange required for that season must be worn while moving from one hour prior to the start of legal hunting hours and for one hour past the closing of legal hunting hours. It is unlawful to be on State Game Lands from Nov. 15 through Dec. 15, including Sundays designated as hunting days, without wearing a minimum of 250 square inches of fluorescent orange-colored material on the head, chest and back combined, unless engaged in lawful hunting or trapping that does not require the use of orange.
No fluorescent orange is required during archery seasons when hunting for deer, bear or elk, or when hunting waterfowl,doves, turkeys, furbearers* or crows.
Hunters participating in the after-Christmas flintlock muzzleloader season are not required to wear fluorescent orange.
Even when orange isn’t required, the Game Commission highly recommends the use of orange.
*Fluorescent orange is required when hunting coyotes during any big-game season, if orange is required during that season, including from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
Gear
At Journey Bank, we know that preparation makes the difference — in the woods and in life. Whether you're setting up a tree stand or setting financial goals, it helps to have a reliable partner who knows the terrain. From personal banking and business lending to online tools that go where you go, Journey Bank is rooted here — just like you. We’re proud to support local communities, hardworking families, and the great traditions of the outdoors.
Wherever the season takes you — we’ll help you stay on target. Proudly serving Central Pennsylvania for over 125years.
By NICK SEITZER Hunt Magazine
On a chilly morning last November, Josh Koons awoke around 4 a.m. to find a half-dozen pictures on his phone from the trail cameras he had strategically placed around a property he hunts in Picture Rocks. Pouring through the photos as he devoured breakfast, Koons, of Hughesville, knew he had a decision to make: He could stay inside the warmth of his home and enjoy a comfortable morning, or he could gear up for another long day in the woods — as he had done the day before.
The buck he saw in the pictures left him with little choice. It was a big-bodied nine-point with an extremely impressive spread. He had captured it on camera just once
before, months earlier.
“I was like, ‘Man, am I going to sit again all day today?’ But it was the rut and, in my experience, spending all day in the tree stand is really important in November,” Koons said. “So, I made up my mind that I was going to go to that stand and I was going to stay there all day.”
After slipping into the woods around 6:30 a.m., Koons made his way to a stand near the logging road his trail camera had captured the buck on, and he posted up for a full day in his tree. Aside from a doe that showed up around 8 a.m., birds and squirrels were pretty much all he saw for the remainder of his morning and afternoon.
It wasn’t until around 5 p.m., as he was packing up to leave, that Koons heard a noise that caught his attention.
“I looked up and all I saw was one set of deer legs walking up through the hollow,” he said. “So, I stopped packing and picked my bow up. I leaned back and looked again, and here he comes down the logging road that I had my tree stand sitting on.
“I remember seeing his giant rack and saying in my head the whole time, ‘Dude, don’t mess this up. You have been waiting for this your whole life,’” Koons added. “I have been hunting in the state of Pennsylvania since I was 12, and I never got an opportunity at a deer like this.”
As the buck finally made its way into archery range, it slightly broke off the logging road it had been traveling on, before Koons managed to stop it. Having pre-ranged the area, he knew that the buck was well within his preferred maximum distance of 40 yards. So, he set the top pin of his 2012 Hoyt Vector 32 where it needed to be and let his arrow fly.
“I realized right away that I put a good shot on him because he gave a
big mule kick,” Koons said. “The arrow passed all the way through him and fell out the other side as he ran away from me.
“He ran about 30 yards up the side of the hill and fell over,” he added. “Then the adrenaline kind of took over and I had to sit down because I almost fell out of my tree stand.”
With a wave of excitement and relief washing over him, Koons couldn’t help but be overcome with emotion in the wake of his big kill.
“I cried a little bit and laughed. I called my wife, and she laughed and cried on the phone with me,” he said. “She knows how much work I put into archery season — setting tree stands, scouting, putting trail cameras out, countless hours in the stands.
“I have been doing this for years,” he added. “All of that hard work and time and effort and money and time away from home — it all just overwhelmed me for a little bit.”
Koons spent about 45 minutes soaking in the moment before he ventured up to see his buck, which he said looked just as big from the ground as it did in his stand. Along with its massive rack, Koons estimates that the buck weighed nearly 250 pounds.
“He was a giant,” Koons said. “Right away I knew.”
BUCK SCORE
Though Koons said he’s harvested around 10 bucks (and plenty of doe) with his bow through the years, this was the first one that he sent in to be officially scored by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Using the same formula as the Boone and Crockett Club — which measures a buck’s rack in inches
by accounting for the circumference of the antlers, length of the beams, inside spread, and other factors — the Game Commission is able to provide hunters with a score that lets them know just how well their trophy buck stacks up against others in the state’s history.
After letting his rack dry out for the required six months, Koons’ buck was officially listed by the Game Commission as a nine-point with a 24-1/8inch inside spread. It pulled in a gross score of 148-7/8 and a net score of 141-5/8.
That score was good enough to have his buck ranked as the 480th biggest whitetail archery harvest in the state’s history, and the seventh biggest in the history of Lycoming County. It was the county’s biggest archery kill on record since 2010. The Lycoming County record is held by Jersey Shore’s Terry O’Connor, who dropped a buck with a respect all game that we are hunting,”
