What You Pay for a Pennsylvania Hunting License
A Pennsylvania hunting license costs between $20.97 and $151.97 depending on what you hunt, how long you want the license, and whether you live in the state. Resident licenses are cheaper than non-resident ones. The Pennsylvania Game Commission sets these prices and updates them periodically, so the exact amount you pay depends on the specific license type you choose.
Most hunters buy either a resident annual license or a resident three-day license. A resident annual hunting license costs $20.97. A resident three-day license costs $11.97. Non-residents pay more: an annual non-resident license is $151.97, and a non-resident three-day license is $36.97. These prices cover the basic hunting license only and do not include stamps for specific game.
Key Takeaways
- A resident annual hunting license in Pennsylvania costs $20.97, while a three-day license costs $11.97.
- Non-residents pay $151.97 for an annual license or $36.97 for a three-day license.
- You must buy separate stamps if you want to hunt deer, turkey, or migratory waterfowl, each with its own cost.
- You can purchase licenses online through the Pennsylvania Game Commission website, by phone, or at authorized vendors across the state.
- Your license becomes valid when ready when purchased online or by phone, but paper licenses from vendors take effect the next day.
License Types and What Each One Covers
Pennsylvania offers several license types for different hunting situations. The resident annual license lets you hunt most game in Pennsylvania for a full year from the date of purchase. The resident three-day license is valid for three consecutive days and costs less if you only hunt occasionally. Both cover small game like rabbits, squirrels, and pheasants, plus upland birds.
If you want to hunt deer, turkey, or waterfowl, you need to buy a separate stamp in addition to your base license. A deer stamp costs $11.97 for residents and $16.97 for non-residents. A turkey stamp costs $11.97 for residents and $16.97 for non-residents. A waterfowl stamp costs $7.97 for residents and $7.97 for non-residents. You can hunt during the seasons these stamps cover only if you have both the base license and the appropriate stamp.
Non-residents have the same stamp options but at higher prices. A non-resident annual license plus the stamps you need will cost significantly more than a resident's total. Some hunters use the three-day license if they are visiting Pennsylvania for a short hunting trip and do not plan to return.
Where to Buy Your License
You can purchase a Pennsylvania hunting license through three main routes: the Pennsylvania Game Commission website, by phone, or at a physical vendor location. The online route through the Game Commission website is the fastest. Your license becomes valid when ready after purchase, and you can print it at home or show it on your phone.
The phone route is 717-787-4250. Call during business hours and a representative will process your order. Your license becomes valid when ready, just as with online purchase. You will receive a paper license in the mail within a few days.
Vendor locations include sporting goods stores, hardware stores, and other authorized retailers across Pennsylvania. You can find a list of vendors on the Game Commission website by entering your zip code. When you buy at a vendor, your license takes effect the next day, not when ready. This delay matters if you plan to hunt the same day you purchase.
Resident vs. Non-Resident Pricing
Pennsylvania charges residents and non-residents different prices for the same license. Residents are people who have lived in Pennsylvania for at least 60 days before purchasing a license. Non-residents pay roughly seven times more for an annual license and three times more for a three-day license.
The price difference reflects the state's policy of prioritizing hunting access for people who live there. If you are a non-resident but hunt in Pennsylvania regularly, the annual license may still be cheaper than buying three-day licenses multiple times per year. Calculate your own situation: if you hunt more than four times per year, the annual license usually costs less per trip.
Additional Costs Beyond the Base License
The base hunting license price does not cover everything you might need. If you hunt deer during rifle season, you must also buy a deer stamp. If you hunt turkey, you need a turkey stamp. If you hunt ducks, geese, or other migratory waterfowl, you need both a Pennsylvania waterfowl stamp and a federal duck stamp.
The federal duck stamp costs $27.50 and is required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for anyone hunting migratory waterfowl. You buy this separately from the Pennsylvania stamp. Some hunters also purchase special permits for hunting on state game lands or for hunting during special seasons, each with its own cost.
A complete setup for a resident who wants to hunt deer, turkey, and waterfowl would cost: $20.97 (base license) + $11.97 (deer stamp) + $11.97 (turkey stamp) + $7.97 (waterfowl stamp) + $27.50 (federal duck stamp) = $80.38. Non-residents would pay significantly more.
When Your License Expires and How to Renew
A resident annual hunting license expires on December 31 of the year you purchase it, regardless of when during the year you buy it. This means a license purchased in January and one purchased in November both expire on the same date. You can purchase a new license starting January 1 of the following year.
Three-day licenses expire three days after the date you purchase them. If you buy a three-day license on a Monday, it is valid Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. You cannot extend a three-day license; you must purchase a new one if you want to hunt again.
Renewal is the same process as initial purchase: go online, call, or visit a vendor. There is no separate renewal process. You straightforward buy a new license for the next year.
What Your License Lets You Hunt
Your base hunting license covers small game and upland birds during their open seasons. This includes rabbits, squirrels, groundhogs, pheasants, grouse, and quail. The seasons for each species vary, and you must follow the specific dates set by the Pennsylvania Game Commission each year.
To hunt deer, you must have a deer stamp in addition to your base license. To hunt turkey, you must have a turkey stamp. To hunt waterfowl, you must have both a Pennsylvania waterfowl stamp and a federal duck stamp. Hunting without the required stamps is illegal and can result in fines and loss of hunting privileges.
Your license does not cover hunting on private land without the owner's permission, and it does not override any local or state regulations about where you can hunt. Always check the current hunting season dates and regulations before you go out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a hunting license the same day I want to hunt?
Yes, if you purchase online or by phone. Your license becomes valid when ready. If you buy at a physical vendor, your license takes effect the next day, so you cannot hunt the same day you purchase.
Do I need a separate license if I hunt on state game lands?
No. Your regular Pennsylvania hunting license covers hunting on state game lands. However, some state game lands have special rules or seasons, so check the specific area's regulations before you go.
What happens if I lose my hunting license?
You can purchase a duplicate license for $1.97 through the Pennsylvania Game Commission website, by phone, or at a vendor. Bring your original receipt or license number if you have it.
Do senior citizens or disabled hunters get a discount?
Pennsylvania offers reduced-price licenses for residents age 65 and older and for residents with certain disabilities. A senior resident license costs $11.97. Contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission for details about disability discounts and what documentation you need.
Is a Pennsylvania hunting license valid in other states?
No. Your Pennsylvania license is valid only in Pennsylvania. If you hunt in another state, you must purchase that state's hunting license. Each state manages its own licenses and does not recognize licenses from other states.