Pennsylvania Game Commission rejects proposal to start rifle deer season earlier

Here’s what Pa. hunters need to know about changes for the 2026-27 season

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners tentatively rejected moving the start of the regular firearms season for white-tailed deer to the Saturday before Thanksgiving, rather than the Saturday after the holiday.

Pa. Game Commission board votes down moving deer rifle opener to Saturday before Thanksgiving

The Pennsylvania Game Commission board, in a 6-3 preliminary vote on Saturday, indicated it will not move the opening day of firearms deer season a week earlier, to the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

Pennsylvania commissioners reject early deer hunting season proposal for 2026

After initial 2026 meetings, the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners have made a decision if hunters will be able to hit the fields early.At its meeting on

Start of Pa. firearms deer season to remain same after change rejected

The proposal would have moved the start of the season to the weekend before Thanksgiving but will remain the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Pennsylvania Game Commission rejects proposal to start rifle deer season earlier

HARRISBURG – Rifle deer season is set to continue starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving in 2026, following the Pennsylvania Game Commission rejecting a proposal to move the opening date a week earlier.

PA Game Commission votes to keep current firearms deer opener date, but plans to revisit moving it up

Some commissioners had argued the change would help declining license sales by making hunting more accessible to younger people. The post PA Game Commission votes to keep current firearms deer opener date, but plans to revisit moving it up appeared first on The Allegheny Front.