PA Hunting License - Steps to Buy in Pennsylvania

David Harrison  ·  Updated on July 28, 2025

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PA license for hunting

Pennsylvania law is clear: due to state regulations, everyone born on or after January 1, 1987, must have completed a Hunter Education Course with a training certificate before buying a hunting license.

Follow these straightforward steps to obtain a Pennsylvania hunting license:


PA Hunter Education Certification

 

How do I get my Hunter Education Certificate (Card)

You have 3 options to complete your hunter education requirements to hunt in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Game Commission presents the first two options. The last option through HunterSafetyUSA, is the fastest & can be used to hunt across the US. 

  1. Complete a 6 hour in-person course through the Pennsylvania Game Commission for those aged 11 or older. 
  2. An online course through a Pennsylvania Game Commission exclusive partner. These courses require you to read through content and watch some videos.
  3. Or complete our 3-hour online-only, all-video-based Hunter Education Course (Adults 17 and older only). We are an International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) approved provider. The IHEA & TPWD Hunter Education Card you will receive after our course is valid for life and is accepted in all 50 US States and any additional territories or countries that share reciprocity with the IHEA. No in-person requirements are required for our course.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission website states that " Pennsylvania will accept hunter education certification obtained from other states". 

 

What makes our course the best?

First and foremost, we offer the best technology experience among all the courses on the market. We have students who opt to take our course even though they already hold their Hunter Education Card, as they simply love it that much.

Skip having to attend an in-person field-day course with our 3 hour interactive Hunter Safety course.

After completing the Hunter Education course and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your temporary Hunter Education Certificate.

We submit your course results to TPWD. They will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (Card). This is valid for use in all 50 U.S. states (including Pennsylvania), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or U.S. territory that has reciprocity with IHEA-USA & State Issued Hunter Education Certificates.


Select Your PA Hunting License

Pennsylvania offers a variety of hunting licenses for different age groups, residency statuses, and hunting preferences. Below is an overview of the primary license types available:​

Resident Licenses

A resident is a person who has lived in Pennsylvania for at least 30 days.

Pennsylvania residents and non-residents between the ages of 12 and 16 may purchase a junior hunting license, emphasizing safety measures for young hunters. Hunters ages 12 and 13 must be accompanied by a licensed family member age 18 or older. Hunters ages 14 and 15 must be accompanied by a licensed adult age 18 or older.

Pennsylvania residents age 65 or older may purchase the Resident Senior Hunting License for a reduced fee or the Resident Senior Hunting Lifetime License for a one-time fee. The lifetime license must be renewed each year to receive valid harvest tags; the renewal license is free.

  • Resident Adult Hunting License: For residents aged 17–64; includes privileges for small game, one antlered deer, and turkey.
  • Resident Junior Hunting License: For residents aged 12–16; requires completion of a Hunter-Trapper Education course.
  • Resident Junior Combination License: For residents aged 12–16; includes additional privileges such as archery, muzzleloader, and furtaker licenses.
  • Resident Senior Hunting License: For residents aged 65 and older.
  • Resident Senior Lifetime Hunting License: For residents aged 65 and older; provides lifetime privileges.
  • Resident Senior Lifetime Combination License: Includes archery, muzzleloader, and furtaker privileges.
  • Resident Military Hunting License: For active-duty military members stationed outside Pennsylvania.
  • Resident National Guard/Reserves Hunting License: For members who have been deployed overseas in the past 24 months.
  • Resident Disabled Veteran Hunting License: Available at no charge for 100% disabled veterans; $2.97 for those with 60–99% disability.

Non-Resident Licenses

All non-resident hunters and landowners must have a non-resident hunting license. An exception is made for a person under 16 years of age hunting small game. Additional licenses may be required.

  • Non-Resident Adult Hunting License: For non-residents aged 17 and older.
  • Non-Resident Junior Hunting License: For non-residents aged 12–16.
  • Non-Resident Junior Combination License: Includes additional privileges such as archery, muzzleloader, and furtaker.
  • Non-Resident 7-Day Small Game Hunting License: For short-term hunting of small game.

Mentored Hunting Permits

Pennsylvania residents age 18 or older who are first-time hunters may be eligible to participate in the Mentored Adult Hunting Program.

  • Mentored Youth Permit: For children under 12; allows hunting under the supervision of a licensed mentor aged 21 or older.
  • Mentored Adult Hunting Permit: For first-time hunters aged 18 and older; allows hunting under the supervision of a licensed mentor.

Additional Permits & Tags

  • Archery License: Required for archery hunting.
  • Muzzleloader License: Required for muzzleloader hunting.
  • Bear License: Required to hunt bear.
  • Migratory Game Bird License: Required for hunting migratory birds; includes the requirement of a federal duck stamp.
  • Antlerless Deer License: Required for hunting antlerless deer.

Hunting licenses, which must adhere to specific requirements and regulations, are good from July 1 to June 30 of the following year.


Where to buy your Pennsylvania Hunting License

As soon as you receive your TPWD Hunter Education Card, you are now eligible to go and buy your hunting license in whichever states you plan on legally hunting in.

To hunt in Pennsylvania, you can buy your license either online through the licensing platform HuntFishPA or in person through a licensing agent, all listed here.

Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in the state of Pennsylvania:

 

FAQs

 

Can you take a hunter safety course online in Pennsylvania?

Yes, our online hunter's education course is fully online & only 3 hours long. It covers essential hunter safety education topics, making it one of the most efficient ways to fulfill your requirements.

 

How early should I sign up for the course before the hunting season?

Ideally, take your course by summer so you don’t miss out during the license purchase rush in late summer and fall.

 

Will the Texas Hunter Education Card (Certificate) be accepted in Pennsylvania?

Yes, the permanent Texas Parks & Wildlife Hunter Education Card (Certification) is recognized by all states and provinces with mandatory hunter education requirements due to reciprocity agreements with the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA). The Pennsylvania Game Commission website states that "Pennsylvania will accept hunter education certification obtained from other states." 

 

How to buy a PA hunting license online?

Follow these straightforward steps to obtain a Pennsylvania hunting license: