PA Hunting License - Steps to Buy in Pennsylvania

David Harrison  ·  Updated on May 18, 2025

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Follow these straightforward steps to obtain a Pennsylvania hunting license:


PA Hunter Education Certification

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

We provide all the resources to get you fully certified online, and your hunter education certificate is accepted by Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) for use in Pennsylvania for PA residents and non-residents alike.

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

We submit your course results to the state. The state will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (Card). This is valid for use in all 50 USA States (including Pennsylvania), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or US 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

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, as found on HuntFishPA:


Where to Find Additional Resources

Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) Contact Information:
Phone: (717) 787-4250 Email: [email protected] Website: pgc.pa.gov