HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners will hold its first meeting of the new year on Friday and Saturday. Among other agenda items, the Board will consider preliminary hunting seasons and bag limits for the 2026-27 license year.

The meeting will include two proposals for the Board to consider regarding the start of the firearms deer season. The first proposal would open the firearms season on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The second proposal would maintain the current season structure, with the season opening on the Saturday following Thanksgiving.

Regarding the proposal to open the firearms season before Thanksgiving, Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith said, “This change would give hunters an earlier start and provide more opportunities for families, young hunters, and those who travel longer distances to enjoy opening weekend without competing with the Thanksgiving holiday. Opening the season earlier could improve access for hunters and continues the Board’s focus on structuring seasons in ways that maximize participation.”

To accommodate a potential earlier start date, the first proposal would move the firearms bear season one week earlier and shorten the early bear muzzleloader, archery, and special firearms season to a single weekend.

Executive Director Smith discussed the potential change this week on an episode of the agency’s podcast, Call of the Outdoors.

The Board also will consider allowing Sunday hunting during the 2027 spring gobbler season. To offset the potential for increased harvest associated with Sunday hunting, the proposal recommends limiting the spring gobbler bag limit to one bird, eliminating the option to purchase a second spring turkey tag for the 2027 season.

Following public comment, the Board will proceed with its regular agenda and new business. The full agenda is available on the Game Commission’s website under “About Us” and “Public Meetings.”