HARRISBURG, Pa. (EYT) — The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners is scheduled to hold its first meeting of the year on January 23 and 24, during which members will consider preliminary hunting seasons and bag limits for the 2026–27 license year.

According to the meeting agenda, the Board will review two options for the firearms deer season opener. One proposal would move the opening day to the Saturday before Thanksgiving, while the second option would keep the current schedule, which opens the season on the Saturday following Thanksgiving.

Executive Director Steve Smith said starting the season earlier could allow families and youth hunters to participate in opening weekend without conflicting with Thanksgiving travel and holiday commitments.

To accommodate an earlier deer season, the first proposal would also move the firearms bear season up by one week. According to the commission, this adjustment would shorten the early bear muzzleloader, archery, and special firearms seasons to a single weekend. Smith said the proposed changes align with the Board’s goal of increasing hunter participation and improving access.

The Board is also expected to discuss a proposal that would allow Sunday hunting during the 2027 spring gobbler season. Under the proposal, the spring gobbler bag limit would be reduced to one bird statewide to help prevent overharvest. The change would eliminate the option for hunters to purchase a second spring turkey tag for the 2027 season.

The meeting will begin Friday, January 23, at 1 p.m. at the commission’s Harrisburg headquarters and will include staff presentations on elk and turkey management. Public comment will be accepted beginning Saturday at 8:30 a.m. for individuals who register in person.

According to the commission, final adoption of the 2026–27 hunting seasons is expected at the Board’s meeting scheduled for April 11, 2026.