Pennsylvania WMU 1A: deer and bear hunting, harvest and public land
Pennsylvania's WMU 1A covers 1,847 square miles, mostly in Mercer, Lawrence, Butler, Crawford and Beaver counties. PGC estimates hunters took 9,969 antlered and 15,790 antlerless deer here in the 2025-26 seasons, and 26 bears in 2024. 6.7% of the WMU is public land, the largest share state game lands (40,651 acres), by the USGS Protected Areas Database.
Data updated October 2026. Harvest and licenses: PGC Annual Deer Population Report, April 2026. Bears: PGC Big Game Harvest data and PGC's 2024 bear harvest release. Seasons: PGC 2026-27 Seasons and Bag Limits. Land: PAD-US 4.1.
State game landsState forestState parkNational wildlife refugeMilitary (closed unless the base allows)WMU 1ANeighboring WMUsHighway
| Size | 1,847 square miles (PGC) |
|---|---|
| Counties | Mercer, Lawrence, Butler, Crawford, Beaver and Venango |
| Public land | 6.7% (79,488 acres) |
| State Game Lands | 15 tracts, 40,597 acres in the WMU |
| Deer harvested, 2025-26 | 9,969 antlered, 15,790 antlerless |
| Bears harvested, 2024 | 26 |
| PGC deer population estimate, 2026 | 82,778 (post-hunt) |
| Antlerless licenses, 2026-27 | 52,000 (46,000 in 2025-26) |
| Antler rule (adults) | Three Up: three points on one side, brow tine not counted |
| Chronic wasting disease | Not found in the WMU; found within 10 miles of it (PGC deer report, April 2026) |
| Archery deer, 2026-27 | October 3 to November 20, and December 26 to January 24, 2027 |
| Regular firearms deer, 2026 | November 28 to December 13 |
How many deer are harvested in WMU 1A?
PGC estimates 9,969 antlered and 15,790 antlerless deer in WMU 1A in 2025-26, against 8,942 and 16,605 the season before. The table runs back to 2005-06, with the antlerless licenses PGC allocated for each season.
| Season | Antlered | Antlerless | Total | Antlerless licenses allocated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 9,969 | 15,790 | 25,759 | 46,000 |
| 2024-25 | 8,942 | 16,605 | 25,547 | 46,000 |
| 2023-24 | 8,047 | 13,784 | 21,831 | 46,000 |
| 2022-23 | 9,030 | 13,796 | 22,826 | 43,000 |
| 2021-22 | 5,962 | 13,238 | 19,200 | 40,000 |
| 2020-21 | 9,210 | 17,509 | 26,719 | 49,000 |
| 2019-20 | 6,416 | 13,160 | 19,576 | 49,000 |
| 2018-19 | 5,802 | 12,442 | 18,244 | 48,000 |
| 2017-18 | 6,279 | 12,612 | 18,891 | 52,000 |
| 2016-17 | 6,500 | 10,377 | 16,877 | 46,000 |
| 2015-16 | 6,031 | 9,122 | 15,153 | 46,000 |
| 2014-15 | 5,131 | 10,792 | 15,923 | 47,000 |
| 2013-14 | 6,420 | 13,915 | 20,335 | 49,000 |
| 2012-13 | 6,078 | 11,859 | 17,937 | 42,000 |
| 2011-12 | 5,171 | 9,839 | 15,010 | 42,000 |
| 2010-11 | 5,918 | 11,940 | 17,858 | 41,705 |
| 2009-10 | 5,500 | 10,689 | 16,189 | 42,000 |
| 2008-09 | 5,392 | 12,611 | 18,003 | 42,000 |
| 2007-08 | 4,896 | 12,490 | 17,386 | 42,000 |
| 2006-07 | 5,791 | 13,214 | 19,005 | 42,000 |
| 2005-06 | 5,468 | 13,427 | 18,895 | 40,000 |
Source: PGC Annual Deer Population Report, April 2026, WMU 1A worksheet.
Deer by season in WMU 1A
Archery hunters took 58.8% of WMU 1A's antlered deer in 2024-25, by PGC's season figures.
| Season | Antlered, archery | Antlered, firearms | Antlered, muzzleloader | Antlerless, archery | Antlerless, firearms | Antlerless, muzzleloader |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 5,237 | 3,609 | 63 | 4,904 | 10,783 | 896 |
| 2023-24 | 4,400 | 3,500 | 100 | 3,800 | 9,000 | 1,000 |
| 2022-23 | 4,730 | 4,200 | 70 | 3,810 | 8,600 | 1,390 |
| 2021-22 | 3,360 | 2,600 | 40 | 3,590 | 8,300 | 1,310 |
| 2020-21 | 4,720 | 4,200 | 80 | 6,180 | 9,800 | 2,020 |
Source: PGC Big Game Harvest data, rounded by PGC; the season totals can differ a little from the worksheet's.
How many deer live in WMU 1A?
PGC's latest post-hunt estimate for WMU 1A is 82,778 deer (2026). Its estimates since 2008 run from 34,007 (2008) to 99,568 (2021). PGC rates the six-year population trend stable and the fawn-to-doe trend stable; its objective for the WMU is to reduce the deer population (PGC's note: CWD detected within 10 miles of the WMU).
| Year | Post-hunt deer population (PGC estimate) |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 82,778 |
| 2025 | 71,915 |
| 2024 | 74,488 |
| 2023 | 73,334 |
| 2022 | 57,982 |
| 2021 | 99,568 |
| 2020 | 51,804 |
| 2019 | 46,208 |
| 2018 | 53,244 |
| 2017 | 65,707 |
| 2016 | 62,237 |
| 2015 | 49,169 |
| 2014 | 55,114 |
| 2013 | 48,472 |
| 2012 | 42,420 |
| 2011 | 41,549 |
| 2010 | 44,148 |
| 2009 | 36,152 |
| 2008 | 34,007 |
Source: PGC Annual Deer Population Report, April 2026, WMU 1A worksheet.
PGC's worksheet describes WMU 1A as 45% forest, 36% farm and field and 9% developed.
How many bears are taken in WMU 1A?
PGC counted 26 bears from WMU 1A in 2024. Since 2013 the yearly count has run from 12 to 34.
| Year | Bears | Males | Females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 26 | not given | not given |
| 2023 | 19 | 8 | 11 |
| 2022 | 26 | 18 | 8 |
| 2021 | 26 | 17 | 9 |
| 2020 | 22 | 11 | 11 |
| 2019 | 20 | 13 | 7 |
| 2018 | 23 | 11 | 12 |
| 2017 | 17 | 8 | 9 |
| 2016 | 34 | 17 | 17 |
| 2015 | 22 | 11 | 11 |
| 2014 | 12 | 8 | 4 |
| 2013 | 16 | 8 | 8 |
Sources: PGC Big Game Harvest data to 2023; PGC's 2024 bear harvest release for 2024.
How many turkeys are taken in WMU 1A?
PGC's spring gobbler estimate for WMU 1A was about 2,220 birds in 2023. The 2026 fall season here runs October 31 to November 15.
| Year | Spring turkeys (about) | Fall turkeys (about) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2,220 | 190 |
| 2022 | 1,890 | 250 |
| 2021 | 1,340 | 270 |
| 2020 | 1,770 | 310 |
| 2019 | 1,800 | 350 |
| 2018 | 1,960 | 360 |
| 2017 | 2,000 | 360 |
| 2016 | 1,870 | 530 |
Source: PGC Big Game Harvest data; PGC's estimates, rounded here to the nearest ten.
When are the 2026-27 seasons in WMU 1A?
| Season | Dates, 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Deer, archery (antlered and antlerless) | October 3 to November 20, and December 26 to January 24, 2027 |
| Deer, antlerless muzzleloader | October 17 to 25 |
| Deer, antlerless special firearms (eligible hunters only) | October 22 to 25 |
| Deer, regular firearms (antlered and antlerless) | November 28 to December 13 |
| Deer, flintlock (antlered or antlerless) | December 26 to January 24, 2027 |
| Bear, archery | October 17 to 25 |
| Bear, muzzleloader | October 22 to 25 |
| Bear, special firearms (eligible hunters only) | October 22 to 25 |
| Bear, regular firearms | November 21 to 24 |
| Fall turkey (either sex; shotguns and archery gear only) | October 31 to November 15 |
| Spring gobbler (bearded birds; one bird) | May 1 to 31, 2027 (until noon through May 15) |
Source: PGC 2026-27 Seasons and Bag Limits, read 2026-10-18. Sundays inside these dates are open, except in migratory bird seasons (PGC 2026-27 pocket guide to the Hunting & Trapping Digest). PGC can change a season; check its page before you go.
How much public land is in WMU 1A?
6.7% of WMU 1A is public land: 79,488 of its 1,182,325 acres. The largest share is state game lands, 40,651 acres.
| Manager | Acres | Share of WMU 1A |
|---|---|---|
| State game lands | 40,651 | 3.4% |
| State park | 38,500 | 3.3% |
| State forest | 266 | under 0.1% |
| National wildlife refuge | 71 | under 0.1% |
| Military (closed unless the base allows) | 6 | under 0.1% |
Measured by FilledTag inside PGC's WMU boundary from USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US 4.1). Public land is open to hunting under each manager's own rules; state parks, refuges and Park Service land allow it only in places.
State Game Lands in WMU 1A
15 State Game Lands tracts lie wholly or partly in WMU 1A, 40,597 acres in all.
| Game lands | Acres in WMU 1A | Acres in all | Parking areas (PGC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SGL 39 | 9,818 | 10,869 | 21 |
| SGL 214 | 9,662 | 9,662 | 28 |
| SGL 213 | 5,646 | 5,646 | 15 |
| SGL 130 | 3,170 | 3,170 | 13 |
| SGL 285 | 2,841 | 2,841 | 14 |
| SGL 270 | 2,191 | 2,191 | 16 |
| SGL 284 | 1,590 | 1,590 | 10 |
| SGL 151 | 1,584 | 1,584 | 12 |
| SGL 173 | 1,058 | 1,058 | 10 |
| SGL 294 | 621 | 621 | 2 |
| SGL 150 | 594 | 594 | 1 |
| SGL 336 | 591 | 591 | 1 |
| SGL 148 | 575 | 575 | 1 |
| SGL 216 | 491 | 491 | 5 |
| SGL 178 | 165 | 165 | 2 |
Acres measured by FilledTag from PGC State Game Lands boundaries; parking areas from PGC State Game Lands parking areas.
Where is the WMU 1A boundary?
PGC draws WMU 1A along these roads and rivers:
- From the Ohio/PA state line, US Rt. 6 east to US Rt. 322 at Conneaut Lake.
- US Rt. 322 east to PA Rt. 8 at Franklin.
- PA Rt. 8 south to PA Rt. 228 near Gibsonia.
- PA Rt. 228 west to I-76 (PA Turnpike) to I-376 near New Beaver.
- I-376 to Ohio River to Ohio/PA state line.
From PGC Wildlife Management Units. Highways crossing the WMU: I-79 (137 miles), PA 18 (73 miles), US 19 (70 miles), I-376 (69 miles), US 422 (64 miles) and I-80 (58 miles).
Which WMUs border WMU 1A?
| WMU | Public land | Antlered deer, 2025-26 | Antlerless deer, 2025-26 | Bears, 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMU 1B | 4.7% | 11,070 | 17,627 | 67 |
| WMU 2A | 4.1% | 8,446 | 13,614 | 6 |
| WMU 2B | 0.2% | 9,097 | 14,639 | 2 |
| WMU 2D | 2.7% | 15,371 | 27,314 | 173 |
Questions hunters ask
How many deer are harvested in WMU 1A?
PGC estimates 9,969 antlered and 15,790 antlerless deer were taken in WMU 1A in the 2025-26 seasons, 25,759 in all. Over the five seasons to 2025-26 the WMU averaged 8,390 antlered and 14,643 antlerless deer a year, worked out from PGC's figures.
When is deer season in WMU 1A for 2026-27?
Archery: October 3 to November 20, and December 26 to January 24, 2027. Regular firearms: November 28 to December 13, 2026. Antlerless muzzleloader: October 17 to 25. Sundays inside these dates are open (PGC 2026-27 Seasons and Bag Limits).
How many antlerless licenses does WMU 1A get?
PGC set 52,000 antlerless licenses for WMU 1A for 2026-27, up from 46,000 in 2025-26. PGC's objective for the WMU is to reduce the deer population (PGC's note: CWD detected within 10 miles of the WMU).
What is the antler restriction in WMU 1A?
WMU 1A is one of the five Three Up WMUs (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 2D): an adult hunter's antlered deer needs three points on one side, not counting the brow tine.
How much public land is in WMU 1A?
79,488 acres, 6.7% of the WMU, by PAD-US 4.1. That includes 40,597 acres of State Game Lands in 15 tracts; the largest here are SGL 39 (9,818 acres), SGL 214 (9,662 acres) and SGL 213 (5,646 acres).
How many bears are taken in WMU 1A?
PGC counted 26 bears from WMU 1A in 2024, against 19 in 2023. Bear archery in WMU 1A runs October 17 to 25; the regular firearms season is November 21 to 24, 2026.
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Where these numbers come from
- Deer harvest, antlerless allocations, population estimates and objectives: PGC Annual Deer Population Report, April 2026.
- Deer by season, bears to 2023 and turkeys: PGC Big Game Harvest data. Bears in 2024: PGC's 2024 bear harvest release.
- Seasons: PGC 2026-27 Seasons and Bag Limits; PGC 2026-27 pocket guide to the Hunting & Trapping Digest.
- WMU boundary, antler rule and CWD status: PGC Wildlife Management Units. Public land: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US 4.1). Game lands: PGC State Game Lands boundaries.
- Highways and towns: U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line 2024 primary and secondary roads; U.S. Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer, places.
FilledTag is not part of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Numbers are copied from PGC and federal sources, or measured from their maps; nothing on this page is estimated by FilledTag.