Throughout most of Pennsylvania, most hunters tend to focus their time and attention on big game hunting — pursuing whitetail deer, black bear, and wild turkeys. Fewer hunters these days seem to spend time in the woods in pursuit of small game, and they are missing some great opportunities to enjoy our abundant hunting options.

Having grown up in Lycoming County in the ’60s, I certainly recall the productive pheasant-hunting wild birds that we had. The cackle of a cockbird as he took wing and the abundance of these wild birds are now but a memory.

Stocked pheasants dominate the landscape today but provide a great alternative for pheasant hunters. The Pennsylvania Game Commission does a nice job of stocking these birds throughout many of our State Game Lands, and there are three split seasons this year, running from October 26-November 29, December 16-24, and December 26 to February 28. There is a daily limit of two birds and a possession limit of six birds.

A pheasant permit is required at the cost of $26.97. However, senior lifetime resident combination license holders who acquired their licenses before May 13, 2017, are exempt from needing a pheasant permit, and Junior hunters pursuing pheasants now need a free permit.

I am pleased to note that in most areas where I hunt or hike, there seems to be a very viable and well-established population of cottontail rabbits. It is somewhat surprising when you consider the number of foxes, bobcats, and coyotes that are abundant throughout the area and the fact that aerial predators, including various hawks and owls, are protected and thus add to the list of threats to rabbits. Perhaps it is partially due to fewer hunters spending time pursuing cottontails.

Rabbits, however, still provide a great hunting opportunity — especially for those with a beagle that will add to the allure and success of the hunt. The daily limit for rabbits is 4, with a possession limit of 12. As shown above, the three seasons are the same as for pheasants, except the first opening day is October 19 instead of the 26th.

As for our grouse hunting, it remains a distant and pleasant memory for me, when years ago, their numbers were more plentiful in the places I hunted. Today, if I am lucky enough to kick up a grouse, they get a “pass” since I just don’t come across them as in years past — and I enjoy hearing them drumming on those frosty mornings in the springtime when I am hunting turkeys. There are, no doubt, locations throughout the state with truly viable and huntable populations of this beautiful bird, but avid grouse hunters never reveal those locations! Currently, the limits are two daily and 6 in possession.

Of all the small game species available for hunting, squirrels are probably the least hunted. Yet, they are no doubt the most abundant species. Their daily limit is 6, with a possession limit of 18, and they have the same three seasons as detailed above for rabbits, except the opening day of the first season being September 14 instead of October 19.

Squirrel hunting provides the greatest opportunity to mentor a youth or introduce a new adult hunter to our sport. It can be awkward when hunting and a pheasant leaps skyward, a rabbit bursts out of its cover, or a grouse explodes from hiding behind you. But, in squirrel hunting, you usually walk very slowly through the woods or sit patiently in a patch of woods with a predominance of oak trees as you wait to spot a squirrel in search of a freshly dropped acorn. One of the best habitat combinations for squirrel hunting is a standing cornfield edged by woods containing oak trees. Whenever squirrel hunting and mentoring simultaneously, there are plenty of idle moments between shot opportunities to talk and have quiet conversations about hunting ethics, firearm safety, conservation, and all other things you can share with someone new to the great outdoors.

This fall, consider expanding your hunting opportunities by engaging in more small-game hunting — you’ll be glad you did.