The Pennsylvania Mentored Hunting Program lets someone who has not completed hunter education go hunting under the direct supervision of an experienced, licensed hunter. The Pennsylvania Game Commission runs it under Title 34 of the Game and Wildlife Code, and the rules split mentees into three age groups with different supervision standards, fees, and harvest-tag rights.1Pennsylvania General Assembly. Pennsylvania Code Title 34 – Unlawful Acts Concerning Licenses Which group the mentee falls into changes almost everything else, so start there.
Who Can Be a Mentored Hunter
Three permit categories exist, based on the mentee’s age when they apply:2Legal Information Institute. 58 Pa Code 147.803 – Mentored Hunting Program
- Mentored youth, under 12. Any child who has never held a hunting license in Pennsylvania or anywhere else. Children under 7 may participate but do not get their own harvest tags.
- Mentored junior, 12 through 16. Same first-timer rule, higher fee, and any prior mentored youth years count toward a three-year lifetime cap.
- Mentored adult, 17 and older. Anyone who has never held a hunting or furtaking license in any jurisdiction. Adults also face a three-year cap.
The common thread is that every mentee must be a true first-timer. Any prior hunting license anywhere disqualifies you regardless of age.3Pennsylvania Game Commission. License Types
What the Mentor Must Do
The mentor has to be at least 21 and hold a valid Pennsylvania hunting license for the current season.4Pennsylvania Automated Licensing Service. Mentored Youth Hunting Program Residents and nonresidents can both serve. The mentor accepts legal responsibility for the mentee’s conduct in the field and may accompany only one mentored hunter at a time.
The supervision standard is where mentors most often misread the rules, because it changes with the mentee’s age.
For youth mentees under 17, the mentor must stay within arm’s reach whenever the mentee has a hunting device. Only one firearm or bow is allowed between the pair. The mentor carries the device while moving and hands it to the mentee only after both are stationary.5Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin. Subchapter X – Mentored Hunting Program Permit
For adult mentees 17 and older, the mentor has to stay within eyesight and close enough for normal verbal communication, but the arm’s-reach rule does not apply. The mentor and adult mentee may each carry their own hunting device.5Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin. Subchapter X – Mentored Hunting Program Permit Many mentors assume the arm’s-reach, single-device restriction applies to everyone. It doesn’t.
What Mentored Hunters Can Pursue
The species list is broader than newcomers expect. Mentored hunters of any age can hunt squirrel, rabbit, hare, ruffed grouse, bobwhite quail, pheasant, crow, mourning dove, porcupine, woodchuck, coyote, waterfowl, deer, bear, and wild turkey during their respective seasons.5Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin. Subchapter X – Mentored Hunting Program Permit Standard daily and season bag limits apply.
Harvest Tags
Mentored hunters aged 7 and older get their own antlered deer tag, fall turkey tag, and spring turkey tag printed with the permit. They can also apply for one antlerless deer license, a bear license, a special wild turkey license, and DMAP permits.6Pennsylvania Game Commission. Purchase a Mentored Hunting Permit
Children under 7 at application do not receive harvest tags. Instead, the mentor can transfer one of their own valid antlered deer tags and one bear tag to the child after harvest but before the carcass is tagged.5Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin. Subchapter X – Mentored Hunting Program Permit That transfer option does not exist for adult mentees or for youth who were 7 or older when they applied. Any big game harvest must be tagged immediately in the field.7Pennsylvania General Assembly. Pennsylvania Code Title 34 – Tagging and Reporting Big Game Kills
Migratory Birds Need More
The mentored permit by itself does not cover doves, crows, or waterfowl. A separate Migratory Game Bird License is required, at $3.97 for residents or $6.97 for nonresidents.3Pennsylvania Game Commission. License Types Anyone 16 or older hunting waterfowl also needs a Federal Duck Stamp from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.8U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Federal Duck Stamp Mentored hunters under 16 are exempt from the duck stamp but still need the state migratory license.
Safety Gear and Firearm Handling
Both mentor and mentee must wear at least 250 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange visible from all directions, covering head, chest, and back. A blaze-orange hat and vest together meet the requirement. When hunting from a blind or enclosed tree stand during firearms deer, bear, or elk seasons, at least 100 square inches of orange must be displayed within 15 feet of the stand.9Pennsylvania Game Commission. Safe Hunting Tips
For youth mentees, the mentor carries the firearm or bow during every move between locations and hands it over only once both are settled into a stationary position.6Pennsylvania Game Commission. Purchase a Mentored Hunting Permit
What the Permit Costs
Fees depend on the mentee’s age and residency. Prices below include the base permit fee plus standard transaction and issuing agent fees:3Pennsylvania Game Commission. License Types
- Mentored youth, under 12, resident or nonresident: $2.97
- Mentored junior, resident, 12–16: $6.97
- Mentored junior, nonresident, 12–16: $41.97
- Mentored adult, resident, 17+: $20.97
- Mentored adult, nonresident, 17+: $101.97
You can buy the permit online through HuntFishPA or in person at any authorized issuing agent, including county treasurers and many sporting goods retailers.10Pennsylvania Game Commission. Licensing FAQs Buy at an agent and the permit and harvest tags print on the spot. Buy online and you’ll wait for mailing.
What You Need to Apply
Every applicant provides a Social Security number, full legal name, date of birth, address, and phone number.2Legal Information Institute. 58 Pa Code 147.803 – Mentored Hunting Program You don’t have to show the card; you enter the number on the agent’s pin pad. Resident permits require proof of Pennsylvania residency, typically a driver’s license or documentation of state or local income tax payment.10Pennsylvania Game Commission. Licensing FAQs The system assigns a Customer Identification Number that tracks your record across seasons; keep it.
The mentee, or a parent or guardian for youth permits, must sign the permit before going afield. An unsigned permit is not valid.3Pennsylvania Game Commission. License Types Carry the signed permit while hunting, and keep harvest tags intact and accessible.
How Long You Can Stay in the Program
The mentored permit is a bridge to full licensure, not a substitute for it. Time limits work differently by age.
- Under 12. A child can buy mentored youth permits for unlimited years while under 12. Once they turn 12, all prior mentored youth years count toward a lifetime cap of three. A child who has already used three mentored youth permits before turning 12 must complete hunter education and buy a junior hunting license at that point.4Pennsylvania Automated Licensing Service. Mentored Youth Hunting Program
- 12 through 16. Three total license years in the program, counting any prior mentored youth permits. After that, hunter education plus a junior license.6Pennsylvania Game Commission. Purchase a Mentored Hunting Permit
- 17 and older. Three license years total, including any prior mentored years. After three, hunter education is required before buying a regular adult license.2Legal Information Institute. 58 Pa Code 147.803 – Mentored Hunting Program
First-time hunters aged 11 and older must complete a Hunter-Trapper Education course before buying a regular hunting license. Pennsylvania offers the course in classroom, online, and hybrid formats, and it is the only path from mentored status to independent hunting. If your mentee is on year two of three, sign up for hunter education early. Waiting risks a gap year where they cannot legally hunt at all.