Hunting in the Pennsylvania Wilds
The Great Outdoors Region of Northwest Pennsylvania is a game hunter’s paradise. With dense forests, open meadows, lush state game lands and a multitude of waterways; the mixed terrain is suitable for a variety of wildlife. Few places in the eastern United States offer as many wild areas as the Pennsylvania woodlands.
Whitetail deer are a favorite among hunters in Pennsylvania. Seasonal hunting is offered for rifle, archery and muzzleloader for antlered and antlerless deer. The first elk hunt in Pennsylvania in 70 years took place in 2001. Currently elk inhabit portions of Elk and Cameron Counties. Licenses are chosen by a lottery system by the PA Game Commission.
Black Bear offer a slightly more difficult hunting opportunity. Bear are mainly nocturnal creatures, although they sometimes feed and travel by day. Bear Licenses are available to resident and nonresident and are issued in addition to a general hunting license to applicants who desire to hunt during the bear season.
Wild Turkey hunting is permitted in the spring and fall of the year. The spring season allows for the hunting of gobblers or bearded turkey while hunting in the fall offers for the hunting of hen or gobbler.
Migratory Game Bird (i.e. duck, goose, etc.) Licenses are available to residents and nonresidents; these licenses are issued in addition to a general hunting license to applicants. Applicant must complete a migratory game bird harvest information program (HIP) survey card before a license is issued. License need not be displayed, but must be carried while hunting migratory game birds.
These are just a small sampling of the wildlife hunting opportunities available. Seasons are also specified for small game, grouse, pheasant, quail, coyote and many other species.
The Great Outdoors Region covers the following counties: Cameron, Clarion, Elk, Forest and Jefferson. This area is approximately the size of Connecticut so it covers all your wild game needs.
Clear Creek, Cook Forest and Elk State Parks provide more than 7,800 acres for hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Additional acreage in Sinnemahoning consists of approximately 1,400 acres of forestland.
Gated roads in the Allegheny National Forest are opened for the convenience of hunter access. A wide variety of outdoor activity maps are available at the Allegheny National Forest Office or by visiting their website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny/. Hunting maps can be purchased from the Allegheny National Forest for a nominal fee.
Maps of state game lands, state parks and state forests may be obtained through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) website. Visit http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/hunting.html for great places to hunt.
Additional information regarding Laws and Regulations, Seasons, Bag Limits and Wildlife Management Areas may be obtained through the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Hunting licenses are available at most sporting goods stores, but may also be purchased on-line. Visit our friends at the Pennsylvania Game Commission at http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/ for further information and to purchase your license.
The region also has about 200,000 acres of State Game Land. The largest is in the southern part of Elk County. SGL44 covers more than 24,500 acres and is adjacent to the 23,400-acre SGL54. Bringing up a close second covering more than 24,00 acres is Elk County’s SGL25 near the East Branch Clarion River Lake and adjacent to the expansive Elk State Forest. Just some of the outstanding game lands in the area include:
· SGL24 in Forest County contains 8,390 acres of mountainous and wooded terrain and has bear, deer, grouse and squirrel hunting for the sportsman. There are numerous tributaries and open areas and it’s all adjacent to the Allegheny National Forest.
· SGL28 near Halton in Elk County has 9,848 acres of deer, bear, wild turkey, grouse and squirrel for hunting. The area is high plateau and forested Spring Creek frontage with several small tributaries.
· SGL31 in Jefferson County’s 5,176 acres of wild turkey, grouse and deer for hunting. It is wooded and hilly with old strip-mined areas and offers several food plots.
· SGL34 In Elk County consist of 9,470 acres divided into 5 parcels surrounded by Moshannon State Forest. Deer, bear, turkey, grouse, waterfowl, and squirrel are available for hunters. The area is mostly forested high plateau country.
Game Commission public shooting ranges can be found at SGL24 and SGL72.
Northwest Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau also offers Outdoor Discovery Maps of the PA Wilds 12-county region. This map contains information for all of your outdoor recreational needs. Please call (814) 849-5197 or e-mail info(at)visitpago.com to request a free copy.
