Pennsylvania Forest Coalition Current Info  

For all you hikers, photographers and wildlife-watchers:
Since you make up 35 % of our membership , please continue to use common sense when you're in areas where legal hunting activities take place.

Let's think of safety - Pennsylvania's Game Commission is proud of their safety record.

There are a few simple things you can do:

  • Consider changing your hikes and wildlife-watching activities to areas where you will not interfere with hunting.
  • Brown jackets and white mittens are not recommended attire during deer season.
  • Red, white and blue may be patriotic - but don't wear it in Turkey Season.
  • A black Pittsburgh Steelers sweatshirt is not the thing to wear during bear season (Don't laugh.  A lifetime friend from Forest County was wearing one when we were heading up the mountain behind his home - during bear season).
  • Here are a few safety regulations from the PA Game Commission: "It is unlawful for non-hunters to be present on State Game Lands from November 15 through December 15 inclusive without wearing at least a Flourescent Orange hat (a vest or jacket of 250 sq in of Safety Orange is recommended).  Orange material must be visible from 360 degrees.  This is not the only "hunting seasons," just the "busiest."

 

  • Squirrels, Ruffed Grouse, Rabbit (Cottontail), Pheasant, Bobwhite Quail, Hares (Snowshoe Rabbits), Woodchucks, Crows, Starlings and English Sparrows, Wild Turkey, Black Bear, Elk, Deer, Raccoon, Foxes, Coyote, Opossum, Skunks, Weasels, Bobcat, Canada Geese, Ducks, Coots, Mergansers, Snow Geese, etc.  Get the idea?  For details, go to www.pgc.state.pa.us

 

Hunting Seasons for Non-Hunters

There are MANY hunting seasons.  Blaze Orange should always be your color - and not just between November 15 and December 15.  You might consider conducting your hikes and fieldtrips in an area where hunting is not permitted, so you don't unintentionally interfere with lawful hunting activities.

DMAP - Please be aware that sportsmen and women could be deer hunting in some State Parks, Conservation Areas, Sanctuaries and other areas where hunting is normally not allowed.  The Game Commission's Deer Management program seeks to reduce damage to habitat by reducing the number of deer in certain hard-hit areas and all Parks & Sanctuaries can request the help of hunters as the most cost effective method of control.

Hunting is always prohibited on the Appalachian Trail's National Park Service-owned corridor, but there may be some hunters who might not have been aware of that law.  Hunting is allowed where the A.T. goes through State Game Lands (there is no NPS corridor there.)  Many hikers do not know when they enter SGLs; many hunters are not aware when they leave SGLs. 

We're not trying to make you worry, we just want you to be aware of the many hunting seasons and where ownership of the land makes a difference in regulations.

Enjoy Pennsylvania!

ForestCoalition@aol.com



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