Pennsylvania Game Commission-Northwest Region

06/12/2026

Step into the world of bats! 🦇

Join the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for a two-day, hands-on workshop exploring bat ecology, research, and conservation geared towards educators for grades K through 12.

Experience interactive lessons, outdoor activities, PLUS, we will spend an evening with Game Commission biologists in the field mist-netting bats for an up close and personal experience!
Each participant receives the Project WILD K–12 Curriculum & Activity Guide and classroom-ready resources.

Bring the amazing story of bats to life in your teaching!

When: July 29– 2 to 10 p.m. and July 30- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Pymatuning Wildlife Management Area Administration Building, Hartstown, PA

Each educator will receive 11.5 Act 48 hours AND it’s FREE to attend! Hosts will provide meals during workshop.

Availability is limited! Register TODAY at https://bit.ly/PWBats2Day or contact Heather Flick at [email protected].

06/09/2026

Big Boy is rollin’ steam into Pennsylvania!

Around 9:45 this morning, Pennsylvania welcomed the legendary Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 as it thundered over the OH/PA border and immediately through State Game Lands 314, as it continues its Coast-to-Coast Tour celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary.

Bordered by Lake Erie to the north and Ohio to the west, State Game Lands 314 is a unique corner of the Keystone State where active railroad tracks still carry history in motion. Watching the world’s largest operating steam locomotive roll through this remarkable landscape was nothing short of unforgettable.

Steam. Steel. Power. History alive and well in 2026.

06/05/2026

What a difference a couple of months can make!

Earlier in March, Northwest Region land management staff completed a prescribed burn to improve 57 acres of grassland habitat at State Game Lands 330 in Clarion County. Just two months later, the landscape has returned — green, lush, and full of life!

Prescribed fire is an important tool to maintain grassland habitat in Pennsylvania. If left alone, our grasslands will eventually grow into forests, eliminating critically important habitat.
Applying fire will reset natural succession by slowing the growth of woody shrubs and saplings. Additionally, burning the dead grass buildup — or thatch — allows more space at ground level for wildlife to forage and nest.

Wildlife safety is also considered, both within and surrounding the burn unit. Our highly trained crews allow ‘lanes’ for wildlife to escape before and during burns and will provide areas of refuge that are reserved from burning. Timing is also crucial, as burns adhere to strict schedules to reduce conflicts with nesting season and wildlife risks.

Prescribed fire is especially important on State Game Lands 330, as it serves as the core of Globally Important Bird Area 21, designated by the National Audubon Society.

Here, species like Henslow’s sparrows and short-eared owls thrive. These rare species have adapted to and depend on expansive grasslands to survive, which are plentiful within this area. Abundant game species like deer, turkeys, pheasants, and rabbits all utilize SGL 330’s grasslands for foraging and escape cover.

To learn more about State Game Lands 330, visit our Game Lands Mapping Center at: https://bit.ly/SGLMaps.

05/28/2026

It’s time to make THIS SUMMER a memorable one!

Across PA, regional offices are getting ready for their annual Junior Game Warden Camps where youth, ages 12 to 15, can spend the day learning what it’s like to be a Pennsylvania state game warden.

Campers will join wardens in light physical fitness, confidence-building exercises, and hands-on learning stations.

They’ll have the opportunity to go all-in with wildlife forensics, wildlife-capture techniques, woodland tracking, outdoor survival, and all things wild!

There will be six camps hosted across our state, in each of the regions, with varying dates throughout the summer. The Northwest Region's Junior Game Warden Camp will be held on Saturday, June 27, at Butler City Hunting & Fishing Club in East Butler.

For more info including dates, locations, and registration, visit https://bit.ly/JrGameWarden.

05/25/2026

In honor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, our region office will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day.

We will reopen Tuesday with normal business hours. Wishing everyone a safe and meaningful holiday.

05/14/2026

We are only TWO WEEKS away from a fun guided day at the range!

Join us on Saturday, May 30 for our Learn To Shoot event on State Game Lands 109. See full details below and register now!

Pre-registration is preferred, but walk-ins are welcome!

Join us for a FREE Learn to Shoot event on Saturday, May 30 — perfect for families, friends, and anyone curious to learn a new skill in a safe, supportive environment.

With one-on-one guidance, you can try archery or rifle shooting while learning the basics of marksmanship and equipment handling. No experience or gear needed — we provide everything!

📅 Saturday, May 30, 2026
🕘 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
📍 State Game Lands 109 Shooting Range – Waterford, PA

Age requirements include:
Archery — 10 years and older
Rifle — 12 years and older

For more information and to register visit: https://bit.ly/4cs5GhO.

We hope to see you on the range!

05/08/2026

The Pennsylvania Game Commission-Northwest Region is seeking information related to the illegal taking of a turkey near Greiser Road and State Route 285, located in Sadsbury Township, Crawford County.

On May 2, 2026, an unknown subject shot a male turkey, which was only a short distance off the roadway, from inside their vehicle. After shooting, the subject abandoned the bird and attempted to avoid neighbors and main roadways.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to report it to the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Northwest Region at 1-833-PGC-HUNT or the Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-888-PGC-8001 or online at http://bit.ly/PGCOGT.

Thank you in advance for your assistance in helping to protect Pennsylvania wildlife!

05/04/2026

Don’t hit ‘paws’ on your professional development!

If you are an educator looking to get a little WILD this summer, join the Game Commission for a dynamic, hands-on Project WILD: All About Black Bears workshop.

This educator workshop is focused on the ecology, management, and research of Pennsylvania’s black bears, plus you will a FREE Project WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide packed with wildlife-themed lesson plans.

So, here’s the details:
Date and Time: June 30, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Game Commission Northwest Training Center, Franklin, Venango County

Here’s the best part… it’s FREE to attend & lunch provided, PLUS attendees will receive 6.5 Act 48 hours, too!

And talk about a WILD bonus… Instructors plan for a real-time demonstration of research techniques with a live black bear. (Please understand this part of the course may not be guaranteed.)

Class availability is limited! Register at https://bit.ly/PWBears or contact Heather Flick at [email protected].

04/27/2026

Join us for a FREE Learn to Shoot event on Saturday, May 30 — perfect for families, friends, and anyone curious to learn a new skill in a safe, supportive environment.

With one-on-one guidance, you can try archery or rifle shooting while learning the basics of marksmanship and equipment handling. No experience or gear needed — we provide everything!

📅 Saturday, May 30, 2026
🕘 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
📍 State Game Lands 109 Shooting Range – Waterford, PA

Age requirements include:
Archery — 10 years and older
Rifle — 12 years and older

For more information and to register visit: https://bit.ly/4cs5GhO.

We hope to see you on the range!

04/21/2026

Congratulations to several of our Northwest Region staff for being recognized through the Game Commission's Employee Recognition Program for their support and special work for our Learn to Hunt programs.

This quarterly award honors employees from bureaus and regional offices who have gone above and beyond, as nominated by their peers. Demonstrating outstanding performance, maintaining positive attitudes, fostering teamwork and quality, and work ethic that encompasses the agency's mission.

Thank you, Northwest Regional Staff!

Pictured: Front- L to R: Shawn Morris - GLMW 2; Scott Wolbert - WRM; Kristin Attinger - Wildlife Tech; Heather Flick - EES; Bailey Kozalla - WCES; Steve Meredith - Forester

Back- L to R: Dave Smerkar - Regional Forester; John Williams - GLMS; Chris Deal - LMGS; Brent Henderson - GLMW 2; Ben Caun - Forester; Lee Lindemuth - GLMS

Not pictured: SGW Meagon Aikey; SGW Mike Stutts