Pennsylvania Game Commission

Pennsylvania Game Commission Pennsylvania's State Wildlife Agency. For more than 125 years, the Game Commission has managed the Commonwealth's wildlife resources for all Pennsylvanians.

With the help of more than 700 full-time employees and thousands of part-timers and volunteers, the agency provides a host of benefits to wildlife, state residents and visitors.

Fall is in the air, and that means it’s almost time to hit the woods and the fields. We cherish those days afield with ...
09/14/2026

Fall is in the air, and that means it’s almost time to hit the woods and the fields.

We cherish those days afield with a passion for the outdoors, and what better way to celebrate than National Hunting and Fishing Day!

Join us on Sunday, September 27, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Middle Creek Visitors Center in Stevens, Lancaster County, for National Hunting and Fishing Day. This family-friendly event is FREE to attend.

This year’s agenda is JAMMED PACKED with new events including artistic fly tying, NASP archery shooting, K-9 demonstrations, pellet gun shooting, and PLENTY more. You’ll also find stations from the Game Commission as well as the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and Lancaster Archery Supply.

The Schoeneck Area Lions Club will be on hand for food AND PA Dairymen's Association with their famous “Farm Show milkshakes” too!

We hope to see you there!

Pennsylvania Game Commission - Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area | Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission | Lancaster Archery Supply | PA Dairymen's Association

This year, Sundays mean more than just football. 🏈It’s all about more opportunities for hunters to get out and enjoy Pe...
09/12/2026

This year, Sundays mean more than just football. 🏈

It’s all about more opportunities for hunters to get out and enjoy Penn’s Woods this fall.

Hunters are reminded that Sunday hunting has expanded, and all hunting seasons, except for migratory game bird, include all Sundays within them.

If a Sunday falls within the season opening and closing dates, you can hunt it!

We hope you can get out and enjoy the new opportunities before you and hunt safely this fall. Thanks for being a Pennsylvania hunter.

It’s hard to imagine today marks 25 years since the tragic events of September 11 — a day we’ll never forget. Near the ...
09/11/2026

It’s hard to imagine today marks 25 years since the tragic events of September 11 — a day we’ll never forget.

Near the site where Flight 93 met its fate lies State Game Lands 93. Spanning more than 700 acres in Somerset County, this land was dedicated in 2010 to the 40 heroic passengers and crew members who tragically lost their lives, while saving countless more.

Among the 40 was U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist and officer Richard Guadagno. In honor of Guadagno’s lifelong passion and commitment to nature and wildlife, the Game Commission constructed the Guadagno Trail and a wetlands habitat bearing his name within State Game Lands 93.

This game lands not only preserves wildlife habitat but also protects the natural setting around the Flight 93 National Memorial — a lasting tribute to their bravery and sacrifice.

We will remember, always.

09/09/2026

The mountains are calling — and so are the bulls!

Mid-to-late September marks the peak of the elk rut in PA’s elk country.

Bull elk will bugle with a high-pitched, haunting call that echoes through foggy mornings and crisp nights to attract cows and challenge rivals and gets Pennsylvanians amped up for the fall pursuit.

As the rut continues, bulls clash antlers in powerful displays of strength against other bulls.

If you’re lucky enough to spend quality time in elk country this time of year, be sure to stay ELK SMART.

Elk are large, wild animals that display unpredictable behavior during the rut. Give elk space, never feed or name elk, stay alert, and do your part by reporting any potential issues as the welfare of an elk herd is a shared responsibility.

Won’t be in elk county this year? Tune in to the live Pennsylvania elk cam to stay in touch with the wild side: https://bit.ly/4xEvoru

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but can a seasoned hunting dog or maybe the dog’s handler teach you some...
09/08/2026

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but can a seasoned hunting dog or maybe the dog’s handler teach you something new?

That could be the case this fall if you’re looking for a new hunting adventure!

Beginning in the 2026-27 seasons, the Game Commission has expanded what was formerly known as junior pheasant hunts to include junior and all mentored hunters this fall with mentored pheasant hunts.

Mentored pheasant hunts are designed to provide new hunters with a unique opportunity to gain experience outside of deer hunting. Hunters can register for free events that are hosted by sportsmen’s clubs across our state. These host clubs will often provide mentors, hunting dogs with their handlers, and additional opportunities the day of the event.

These events are open to all resident and nonresident junior hunting license holders and mentored permit holders.

All hunters will need a pheasant hunting permit — there is no additional cost for junior and mentored hunters under the age of 17 and a $26.97 cost for those 17 and older.

If you have questions about these programs, email [email protected]. Visit https://bit.ly/MentoredPheasant to find an event near you or register today!

09/07/2026

When you’re working hard, you have to fuel your body.

And when you’re the hardest laborer in the woods, it’s more than a 9-5 shift. A beaver’s work? What a way to make a living!

Beavers are often referred to as nature’s engineers and have developed excellent skills building dams and lodges. Using branches, mud, and rocks, beavers will construct their structures on streams and creeks, and sometimes along edges of lakes and rivers.

Their building behaviors are rather instinctive, but young will often remain with their parents for up to two years, ultimately still learning the “tricks of the trade.”

Beavers aren’t the only ones that benefit from their bioengineering. As water is dammed, trees surrounded by water will die, creating snags that provide homes for cavity-nesting birds like wood ducks and owls. The pond areas could also provide habitat and new food sources for otters, raccoons, deer, osprey, turkeys, and more!

So really, for a beaver, it’s not “all takin’ and no givin” because they’re giving back plenty to ecosystems around them! Here’s to the beaver on this Labor Day — you’ve got dreams no one can take away!

Plovers, sandpipers, and willets, OH MY! This year’s Working Together for Wildlife (WTFW) art contest served up assortm...
09/04/2026

Plovers, sandpipers, and willets, OH MY!

This year’s Working Together for Wildlife (WTFW) art contest served up assortments of shorebirds of ALL sizes. From the smallest sanderling to the largest long-billed dowitcher, this year’s artwork was a true testament to Pennsylvania artistry.

For decades, the WTFW program has provided Pennsylvania artists with the chance to have their work serve a second purpose — support for wildlife conservation. Each year, artists submit their best work featuring PA wildlife, then one print is selected and offered for sale to the public.

All proceeds from the WTFW program directly benefit wildlife research and management programs in the Commonwealth. PLUS, the winner receives a cash prize.

The submissions this year were incredibly unique, although some species made multiple appearances, from Pennsylvania’s most common shorebird, the killdeer, to our least common, the piping plover. We had artists ranging from 7 to 93 years of age and some most beautiful artwork!

The final judging has taken place, and it seems so appropriate to announce the winners today, on National Wildlife Day!

So, without delay, we’re proud to announce Chenel Joseph as the grand prize winner!

Chenel Joseph of State College submitted what can only be described as a pair of American golden plovers foraging along a typical Pennsylvania shoreline at the golden hour. The colors and detail truly bring this piece of art to life.

We’d also like to congratulate the 2nd through 4th runners-up for being selected as finalists in the contest.
2nd Place: Ryan Kniss of Johnstown
3rd Place: Jocelyn Beatty of West Middlesex
4th Place (tie): Brittany Piazza of Clarks Summit and Rabecca Signoriello of Kennerdell

Thank you to all who submitted their entries to this contest and your contributions to Pennsylvania’s wildlife!

And be sure to watch for next year’s contest featuring aquatic furbearers (otter, beaver, muskrat, or mink) in celebration of the agency’s wetland habitat initiatives across the state.

09/03/2026

Hunting season is here! Don’t let the anticipation of deer season overshadow the joy of dove season. But first...

Do your homework and go scouting. The Game Commission plants high-attraction crops like sunflowers, millet, and buckwheat to provide concentrated food sources, creating dove hotspots on game lands across the state.

In addition to a general hunting license, dove hunters must possess a migratory game bird license. Sunday hunting is closed for migratory game birds, including doves, for the 2026-27 seasons.

Hunters are encouraged to report banded birds like doves to help wildlife agencies learn more about migratory movements, harvest numbers, and survival rates.

Simple strategies, laid back setup, and friendly camaraderie make any dove hunt a time well spent outdoors — and who doesn't like a good dove popper for dinner?

Hit the field on opening day? Share dove hunting photos of you, the family, your bird dog, or delectable dove dinners in the comments.

Good luck. Have fun. Hunt safely. And thank you for being a Pennsylvania hunter!

Driving to the blind or field with one thing on your mind — birds. But it’s a long drive, and face it, no one wants to ...
09/01/2026

Driving to the blind or field with one thing on your mind — birds.

But it’s a long drive, and face it, no one wants to idly chit-chat before dawn, so why not some tunes? Hard rock? Country? Classic rock and roll? It’s so hard to choose!

Well, what if we told you we have a perfectly curated list of music that could meet ALL those needs. A little ZZ Top mixed with Travis Tritt, throw in a little CCR and Sugar Ray. Perfection.

Check out our newest Spotify playlist, “Decoy Drumroll,” perfect for the bucket or the blind this September!

Listen now: https://bit.ly/SpotifyPGC

And be sure to watch for more featured playlists dropping this fall!

Pennsylvania hunters are breaking records and sharing the bounty! During the 2025-26 hunting season, hunters donated a ...
08/31/2026

Pennsylvania hunters are breaking records and sharing the bounty!

During the 2025-26 hunting season, hunters donated a record 294,844 pounds of venison from 8,382 deer through Hunters Sharing the Harvest (HSH). That’s the equivalent of nearly 1.2 million servings of nutritious protein for Pennsylvanians facing food insecurity.

This milestone marks Pennsylvania as the nation’s leading state for venison donations, reflecting the generosity of hunters, processors, volunteers, donors, and sponsors across the Commonwealth.

Powerful partnerships between the Game Commission, Hunters Sharing the Harvest and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture help drive the connection between hunters and communities, ensuring these numbers continue to grow in the coming hunting season.

Thank you to everyone who lends a hand in turning harvests into meals for our fellow neighbors in need.

Together, we're proving that hunting is about more than the harvest — it’s about stewardship and community!

Address

2001 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA
17110

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+17177874250

Website

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