Pennsylvania could add 1,800 acres to state game lands, change Elk license process
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — There could soon be a lot more public land to hunt in Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission approved Saturday 11 land acquisitions they say would add 1,800 acres to State Game Lands.
Two are donations, nine are purchases, and one is a right-of-way exchange.
Preliminary 2025-26 hunting seasons approved; final approval expected in April
The nearest addition to the Midstate is in Tremont Township, Schuylkill County, where 119 acres adjacent to State Game Lands 229 will be added. PGC says 791,000 people live within 30 miles of the land and it contains grassland that could host pheasant stocking.
In Fulton County, the Game Commission plans to pay $3,700 for a 30-foot-wide access road to connect State Game Lands 53 in Licking Creek Township with Creek Road.
Other land acquisitions include:
Roughly 33 acres in Summit Township, Erie County, adjacent to State Game Lands 109. This property contains critical and unique wetland and stream habitat within the Trout Run watershed.
Roughly 195 acres in Coolspring Township, Mercer County, adjoining State Game Lands 94.
Roughly 93 acres in Plunketts Creek Township, Lycoming County, adjacent to State Game Lands 134. This property will provide access to the existing game lands.
Roughly 985 acres in Huston Township, Clearfield County, adjacent to State Game Lands 331. This property provides important habitat for elk.
Roughly 9 acres in Haycock Township, Bucks County, adjacent to State Game Lands 157.
Roughly 6.6 acres in Nockamixon Township, Bucks County, which is an indenture to State Game Lands 56
Roughly 2 acres in Rockdale Township, Crawford County, adjacent to State Game Lands 85. This property improves manageability and integrity of the existing game lands.
Roughly 199 acres in Pocono Township, Monroe County, adjacent to State Game Lands 38. This property provides critical access to the existing game lands.
None of the additions are final and some are contingent upon third parties receiving grant funding. The approval Saturday is one step in the land transfer process.
Pennsylvania currently has 1.5 Million acres of State Game Land.
The Game Commission also plans to change the elk license application system. It must receive final approval in April.
The Game Commission wants to require hunters to buy a license before applying to an elk tag. Currently, it is inverse — hunters can apply for an elk license and buy a hunting license if they receive an elk license.
PGC also wants to remove the requirement for a hunter to enter their Social Security number or hunter ID.
They also want to cap elk licenses that can be awarded to nonresidents at 10%.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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