Hunting season is open, and people who are enjoying the outdoors this fall are reminded they should take steps to be visible.

All 20 of Pennsylvania’s state forests, totaling 2.2 million acres, and 97 of the 121 state parks are open to hunting during established hunting seasons.

State parks total almost 300,000 acres and roughly 85 percent of that land is open to hunters pursuing everything from mallards to black bear

“Safety Zone” and other Game Commission rules and regulations are strictly enforced; smaller parks, often in populated areas, as well as park areas where visitors congregate are off-limits to hunting.

In designated areas, non-hunters may encounter hunters when hiking, walking or biking.

The wearing of blaze orange-colored clothing or items during hunting seasons is strongly encouraged.

Hunters in state parks are expected to observe “Safety Zone” and all other Game Commission regulations; obey parking signage; respect the surroundings; and always be mindful of the safety of other, non-hunting park visitors.

[Visit the Explore PA Trails and Get Outdoors PA website for information on recreational resources near you.

[For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog,  Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.]

(Reprinted from the October 28 DCNR Resource newsletter.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

Related Articles - DCNR:

-- State Parks Continue To Break Visitor Records In September: 4.7 Million Visitors, Up 31 percent Over Last Year

-- DCNR Good Natured Blog: Bringing Recreation Close To Home By Investing In Local Parks, Trails, Rivers Projects During Pandemic

-- DCNR Good Natured Pennsylvanians: David Wise, Stroud Water Research Center

-- DCNR’s Last Fall Foliage Report Shows Fall Leaves Beginning To Fade

-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation Accepting Nominations For COVID-19 Outdoor Recreation Champions

-- DCNR Now Accepting Nominations For 2021 PA Trail Of The Year

-- PA Trails Advisory Committee, DCNR Release 2019 Trails Annual Report

-- WalkWorks Program Awards 10 Community Grants To Increase Physical Activity Options for Communities

-- South Maintain Partnership Celebrates 15th Year Of Conservation, Recreation, Preservation Work Thanks To Environmental Stewardship, Keystone Fund

-- Increase In Human Caused Wildfires Sparks Concern For Allegheny National Forest

-- Natural Lands Protects Part Of Brandywine Battlefield In Chester County

-- October 28 DCNR Resource Newsletter

-- Oct. 30 Take Five Friday With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

[October 29, 2020]

11/2/2020