6/5/23 - Southwest Regional Director Jason Farabaugh announced that a big game scoring session will be held on Monday, June 26, 2023, at the Southwest Regional Headquarters building in Bolivar. The session will be held in conjunction with the opening day of hunting license sales.
“The Southwest Region has four game wardens who recently became certified by the Boone and Crocket Club as official scorers, and they will be present to score hunters’ trophies,” Farabaugh said. “The region has not held an event for quite some time, but this will be an opportunity for anyone who harvested a Pennsylvania deer, bear, or elk that has record book potential to have it officially scored. While you visit the office you can get your new hunting license, as well.”
The Boone and Crockett Club is an American nonprofit organization that advocates fair chase hunting in support of habitat conservation and is North America’s oldest wildlife and habitat conservation organization and was founded in 1887 by Theodore Roosevelt.
“Since racks and skulls will be measured for possible inclusion in the Pennsylvania Big Game Records Book, only those white-tailed deer, elk, and black bears that were lawfully harvested in Pennsylvania through fair chase methods will be accepted for scoring,” said Farabaugh.
Because of the expected turnout, reservations are required for the scoring session, and whitetail racks must have a minimum of six points to be scored at this session.
The scoring event will run from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., and reservations can be made by contacting Robin Fleegle at 1-833-PGC-HUNT, extension 20214, or via email at rfleegle@pa.gov.
5/26/23 - The Pennsylvania Game Commission shooting range located on State Game Lands 50 in Black Township, Somerset County will be closed between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. from Monday, June 5, through Friday, June 16, for maintenance. Most of the range will still be available for use outside of those hours.
The closure timeline is subject to weather conditions.
The maintenance project will involve enhancing the shooting range's drainage system and adding to the existing backstop material to improve the function of the range amongst other things.
"This range maintenance project will be a temporary disruption for users," said Game Lands Management Group Supervisor Travis Anderson. "But the enhancements being made will result in a more positive experience for all shooters that choose to use the range facilities after the completion of the project.
5/26/23 - The Pennsylvania Game Commission shooting range located on Walters Mill Road on State Game Lands 50 in Black Township, Somerset County will be temporarily closed for maintenance. This closure will begin on Monday, June 5th and run through June 16th pending weather. The shooting range will be closed during the hours of 8am-4pm through this time period but most areas should be available for use outside of the specified times.
This closure is necessary to do some improvements to the range facility. Amongst the improvements are a much-needed upgrade to the drainage at the range and also some addition to the range backstop material.
Thank you to all users for your patience during this upgrade.
Designated Routes - Southwest Region
SGL 42 - Westmoreland County9 miles - From game lands parking lots along township road T-962, (Furnace Lane), follow game lands road through gate. At maintenance building route splits to left, and straight ahead, with both roads traversing up the west slope of Laurel Ridge. On top of ridge either administrative road is gated before entering upon a common use pipeline that completes the loop connecting the two game lands roads. St. Clair Twp..SGL 42 - Westmoreland County2.5 miles - From game lands parking lot along Twp. Route T-619 ( Penrod Road), follow game lands road through gate, past shooting range, continue along game lands administrative road up the west slope to gate at top of Laurel Ridge, where the designated route ends, Ligonier Twp..SGL 42 - Westmoreland and Somerset counties3.4 miles - From game lands parking lot at end of Twp. Route T-761 (Jenner Twp.), follow administrative road into game lands then left (southeast) before game lands boundary. Follow road through gate and westward up east slope of Laurel Ridge. Route ends at intersection with pipeline and interior road to communications tower. Jenner Twp., Somerset County; and Ligonier Twp., Westmoreland County.SGL 50 - Somerset County5 miles - this designated route begins at a Game Commission shooting range parking area located 200 feet north of the intersection of US 219 and Business Route 219 toward Somerset, off Business Route 219. There is a gate with a stream crossing (administrative vehicle ford) to the right of the parking area, where this trail starts. The road splits on the opposite side of the stream (these forks will merge) and either may be taken. The road continues south, crosses "Twp. Line Road after approximately 2.3 miles, and continues for approximately 2.75 miles where the designated route ends at a parking area.SGL 51 - Fayette County5 miles - Zebley Flats. Trail begins at the second Game Commission gate on the left on Greenbriar Road. Trail continues to Dunbar-Ohiopyle Road at the area known locally as Hugh's Strip.SGL 51 - Fayette County7 miles - Zebley Flats. Trail begins at the end of Cow Rock Road in Dunbar at a Game Commission gate. Trail continues past Elk Rock to the Game Commission bridge on Morgan Run and Kingan Hill Road.SGL 105 - Armstrong County2.1 miles - From a gate on the north side of the township road (T-418) northward on an interior game lands road to a state road (SR4009) at Daman Industries. Bradys Bend Twp..SGL 108 - Cambria County3.5 miles - Approximately 1 mile from the village of Dean on State Route SR1016 (Wopsy Road) leaving Rt. 56 traveling toward Altoona there is a gate and parking area on south (right) side of road. This designated route begins at the gate and follows defined game lands road to a large reclaimed mine site. The route will follow defined road circling mine site and will exit a road back to two miles further from Dean.SGL 108 - Cambria County4 miles - This designated route begins on the north side of route 865 at the village of Lloydville and continues along old railroad grade down the mountain gap for approximately 4 miles to a point near the Bellwood Reservoir along route 865.SGL 108 - Cambria County5 miles - Beginning at the first Game Land parking lot along Long Road on the western side of Glendale Lake, travel along gravel road approximately 1 mile to another parking lot and gate. Go through gate at second lot approximately 0.75 mile to fork. Right fork loops back just under 2 additional miles to Long Road, then traveler may travel Long Road back to starting point. Left fork continues along road proceeding upstream approximately 1.25 mile to another fork where right goes approximately 200 yards to boundary and Chest Twp. Road, left fork proceeds across Killbuck Run to game lands boundary which meets an abandoned township road and legal right-of-way which goes to Cambria Heights High School.SGL 108 - Cambria County16.5 miles - Begin along Route 53 approximately 0.25 mile north of Catholic Church in village of Frugality, at this location, take the game land road on east side of 53 for approximately 1 mile (this road open year round) to a parking lot. Take either road behind the two gates located at this parking lot (both roads designated). These two roads merge again 1.1 mile from parking lot, then continue along game land road approximately 0.3 mile to a fork. The right fork will travel on game land road for approximately 2 miles to the Daugherty area, which is located on the Wopsy/Dean state road. The left fork continues along road approximately 2.2 miles to another intersection. The left route will continue another 2.25 mile on to a game land road that is open year round and another 1.25 miles to Route 53. Traveler may take open road east 1.5 miles back to Route 53. Right fork back at the previous split, take game land road 2.5 miles through reclaimed surface mine site to Route 865 just east of the village of Blandburg. Alternate road to route 865 would leave main game land road just before apple tree plantation and east to old railroad grade and along railroad grade for approximately 2.5 miles to route 865. This trail will continue on railroad grade across route 865 onto State Game Land 158 (see SGL-158 open trails).SGL 108 - Cambria County2.25 miles - From Parking lot along Marina Road (located just behind Noel's ice cream/hamburger stand), along game lands administrative road approximately 1 mile to reclaimed surface mine site, then along road through mine site looping back approximately another 1.1 mile to Marina Road. The designated route then crosses Marina Road and continues along the administrative road approximately 1.2 miles to gate along St. Augustine Road. SGL 111 - Somerset County
4 miles - Mayapple Road. The starting point of this route is 39.91603 N, 79.36701 W off Anglers Road just North of Cranberry Road at the Game Commission gate and Mayapple Road sign. This trail is known locally as Joe's Camp Road. Trail ends at Laurel Hill Creek where the trail is blocked.
SGL 111 - Somerset County
6 miles - Maple Summit Road to Augustine Road. The starting point for this route is 39.87263 N, 79.40918 W at the Game Commission boundary and first parking area on Augustine Road. Follow trail to second Game Commission gate on right and onto a Game Commission administrative (grass) road. Trail continues several miles to Conn Road near Draketown.
SGL 111 - Somerset County
10 miles - Jersey Hollow Road. One mile east of the Fayette-Somerset county line to Game Commission parking area and gate on Jersey Hollow Road. Trail starts at Game Commission gate and continues to Conn Road at Game Commission gate. The trail also is open in the opposite direction from the Game Commission parking area and gate. This section of the trail ends at Cranberry Road at the Cranberry Glade Lake dam. This trail is also a snowmobile trail and is well marked.
SGL 117 - Washington County
2.75 miles - This designated route begins just north of the Burgettstown High School on the opposite side of the highway at a game lands parking lot. It proceeds through reclaimed surface mine following a well defined road to another parking lot just off of route 18 north of Burgettstown.
SGL 120 - Clearfield County
4 miles - Along State Route 4017 (Barrens Road), approximately 3 miles north of the village of St. Lawrence, on the right a gravel road leads approximately ¼ mile to a gate. Continuing beyond gate on administrative gravel road for app. 3.25 miles to reservoir and past reservoir another 0.25 mile to top of hill at food plot complex where designated route ends.
SGL 137 - Armstrong County
2.3 miles - From the game lands parking lot on west side of routes 28 & 66, follow the interior game lands road through gate. Route has spur to right and second spur to left off right spur. All routes end prior to herbaceous openings return to beginning via same route. Mahoning Twp..
SGL 153 - Indiana County
1 mile - From game lands gate along Twp. Route T-784 (Oaks Point Road), to where route ends prior to game lands boundary. Burrell Twp..
SGL 153 - Indiana County
2 miles - From game lands parking lot off Twp. Route T-702, through gate, down to and across ford stream crossing (vehicle ford) at Roaring Run, then up the east slope of Chestnut Ridge, ending at intersection with logging road. Wheatfield Twp..
SGL 158 - Cambria County
4.5 miles - From Route 865, travel approximately 0.75 mile along Blandburg Fire Tower Road. At this point travel south (left) 3.75 miles to where designated route ends.
SGL 158 - Cambria County
1.75 miles - From route 865, travel approximately 0.5 mile along Blandburg Fire Tower Road. Turn right and travel north for approximately 1.25 miles, returning to Fire Tower Road.
SGL 158 - Cambria County
Approximately 4.75 miles - From Route 865, travel approximately 2 miles to a game lands gate. Continue beyond the gate on a game lands administrative road for approximately 2.75 miles to where the route ends at Route 453.
SGL 158 - Cambria County
4 miles - This designated route begins on the north side of Route 865 at the village of Lloydsville and continues along an old railroad grade down the mountain gap for approximately 4 miles to a point near the Belwood Reservoir, along route 865.
SGL 174 - Indiana County
23 miles - Due to the past and present practices of mineral extraction, this game land has many miles of administrative roads with a surface that is suitable for use without significant risk of habitat or environmental damage. There is also a 5 mile unimproved dirt township road that bisects the game lands that is suitable for non-motorized travel. All Game Land administrative gravel or "dirt" surface roads within the game land are considered designated routes, and are posted as such. There are multiple herbaceous openings and several gas lines rights-of-way that are planted with grass and have no evidence of a roadway on them, which are not designated or considered open for riding activities.
SGL 203 - Allegheny County
2.5 miles - From the north side of game lands road, a route begins at the rifle range and travels uphill through a gate to at "T" at the top of the hill. The route to the left loops and returns to game lands road, for a 1.25-mile loop. The route to the right will continue for 1.25 miles to a parking area off Mingo Road.
SGL 203 - Allegheny County
1.25 mile - From the south side of Game Land Road, a designated route begins at either of two gates and runs to the other gate for a 1.25-mile loop.
SGL 203 - Allegheny County1.25 mile - From the parking lot off of Mingo Road, there is a route that travels from east to west for 1.25 mile to a parking area located on Marskmen Park Road.
SGL 223 - Greene County
3.75 miles - Beginning at a parking lot/gate just north of Davistown on the east side of SR2019, this route meanders through the game lands following a well defined administrative road, looping back to SR2019.
SGL 223 - Greene County
1.75 mile - This designated route starts at the first parking area/gate on the north side of Meadow Run Road and meanders north through this portion of the game lands to a parking area/gate on Dunkard Twp. Road (T-624).
SGL 228 - Somerset County
10 miles - This designated route begins at a Game Commission parking area at the edge of the village of Gahagan (of Twp. Route T-792). It follows an internal road that forks and merges twice, crossing a paved road (SR1035) in the process. This route ends at a game lands gate/parking area at the northern end of the game lands along SR1018, east of Central City.
SGL 232 - Washington County
2.25 mile - This designated route begins along route 331 approximately 2.75 miles west of Acheson which lies at the intersection of route 331 and route 221. The internal game lands road leaves route 331 to the south (left) and meanders through the game lands to a parking lot along Dog Run Road.
SGL 245 - Washington County
Approximately 1.3 miles - This designated route begins at the first gated internal Game Land Road on the south side of Quaker Ridge Road: when entering from the east. This route follows a game lands road approximately 1.3 mile to a game lands parking lot on Craft Creek Road.
SGL 245 - Washington County
3.5 miles - This designated route starts on the north side of Quaker Ridge Road and begins at the first parking lot after entering the game lands from the east. This route follows an internal road north to Game Land Road where it will pass another game land parking lot and will continue back down an interior road where it will end at a second parking lot on Quaker Ridge Road approximately 1/4 mile west of the parking area at the beginning.
SGL 247 - Armstrong County
1.1 mile - From game land parking lot past Game Commission maintenance buildings, follow game lands road to pond where the route ends. North Buffalo.
SGL 262 - Indiana County
15 miles - Due to past and present mineral extraction practices, this game land has many miles of administrative roads with surfaces suitable for use without significant risk of habitat or environmental damage. There are also several paved and unpaved township and state roads that wind in and out and through this game land with an approximate 5 mile stretch of unpaved Canoe township road (Frey Cemetery Rd) going directly through the middle of the game land. All game land administrative gravel or dirt surface roads within the game land are considered designated routes, and are posted as such. There are multiple herbaceous openings, gas line rights of way and numerous fields planted to various types of herbaceous cover that are not designated or considered open for riding activities.
SGL 262 - Indiana County
26 miles - Due to the past and present practices of mineral extraction, this game land has many miles of administrative roads with a surface that are suitable for use without the risk of habitat or environmental damage. All game land administrative gravel or "dirt" surface roads within this game land are considered designated routes, and are posted as such. There are multiple herbaceous openings and several gas lines rights of way that are planted with grass and do not have evidence of a roadway on them, which are not designated or considered open.
SGL 273 - Indiana County
4.5 miles - This route consists of a game lands road beginning at a game lands parking lot along Route 954 near Yellow Creek. The route proceeds along a coal haul road for 2 miles where it comes near the game lands boundary and another parking lot along a Brush Valley Twp. Road (Snider Road). The designated road continues in a northern direction leaving this lot and continues down grade to old bridge site on Yellow Creek. The creek may be forded at this location (administrative vehicle ford) to reach the other side and the end of another township road located in Cherry Hill Twp. There is an alternative route that leaves the main road to the east approximately 1/2 mile from the second parking lot. This route is a one-mile segment that runs to a gate along another Brush Valley Twp. Road (Ondo).
SGL 276 - Indiana County
1.75 miles - This route begins at a game lands parking lot on top of Penn View Mountain off of Route 22. The game lands road travels north along an old coal haul road to Hill Drive, a township road. Cross Hill Drive and continue along the internal game lands road through reclaimed surface mines to another un-named township road that comes from the village of Palmertown and dead ends near this route intersection.
SGL 276 - Indiana County
3.25 miles - Designated route begins on the west side of Route 259 approximately 100 yards north of the Blacklick Creek in the village of Heshbon. The game lands road runs approximately 0.75 mile to a split. Both routes will take the traveler to Rhine Road, a dirt township road (left fork coming onto the road approximately 1 mile further on than the right fork). The traveler may take either route, and using Rhine Road, may return on the other fork.
SGL 279 - Cambria County
2.5 miles - This designated route begins at the main parking lot along Vampire Road. The route runs along the main access road for approximately 1 mile past a series of food plots and openings at which point it will consist of a perimeter road around fields which loops back to the main road. The route includes one side road that leaves the main road on the north side approximately 0.5 mile from the parking lot. This road will loop back around and end on the Vampire Road within 100 yards of the main parking lot at the beginning.
SGL 296 - Westmoreland County
1 mile - Off Mt. Etna Road, trail begins at Game Commission gate and parking area. The trail ends at an interior Game Commission parking area and gate.
SGL 42 - Cambria, Somerset, and Westmorland counties26.2 miles - Traversing two tracts, utilizing existing service roads, trails and pipeline rights-of-way with access near the villages of New Florence and Waterford.
SGL 111 - Somerset County10 miles - Trail No. 1 - Starting at a parking lot on Legislative Route 55021, approximately 1 mile east of the Fayette-Somerset county line, southwesterly on State Game Lands Road, traversing a loop route and returning to starting point. Trail No. 2 - Starting at the same parking lot, easterly on a power line right-of-way, paralleling Legislative Route 55021, to a state game lands road and to Township Route 312, designated as a snowmobile use route, and onto other lands.