Who We Are

For more than 100 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.

In the late 1800s, however, wildlife was dwindling as a result of deforestation, pollution, and unregulated hunting and trapping. From this dark period emerged the Game Commission, created by the state Legislature to protect and conserve wildlife, which was then commonly referred to as "game." The wildlife diversity we enjoy today is largely due to the agency's progressive, scientifically-based wildlife management programs and support from countless Pennsylvanians and outdoors organizations.

Funded primarily by hunting and furtaker license sales; State Game Lands timber, mineral, and oil/gas revenues; and a federal excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition; the Commission is almost entirely supported by hunters and trappers, or assets that have been procured with license dollars. The Commission does not receive state General Fund appropriations. More than half its annual revenue comes from license sales, a relatively fixed income source. License fees cannot be increased without approval of the General Assembly, and fee increases have historically come only about every 10 years.

Commissioners
Executive Staff
Headquarters and Six Region Offices

What We Do

Strategic Plan 2020-2023 (PDF)
Vision for the Future (PDF); Vision for our Future (video 7:37)
Upcoming Events
Game Commission Careers & Volunteers
The Story of Joseph McHugh – Game Protector killed in 1915 (PDF)

MISSION:
Manage and protect wildlife and their habitats while promoting hunting and trapping for current and future generations.

VISION:
Recognized and respected as the leader in innovative and proactive stewardship of wildlife and their habitats.

VALUES:

1. Professionalism
• Exhibit a positive attitude
• Be courteous
• Be honest and ethical
• Advocate for the Mission
• Be accountable and transparent
• Provide a quality experience in all customer interactions
2. Teamwork
• Communicate effectively
• Support a positive environment
• Share knowledge
• Be adaptable
• Advocate for and support the team
• Communicate with respect and trust
• Discuss differences and resolve conflicts
• Trust and be trustworthy
3. Excellence
• Be creative and innovative
• Learn from mistakes
• Balance quality with efficiency
• Own your job and lead
• Keep your promises and follow through
• Seek knowledge
• Perform the full scope of your job responsibilities

The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation

To understand current processes of wildlife conservation, we must look back at how wildlife policy evolved in North America. Early European explorers found North America teeming with wildlife, seemingly boundless and unregulated. Hunters took bold and enduring action to save wildlife.  Read more…

Finances

Revenues, Expenditures and Third Party Obligations can also be reviewed at the end of each year's Annual Legislative Report.