Upcoming Events

Scroll down for upcoming events unrelated to the Board of Game Commissioners.

Board of Game Commissioners To Meet July 22 & 23, 2019

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners will hold its third quarterly meeting of 2019, on Monday, July 22 and Tuesday, July 23 at the agency’s Harrisburg headquarters. The Game Commission’s headquarters is located at 2001 Elmerton Ave., just off the Progress Avenue exit of Interstate 81 in Harrisburg, Dauphin County.

The meeting is scheduled to be live-streamed beginning Monday morning, immediately following the conclusion of public comments. In addition, the full Board meeting on Tuesday is to be live-streamed beginning at 8:30 a.m. The live stream can be viewed on the agency YouTube Channel.

A draft of the agenda will be available roughly two weeks prior to the meeting.

On Monday, July 22, the commissioners will hear public comment. Individuals interested in offering public testimony – limited to five minutes – may register on a first-come, first-to-speak basis. PowerPoint presentations are not permitted during public comment periods.

On Tuesday, July 23, beginning at 8:30 a.m., the board will take up its prepared agenda. Doors open at 7:45 a.m.

Additional Meetings of the Board - Working Group meetings are an opportunity for the Board to hear from staff; public comments are not accepted.

June 24 – Working Group
July 22-23 – Board Meeting
Aug. 19 – Working Group
Sept. 30-Oct. 1 – Board Meeting
Dec. 17 – Working Group
Jan. 26-28, 2020 – Board Meeting

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, June 4; Pennsylvania Songbirds Educator Workshop; 9a – 3p, Berks County
Join the Game Commission and Hawk Mountain Sanctuary to learn about songbirds. This workshop will provide K-12 educators with lesson plans that integrate hands-on activities about Pennsylvania native birds, identification, and habitats. Workshop will begin with an optional bird walk at 8 AM. Participants will receive all educational materials. A light breakfast provided. Please pack your own lunch and dress for the weather. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Education Building; 1700 Hawk Mountain Road, Kempton, PA 19529-9379. Act 48: 5.5hrs (plus 1 hour with optional bird walk). Fee: $10.00. Registration required. Visit hawkmountain.ticketleap.com to register.

Mon.-Tues., June 10 & 11; WILD About Elk Educator Workshop; Elk County
This two-day (must attend both days) workshop is for formal and non-formal educators. During this FREE workshop targeting grades 6-12, educators will learn about the history and management of Pennsylvania elk, meet the elk biologist, land manager, game warden, and Pennsylvania Game Commission, Keystone Elk Country Alliance, and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources educators. The course will include a hike on State Game Land 311 to see active habitat management and (hopefully) view elk as well as an attempted elk calf capture research activity. Experience hands-on activities in the heart of the elk range at the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette. Participants can earn 11.5 Act 48 hours. Registration is required. Register by calling 570-398-4744 Ext. 311 by June 3.

Wednesday, July 10; WILD About Bears Educator Workshop; 8a - 3p; Elk County
This FREE workshop targeting grades K-12 is for formal and non-formal educators. During this workshop, we will explore the black bear, its natural history, management practices and more. You will have a chance to meet the Game Commission’s bear biologist and possibly see a bear get tagged and processed for research. Experience hands-on activities in the heart of the elk range at the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette. Participants can earn 6.5 Act 48 hours. Registration is required. Registration is required. Register by calling 570-398-4744 Ext. 311 by July 3.

Wednesday, June 12; Fisher program; 7p, Luzerne County
The Pennsylvania Game Commission will present a program on the fisher. This program will be presented at the Game Commission Northeast Region Office located at 3917 Memorial Highway in Dallas as part of its summer wildlife educational series. Information and Education Supervisor William Williams will describe the recovery of fisher populations in Pennsylvania and explain the ecology, behavior and management of this secretive predator. No reservations required. For more information call (570) 675-1143.

Friday, June 14; NEW Project WILD Educator Workshop; 9a – 3p, Berks County
Join the Game Commission and Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. This workshop will provide K-12 educators with lesson plans and activities that focus on the ecology and conservation of bees, bats, reptiles, and monarch butterflies, as well as stewardship relating to changing life cycles, light pollution, and wildlife conservation with an all NEW curriculum guide. Participants will receive all educational materials. Light breakfast provided. Please pack your own lunch and dress for the weather. All formal and non-formal educators are encouraged to attend. Act 48 approved for 5.5 hours. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Education Building; 1700 Hawk Mountain Road, Kempton, PA 19529-9379. Fee: $10.00. Registration required. Visit hawkmountain.ticketleap.com to register.

Thursday, June 20; WILD About Bears Educator Workshop; 9a – 3p; Berks County
Join the Game Commission and Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for this Advanced Project WILD workshop. This workshop will provide K-12 educators with lesson plans and activities that focus on many aspects of black bear management in Pennsylvania, along with information about where bears live, what they eat, and how to identify bear signs. Includes a visit to a local bear trapping site. You will receive educational materials for your classroom. Formal and non-formal educators are encouraged to attend. Light breakfast provided, pack own lunch, dress for the weather. Act 48 approved for 5.5 hours. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Education Building; 1700 Hawk Mountain Road, Kempton, PA 19529-9379. Fee: $10.00. Registration required. Visit hawkmountain.ticketleap.com to register.

Thursday, June 20; WILD About Bears Educator Workshop; 8a – 4p; Westmoreland County
Join the Game Commission at its Southwest Region Office for this Advanced Project WILD workshop. Teachers and educators from all grade levels are welcome. There is no fee for this course; pre-registration is required. Join us for a fun-filled day of learning about black bears; including lessons on their biology, physiology, habits, habitat requirements and management strategies. Instructors will include Game Commission Black Bear Biologist Mark Ternent and other staff members. Every attempt will be made to capture a live bear to observe data collection tagging. Bring a lunch, drink, and dress for the weather. Act 48 approved for 7.5 hours. Register with Patrick L. Snickles at psnickles@pa.gov or at (724) 238-9523; MUST include name, phone number, email address and PID number. Registration deadline: Wednesday, June 12th; event capacity: 24 participants.

Friday, July 12; WILD about Raptors Educator Workshop; 9a – 3p; Berks County
Join the Game Commission and Hawk Mountain Sanctuary to learn about raptors. This workshop will provide K-12 educators with lesson plans and activities that focus on adaptations, the natural history, and conservation status of raptors. Participants will receive all educational materials. Formal and non-formal educators are encouraged to attend. Light breakfast provided. Please pack your own lunch and dress for the weather. Act 48 approved for 5.5 hours. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Education Building; 1700 Hawk Mountain Road, Kempton, PA 19529-9379. Fee: $10.00. Registration required. Visit hawkmountain.ticketleap.com to register.

Thursday, August 1; Animal Sign Educator Workshop; 9a - 2:30p; Franklin County
This in an Advanced Project WILD Workshop: WILD About Animal Sign and Tracking. The workshop is designed for formal and non-formal educators to be hands-on and help you teach others about reading sign and tracking wildlife. Participants can earn 5 Act 48 hours. Field exercises include interpreting wildlife sign, studying animal gaits and patterns, as well as identifying local animals found in Pennsylvania. Learn how to create and take advantage of track traps and preserve sign when you find it. Bring a lunch, drink, and dress to go outside. Location: Charles Brightbill Environmental Center; 4881 Ft. Loudon Rd, Mercersburg, PA 17236. Pre-registration is required: e-mail Sheila Snider at twepmail@gmail.com . Registration fee $10 (made out to PGC) can pay that day. Registration deadline is July 11, 2019.

Other Events

HUNTER-TRAPPER EDUCATION CLASSES; January - November
This six-hour training is required by law for all first-time hunters and trappers before they can buy a license. You must pass a certification exam at the end of the class to complete this training. Check the class calendar to find a course near you. An online course is An online course is available at any time for those who are at least 16 years old.

FIELD DAYS; Spring & Summer
Field Days introduce participants to outdoor sports such as archery, trapping, and hunting through closely supervised hands-on activities. An adult must accompany all youth participants and can accompany more than one youth. Please ensure that your child meets the age requirements of the Field Day that you are registering for, as each event is different. If you are interested in hosting a Field Day, please contact recruitakid@pa.gov.