Upcoming Events

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

Board of Game Commissioners to meet Jan. 26-28, 2020

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners will hold its first quarterly meeting of 2020, from Jan. 26 through 28 at the agency’s Harrisburg headquarters located at 2001 Elmerton Ave., just off the Progress Avenue exit off Interstate 81 in Harrisburg, Dauphin County. PowerPoint presentations are not permitted during public comment periods.

On Sunday, Jan. 26, beginning at 1 p.m., the commissioners will hear public recommendations for 2020-21 hunting and furtaking seasons and bag limits. Doors will open at noon. Individuals interested in offering public testimony – limited to five minutes – may register on a first-come, first-to-speak basis.

On Monday, Jan. 27, the board will gather any additional public comments and hear Game Commission staff reports beginning at 8:30 a.m. Doors open at 7:45 a.m. Registration for those interested in offering public testimony – limited to five minutes – also will begin at that time.

On Tuesday, Jan. 28, beginning at 8:30 a.m., the board will take up its prepared agenda to, among other initiatives, give preliminary approval to hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for 2020-21. Doors open at 7:45 a.m.

Antlerless deer license allocations for the 2020-21 seasons will be presented for the board to consider at its meeting in April. Harvest results from the 2019-20 deer seasons generally are announced in mid-March.

Those unable to attend the meeting can watch much of it from home. 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 channelOpens In A New Window.

The agenda for the January meeting will be available here roughly two weeks before the meeting.

Additional Meetings of the Board
The Board of Game Commissioners cancelled two 2019 meetings because neither could be attended by a quorum of game commissioners. The eight-member board has a vacancy in the northwest. Due to schedule conflicts with several other commissioners, there is not a quorum of six commissioners available to attend the working group meeting scheduled for Aug. 19 at the agency's Harrisburg headquarters or the fourth quarterly meeting, scheduled for Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 in Erie. Upcoming meetings are listed below.

Dec. 17, 2019 – Working Group, working group meetings are an opportunity for the Board to hear from staff.
Jan. 26-28, 2020 – Board Meeting

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, August 7; Big Game Feeding Open House; 6-8p; Westmoreland County
A statewide ban on feeding all big game (elk, bear, turkey, and deer), to slow the spread of wildlife diseases, is being considered but we need your help. We encourage you to stop by and learn about this issue and offer comments at an upcoming open house. Delmont Fire Dept. 2360 PA-66, Delmont, PA 15626; 724-238-9523. Learn more.

Thursday, August 8; Big Game Feeding Open House; 6-8p; Lycoming County
A statewide ban on feeding all big game (elk, bear, turkey, and deer), to slow the spread of wildlife diseases, is being considered but we need your help. We encourage you to stop by and learn about this issue and offer comments at an upcoming open house. Northcentral Regional Office, 1566 PA-44,
Jersey Shore, PA 17740; 570-398-4744. Learn more.

Saturday, August 10; Ceremony to Honor Game Commission Pioneers; 10a; Bradford County
The Pennsylvania Game Commission will honor the memory of the agency's first full-time executive secretary Dr. Joseph Kalbfus and game protector Elias Kelly at a ceremony at the Kalbfus grave site near Stevensville, Bradford County. Additional information can be found in this recent news release. Contact William Williams at the Game Commission Northeast Region Office at (570) 675-1143 with questions.

Wednesday, August 21; Pennsylvania Bats; 7p; Luzerne County
The Pennsylvania Game Commission will host an educational program on Pennsylvania's bats. Northeast Region Diversity Biologist Rich Fritsky will present information on bat biology, behavior, ecology, common myths and population monitoring. Several cave bat species in the eastern United States have been greatly affected by the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome. The status of this devastating disease in Pennsylvania, and its future implications for bat populations, will be examined. The Game Commission Northeast Region Office is located at 3917 Memorial Hwy. in Dallas. For more information, call (570) 675-1143. No reservations required.

Wednesday, September 11; 7p; Luzerne County
Game Commission Information and Education Supervisor William Williams will present Flight to Oblivion, Extinction of the Passenger Pigeon at the Northeast Region Office in Dallas. Flight to Oblivion explores the reasons for the bird’s demise and how its extinction prompted federal legislation and an international treaty that provide better protection to existing migratory bird species. Issues facing Pennsylvania’s current threatened and endangered birds and mammals also will be discussed. Special note: A rare passenger pigeon mount will be on display during this special presentation. The Game Commission Northeast Region Office is located at 3917 Memorial Hwy. in Dallas, (570) 675-1143. No reservations are required.

Sunday, September 22; National Hunting & Fishing Day; 11a-5p; Lancaster County
FREE Admission. Spend the day enjoying live demonstrations, displays and vendors. Fishing and archery shooting experiences for kids. Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area Visitor Center, 100 Museum Road, Stevens, PA. 17578. 717-733-1512.

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.