Upcoming Events

Board of Game Commissioners To Meet January 27, 28, and 29, 2019

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners will hold its first quarterly meeting of 2019, from Jan. 27 through 29 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.

On Sunday, Jan. 27, beginning at 1 p.m., the commissioners will hear public recommendations for 2019-2020 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. PowerPoint presentations are not permitted during public comment periods.

On Monday, Jan. 28, 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. PowerPoint presentations are not permitted during public comment periods.

On Tuesday, Jan. 29, 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 2019-2020. Doors open at 7:45 a.m.

Antlerless deer license allocations for the 2019-2020 seasons will be presented for the board to consider at its meeting in April. Harvest results from the 2018-19 deer seasons will be announced in mid-March.

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.

Additional Meetings of the Board - Working Group meetings are an opportunity for the Board to hear from staff; public comments are not accepted.
No events are currently scheduled.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, February 2; 8a - 2p; Kinzua Dam Visitor Center; Warren County
The US Army Corps of Engineers will be hosting an Eagle Watch at the Kinzua Dam Visitor Center.  Spotting scopes will be manned by local birders to assist visitors at the viewing area at the tailwaters and on the dam.  The Game Commission's Bald Eagle Recovery program will be presented throughout the day at the visitor center.  The event is free and open to individuals and groups wishing to see Bald Eagles and learn their history in Pennsylvania.  The eagle watch will be held no matter what the weather conditions.  For additional information contact the Corps of Engineers at the Kinzua Dam:  814 726 0661.

Sunday, February 10; Woodland Survival; 1p - 3p; Dauphin County  
Doors open at 12:30 pm, presentation starts at 1 pm and is about 2 hours in length. Pennsylvania State Game Wardens will discuss basic survival methods, materials and equipment that will help you stay dry, warm and safe on an unexpected overnight in the Pennsylvania woods. We’ll review how to create a minimalist everyday carry (EDC) survival kit that is always ready. The class will include outdoor demonstrations, please dress appropriately. The event will take place at the agency's headquarters at 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg PA 17110.

Sunday, February 17; Black Bear Ecology & Management; 2:30p; Lackawanna County
Pennsylvania Game Commission Northeast Region Wildlife Management Supervisor Kevin Wenner will present an educational program at the Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum in McDade Park. The program includes the history of black bear populations in Pennsylvania and highlights their biology and how the Game Commission monitors bear populations and manages bears.  The program is being hosted by the Lackawanna County Audubon Society.  The museum is located at 22 Bald Mountain Road in Scranton.  This program is free and open to the public, no reservations required.  Questions can be directed to William Williams at the Game Commission Northeast Region Office: (570) 675-1143 Ext. 5008.

Sunday, March 10; Basic Winter Tree Identification; 1p - 3p; Dauphin County 
Doors open at 12:30 pm, presentation starts at 1 pm and is about 2 hours in length. Pennsylvania State Game Wardens will provide basic instruction on how to identify common trees, shrubs and vines using a variety of field identification techniques that are utilized by wardens. The class will include outdoor demonstrations, please dress appropriately. The event will take place at the agency's headquarters at 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg PA 17110.

Sunday, April 14; Anatomy of a Game Commission Documentary Film; 1p - 3p; Dauphin County
Case study: Return of the Piping Plover. Doors open at 12:30 pm, presentation starts at 1 pm and is about 2 hours in length. Preview a documentary in progress and discover how Game Commission filmmakers do their work. From idea conception, to shooting, script writing, program editing and equipment they use—come prepared to ask questions as well as discuss other films in our body of work. The event will take place at the agency's headquarters at 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg PA 17110.

Other Special 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.