Upcoming Events

Board of Game Commissioners To Meet April 8-9, 2019

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners will hold its second quarterly meeting of 2019, on Monday, April 8 and Tuesday, April 9 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, April 8, 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, Jan. 29, beginning at 8:30 a.m., the board will take up its prepared agenda to, among other initiatives, commissioners will give final approval to hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for 2019-2020, as well as set allocations for 2019-2020 antlerless deer licenses and elk licenses. Doors open at 7:45 a.m.

Harvest results from the 2018-19 deer seasons will be announced in mid-March.

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

March 25 – Working Group
April 8-9 – Board Meeting
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

Sunday, March 2; Celebration at Middle Creek; Dauphin County
Come celebrate the snow goose migration and the addition of the new Conservation Heritage Museum at Middle Creek. Retired Game Commission personnel will be on site to show case items that display the importance of Pennsylvania’s rich conservation heritage. There will be raffles and a live duck banding demonstration. We hope to see you there!

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.

Saturday, April 6; Project Learning Tree Pre-K–Grade 8 Educator Workshop; 9a - 4p; Elk County
Project Learning Tree is an award-winning environmental education program designed for educators. This FREE workshop is open to all formal and informal educators. 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. Register by calling Ben or Victoria at (814) 787-5173 by March 29th. Call (814) 787-5173 or email KECAConEd@windstream.net for more information.

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.

Wednesday, April 17; Lyme and Other Tick-borne Diseases; 7p; Luzerne County
The Game Commission will host a program on Lyme and other tick-borne diseases at the Game Commission Northeast Region Office. Pennsylvania Lyme Resource Network Regional Leader Michele Cassetori will be presenting Dare 2B Tick Aware, a program on preventing tick-borne diseases, reducing tick bites, and improving early diagnosis. The Dare 2B Tick Aware program is made available through a grant from the PA Department of Health. The Game Commission Northeast Region Office building is located at 3917 Memorial Highway in Dallas. No reservations are required. For more information contact William Williams at (570) 675-1143.

Mon.-Tues., June 10 & 11; Wild About Elk 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 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.

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.