Coronavirus-related Cancellations

In an effort to protect public health and reduce overall spread of COVID-19 the Game Commission is taking the following precautions. This page will be updated as additional information becomes available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Is Pennsylvania’s 2020 Spring Gobbler Season Scheduled to Occur as Originally Planned?

Yes. As of this time, no changes have been made to the established hunting seasons, including the 2020 Spring Gobbler Season. Please continue to check the agency’s website and social media pages for any updates regarding the season as we get closer to the starting date. The agency encourages hunters to follow the guidelines regarding social distancing throughout the season, and to refer to the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s precautionary recommendations for outdoor recreation.

More FAQs:

Frequently Asked Questions about Coronavirus and the Game Commission

Closures:

As counties are upgraded from red to yellow and green through the commonwealth's three-phase matrix to ease COVID-19 restrictions, openings of offices and state game lands ranges will occur.

Offices:
Offices in counties that remain red are closed. Offices in counties that have upgraded to yellow and green are open. On Friday, May 15, the Game Commission's Southwest Region Office reopened joining the Northwest and Northcentral region offices reopened on May 8 as their counties upgrade to the yellow phase. All other Game Commission region offices and Harrisburg Headquarters remain closed to the public at this time.

State Game Lands Range Closures
Game Commission Extends Life of 2019-20 Shooting-Range Permits

Ranges in counties that remain in the matrix's red-phase, and where stay-at-home orders remain in place and large gatherings are prohibited will remain closed. Any rifle, shotgun, pistol and archery ranges on state game lands in counties that have been upgraded to yellow or green will be reopened and regular hours of operation will resume.

On Friday, May 8, several counties will move to the yellow phase: Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, Union, Venango and Warren.

On Friday, May 15, Allegheny, Armstrong, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland counties also upgraded to the yellow phase.

Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area Visitors Center – Lancaster County
The Middle Creek Visitors Center is closed in response to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The Visitors Center will remain closed until Lancaster and Lebanon counties are out of the red phase, at which time managers will reassess the situation. This closure applies to the Visitors Center only. During this time, Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area public access areas and trails will remain open for public use and recreation. Questions regarding this closure can contact Middle Creek at 717-733-1512

Hunter-Trapper Education Classes:

NOTICE: In an effort to protect public health and reduce overall spread of COVID-19, in-person Hunter-Trapper Education classes currently are cancelled through June 30. If you require certification, the online course is now available to all ages. For more information about HTE or to register for a class, please visit: https://www.register-ed.com/programs/25?utm_source=HTE_Class_Calendar_Page&utm_medium=page_link&utm_campaign=HTE_Course

Field Days:

In an effort to protect public health and reduce overall spread of COVID-19, all Field Day events have been suspended until further notice.

2020 Waterfowl Surveys

Cancellation: 2020 Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey, Q&As (PDF)

Pennsylvania Department of Health:

For general information about Coronavirus, please refer to the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s website, health.pa.gov.