Fall Hunting 2025

Public can help monitor EHD this fall

HARRISBURG -- EHD, a viral disease that’s often fatal to white-tailed deer, has hit some parts of the country extremely hard this year.

In Pennsylvania, EHD has been confrmed in a handful of counties in the northwestern part of the state. But the Game Commission also has investigated reports of dead deer in southwestern and southeastern Pennsylvania, where test results are pending.

The public is encouraged to report sick or dead deer, especially if several are found dead in the same area and the cause of death is not apparent. The Pennsylvania Game Commission can be contacted, round the

clock, at 1-833-PGC-WILD (1-833-742-9453).

Public reports allow the Game Commission to further investigate and track EHD outbreaks.

EHD, or epizootic hemorrhagic disease, is spread to deer when they are bitten by infected midges, small insects often called “nosee-ums.” Because EHD is spread by midges, it emerges in late summer and remains a threat to deer until temperatures drop and the midges die off, usually at the frst hard frost. But in local areas where EHD is present, deer mortality can be severe.

So far this year, EHD has been detected in:

Butler County, Muddy Creek Township

Erie County, Mill Creek Township

Lawrence County, Slippery Rock Township

Mercer County, Liberty and Shenango townships

EHD is one of two viruses spread by biting midges that cause hemorrhagic disease in Pennsylvania deer. The related bluetongue virus (BT), which historically has been less common in Pennsylvania, has similar impacts. Infected deer often develop clinical signs about seven days after infection and die soon after. Signs include swelling of the face or neck, loss of appetite, lethargy, weakness, lameness, respiratory distress, fever and excessive salivation. Some deer survive the initial infection

and can develop chronic signs like hoof cracks or overgrowth.

There is currently no treatment for EHD or BT infections in wild deer, and for diseases spread by insects, wildlife management options are limited. However, local deer populations often rebound within two to three years following an outbreak.

Neither EHD or BT has been detected in Pennsylvania elk, and elk are considered less susceptible to infection.

Both EHD and BT virus can infect domestic livestock. Reports of sick livestock should be directed to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at 717772-2852.

Pierce shares key notes on local hunting

BY ANTHONY FIUZA

Sentinel sports editor afiuza@lewistownsentinel.com

LEWISTOWN — With fall hunting season underway it’s always important to learn the dos and don’ts when out in the woods.

“Safety is always an issue, it should be in the back of their (hunters’) mind. No matter how comfortable you are in the woods, we need to keep guns pointed in a safe direction and we need to wear safety belts and harnesses. We need to wear helmets when we’re on UTVs and bikes so everybody can come home safely,” Scott Pierce said, owner of Dan Pierce Outdoor Shop in Lewistown.

Pierce added that hunting has changed since he’s owned the outdoor shop. His mother and father previously owned the business, starting in 1976. Scott and his son, Ben, currently work at the shop.

“Probably the biggest difference is the electronics. What they have on their phones. Electronic calls we never had before like night vision. So, the electronics are defnitely the biggest difference that I have seen, especially in the last 10 years,” Pierce noted.

Over the course of a hunting season every gatherer has their own goals, in the case of the Pierce family they enjoy the thrills of getting their supplies together and surveying the landscape.

“We just like to see game. Some of the best days we’ve had hunting we didn’t bring anything home. But we saw things in the woods that you’ll never see in your backyard and that keeps us getting up at the crack of dawn and walking to the top of the mountain,” Pierce high-

he and his business like to focus on when helping hunters.

“We like to introduce new people to the sport, we like it to be safe. We like them to appreciate it. We like them to not take it for granite. We’re a special state in what we have to offer and all you have to do is travel a little bit to fnd that out. Enjoy what we have,” Pierce said.

The owner of the second generation business said he’s seen bobcats and coyotes among other wildlife in the woods. “It always catches you off guard,” Scott added.

With new customers, Pierce said that he’s noticed a common theme.

“Typically, they’re looking for a place to go. And we are blessed in Pennsylvania to have a lot of state ground whether it’s game commissioned ground, or state ground and it’s accessible to everyone for the most part. You can just point them in any direction of the compass and we’re fortunate to have ground to send them to,” Pierce voiced.

We can’t forget about fshing this time of year. Bass, pike, walleye and other fsh are caught in local water.

“Depending on what type of fsh you’re after, our trout season is pretty dependent on the stocking program and we have a good stocking program. If

you’re there the frst month and a half of trout season you should have fsh to fsh over. Raystown (warm water fshery) is popular for the striper fshermen and the rivers we have with Ju-

niata and Susquehanna are within a short drive, probably as good of bass fshing now as we have ever had,” Pierce explained. Pierce added that there are a few important things

FALL HUNTING

Driving tours return to state game lands

HARRISBURG -- It’s time, once again, to get off the beaten path and go for a drive on state game lands.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is providing you with the opportunity to explore several state game lands from the comfort of your own vehicle over the coming weeks.

These driving tours provide a good example of the opportunities available on game lands statewide, while showcasing how habitat work being done on these tracts benefts wildlife.

All tours are free, held rain or shine and open only to vehicles licensed for travel on public roads.

The tour schedule follows:

Sunday, Sept. 28

State Game Lands 12, Bradford County, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. – The 28-mile, self-guided, circular driving tour through State Game Lands 12 will take about two hours to complete and vehicles with good ground clearance are recommended. State Game Lands 12 consists of nearly 24,480 acres. The route will start at the game lands parking lot on top of Wheelerville Mountain on state Route 154, just south of Canton. This tour will highlight habitat enhancements, infrastructure improvements and hunting opportunities. The tour goes by Sunfsh Pond County Park, so a picnic lunch may be the order of the day! Those taking the tour will fnd the local history of the mountain and the Game Commission’s refuge system intriguing. A pocket guide with historical information and photographs will be provided to each vehicle at the start of the tour. The tour ends at the intersection with state Route 154 in Wheelerville.

State Game Lands 108, Cambria County, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – This is a 7.5mile, self-guided, one-way driving tour highlighting mountainous terrain and early fall foliage on the Allegheny Front within this 23,086-acre game lands. The tour begins at the game lands access road threetenths of a mile north of Frugality, along state Route 53, in White Township (look for the sign). The tour will conclude on state Route 865, near Blandburg in Reade Township. Items of interest along the tour route include a rehabilitated strip-mine area that has been converted to smallgame habitat, where the Game Commission releases pheasants. The area also serves as a study area for grassland nesting birds, including the Henslow’s sparrow, a grassland species of special concern. Endangered northern harrier hawks and short-eared owls also inhabit the study area. There are also sever-

al forestry projects to improve habitat for wildlife, new road maintenance projects to improve access, and herbaceous openings that have been planted to provide food for wildlife along the tour route.

State Game Lands

311, Elk County, 9 a.m. to noon. This roughly 3.5mile self-guided driving tour provides a peek behind the curtain on the elk range. The tour will start at the Winslow Hill Viewing Area in Benezette, then enter the game lands at the bottom of Dewey Road, continuing to Porcupine Road. Game Commission staff will be posted along the tour route. Among other highlights, the tour will showcase elk habitat management including the planting and maintenance of forage plots and the use of prescribed fre, early successional and aspen forest management, acid mine drainage treatment, grassland bird and American kestrel management, and

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recent infrastructure improvements including two different styles of Game Commission bridges. As a reminder, the tour is open only to PennDOT-registered vehicles. ATVs/ UTVs are not permitted. Sunday, Oct. 12

State Game Lands 26, Bedford County, Noon to 3 p.m. – The public is invited to tour State Game Lands 26, a 12,000-acre tract situated in Blue Knob. The tour begins off Route 869 near the Bedford/Cambria county line and covers approximately 7 miles. Participants will fnd ample opportunity to enjoy the historical aspects of the game lands and the quality habitat improvements conducted by Pennsylvania Game Commission habi-

tat crews in partnership with cooperating organizations such as the National Wild Turkey Federation. Work by the Game Commission’s forestry staff also will be showcased through with the viewing of vast timber production brought forth through timber sales and timber stand improvements. This tour will also include an audio component through the STQRY app. You must go to your phone’s app store and download the STQRY Guide app ahead of time. Once you install this free app, download the “Pennsylvania Game Commission SGL 26” tour prior to arriving for the tour.

State Game Lands 110, Berks County, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – This tour begins at

the Mountain Road gate approximately 5 miles west of Hamburg Borough and ends at the state Route 183 gate, 4 miles north of Strausstown. State Game Lands 110 offers over 10,000 acres of wildlife habitat in Berks and Schuylkill counties. In addition to hunting opportunities, the historic Appalachian Trail runs through the game lands paralleling much of the driving tour. This forested ridge is an important corridor along the Kittatinny Ridge that tens of thousands of hawks use every fall to migrate south along their migration route. Game Commission personnel will be stationed along the tour route to provide site-specifc information

See Tours/ Page 5

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Tours

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and answer questions.

State Game Lands 211, Dauphin County, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Known as the Stoney Valley Tour, this tour begins at the Ellendale Forge gate, located 6 miles east of Dauphin Borough, along Stoney Valley Road, and ends at the Gold Mine gate. This more than 44,000-acre state game lands bridges three different counties including Dauphin, Lebanon and Schuylkill. The tract has an abandoned railroad bed that traverses the entire game lands from west to east. The Appalachian and Horse-Shoe Trails run through this game lands, providing excellent opportunities for hiking and other recreational opportunities in addition to hunting. Game Commission personnel will be stationed along the tour route to provide site-specifc information and answer questions.

Sunday, Oct. 19

State Game Lands 67, Huntingdon County, Noon to 3 p.m. – This driving tour of a 5,700-acre tract begins in Saxton, on Burma Road off Little Valley Road (40.24886, -78.19808). It covers approximately 7 miles and ends on Route

913, between Coalmont and Dudley. Participants will fnd ample opportunity to enjoy the historical sites, quality habitat improvements conducted by Game Commission habitat crews in partnership with cooperating organizations such as the Huntingdon County Conservation District and the Shoup’s Run Watershed Association, as well as controlled-burn

and quality forest management areas. This tour will also include an audio component through the STQRY app. You must go to your phone’s app store and download the STQRY Guide app ahead of time.

Once you install this free app, download the “Pennsylvania Game Commission SGL 67” tour prior to arriving for the tour.

Sunday, Oct. 26

State Game Lands 252, Lycoming and Union counties, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – This 9-mile tour begins at the SGL 252 Habitat Crew Building at 2495 Alvira Road, Allenwood. This tour is unique in that it includes historical sites from the town and U.S. Army

Depot that existed there prior to the Game Commission acquiring the property and even an opportunity to visit one of the many TNT bunkers from the World War II era. Participants will get to see varied habitats this game lands has to offer, including man-

aged water impoundments, managed dove felds, woodcock management areas, warm-season grasses and old feld management areas. All-wheel drive vehicles are recommended, as some areas can become muddy in wet weather.

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Elk cam fres up with hunting season here

HARRISBURG — With the September peak of Pennsylvania’s elk rut right around the corner, you can get a jumpstart on viewing some of those bugling bulls through the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Elk Cam, which launched today.

The cam is located in the heart of Pennsylvania’s elk range, an area totaling over 220,000 acres including State Game Lands 311 and Elk State Forest. Video and sound from the camera will be livestreamed at www. pa.gov/pgc and viewers can expect not only to see elk, but turkeys, deer and other wildlife, as well. Elk, which in the coming weeks will ramp up activity – with bulls becoming more vocal and competing with one another for available cows – always seem to take center stage, however. Enjoying the show is just a few clicks away.

“Pennsylvania’s elk herd connects people, from throughout the country, in person or online to these iconic animals of the North American wilderness,” said Jason Beale, Game Commission Division Chief for Conservation Education and Social Science. “Their presence in Pennsylvania attests to the often-unseen work of the Game Commission’s biologists, habitat managers, and Game Wardens. It also showcases the critical partnerships with other state agencies and private organizations needed to maintain habitat and promote ‘ELK SMART’ behaviors to the thousands of annual visitors.”

The livestream is provided by HDOnTap and made possible with the help of the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Develop-

ment Commission.

“HDOnTap is very excited to partner with the Game Commission for another year of wildlife viewing on the live cam in elk country,” said Tim Sears, the founder of HDOnTap. “Year after year, the Elk Cam is livestreamed to more than 1 million screens nationwide. This live cam’s allure lies in its unpredictability, showcasing the wildlife of Pennsylvania during daylight and nighttime with infrared.”

The Elk Cam is slated to run until the end of the bugling season, likely sometime in mid-October. The top time to see elk on camera is late in the afternoon.

The stream can be accessed on the Game Commission website at https://www.pa.gov/ agencies/pgc/wildlife/ wildlife-viewing/wildlife-cams.

VISITORS ENCOURAGED TO BE ‘ELK SMART’

While those viewing the Elk Cam need not worry about getting too close to elk or potentially compromising their wild qualities, things are different when viewing elk in person.

Wildlife is best appreciated from a comfortable distance, and those enjoying Pennsylvania’s elk country should do their part to preserve the wild nature of the herd.

“ELK SMART” provides four simple, effective ways to ensure a wild elk herd for generations to come. Give elk space – Keep a distance of at least 100 yards between you and the elk. Never approach them. Elk are wild animals that are unpredictable and sometimes aggressive, especially during the fall breeding season. Cows are also known to defend

their young when they feel threatened.

Never feed elk – Not only is it illegal to feed elk in Pennsylvania, but it teaches them to associate people, cars and/or homes with food. This could cause them to approach people looking for more.

Feeding also promotes the spread of infectious diseases by having them unnaturally congregate into small areas.

Don’t name elk – Characterizing elk, or any wildlife, by naming them degrades their wild essence. The very reason people are drawn to the elk is their unaltered independence from humans. Personifying elk as humans takes away from their truly wild nature.

Do your part – The welfare of the elk herd is a shared responsibility. If you see someone being disruptive or careless, whether intentional or not, kindly ask them to stop or report it to the Pennsylvania Game Commission by calling 1-833-PGC-WILD.

We all have a duty to ensure the safety of people and the long-term welfare of the elk.

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PFBC offers grants to inspire interest in fshing

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is once again seeking applicants for grants to support education programs that promote new and renewed interest in fshing and boating in Pennsylvania through the recruitment of new participants, retention of existing participants, and reactivation of former participants – collectively known as “R3.”

The grant application period is open beginning Sept. 15, through Dec. 1. Accessible and inclusive learning opportuni-

ties increase fshing and boating knowledge, build confdence in skills, facilitate social support, and empower participants to enjoy the waters in their communities.

During the most recent round of grants awarded in 2025, the PFBC provided $196,832 in R3 Grant funding to support 16 education projects in 10 counties. Recipients of the grant successfully demonstrated ways in which their new or expanded projects progress R3 initiatives and connect Pennsylvanians with state waterways.

The R3 Grant will re-

imburse qualifying organizations up to $25,000 for eligible expenses for projects conducted from approximately July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The grant requires a minimum 25% match of total project costs. At this time, applications for multi-year grants are not being accepted.

More information about the grant program, including the application, can be found on the R3 Grant Program page on the PFBC website (Fishandboat. com).

PFBC looking for applications for boating infrastructure

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is requesting proposals from interested parties seeking funding through the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program.

BIG is a federal grant program administered in Pennsylvania by the PFBC in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The BIG program provides funds for tie-up facilities and support facilities for transient vessels greater than 26 feet in length for stays of up to 15 days.

BIG grants are economic engines for local communities that beneft traveling boaters by offering safe overnight dockage and easy access to towns and waterfronts. Grants may be made to public and private operators of opento-the-public boating facilities, including municipal agencies (cities, townships, counties, etc.), state agencies, and other government entities.

The deadline for submitting proposals is Oct. 3.

Eligible activities include the construction, renovation, and maintenance of transient tie-up facilities. Boating infrastructure refers to features that provide stopover places for transient non-trailerable recreational vessels to tie up. These features include transient slips, day docks, foat-

ing docks and fxed piers, navigational aids, and dockside utilities including electric, water, and pumpout stations.

The grant program will reimburse recipients for up to 75 percent of the costs for project design and engineering, development, expansion, and major rehabilitation. Successful applicants must agree to provide a minimum 25 percent grant match and be willing to enter into a long-term agreement to keep the facility open to the public for its useful life.

The program is a reimbursable grant program. Grant funds will be disbursed to the recipient only after the project sponsor certifes expenditures have been made. Grant funds are awarded under the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program authorized by the Sportfshing and Boating Partnership Act of 1998 and funded by excise taxes on motorboat fuel.

For more information about the Boating Infrastructure Grant program, please contact Mark Morrison, Statewide Public Access Program Manager, at (717) 346-8196. Inquiries can also be emailed to RA-BoatGrants@pa.gov

AP photo

A fsherman participating in the free family fshing part of the Marcellus Shale Coalition 3 Rivers Fishing Challenge, works his rod from the north shore of the Allegheny River.

Walleye and bass pro fshermen also competed for a tournament title.

FALL FISHING

PFBC opens new research unit

FAIRVIEW – Today, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) Executive

Director Tim Schaeffer, staff, and local partners celebrated the opening of a new facility which will house the Lake Erie Research Unit based in Fairview, Erie County.

The 2,800 square-foot building, located on the grounds of the Fairview State Fish Hatchery contains a research laboratory, library, conference room, and modern offce space for three full-time biologists, seasonal biologist aides, and a Waterways Conservation Offcer.

The $2.4 million-dollar facility funded through the PFBC’s Fish Fund, replaces temporary leased offce space that has been used by staff since 2020 when the Unit was relocated from the Thornton House, an 1870’s-era historical residential home located on the hatchery grounds. While a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and dedication was held today on the new building, minor

“This state-of-the-art facility is an incredible asset to the Lake Erie Research Unit, and we feel fortunate to have this space to work in and help us achieve our mission at an even higher level,” said Mark Haffey, Biologist and Port Captain for the PFBC’s Lake Erie Research Unit. “Thank you to the anglers who continue to support us and provide us with the tools we need to do our jobs on their behalf. As we settle into our new space, we’ll continue to work with our local partners and stakeholders to ensure that there will be quality fshing on Lake Erie for years to come.”

fnishing work will continue to be completed by contractors over the next few weeks.

Staff who comprise the Lake Erie Research Unit play a key role in fsheries management for Pennsylvania’s portion of Lake Erie, and

collaborate with neighboring Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Ontario (Canada) to monitor fsh health and determine annual harvest quotas for popular species within the lake, including Walleye and Yellow Perch.