Hunting in Eastern PA (Philadelphia, Lancaster: 2009, camp, live)

[jerrynmesa]

I am considering a move to Eastern PA. How is the hunting? I would be relocating from Arizona. I just finihed hunting for the year and was able to score a nice size elk! I understand it is mostly deer in PA. Is most of the hunting from tree stands?

Thanks

[Rtom45]

There is very little public land in Eastern PA. Unless you have permission to hunt on private land, your choices are limited. You can hunt on Game Commission land, but tree stands are not allowed. I think the same is true of some state parks. I personally gave up hunting about 5 years ago so I could spend more time steelhead fishing.

[thecoalman]

I'm not a hunter but know a lot of people that do hunt, there's plenty of opportunities and places to hunt. State game lands is pretty unique to PA ans is one of the reasons it has such large population of hunters. As far as the stand goes I beleive you can use one but it has to be one of those that doesn't harm the tree, e.g no pounding nails or using spikes. You'd have to look that up.

Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management Agency: Where To Go?

Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management Agency: Adopted 2008-2009 Hunting Seasons and Bag Limits

[pinetar10]

There is a lot more hunting land in central and western pa than eastern pa. Also, you can apply for an elk license to hunt elk in elk county. There is a herd of elk there, and they have a lottery every year to see who gets the elk licenses.

[BrainDance]

Hi Jerry, this answer is way out of your area, but I've lived in West Virginia for 7yrs (moving to PA in January) and the hunting is fabulous here,I don't hunt btw, but have many friends who do. Gun,Bow,turkey,bear and deer are very popular. Depending how far east in PA you are, the WV panhandle may be doable for you. I have a friend who is an outfitter and I can get you some info if needed.
I am currently 5hrs from Lancaster and am surrounded by 400 acres of state huntable land and the area really caters to hunting seasons with discounts on lodging, licensing and everything else you need. Many go out on horseback and camp for days.
Anyhow, something to consider!
LB

[jimmyrocks]

Eastern PA is a large area, from Philadelphia to Pike county. I know during hunting season, there are tons of hunters all up rts 33, 476, 80, and 380. There are a lot of game lands up north of the Appalachian Trail. As for elk though, I have never even seen one in PA. We sure do have a lot of deer though.

[Pilot1]

Originally Posted by jimmyrocks

As for elk though, I have never even seen one in PA.

Several years ago the PA Game Commission repopulated an Elk herd in of all places, Elk County, PA. There used to be Elk in PA, but were hunted out many years ago. The herd has done very well and now you can enter a lottery to hunt them if you so desire.

[SuzLee01]

The elk are beautiful up there, and the herd is thriving. They still have a lottery and limit the number of elk to be harvested.

[Icy Tea]

Road maps provided by the state show state game lands. I believe you can also hunt in state forests. I hunted down by Hopewell state park once but usually stayed on land owned by the townships. It was heavily hunted by people from Philly and Montgomery county and seeing 3 or 4 guys 100 yards from you makes me nervous. It's been 15+ years since I hunted, so I'm not sure where its still allowed. It might be easier to just hit one, I've hit two with the car.
Berks had talk about limiting deer hunting to slug guns and shotguns due to increased housing development. They seem to have shelved the idea.