Pheasants Forever adds 119 acres to Pennsylvania state game lands in Schuylkill County

Pottsville, Pa. — Pheasants Forever recently introduced the organization’s first permanent protection project in Pennsylvania.

The 119-acre property in Schuylkill County connects to a state game land and will increase hunting opportunities for upland birds and other popular game species in the region.

“This is a win for hunters and wildlife enthusiasts in Pennsylvania,” said Julia Smith, the organization’s Pennsylvania state coordinator. “While Pennsylvania is blessed with abundant public land, there is a need for more diverse habitat, especially grasslands, near the state’s population centers.”

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Located within an hour drive of Harrisburg, this reclaimed mine site was previously restored to quality upland wildlife habitat. The property will be conveyed to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, adding to the nearly 1.5 million acres of state game lands throughout the state.

The new addition to State Game Land 229 will be managed publicly for both game and nongame wildlife that rely on upland habitat.

This project was made possible by Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever chapters, partners and members who contribute to the organization’s Build a Wildlife Area program.

That initiative is Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s permanent habitat protection program delivering strategic, fee-title acquisitions to conserve habitat and increase public hunting access.

The program strives to create functional landscapes supporting wild, sustainable populations of upland birds and other wildlife, while providing ancillary benefits to natural resources and communities. Since 1982, the program has permanently protected more than 238,860 acres of publicly accessible habitat in 17 states.

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever has more than 477,000 members, supporters and partners, dedicated to the protection of uplands through habitat improvement, public access, education and advocacy, in 754 local chapters spread across North America.