More than 500 acres added to Pennsylvania game lands

Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners, at their recent meeting here, approved five land acquisitions – a donation, a new purchase, and three land exchanges – that would add 572 surface acres to state game lands, as well as 1,340 acres of subsurface oil, gas, and mineral rights.

– The donation of about 390 acres in Penn Lake Park Borough, Luzerne County, adjacent to State Game Land 119, was offered by The Nature Conservancy.

This property would provide critical access to the existing state game land and open 2,400 acres of previously inaccessible land. The donation is subject to approval by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources due to applicable grant funding requirements.

– The board approved the purchase of roughly 1,340 acres of subsurface oil, gas and mineral rights located in and under State Game Land 143. This game land contains quality habitat for ruffed grouse as well as Blue Eye Run, a stocked trout stream.

By acquiring the subsurface rights for this property, the Game Commission will have greater control over future development efforts that could impact the unique habitat on this game land.

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The three land exchanges are:

– In Howard Township, Centre County, the Game Commission would receive roughly 6 acres adjoining State Game Land 92 in exchange for roughly 2 acres of the game lands.

This exchange would improve the integrity and manageability of State Game Land 92 and the Game Commission will retain an administrative right-of-way across the property.

– In Washington, Penn and Union townships, Snyder County, the Game Commission would receive roughly 140 acres of Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission land adjoining State Game Land 212 in exchange for roughly 16 acres in Brush Creek and Belfast townships, Fulton County, adjoining State Game Land 65, which would go to Flickerville Cross of Fulton County Foundation.

The exchange does not cover the entire purchase price, therefore the Game Commission would pay the remaining balance – $243,800 – for the 140 acres.

Access would be from Hidden Valley Road. The Fish & Boat Commission has already approved the purchase at its July Board of Commissioners meeting.

– In Hanover Township, Luzerne County, the Game Commission would receive roughly 36 acres adjoining State Game Land 207 in exchange for a roughly 2.88- acre, non-exclusive right-of-way on State Game Land 207 for PPL to better access its electric infrastructure.

This exchange would improve property integrity and manageability of State Game Land 207 by resolving numerous boundary line issues.

Hunters and other users of the game lands system should be aware that none of these additions are yet final. Some are contingent upon third parties receiving funding through grants or other means. What’s more, the Board of Commissioners’ approval of the agreements is but one step in the land-transfer process.

When that process is completed, and the properties are officially game lands, the Game Commission will post signs to that effect, stating that they’re now available for public use.