Pennsylvania Game Commission deals add more than 1,000 acres to game lands

Harrisburg — Pennsylvania game commissioners at their Jan. 24 meeting, approved 13 real estate transactions – eight land acquisitions and five land exchanges – that would add more than 1,125 acres to state game lands.

Furthermore, the board approved the expansion of one non-surface use oil and gas agreement.

The purchases are:

– Roughly 23.5 acres in Parker Township, Butler County, an indenture to State Game Land 95, which will improve the manageability of the game lands.

– Roughly 127.4 acres in West Wheatfield Township, Indiana County, adjacent to State Game Land 276. This acquisition will provide road access to a portion of State Game Land 276 that is separated from the main parcel by Blacklick Creek and consequently does not have public road access.

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– Roughly 13.4 acres in Delmar Township, Tioga County, adjacent to State Game Land 313.

This acquisition is within the natural heritage area known as “The Muck,” an area that contains the endangered American Bittern, Marsh Wren and nine other known species of greatest concern. This measure passed by an 8-1 vote with Commissioner Allen DiMarco voting against.

– An 87.5% interest of roughly 59 acres in Bell Township, Clearfield County, an interior to State Game Land 87. This parcel is surrounded on all sides by game lands and is in a high-priority grouse area.

– Roughly 278.9 acres in Monroe Township, Bedford County, an indenture to State Game Land 97, which will improve the manageability of the existing game land.

– Roughly 14.3 acres in Pine Grove Township, Schuylkill County, adjacent to State Game Land 211. This acquisition will provide public road access to a portion of State Game Land 211.

– Roughly 30.3 acres in West Brunswick Township, Schuylkill County, adjacent to State Game Land 110. This acquisition will provide access to a portion of the game lands that currently does not have good access due to the steep topography.

– The right-of-way acquisition involves giving $15,000 from the Game Fund to purchase a 25-foot-wide access road right-of-way along roughly 315 feet of existing road into State Game Land 120 in Chest Township, Clearfield County. This right-of-way will provide administrative and lawful user access from Punkin Ridge Road to State Game Land 120, north and west of Hockenberry Run.

The five land exchanges are:

– The Game Commission will receive roughly 20 acres of land in Cherryhill Township, Indiana County, adjoining State Game Land 248, in exchange for roughly 2 acres of State Game Land 248 in White Township, Indiana County. The Game Commission is retaining one of the two existing parking lots along East Pike Road for continued public access.

– The Game Commission will receive roughly 2.8 acres of land in Jay Township, Elk County, adjoining State Game Land 338, in exchange for roughly 1.4 acres of State Game Land 338 in Jay Township, Elk County. This exchange will resolve a boundary encroachment issue and provide connectivity between two separated State Game Land 338 parcels.

– The Game Commission will receive roughly 0.06 acres of land in Lackawaxen Township, Pike County, adjoining State Game Land 116, in exchange for roughly 0.06 acres of State Game Land 116 in Lackawaxen Township, Pike County. This exchange will resolve a boundary encroachment issue and provide additional access from State Route 590.

– From Limerick Town Center LLC, the Game Commission will receive roughly 60 acres of land in Limerick Township, Montgomery County, adjoining State Game Land 234; roughly 377.2 acres of land in Bern Township, Berks County; and roughly 176.8 acres of land in Edgemont Township, Delaware County, in exchange for roughly 55 acres of State Game Land 234 in Limerick Township, Montgomery County, as well as a 200-foot right of way across the remaining State Game Land 234.

The land in Berks County will provide old-field management opportunities while the land in Delaware County will be the first state game land in this county, with those acquisitions resulting in the creation of two new state game lands, 341 and 342 respectively.

The presentation about this land exchange can be viewed on the Game Commission’s YouTube channel. Several individuals appeared at the meeting to comment on this proposal. The board approved the exchange by a 6-3 vote, with commissioners Stanley Knick Jr., Allen DiMarco and Bob Schwalm dissenting.

The Game Commission will receive a 25-foot-wide right-of-way for roughly 2,212 feet of existing access road into State Game Land 120 in exchange for a 25-foot-wide right of way for roughly 1,587 feet of existing access road through State Game Land 120 connecting separate private properties in Jordan Township, Clearfield County.

The right-of-way in favor of the Game Commission will provide both administrative and lawful user access from Frailey Road, opening currently landlocked acres of State Game Land 120 west of Irvona Road.

By notational vote on Nov. 24, 2025, the commissioners approved an additional 107 acres to be included in the Non-Surface Use Oil and Gas Cooperative Agreement with Laurel Mountain Energy LLC that was approved by the Board of Commissioners at their meeting on April 12, 2025.

The proposed tract, now containing approximately 753 oil/gas acres, is located in Washington and Parker Townships, Butler County.

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.