Pennsylvania Mixed Bag: Bipartisan bill to move the deer opener from Saturday to Monday is introduced

Harrisburg — A third bill has been introduced in the state Legislature to change the starting date of Pennsylvania’s rifle deer season.

Sen. Gene Yaw, a Republican, and Sen. Lisa Boscola, a Democrat, introduced Senate Bill 1244 on March 23 that would move the first day of rifle deer season from the Saturday after Thanksgiving to the Monday after Thanksgiving.

Since 2019, the Pennsylvania Game Commission has had the two-week season start on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and has tentatively approved to have the two-week season open this year on Saturday, Nov. 28, and end on Sunday, Dec. 13. The change provided a longer season and more days for hunters who are working to find time to hunt.

Before 2019, the season opened for the past roughly half century two days later on the Monday.

MORE COVERAGE FROM PENNSYLVANIA OUTDOOR NEWS:

Pennsylvania Rep. Dave Maloney wants hearing on harassment claims at game agency

High path bird flu peaking across Pennsylvania

Notes off a soiled cuff: Will Pennsylvania lawmakers dip into Game Commission’s reserve fund?

Outdoor Recreation Economy Grew $1.5 Billion

Harrisburg — Pennsylvania’s outdoor economy grew by $1.5 billion in 2024, reaching $20.4 billion in total economic impact and supporting more than 177,000 jobs, according to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Outdoor recreation added 9,000 jobs in 2024 and $800 million in wages and salaries, bringing total outdoor recreation wages to $9.5 billion across the commonwealth. The sector accounts for 2% of Pennsylvania’s gross domestic product, and the state’s outdoor recreation economy outpaced the national growth rate, expanding 2.7%.

These results reflect strategic investments by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in parks, trails, and outdoor recreation infrastructure.

Lowell Graybill Elected President of PFSC

Harrisburg — Lowell Graybill recently was elected president of the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen & Conservationists, succeeding Denny Fillmore.

The group is the state’s oldest and largest conservation organization, backed by a grassroots network of approximately 70,000 individual members and affiliated clubs.

New Asst. Manager at Gifford Pinchot Park

Harrisburg — The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recently announced the appointment of Paige Steffy as the assistant manager for Gifford Pinchot State Park in York County.

Steffy assists with oversight of Gifford Pinchot, a 2,338-acre, full-service park centered around 340-acre Pinchot Lake.

Steffy is an Elliottsburg, Perry County, native who holds an undergraduate degree in Geoenvironmental Studies from Shippensburg University. She began her career at DCNR as a park manager trainee and has worked in the agency’s Harrisburg offices in the Park Operations and Maintenance Division prior to appointment at Gifford Pinchot.

High-path Avian Flu in Poultry Flocks

State College, Pa. — Highly pathogenic avian influenza once again is threatening Pennsylvania’s poultry industry, but researchers, diagnosticians and extension educators in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences are leading efforts to slow the virus, support producers and provide science-based guidance.

The United States Department of Agriculture reported that 27 flocks in Pennsylvania have tested positive in 2026, impacting more than 7.6 million birds.

Most are in Lancaster County – the center of the state’s $7.1 billion poultry industry – with one additional case reported in Dauphin County, according to John Boney, a faculty fellow in Poultry Nutrition and member of Penn State Extension’s poultry team.

He said HPAI cases are increasing during the spring migration of wild birds, with the virus spreading through direct contact as well as contaminated equipment and clothing.

Boating Accidents Down Last Year

Harrisburg — Boaters in Pennsylvania had fewer incidents last year than in 2024, but 10 people died.

The Pennsylvania Fish&Boat Commission had 37 recreational boating incidents reported in 2025 – 37% fewer than in 2024, according to Ryan Walt, boating and watercraft safety manager for the commission.

He spoke about 2025 incidents during the March 23 Boating Advisory Board meeting.

The accidents involved 44 vessels, which is 32 fewer than in 2024, and there were fewer injuries. In 2025, 22 people required medical treatment which was 16 less than the 38 injuries reported in 2024.

PGC Night to be Held April 16 in Southwest

Alverton, Pa. — A Pennsylvania Game Commission Night will be held at the Huntingdon Sportsman’s Club, 286 Sportsman Road here at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 16, hosted by state Rep. Eric Davanzo. This event will allow attendees access to experts from the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

The featured presentation will be given by the commission’s furbearer biologist Tom Keller, who will focus on coyotes.

Following his talk, additional agency staff will share important updates and be on hand to answer wildlife questions.