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New Hunting Regulations and a Safety Presentation on Chronic Wasting Disease

Writer: Pocono Heritage Land Trust
Pocono Heritage Land Trust
15 hours ago
2 min read

The Pennsylvania Game Commission has recently updated hunting regulations for the upcoming season. PHLT has also revised its hunting access procedures to ensure safe, responsible use of our preserves.


If you would like to hunt our properties, a reservation must be made in advance.


To learn more about the changes to the program, visit the official site at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/landowner-resources/hunter-access-program or view our properties at https://www.phlt.org/nature-preserves

PHLT Hunting Access Guidelines


  • Big game and small game hunting only.

  • No Sunday hunting permitted.

  • No waterfowl hunting.

  • No trapping.

  • Pre-registration now required.

    New regulations require ALL visitors on game lands to wear fluorescent orange from October 1 through January 31, even if they are NOT engaged in hunting, trapping, or fishing.


Visitors are required to wear a minimum of 250 square inches of fluorescent orange on head, chest, and back combined OR a fluorescent orange hat.


  • If you have a pet with you, we highly recommend a vest, harness, leash, or bandana.


  • Backpacks can limit your 360 degrees of visibility. Add a bandana or covering to your backpack to ensure you're seen.



  • Even if you’re horseback riding, you’re REQUIRED to meet orange requirements, regardless of safety equipment being worn. It’s suggested to have orange on your horse as well.


  • Sundays are now off limits for hunting, making them the safest day to enjoy hiking and other types of recreation.

Please be aware that cell phone service is limited at some of our preserves. Hunters should not rely exclusively on online maps or compasses for navigation.

Before hunting, we also ask that you familiarize yourself with our:


  • Property boundaries

  • Safety zones

  • Tree stand policy

  • State rules and hunting etiquette


Tree Stands Must


  • Comply with Pennsylvania Game Commission regulations.

  • Be installed without damaging trees.

  • Be clearly labeled with the hunter's name and license information.

  • Be removed no later than February 1.

In addition to these new regulations, State Game Warden Dillon Gruver will present information on Chronic Wasting Disease at the Brodhead Creek Heritage Center at 7 pm November 10th, 2026. CWD is a contagious, fatal brain disease that affects members of the deer family.


The presentation will include CWD updates on recent detections locally, hunting regulation changes, and disease management actions to prevent spread. It is a great presentation to attend if you are a hunter or curious about the spread of CWD. Registration is open for this event at https://www.phlt.org/events/chronic-wasting-disease-talk-with-pa-game-comission. Stay safe this hunting season by following the newest rules for visibility and having your game meat screened for safe consumption.

 
 
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