Hunting Guidelines
Learn about which Pennsylvania preserves are open for hunting.
Thank you for your interest in hunting on nature preserves owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania. Hunting helps to maintain healthy wildlife populations and promote forest regeneration.
Nature preserves listed below are open to the public through the Pennsylvania Game Commission's (PGC) Hunter Access Program and PGC’s Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP). TNC does not distribute DMAP coupons directly, so hunters must purchase a DMAP tag for these properties through any license-issuing agent by providing the appropriate DMAP number.
Hunters on TNC nature preserves should observe all PGC regulations and follow the same rules applicable to state gamelands. TNC’s only exception is that trapping is not allowed on any nature preserve. Also, please be courteous and respect other visitors.
In accordance with PGC policy, hunters may place temporary and portable tree stands on TNC property during deer hunting seasons and the two weeks preceding and following the start and end of the seasons. Outside of that time, hunting stands will be confiscated. Any permanent structure built on a TNC nature preserve will be removed. Motorized vehicles are prohibited except where expressly permitted during deer firearms season or by disabled hunters with a permit from PGC and written permission from TNC.
Please Note: Property owned and managed by TNC has been purchased and protected with both public and private funding for the benefit of nature and people. Hunting these properties is a privilege. As a result, hunters should respect our property and the property of neighboring landowners. Please pay close attention to boundary markers and always err on the side of caution when unsure of property boundaries or proximity to structures. Any questions can be directed to 570-643-7922.
Preserve Hunting Guidelines
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Blair County
Outside of Altoona and Hollidaysburg; 640 acres in Blair County open to public hunting in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, DMAP ID #1662, WMU 4D
Download a map. -
HAMER WOODLANDS AT COVE MOUNTAIN
Perry County
1,379 acres in Marysville, Perry County are open to public hunting in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, DMAP ID #3449, WMU 4B
Download a map. -
FERN RIDGE BOG PRESERVE
Monroe County
The Fern Ridge Bog Nature Preserve is 1,300 acres jointly owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy, Tunkhannock Township and Wildlands Conservancy in Monroe County is open for public hunting through cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, DMAP ID #2444
Download a map.Directions: The Fern Ridge Bog Preserve is located between Interstate 80 and Route 115 in Tunkhannock Township (Monroe County). Foot access to this preserve is off Route 115 just north of Route 903. Please stay off private property along the stream.
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FLORENCE SHELLY WETLANDS PRESERVE
Susquehanna County
Just one mile north of tiny Thompson Borough on Route 171, the 357-acre Florence Shelly Preserve boasts fields, woodlands, a stream, and a glacial pond surrounded by a floating bog. NOTE: Deer hunting only. DMAP ID #3721.
Directions: The Florence Shelly Preserve can be accessed from parking lots & trailheads located off Route 171 and Little Ireland Road. Main trailhead and parking located at (41.881184, -75.518680).
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Cumberland County
The Forest Pools Preserve at Kings Gap is a 70-acre natural area adjacent to Kings Gap State Park in Cumberland County open to public hunting, archery only, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. NOTE: Archery hunting only. DMAP ID #3450
Download a map. -
HARRY AND MARY GOERINGER PRESERVE
Luzerne County
390 acres contiguous with Gamelands 119 in Luzerne County is open for public hunting in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, DMAP ID #2443
Download a map. -
DICK AND NANCY EALES PRESERVE AT MOOSIC MOUNTAIN
Lackawanna County
Located just outside of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, 2,250 acres contiguous with State Gamelands 300 in Lackawanna County open to public hunting in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, DMAP ID #1595
Download a map. -
ELK TIMBERLANDS
Elk County
Kersey Run Tract and Wood Lick Tract
Through a unique partnership between The Nature Conservancy and Elk Timberlands LLC., both Wolf Lick and Kersey Run tracts (formerly Kaul and Hall Oil & Gas Company Land) in Elk County are open for public hunting in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. DMAP ID #1747 and DMAP ID #1748
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Monroe County
1,450 acres in Monroe County open for public hunting through cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, DMAP ID #1596.
Download a map. -
LOWER CHROME BARRENS
Chester County
Along the Maryland-Pennsylvania border, the Lower Chrome Serpentine Barrens is 63 acres in Chester County. It is open to public hunting in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. DMAP ID-NONE
Download a map.Directions: From Route 1 take the Oxford exit (Route 10). Turn south on Route 10 and drive 1.7 miles to the center of Oxford and turn left onto Market Street. Cross over railroad tracks and turn right on Fifth Street. Follow Fifth Street 2.7 miles to the intersection with Media Road (Media Mennonite Chapel is on the right corner). Cross over Media Road, and you are now on Barrens Road. Follow Barrens Road for another 1.5 miles. Lower Chrome will be on the left; there is no designated parking for this property.
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MINSI LAKE PRESERVE
Northampton County
150 acres in Northampton County open for public hunting, DMAP ID #2384
Download a map.Directions: From Pennsylvania Route 33, take the Wind Gap exit. Follow Pennsylvania Route 512 East, towards Mount Bethel, through Wind Gap, Pen Argyl, Bangor and East Bangor. Turn left at the light onto Port Richmond Road. Go about 2.5 miles, and turn left at the wooden post that says “Institute Drive.” Look for yellow preserve signs on the left.
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ROTHROCK WOODS
Mifflin County
Rothrock Woods is 109.31 acres of forested land and is surrounded by the Rothrock and Bald Eagle State Forests in Mifflin County. It is open to public hunting in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. DMAP ID #3426
Download a map.Directions: From the intersection of U.S Route 220 in State College, take U.S. Route 322 for 18.4 miles and turn right onto the unmarked road leading into Bald Eagle State Forest. This is just before reaching the Laurel Creek Reservoir and Dam on view at the left. Park anywhere along the unmarked road. There is no direct or formal access into the preserve, cross-state forest land on foot to reach. Approximate parking located at (40.732701, -77.637042).
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TANNERSVILLE CRANBERRY BOG PRESERVE
Monroe County
The Nature Conservancy manages this 1,000-acre preserve--one of its first nature preserves in Pennsylvania--with assistance from partners and volunteers from the local community. NOTE: Archery hunting only. Also, consult the map to see which portion of the preserve is open to public hunting.
DMAP ID #3724
Download a map. -
THOMAS DARLING PRESERVE AT TWO-MILE RUN
Monroe County
The Thomas Darling Nature Preserve at Two-Mile Run (2,000 acres), jointly owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy, Wildlands Conservancy and Tobyhanna Township, is open for public hunting through cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. DMAP ID #1597
Download a map. -
Clinton County
West Branch Forest (3,000 acres) is contiguous with the Sproul State Forest and is open for public hunting through cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. DMAP ID #168
Download a map.
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