PGC Implements New Three-Tier Hunting Access System to Enhance Transparency
September 06, 2025 | Game Commission, TOURISM & RECREATION, Executive Departments, Organizations, Executive, Pennsylvania
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The Pennsylvania Game Commission is set to overhaul its hunting access system, aiming to enhance transparency and improve the experience for both landowners and hunters. During the Board of Game Commissioners meeting on September 5, 2025, officials unveiled a new three-tiered access structure designed to clarify hunting regulations and streamline the reservation process.
The proposed system categorizes access into three tiers:
1. **Tier One** offers open access, allowing hunters to enter properties without restrictions.
2. **Tier Two** requires reservations for properties where landowners wish to limit the number of hunters.
3. **Tier Three** is similar to Tier Two but mandates that hunters obtain a signed reservation slip from the landowner, ensuring direct communication.
This new framework is expected to address complaints regarding the previous lack of transparency in the hunting access system. The commission also introduced various reservation categories for big game, small game, waterfowl, and trapping, each with specific rules and timeframes for reservations.
A significant enhancement is the introduction of a mapping system that will display property boundaries, parking areas, and any restrictions set by landowners. This feature aims to prevent hunters from wandering off designated paths and to clarify what types of hunting are permitted on each property.
The commission is currently testing this new system in the Southwest Region and plans to roll it out to the public by July 1, 2026. Outreach efforts to re-enroll existing landowners will begin this month, with broader public engagement scheduled for January.
This initiative not only seeks to improve access for hunters but also aims to provide landowners with better tools for managing their properties and tracking usage. The commission emphasized that the new reservation system will be free for hunters and will allow for better data collection on hunting activities, which has been lacking in the past.
As the Pennsylvania Game Commission moves forward with these changes, the focus remains on fostering a cooperative relationship between landowners and hunters, ensuring a sustainable and enjoyable hunting experience for all.
The proposed system categorizes access into three tiers:
1. **Tier One** offers open access, allowing hunters to enter properties without restrictions.
2. **Tier Two** requires reservations for properties where landowners wish to limit the number of hunters.
3. **Tier Three** is similar to Tier Two but mandates that hunters obtain a signed reservation slip from the landowner, ensuring direct communication.
This new framework is expected to address complaints regarding the previous lack of transparency in the hunting access system. The commission also introduced various reservation categories for big game, small game, waterfowl, and trapping, each with specific rules and timeframes for reservations.
A significant enhancement is the introduction of a mapping system that will display property boundaries, parking areas, and any restrictions set by landowners. This feature aims to prevent hunters from wandering off designated paths and to clarify what types of hunting are permitted on each property.
The commission is currently testing this new system in the Southwest Region and plans to roll it out to the public by July 1, 2026. Outreach efforts to re-enroll existing landowners will begin this month, with broader public engagement scheduled for January.
This initiative not only seeks to improve access for hunters but also aims to provide landowners with better tools for managing their properties and tracking usage. The commission emphasized that the new reservation system will be free for hunters and will allow for better data collection on hunting activities, which has been lacking in the past.
As the Pennsylvania Game Commission moves forward with these changes, the focus remains on fostering a cooperative relationship between landowners and hunters, ensuring a sustainable and enjoyable hunting experience for all.
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