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A man wearing a blaze orange cap and vest stands in an open grassy field with his back to the camera. He is holding a rifle and scanning the field for game.
Hunting on Nature Preserves A man sets out to go hunting on a TNC preserve. © Chris Helzer / TNC

Stories in Pennsylvania

Hunting Guidelines

Learn about which Pennsylvania preserves are open for hunting.

Last updated June 24, 2024

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. 

Question?

For any questions, clarifications, or more information, please contact 570-643-7922.

Preserve Hunting Guidelines

  • BRUSH MOUNTAIN PRESERVE

    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.

  • 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).

  • 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 Wolf 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

    Download a map (Kersey).
    Download a map (Wolf Lick).

  • LONG POND NATURE PRESERVE

    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.

  • 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.

  • 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).

  • 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.

  • WEST BRANCH PRESERVE

    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.