Pennsylvania Game Commission- Northeast Region

Together, we can make an impact for future generations.

Recently, staff from across the Northeast Region came together on State Game Lands 127 in Monroe County with one shared goal in mind, improving wildlife habitat for years to come.

Staff from our habitat management, forestry, and wildlife management divisions spent a cool, damp morning planting approximately 6,000 seedlings throughout the Pocono Plateau. Tree species included white pine, northern red oak, red spruce, and yellow poplar, all of which were selected to help support healthy forests and thriving wildlife habitats.

A special THANK YOU to the dedicated Northeast Region staff for your continued commitment to conservation!

We are helping make some 4th graders a little WILDER — as if they need it, right?

Recently, the Northeast Region welcomed students from Lake-Noxen Elementary School to the regional office in Dallas for an exciting lesson on Pennsylvania wildlife!

Environmental Education Specialist, Kelly Po***ck, led the students in some exciting hands-on learning experiences and shared TONS of valuable information. By the end of the day, students could identify Pennsylvania mammals using furs and skulls and explain the role each species of wildlife plays in our ecosystem.

We are always grateful for opportunities to educate youth about Pennsylvania wildlife and inspire the next generation of outdoor stewards. If you are an educator interested in having the Game Commission provide an engaging educational opportunity for your students, please feel free to reach out by calling 1-833-PGC-WILD.

It’s time to make THIS SUMMER a memorable one!

Across PA, regional offices are getting ready for their annual Junior Game Warden Camps where youth, ages 12 to 15, can spend the day learning what it’s like to be a Pennsylvania state game warden.

Campers will join wardens in light physical fitness, confidence-building exercises, and hands-on learning stations.

They’ll have the opportunity to go all-in with wildlife forensics, wildlife-capture techniques, woodland tracking, outdoor survival, and all things wild!

There will be six camps hosted across our state, in each of the regions, with varying dates throughout the summer. The Northeast Region's Junior Game Warden Camp will be held Thursday, July 30 at Moscow Sportsmen's Club in Covington Township.

For more info including dates, locations, and registration, visit https://bit.ly/JrGameWarden.

In honor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, our region office will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day.

We will reopen Tuesday with normal business hours. Wishing everyone a safe and meaningful holiday.

We have another exciting educational opportunity, and we hope you can join us!

Next Wednesday, May 6, retired Pennsylvania Game Commission ornithologist Doug Gross will present a program that highlights the remarkable bird species and habitats found in North Mountain and the Ricketts Glen area.

This event is FREE and open to all ages. No registration required.

The program begins at 6:00 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and will be held at the Northeast Region Headquarters at 3917 Memorial Highway, Dallas.

We look forward to seeing you there!

When wildlife is in need, game wardens answer the call!

After receiving multiple reports of a “collared” black bear frequenting an area in Monroe County but knowing no radio collars had been deployed in the area, game wardens knew something wasn’t right.

State Game Warden Gruver set a live trap in an effort to safely capture the bear and check the “collar”. It didn’t take long before the bear entered the trap.

Once captured, the bear was safely sedated for closer examination. And that’s when the situation changed.

Warden Gruver quickly discovered the object was not a collar at all, but a metal band lodged around the bear’s neck that had already caused visible lacerations.

Using metal snips, the band was carefully and safely removed from the bear’s neck.

Our wardens then continued to monitor and process the bear until it was able to safely wander off into a remote area of state game lands.

Fortunately for the bear, the lacerations will heal on their own and did not cause permanent harm.

A huge thank you to the concerned citizens who reported this bear and an even bigger thank you to our dedicated game wardens, who go above and beyond the course of their duties every single day.

If you suspect wildlife is sick, injured, or in distress, please contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission at 1-833-PGC-WILD.

The Northeast Region is celebrating Earth Day with boots on the ground and hands in the soil!

Thanks to some help from the Col-Mont Gobblers Chapter of The National Wild Turkey Federation, staff and volunteers came together to make a lasting impact on State Game Lands 226 in Columbia County.

Together, they successfully planted 125 potted 3-year-old shrubs — including hazelnut, bayberry, and chokeberry — creating a brand-new hedgerow to support wildlife and improve habitat.

PLUS, more than a dozen persimmon trees were carefully fenced to help them thrive for years to come.

Every native plant in the ground is a step toward healthier ecosystems, stronger habitats, and a greener future. Huge thanks to everyone who showed up and got their hands dirty for conservation!

UPDATE 🔥

Due to a change in conditions, the planned prescribed burn will not be taking place.

The range on State Game Lands 141 will remain fully open!

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Attention range users!

State Game Lands 141 shooting range, located in Nesquehoning Township, Carbon County, will be CLOSED to all users tomorrow, Tuesday, April 21.

All range access will be restricted due to planned prescribed fire operations on SGL 141. The range will reopen on April 22.

We thank you for your patience and cooperation!

Please join us in congratulating Kevin Wenner on his recent promotion!

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is proud to announce Kevin’s promotion to Northeast Region Wildlife Resource Manager.

Since 2008, Kevin has served as the region’s Wildlife Management Supervisor, overseeing wildlife populations across 13 counties and playing a key role in research, habitat management, and conservation planning.

In his new role, Kevin will lead and coordinate efforts across wildlife management, forestry, and habitat management teams, helping guide the future of conservation in the Northeast Region.

Kevin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science, with a minor in Forestry, from Penn State University and has been with the agency since 2004.

Congratulations on a well-deserved promotion, Kevin! 🐾