Pennsylvania Game Commission- Northeast Region

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! 🐾

Another one for the record books!

Recently, the Northeast Region hosted a big game scoring event at the regional office in Dallas. This annual tradition brings together hunters and agency staff and has turned into a true celebration of the hunting heritage that runs deep in the Keystone State.

This year we had over 30 participants attend the event to have their deer, elk, and bear officially scored by certified Boone & Crocket and Pope & Young scorers.

And of those 30, TWELVE attendees will now have their harvests officially entered in the Pennsylvania Big Game Record Book which includes a 331-inch bull elk harvested in Pennsylvania and a 140-inch whitetail harvested in Wyoming County!

A special CONGRATULATIONS to those who attended this event and a huge THANK YOU to our staff that made this event possible. Bring on next year's trophies!

Join us in celebrating an OUTSTANDING performance last week at the Pennsylvania State NASP Tournament. Let’s hear it for the Montrose Area School District!

Teams from Lathrop Street Elementary, Montrose Middle, and Montrose Area High Schools competed last Friday at Spooky Nook Sports at the 2026 PA NASP Bullseye and 3D State Tournaments.

And they SHOWED UP! The three teams had a clean sweep as the #1 school teams in the 3D Tournament, with school scores of 1690 (HS), 1160 (MS), and 1397 (ES).

The 3D Tournament individual standings included some standouts as well with Ava Castrogiovanni placing first in the high school girls, and first overall with a score of 297 (of 300).

Other top performers in 3D included: Alexis Rozell ( #2 MS and #5 overall girls), Blake McKennas ( #2 MS and #2 overall boys), Logan Rhinevault ( #2 HS and #4 overall boys), Magenta Bayak ( #1 ES girls), Kayleigh Sisson ( #3 ES girls), Noralin Brunges ( #5 ES girls), Owen Petrick ( #3 MS boys), Zachary Legg ( #4 MS boys), and Jackson VanTassel ( #5 MS boys)

But the winning didn’t stop there! Montrose went on to top the Bullseye Tournament as well, taking first place in the High School (score – 3344) and Elementary (score - 2999) divisions.

And once again, Ava claimed first overall girls and first in high school girls divisions with a score of 294 (of 300). Not to be outdone, Corben Purtell claimed top standings in the high school boys and second overall boys divisions with a score of 291 (of 300).

Other top performers in Bullseye included: Magenta Bayak ( #2 ES girls), Temprence Arnold ( #5 ES girls), and Caleb Wells ( #4 HS boys).

Once again, congratulations to all student archers within the Montrose School District! Your hard work, dedication, and precision is commendable!

If you are unfamiliar with NASP and want to learn more, check out the Pennsylvania NASP page.

Mark your calendars and get ready for another exciting educational opportunity!

Next Wednesday, April 1, Northeast Region's Wildlife Resource Manager Kevin Wenner, will be presenting an exciting program on one of Pennsylvania’s most iconic species, the black bear.

Kevin will dive into black bear biology and behavior and will share practical ways to reduce human-bear conflicts.

This event is FREE and open to all ages. No registration required. The program begins at 6:00 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.) and will be held at 3917 Memorial Highway, Dallas.

If you are unable to attend, but wish to learn more about being BearWise, visit their page for helpful tips and information.

We hope to see you there for a BEAR-y good time!

Bears are BACK — and they’re HUNGRY!

Spring is here and bears are waking up from hibernation with one thing on their minds: FOOD. And they’ll go wherever it’s easiest to find it — even your backyard.

The good news? You can prevent unwanted bear encounters by being BearWise and removing attractants before bears find them first.

This spring, take action:
✔️ Lock up trash, recycling, and compost
✔️ Bring in bird feeders when bears are active
✔️ Keep pet food indoors
✔️ Clean and store grills after every use
✔️ Never feed or approach bears

Once bears learn to rely on an artificial food source, it can put both people and bears at risk. Let’s keep wildlife wild and our communities safe by making smart choices today.