Multiple Sproul State Forest roads opened for hunting season, other outdoor activities

HARRISBURG, PA — Hunters and other outdoors enthusiasts heading into Pennsylvania’s state-owned woodlands this autumn will find additional roads open in 18 of the 20 state forest districts, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has announced. They include multiple such roads in the Sproul State Forest in western Clinton County.

“Our Bureau of Forestry is opening more than 508 miles of state forest roads normally open only for administrative use,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “These roads will be available to hunters, hikers, foliage viewers, and others visiting state forestlands this fall. This improved accessibility, coupled with DCNR’s promotion of deer hunting, benefits forest regeneration and the overall ecosystem.”

When combined with state forest roads that are normally open most of the year for public travel, more than 3,245 miles of state forest roadways will be open during the statewide archery deer season, which opens Saturday, September 30, and closes Friday, November 17.

Many of these roads will continue to stay open through other hunting seasons, continuing into January 2024.
Forest managers may close these roads at any time if weather conditions dictate, to prevent damage or deterioration to road surfaces or forest surroundings.

“We encourage safe, responsible use of the additional roads as we share our forests this fall and winter,” Dunn said. “Regardless of whether they seek deer, bear, turkey or small game, hunters in our state forests will find more than 90 percent of that land now is within one-half mile of an open road.”

DCNR and the Pennsylvania Game Commission continue to update a new interactive map of state forestlands and game lands across Pennsylvania. The map offers information on the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) and Disease Management Areas, and details on newly opened roads, timber harvesting activity, forestry office contacts, and more.

Top-quality hunting is offered at many state parks — including those in the Pennsylvania Wilds region – where state forestland often surrounds them. Inexpensive camping can be found at many of those parks.

Visit DCNR’s website for more information related to hunting opportunities on public lands.

Primitive camping, where a motor vehicle is not used for storage or transportation during the camping experience, on state forestlands is also an option. This gives hunters a backcountry camping or hunting experience.

A camping permit is required when primitive camping at the same state forest site for more than one night.
Hunters who previously took advantage of the motorized camping program on state forest lands must now reserve a designated motorized campsite, which can be done online for a small fee.

Motorized camping is overnight camping in or near a vehicle when the vehicle is used for storage or transportation during the camping experience.

Sproul Admin Exco Pad 8
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Sproul Harry’s Trail
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