Trail User Best Practices During PA Hunting Season

Unpaved cyclists and trail runners in western Pennsylvania are fortunate to have a plethora of public lands venues to ride, run, and explore. In Pittsburgh, trail users have ready access to, among others, the Allegheny County Parks and the Pennsylvania state parks, forests, and game lands. However, trail users should be both aware and cautious when accessing public lands this time of year. Why you ask? Regular firearm, big game hunting season is upon us here in PA once again. It’s prudent for trail users to know the rules, regulations, and best practices when recreating on public lands. The following is The Hub’s suggestions for trail user best practices during hunting season.

Hunting Seasons

The PA Game Commission regulates hunting in Pennsylvania. The Game Commission has established various hunting seasons throughout the year categorized by animal and geographic location (Wildlife Management Units or WMU). Archery hunting (and other small game hunting via firearm) has been in since mid-September. Regular firearm, deer hunting starts on Saturday, November 25^th, and runs through December 9^th. Historically, Pennsylvania prohibited Sunday hunting, but a recent law enables hunting on some specifically designated Sundays (i.e., November 12^th for archery, November 19^th for bear, and November 26^th for deer in 2023).

State Game Lands

The Game Commission also regulates access and use on State game lands. The game lands include property owned or leased by Game Commission. As the name indicates, the lands are for game hunting, trapping, and fishing. The Commission opens the game lands to non-hunting uses throughout the year, but regulates access so the uses don’t conflict with hunting. The following are two regulations that all trail users should know:

1. The Game Commission indicates that the game lands’ “multi-use roads or trails are open to bicycling and horseback riding at certain times of the year, and under certain restrictions. Riding activities are not permitted (except on Sundays or on roads open to public travel) from the last Saturday in September thru the third Saturday in January, and before 1 p.m. from the second Saturday in April thru the last Saturday in May [(the latter for spring gobbler hunting)]. This does not apply to anyone lawfully engaged in hunting, trapping or fishing on state game lands. . . .”

• Please note that the actual dates for the various hunting seasons vary from year-to-year. The days/months quoted above are from the applicable PA regulation. As an example, the 2023 spring gobbler season is from April 29^th-May 30^th (April 22^nd being junior hunters-only day). From April 29, 2023 through May 13, 2023, legal hunting hours are from 30 minutes before sunrise until noon. From May 15, 2023 through May 30, 2023, legal hunting hours are from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset. Restrictions are imposed for one hour after legal hunting hours (e.g., 1:00 PM from April 29^th-May 13^th), which enables hunters to safely exit the woods.
• It is always a good idea to consult game lands kiosks like the one pictured above. They will often provide reminders and other useful information. They also may contain information particular to the area of the Commonwealth where you are located, which is important as specific seasons vary depending on what WMU the game lands falls in.

2. The Game Commission regulations also indicate that it is unlawful to “be present on State game lands from November 14 through December 15 inclusive [except on Sundays] when not engaged in lawful hunting or trapping and fail to wear a minimum of 250 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange-colored material on the head, chest and back combined or, in lieu thereof, a hat of the same colored material. The material shall be worn so it is visible in a 360° arc. . . .” NOTE: The dates for 2022 are November 14^th through December 16^th.

The following are examples of some of the fluorescent orange you can wear:

We often wear the moisture wicking long sleeve t-shirt in the fall. Although not pictured, we love The Black Bibs cycling-specific orange Wind Vest.

Allegheny County Parks

Although the Game Commission regulates hunting in PA, the County can also regulate hunting on its property, including the County parks. Allegheny County prohibits hunting in its parks, unless a hunter obtains a special permit. It is The Hub’s understanding that the special permits are limited to archery hunting.

The Unpaved Hub’s Trail User Best Practices During Hunting Season

Knowing what to wear, when to wear it, and where you are permitted can be confusing. So how can unpaved cyclists and trail runners comply? The following is The Unpaved Hub’s suggested best practices:

1. In addition to the respective government agency websites, most (if not all) parks, forests, and game lands have kiosks that contain the area’s rules and regulations. Check these kiosks when in doubt about whether hunting is authorized in a particular area.
2.  Wear fluorescent orange-colored clothing (or other highly visible clothing – and not something white – think white-tailed deer) from mid-September through the end of January, regardless of whether it is a requirement. In addition, the Hub recommends wearing fluorescent orange even if you are traversing a public road through public lands. Be safe, rather than sorry. The Game Commission recommends 250 square inches, with 360° of visibility.
3. Activate a light of some sort after dusk or before dawn.
4. Know your surroundings. Although it isn’t full-proof, survey the parking spots in the area to the extent possible. This is especially helpful if you are a “regular” to the area. You can often get a sense of whether hunters are in the area by the nearby vehicles. Also, be on the lookout as you are on the trails.
5. Contrary to what some believe, most areas in PA state parks and forests are open to hunting. Unlike on game lands, trail use is legit in state parks and forests. However, trail users should exercise caution in these areas during hunting season. 
6. Do not ride on the trails and non-public roads on State game lands during hunting season, but for non-hunting Sundays. See (1) in the State Game Lands section, above. 
7. Try to avoid or not use PA State game lands, parks, or forests during regular firearm, deer hunting season, except for non-hunting Sundays.  This may seem like overkill, but we are talking about two weeks out of the year. Not only does this extend a courtesy to hunters (who have less and less area to hunt as time goes by), it prevents conflict and catastrophe. There are far more hunters in the woods during this season. While most hunters know the rules and exercise caution, there is more of a chance of an encounter with an inexperienced or reckless hunter. Also, keep in mind that bullets from rifles travel longer distances than other weapons. Exercise extreme caution if you do choose to go out on PA public lands during deer/rifle season.
8. Make sure to dress your furry friend in fluorescent orange.
9. Ask questions. To the extent you aren’t sure, call your local Game Commission office or find an officer. Both are very friendly and helpful. Don’t guess. 
10. Always be courteous to hunters and Game Commission officers. You get more flies with honey than vinegar so the saying goes.

To the extent you need some trail suggestions this winter, check out The Hub’s Settlers Cabin Park and North Park MTB and trail running posts.

Please share any suggestions or drop any questions in the comments. Otherwise, stay safe out there! Please share this article with your friends if you liked our trail user best practices during hunting season, and give The Unpaved Hub’s social media channels linked at the top and bottom of this page a like/follow. Thanks for reading!