Deer Hunting in SE PA

Opening day of shotgun season for the southeastern portion of Pennsylvania, including Chester County begins on December 1st, the Monday after Thanksgiving.  Whether you are a hunter, hiker, or horseback rider there are some things that you should keep in mind to make your outdoor experiences pleasant for all during this time.

• Educate yourself about where you spend time outdoors. Natural lands with active recreation often have deer management plans in place that include various hunting schedules. Also, there are state regulated schedules, that vary over the season.  Don't be in the right place at the wrong time. 
• Wear 'blaze' orange so that you do not surprise hunters, other hikers, horseback riders, or other recreational users of the land.  This includes your canine pals.  You are wearing orange not because a hunter will mistake you for a deer but making it so that other users of the land (hunters, hikers, horseback riders) are alerted to your presence. 
• Most properties where hunting is allowed is done so in an effort to better manage the effect of deer herds on the local region.  Over browsing of native flora and automobile accidents are primary reasons for appropriate deer management.  Please respect any property closing signs.
• If you notice irregular activity on a property that you hunt, or hike; contact the landowner or call for assistance from 911 or the SE PA Game Commission office.   
   
  Game Law/Poaching Violation in PA
  ·  Call 911 to report any incidences, they may direct you to call the PA Game Commission or they will put the call through to the PA Game Commission
  ·  Call the SE Game Commission office:  610-926-3136 to report poaching in progress
  ·  Call the Game Commission Hotline to turn in a poacher: 1-888-742-8001

 

Please visit our Hunting Rules webpage for information about hunting season at TLC's Preserves.