Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
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    Scranton, Pennsylvania
    (Lackawanna County)
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    Default question about state forests

    this is likely a stupid question but ill ask anyway...

    Is the public allowed to hike through state forests any time of year? I got a DMAP tag for an area I'm sort of familiar with but have never hunted before. I would like to go explore it this week while I have a couple of days off, its in Delaware State Forest but the DMAP area is not on state game lands nor in a state park (like I've hunted previously with DMAP tags).

    So, provided im not on posted land or someone's private property, can I hike around the state forest woods exploring around this time of year? The DCNR website talks about hiking trails and such, but can I go off trails thru the woods for a few hours' hike to explore the area? The spot I'm interested in looking at does not appear to have anything but trees in it for a few miles in every direction, only has a two-lane road running through it that I'll probably park on the side of.

    Thanks for the help
    I'm faster than Doc Holliday (with Novocaine of course)

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
    (Franklin County)
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    Default Re: question about state forests

    Yes.
    Get your "Guns Save Lives" stickers today! PM for more info.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Ephrata, Pennsylvania
    (Lancaster County)
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    Default Re: question about state forests

    yes you can. State Game lands have blaze orange requirements at certain times of the year but State Forests do not. You can also camp overnight in a State Forest for free. A stay longer than one night in the same spot requires a permit (free). Are you looking at the Delaware SF off of rt 402? Lots of interesting ground there.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
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    OUT TO LUNCH
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    Default Re: question about state forests

    As others have said, yes you can explore. Your DMAP area should be marked by RED paint on the border trees.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Narvon, Pennsylvania
    (Lancaster County)
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    Default Re: question about state forests

    You did not mention which State Forest, so you may want to look at these maps if its a forest your going to:

    https://www.purplelizard.com/

    they are great, I use the Bald Eagle SF map often when I am off roading there, lots of good info, they have been adding maps for several parks at a good frequency, check back at their site or subscribe for alerts

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Scranton, Pennsylvania
    (Lackawanna County)
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    Default Re: question about state forests

    Thanks for the replies all, appreciate it

    Quote Originally Posted by heatheroo View Post
    Are you looking at the Delaware SF off of rt 402? Lots of interesting ground there.
    Yep, how'd ya guess? How crowded does that area get around regular rifle season? Lots of out-of-staters? I got the DMAP tag really thinking for January flintlock (brrr! )
    I'm faster than Doc Holliday (with Novocaine of course)

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
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    Ephrata, Pennsylvania
    (Lancaster County)
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    Default Re: question about state forests

    Quote Originally Posted by DrillNFill View Post
    Thanks for the replies all, appreciate it



    Yep, how'd ya guess? How crowded does that area get around regular rifle season? Lots of out-of-staters? I got the DMAP tag really thinking for January flintlock (brrr! )
    It gets its share of folks but not like it was back in the 80’s. Yes......lots (maybe mostly) out of staters.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Levittown, Pennsylvania
    (Bucks County)
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    69
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    Default Re: question about state forests

    State Forest is paid for by taxpayers not license fees and Pittman Robertson funds like State Game Lands and is wide open to the public. I have had turkeys spooked off by teenage hikers in hoodies...sky blue hoodies...at 7am...

    My cabin is in the Delaware SF, after the 2nd day of rifle, most places were empty...until Saturday...don't quite know how the Saturday opener will affect things
    Last edited by wis bang; July 3rd, 2019 at 12:20 PM.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Bucks County, Pennsylvania
    (Bucks County)
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    Default Re: question about state forests

    Quote Originally Posted by wis bang View Post
    State Forest is paid for by taxpayers not license fees and Pittman Robertson funds like State Game Lands and is wide open to the public. I have had turkeys spooked off by teenage hikers in hoodies...sky blue hoodies...at 7am...

    My cabin is in the Delaware SF, after the 2nd day of rifle, most places were empty...until Saturday...don't quite know how the Saturday opener will affect things
    If one of them mistakenly got shot, I’ll bet they stop that activity!

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