Non-hunters on state game lands must wear fluorescent orange starting Oct. 1
The Pennsylvania Game Commission rule covers hikers, birders, dog walkers and riders on game lands through Jan. 31, Sundays included, and again April 20 to May 31.
Anyone on Pennsylvania state game lands who is not hunting, trapping or fishing must wear fluorescent orange from Thursday, Oct. 1, through Sunday, Jan. 31, 2027, under rules adopted by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Two of the largest game lands in Crawford County are in the valley area. State Game Lands 214 covers about 9,660 acres around Hartstown next to Pymatuning Reservoir. State Game Lands 213 covers about 5,600 acres of the Conneaut Marsh, from Conneaut Lake southeast along the Conneaut Lake Outlet toward Custards. Both are used for hiking, birding and dog walking as well as hunting.
What to wear
Either a fluorescent orange hat, or at least 250 square inches of fluorescent orange on the head, chest and back combined.
The orange must be visible from all sides (360 degrees).
When it applies
Oct. 1, 2026, through Jan. 31, 2027
April 20 through May 31, 2027, during spring turkey season
Every day in those periods, including Sundays. Pennsylvania now allows some Sunday hunting, and the board removed the Sunday exception.
Who it applies to
Everyone on state game lands who is not lawfully hunting, trapping or fishing. That includes hikers, walkers, dog walkers, birders, photographers, cyclists and horseback riders.
Exempt: people lawfully hunting or trapping (they follow the separate hunter orange rules), anglers who are lawfully fishing, and people using game lands shooting ranges.
What's changed
The orange requirement used to cover a shorter period, from about mid-November to mid-December, a state game warden told WNEP-TV. The longer periods took effect this year.
The board also changed rules for bicycles, horses and other non-motorized uses on game lands. Periods closed to those uses now include Sundays. Before, riding on Sundays was allowed during otherwise closed periods. Riders should check the rules for each game land before they go.
What to do
Game Commission Northwest Region Office (covers Crawford County): 1-833-742-4868, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Full regulation: 58 Pa. Code § 135.41, on the Pennsylvania Code website.
Game lands maps: the Game Commission's website has a map for each game land, including SGL 213 and SGL 214.
Limitations
The rule applies only to state game lands. It does not cover Pymatuning State Park, other state parks or private land, which have their own rules. The Game Commission did not say how it will enforce the rule on individual game lands.
Background
The Board of Game Commissioners adopted the changes on April 11, 2026, citing the change in Pennsylvania law that allows Sunday hunting. The changes were published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and took effect July 1, 2026. The Game Commission says the dates cover the busiest hunting periods of the year.
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