Proposed Change to Firearms Deer Season

At its meeting next week, the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners will consider a proposal that could change opening day for hundreds of thousands of deer hunters. Executive Director Steve Smith joins host Matt Morrett to explain details of the potential change, how it could affect other hunting seasons, and ways to share feedback with the board.

Episode Highlights:

Resources:

Contact the Board of Game Commissioners with your questions, comments, or concerns. 

Hall of Fame trapper and award-winning bowhunter Tom Miranda joins host Matt Morrett to share insights from over 40 years in outdoor television and a lifetime in the woods. Learn what it takes to be a wilderness trapper, how he achieved the highest honor in conservation, and who he credits with influencing his hunting success.

Episode Highlights:

Resources:

Get started trapping.

Visit Tom Miranda’s website.

Learn more about the Pennsylvania Trappers Association Rendezvous.

Drone recovery, shortened bear seasons, tree stand snacks — we’re tackling the tough topics!

Executive Director Steve Smith joins host Matt Morrett to answer YOUR questions, straight from social media. From what to do if you find a roadkill deer to why Sundays weren’t included for spring gobbler, they explain current regulations and the latest updates. 

Episode Highlights:

Resources:

Check current seasons and bag limits.

Review regulations in the Hunting & Trapping Digest.

Follow us on social media for updates.

Contact the Game Commission.

Pennsylvania state game wardens don’t just check hunting licenses in the field — they wear many hats to protect people, wildlife, and habitats.

Col. Rod Danley, the new director of the Bureau of Wildlife Protection, joins host Matt Morrett to share the history of game wardens in Pennsylvania, the passion they share for wildlife, and how hunters can have a great interaction with a warden in the woods.

Episode Highlights:

Resources:

Review the Hunting & Trapping Digest.

Find tips for safe hunting.

Learn more about Operation Game Thief.

Deer Camp Kinship: A Hunting Legacy of Giving Back

We hit the road for every hunter's favorite place — deer camp! Host Matt Morrett is joined by Dan Smoker of United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania (UBP) and Game Commissioner Bob Schwalm to discuss the powerful sense of community behind our Pennsylvania hunting heritage. From mentoring new hunters to partnering with farmers to helping feed families in need, we dive into all the ways hunting unites Pennsylvanians for a greater purpose.

Episode Highlights:

Resources:

Get involved with United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania.

Consider donating to Hunters Sharing the Harvest.

Purchase a mentored hunting permit.

Review deer hunting regulations. 

Conservation funding is going off with a bang! Shooting Sports Division Chief Todd Holmes and Range Management Coordinator Luke Johnson join host Matt Morrett to discuss the value of the Pittman-Robertson Act to conservation, successful shooting range improvement projects, the new features drawing people to shooting sports, and the goals the Game Commission is aiming for in the near future.

Episode Highlights:

· How the Pittman-Robertson Act plays a crucial role in conservation

· The Game Commission’s public shooting range diversity, design, safety, and accessibility

· Updates from the Shooting Range Improvement Program’s successful pilot year

· Partnerships with sportsmen clubs and municipalities

· Future plans for public shooting ranges

· Tips when using the range and improving your shot

Resources:

Find a shooting range near you

Learn more about the Shooting Range Improvement Program

Learn how the Pittman-Robertson Act benefits wildlife conservation

Buy a shooting range permit

Pennsylvania is making momentous strides in shaping the future of conservation with Act 36 of 2025, which fully repeals Pennsylvania’s prohibition on Sunday hunting and authorizes the Game Commission to regulate opportunities.   

Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Executive Director Steve Smith joins host Matt Morrett to commemorate the event that is going down in conservation history. They go on to discuss the behind‑the‑scenes legislative process that made this possible, provide a detailed recap of the thoughtful science-based decisions made during the Board of Game Commissioners meeting, and highlight exciting new opportunities for the 2025–26 seasons as a result of the executive order. A cumulative team effort dedicated to doing what's best for wildlife, Pennsylvania, and future generations!  

Episode Highlights:    

Where we started vs what we have accomplished in Pennsylvania.   

Explanation behind the legislative process that led to Act 36.   

Why the Game Commission used an executive order.   

New opportunities available for 2025-26.   

A glimpse into what hunting seasons may look like in the future.    

Resources:    

Watch recorded Board of Game Commissioner Meeting    

Review the approved Sunday hunting dates for the 2025-26 seasons    

For more details reference PGC Newsroom   

Follow us on social media for timely updates 

Tree Trailblazers: Forest Stewardship & Wildlife Strategy  

Managing over 1.5 million acres of land may seem daunting — but not for Pennsylvania Game Commission’s habitat management staff.  

Northwest Regional Forester Scott Wolbert, Northcentral Regional Forester Dan Heggenstaller, and Forestry Division Chief Paul Weiss join host Matt Morrett to discuss how the agency uses sustainable forestry to create diverse ecosystems for better wildlife habitat.  

Episode Highlights:  

Resources:  

Learn more about the balance of healthy forests and healthy deer.  

Find state game lands near you. 

Learn more about habitat management in Pennsylvania.  

Episode 58: PA Residents Guaranteed an Antlerless License for Any WMU

You get an antlerless license! You get an antlerless license! Everybody gets an antlerless license!

Well, all residents for 21 days, anyway.

Executive Director Steve Smith and Deputy Executive Director Dave Gustafson join host Matt Morrett to discuss the biggest changes for the 2025-26 license year, including guaranteed antlerless licenses for residents, a shortened bear archery season, expanded DMAP opportunities, and a 10% cap on nonresident elk tags.

Episode Highlights

Resources

Log in to HuntFishPA to update your account.

Find state game lands near you.

Learn more about changes for the 2025-26 license year.

If you can outsmart a longbeard here, you can probably outsmart one anywhere. Pennsylvania birds can be challenging to hunt. Grand National Champion and PA native Hunter Wallis joins host Matt Morrett to yelp about the Keystone State’s rich turkey hunting heritage, tips for calling in birds all season long, and woodsmanship skills for spring gobbler success.

Episode Highlights: Tips for taking your turkey calling to the next level How to avoid overcalling and when to be patient after a tom’s gone quiet The skills to pair with solid calling to fill tags on pressured birds Ways to switch up tactics as the season progresses The importance of boots-on-the-ground scouting

Resources:

Explore more turkey hunting tips

Review spring gobbler seasons and bag limits 

Find state game lands near you

Learn more about Nancy’s Vision Youth Turkey Hunt

#wildlife #conservation #nature #PennsylvaniaGameCommission #PAgameCommission #GameCommission #PGC #habitat #turkeyhunting #turkeys