Whether you hunt, fish, hike, or simply enjoy viewing wildlife, Pennsylvania has millions of acres of public lands for you to to take advantage of. Host Matt Morrett is joined by Division Chief of Habitat Planning and Development of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Scott Bearer and Chief of the Forest Resource Planning and Information Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Seth Cassell. 

Prior to State Game Lands, the Game Commission established wildlife refuges on the Bureau of Forestry Lands to protect wildlife, until non-resident and resident hunting funds paved the way for the State Game Lands System.

The Game Commission and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources both have conservation at the core of their missions, however there are some differences when it comes to managing public lands. Learn how these two agencies work together for recreation, conservation and the betterment of Pennsylvania. 

The Keystone State is a special place for everyone, enjoy the outdoors and all it has to offer.  

Photo Caption: Gifford Pinchot (the Father of American Forestry, seated at left) and Valentine Bearer (Bureau of Forestry’s Forbes District Forester, Scott Bearer’s great-grandfather; seated at right) at the 1922 Society of American Forester’s Convention at Mont Alto, Pennsylvania.

Just in time for the statewide regular firearms deer season opener, Dr. Gary Alt, a well-known Pennsylvania Game Commission wildlife biologist talks about his career with the agency.

Dr. Alt is a Pennsylvania native and a lifetime deer hunter. In fact, he got out of his tree stand to do this podcast interview. He hunts deer six weeks in the fall but he thinks about deer every week of the year. His greatest memories of his father, grandfather and son all include hunting whitetails.

Dr. Alt began his work with the Pennsylvania Game Commission in the late 1970’s as a bear biologist to conduct research on the bear population and continued in that role for 22 years.

He then served the agency as the whitetail deer biologist for five years, where he led efforts to balance the deer herd with habitat by increasing antlerless permits and reducing the mortality of immature bucks by instituting antler restrictions.

He shares his perspective on deer and the enormous impact they have in our society in Pennsylvania. From our forests, to agriculture, to people, there are very strong opinions on deer management, which has historically made deer management here in the Keystone State difficult.

Dr. Alt retired from the Game Commission in the early 2000s. Today’s he is still researching bears across the globe and also works with the Pennsylvania Wildlife Leadership Academy as an instructor and curriculum developer.

It’s the best time of year! Mornings are crisp and it’s beginning to feel like fall. Pennsylvania is celebrating 50 years of conservation for this year’s National Hunting and Fishing Day. Host Matt Morrett is joined by Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission Bryan Burhans and Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Tim Schaeffer.

National Hunting and Fishing Day celebrates generations of hunters and anglers and how they contribute to our rich sporting heritage and wildlife conservation.

Pennsylvania is home to 1.6 million acres of state game lands that are open to the public and 86,000 miles of streams, second only to Alaska! The Keystone State is a special place that has something to offer everyone whether you’re hunting, fishing or just enjoy recreating outside.

Thank you to our hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts for their passion and dedication to conservation. Listen now to find out how you can play a role in protecting and preserving wildlife and their habitat for current and future generations.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Daylight hours are shortening, and Pennsylvania’s first hunting seasons are finally here.

Waterfowl hunters are gearing up for early Canada goose season, which opens Thursday, Sept. 1. Waterfowl hunt zones, season dates, hours and regulations are different across the state, so hunters should review the digest before heading out to hunt.

Game Commission Assistant Legal Counsel Creigh Martson and Waterfowl Program Specialist Nate Huck joined host Matt Morrett to provide some updates and tips for hunters.

Our state’s geography, from river valleys and wetlands to large agricultural fields and farm ponds, makes it a pretty good waterfowl state. People and patience are two keys to waterfowl hunting in our state.

It’s about the people you hunt with. From your crew and those you strategize, to being respectful to the private landowners and other groups of hunters.

Practice your patience, as there are plenty of variables in waterfowl hunting, including wind, weather and the birds changing up their behavior when hunting season starts.

Tune in for other helpful tips, including when to call (and when to stop), the importance of scouting and the role decoys can play.

Good luck. Have fun. Hunt safely.

How do you define habitat? Host Matt Morrett is joined by Dave Gustafson, Bureau Director of Wildlife and Habitat Management for the Pennsylvania Game Commission who dives in on habitat 101.

Dave explains that habitat is essentially a place where wildlife has access to food, water, space, and a secure place to raise their young.

Dave’s love for the outdoors started at a young age while spending time hunting and fishing with his grandfather, leading him to become passionate about wildlife and their habitat.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is currently in charge of over 1.5 MILLION acres of state game lands. Dave says, “it’s a humbling responsibility to think about our charge of managing wildlife and their habitat for current and future generations.”

Dave is excited about the future of the agency and the Bureau of Wildlife and Habitat Management he’s leading.

What makes a turkey talk?  Host Matt Morrett and Denny Gulvas continue to break down turkey habits, mannerisms and body language to help you develop your turkey calls and have a successful season.

In this part 2, they are joined by Michael Waddell, a well-known name in the turkey hunting industry and host of “Bone Collector,” on the Outdoor Channel.

Michael and Denny swap stories of how they mastered turkey vocalizations over the years and are ready to let you in on their best kept secrets. 

The clock is ticking down to the start of Spring Gobbler season which opens statewide on April 30, 2022.  It’s time to practice your calls and put them to the test! 

What’s better than getting tips from a Grand National Champion Turkey Caller? Getting to learn from TWO Grand National Champion Callers. In this episode, host Matt Morrett is joined once again by Denny Gulvas, World Champion Turkey Caller and mentor. Denny has spent decades learning turkey habits, body language and calls and is ready to share his secrets that will leave listeners excited for Spring Gobbler season, which opens statewide on April 30, 2022.

Pennsylvania has a rich history of archery across the state.  No one knows more about that than Todd Holmes, Shooting Sports Outreach Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Game Commission.  The tradition of archery is strong in Todd’s family.  He began shooting a bow when he was just five years old with his dad and uncles.  Today, he’s passing that same tradition on to his own sons. 

 In this episode, Todd joins Game Commission Marketing Director Matt Morrett to discuss shooting sports in Pennsylvania and the growing excitement for the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). 

NASP is a joint venture that partners with state education and wildlife management agencies to promote student education and participation in the lifelong sport of archery.  The NASP program which had around 100 schools participating in the program has steadily grown to over 300 schools and reaches 90,000 students each year in Pennsylvania.  

Not only has Todd helped develop the NASP program in Pennsylvania, but he has also made it a priority to create public access archery ranges on state game lands.  Listen now to learn how he is increasing opportunities for everyone looking to get out and shoot. 

For more information on the NASP program, visit www.pgc.pa.gov or www.facebook.com/PennNASP.   

From its rivers, streams, wetlands and agricultural fields, Pennsylvania offers waterfowl – and waterfowl hunters – many diverse and appealing habitats. Through careful planning and habitat management, Pennsylvania has become one of the top states in the Atlantic Flyway, with ample hunting opportunities for Canada goose, mallards and wood ducks.

In this episode, Game Commission Marketing Director Matt Morrett discusses the biology and migrations of waterfowl in Pennsylvania with Nate Huck, Waterfowl Program Specialist for the Game Commission. As the agency’s Waterfowl Biologist, Nate’s main focuses throughout the year include post-season banding, waterfowl surveys and flyway communication with other states. He emphasized the importance of analyzing the banding and survey data to estimate survival and harvest rates, because both play a crucial role in proposing annual seasons and bag limits.