Purpose
In addition to the millions of public land acres available to hunters statewide, the Pennsylvania Game Commission partners with private landowners to provide public hunting opportunities through its Hunter Access Program. For 90 years, the program has provided hunting and trapping opportunities to the Commonwealth's sportsmen on private lands. The Hunter Access Program, which is governed by a term-lease agreement, creates a partnership between the Game Commission and landowner whereby they work in concert to improve public hunting and trapping opportunities and wildlife habitat on the property enrolled. Hunters and trappers help to manage game and furbearer populations through lawful hunting and trapping.
Updates for 2026
To align better with the needs of our hunters and landowners, we have overhauled the Hunter Access Program. Starting in the 2026/27 hunting season, the Hunter Access Program will now have properties categorized in 3 different access levels as well as utilize an updated mapping system. The mapping system will show Hunter Access Cooperator properties with clear boundary lines along with a land usage guide that states and specific rules or notes that the landowner may have for the hunters utilizing their property. Each landowner has the option to choose what species and types of hunting and equipment they allow on their property. Also, with introduction of Sunday hunting throughout the seasons, the Hunter Access program has given the cooperators the option to not allow Sunday hunting on their private property if they choose.
Interested in More Information about the Hunter Access Program?
Contact the Landowner Resources Office
If you have questions or are looking to enroll your property in the Hunter Access Program, please contact the Landowner Resources Office.
