Pheasant/Grouse hunting in PA

[Vizsla hunter]

Last week I posted asking everyone about hunting up land birds in IL because the in laws where moving. While my father in law turned down the job in IL for a job in PA.

So know I'm asking if anyone has ever hunted in PA for pheasant or grouse and in what areas of the state.


thanks

[FindTheBird]

At least one guy from this forum has hunted there and killed some grouse (Scott G.?).
I see very few PA plates in the North woods so there must be something keeping the bird hunters there!

[PA BUCK 2]

I have hunted western PA (my family lives in Butler- West and north or Pittsburgh). The last few years I have not been down there- but my brother kills a few pheasants each year while running rabbits with his beagles.

For Pheasants the PA game commission has an annual release program to supplement the numbers. You see this every fall with PA COs driving around and releasing birds. I have also hunted and killed some grouse on the SGLs in Hillards, Sand Road and up in Venago (sp?) county. Numbers were usually pretty good up that way.

Where in PA did your FIL take a job?

[sinabomb]

I have a brother that lives in Clarion PA, it is in the Western part of the state. We have hunted grouse, woodcock and pheasant many times. Most of the pheasant were from the annual releases on state game lands but every now and then you can find a wild one. Have always seen lots of grouse and lots of turkey. The deer hunting is good too but they are a bit on the small side.

[Vizsla hunter]

The job that he took is in Hagerstown Maryland. They were thinking of living in PA because its so close to Hagerstown.

I was thinking since it's so close stay with them and bird hunt in PA for a week. The wife will be happy and so will I.

[Ohio_92]

I have a brother that lives in Clarion PA, it is in the Western part of the state. We have hunted grouse, woodcock and pheasant many times. Most of the pheasant were from the annual releases on state game lands but every now and then you can find a wild one. Have always seen lots of grouse and lots of turkey. The deer hunting is good too but they are a bit on the small side.

How can he tell the difference?;):coolgleam

[dogwhistle]

wild ones fly a lot better.

[Linda G.]

is a very nice area...I would live in Maryland before I lived in PA, it's cheaper, tax wise...

[llewella]

I am from SW PA. I am writing this from my temporary home for the next month in the UP. You can find grouse in PA, but it is nothing like it used to be. It wasn't too bad of year last year, but this year is not looking so good after a cool, wet spring. I didn't see much promise all summer.

Any pheasants found are most likely released birds, although I could be wrong and perhaps there are a few wild ones in other parts of the state.

My daughter lived in Hagerstown for years, but I never got a chance to get familiar with the SC regions of PA. You should be able to get some information from the PAGC Web site if you poke around enough. Here is a report I found on grouse and woodcock: -- oops, I am not a llowed to post a link because I have never posted and am just a newbie, here... but try pasting this in your browser and add the normal www stuff before it: pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/lib/pgc/wildlife/grouse/grouse_newsletter_2009.pdf

Best of luck to you.

[Ohio_92]

wild ones fly a lot better.

From my experience that isn't always the case...

[dogwhistle]

they both run. but in my experience the wild birds fly higher and farther.