New State Game Lands Dedicated in Bell and Greenwood Townships

Pennsylvania Game Commission Northcentral Region Director Dennis Dusza announced that a dedication ceremony was held for a new State Game Lands #87 located in Bell and Greenwood Townships, Clearfield County. 

“The newest addition totaling 9,300 acres has been added to the existing Game Lands acres of 1,225 bringing the total acreage of State Game Land #87 to 10,525 acres.  The new enlarged Game Lands are now open for all sportsmen to enjoy. ” Dusza said. 

About 5,000 acres of the parcel consists of natural upland hardwood forest. The remaining 4,000 acres are non-timbered land currently or historically cleared for surface coal mining and natural gas development. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services’ National Wetlands Inventory map indentifies numerous natural and manmade wetland areas on the property. There are numerous high quality streams on the property, which support populations of cold water fish.

Many dignitaries and interested individuals attended with the following individuals speaking at the event.  Dennis Dusza, Region Director, PA Game Commission, Colleen Shannon, Land Manager, PA Game Commission, Shawn Wolfinger- RLF Deemer Properties, LLC , Tom Grice, Board Member- Visit Clearfield County, Joan McMillen-Clearfield County Commissioner, Adam Pope-Liaison, EXCO Resourses, Bill Capouillez-Director-Bureau of Wildlife Habitat, PA Game Commission and Carl Roe-Executive Director, PA Game Commission.

Dusza noted that.  “Ironically, if it was not for the Game Commission ownership of other properties, the funding required to secure this property would have never occurred.  Giving up some resources in one place to secure such a large tract that was previously closed to public hunting is something that was not entered into lightly.  We are confident we made the correct decision to use sportsmen’s dollars to put this property back at their disposal for recreational hunting purposes.  It is now time for us to enhance this property for both wildlife and the hunters.  We are looking forward to that challenge.”