Small Game Lands Offer Big Rewards

By Freddie McKnight

They may be small in size, but their locations are the key to what they offer. State game lands in and around the Pittsburgh region are few and far between, but what they lack in quantity, they make up for in quality.

Take SGL 296, for example. It is a bit over 2,000 acres, not much land when you consider the population of people around it, but where it lies and the type of ground it is makes it capable of featuring quality hunts.

Most hunters are keying in on deer right now, and this spot can produce in both size and numbers, but don’t forget to look into the small game hunting as well. Rabbits, squirrels, and grouse all can be found here and are largely overlooked by those caught up in the rat-race of life. If you have the time, and are looking for a quality hunt, you just may want to check this spot out.

We can go even smaller in size with SGL 148, yet the quality of the hunt is still there, maybe even a bit higher. Its proximity to a golf course makes this an ideal location for those late season archers and muzzleloader hunters. Deer like to feed on those high-quality food sources and the way golf greens are kept, it is like a diner to the deer. They tend to flock to these spots in great numbers and the damage they can do is enormous.

You might even be able to attain permission to hunt some of the private land in and around the game lands too. Homeowners can get quite fed up with the deer eating their expensive shrubs and plants. A courteous approach to them may result in a hunting hotspot for yourself.

Hey, let’s not forget the small game opportunities here as well. Fox squirrels are making a great comeback and this is one of those spots you can put a few of them in your game pouch. Grouse and pheasants can be found here as well, along with a few rabbits. Don’t forget the occasional coyote and the fox population that needs thinned out as well. All can create a great memory if you are willing to put in the time and effort.

Even more small state game lands are scattered about the region. You can find SGLs 164, 297, 303, and others on a good map.

All are small, yet offer the same kinds of quality action to be found on the aforementioned parcels. You just need to be willing to put in the time and effort to create the hunt. It is not just going to jump out at you. You have to do your homework.

Aside from the public aspect, there are many areas of private land that can be accessed, if you are willing to do a little homework as well. Take notes of newspaper accounts about crop damage areas or places where deer and other animals are invading the private sector. They are usually not too hard to find. Of course whitetails will be the hot topic because they cause the most damage, but you can also find areas where furbearers, as well as geese, squirrels and others animals, are being complained about. These are the zones you want to check into to gain private access. Permission can be gained easily, especially when you note the way you found out about the invasion going on.

Not only are we talking about land animals here, but let’s take a look around the western portion of Pennsylvania, especially the Pittsburgh region and southward, at the problems with geese. These birds have made this region their year-round home now, and with it they have caused a great deal of public concern. Public parks, golf courses, and other such areas have been made homes.

Geese droppings have caused a great deal of concern because of water quality and other issues. Thinning out the populations is about the only method available to keep the birds in check. Hunting is the only feasible solution to that cause.

Not all of the areas mentioned are going to allow hunting, but some special hunts, along with surrounding lands, are great places to get in on the action. With this many geese in the area there are surely going to be some in the air and moving during the peak times to hunt. If you are a tagged out archer looking for something to hunt during the deer season, you might want to check this action out. Setting up in scouted out fields to call in the flocks can provide for a great hunt.

Of course if this is not your type of action, you always have another option as well. With the many water courses running through the region, you can always float hunt in a jon boat or canoe. This is also a deadly method for taking flight ducks as well. It is at this time of the year that the first huge flocks of northern birds come into this area. Having already experienced the decoying methods of the northern hunters, they are susceptible to float hunts. Just do some looking around at where in your hunting area there may be the opportunity to do so.

So you don’t have the time in the day to hunt? Well we can also address this issue, hunt at night. What, you say? Well, that is the best method for fox, coyote, and raccoon, of which there are no shortages in the state. Using either a mouth blown call to

simulate an animal in distress, or a cassette playing call with the vast array of recorded calls available there, you can have some great action on animals that are largely overlooked. It is not uncommon on a good night to see 20 or more foxes coming to the call. That is not to say that you are going to get that many, but it could happen. Knowing where these animals hunt is the key to getting them to come in. Note if you are spotlighting and you see them in a certain place, check it out for future hunting opportunities. After the first snow of the year, take a walk along the field edges to locate tracks. This is the best way to find the freshest sign and areas to hunt.

Raccoons love to hang out in abandoned buildings and rock quarries. If you know you have some of those in your neck of the woods, you ought to check them out to see if they can be hunted. Try a tape called Coon Puppies or Coon Puppies 2. Both work well for me for taking raccoons over the call. You would be surprised at how easily they can be called in, and the best part is that few if any other hunters will be out trying to cut in on your action. It’s just another part of hunting that is largely overlooked, yet can provide hours of enjoyment.

As you can tell, there are no shortages of hunting opportunities in this region. And, have I mentioned the fishing action to be had now as well? Sauger, walleye, trout, and musky are all great species for coldwater angling. Get out and get at it is all I have to say.