Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's official state animal and the cornerstone of the state's sporting heritage. With over 1.5 million deer distributed across rural farmlands, oak ridges, and big-woods public state game lands, Pennsylvania boasts one of the most passionate deer hunting traditions in North America.

Pennsylvania bears are famous for world-class size. Feeding on abundant agricultural crops, beechnuts, and oak acorns, mature boars regularly exceed 500 to 700+ lbs, with prime populations across the Pocono and northern tier counties.

Pennsylvania holds the premier wild elk herd in the northeastern United States, numbering over 1,400 animals centered around Benezette in Elk, Cameron, and Clearfield counties. Trophy bulls weighing up to 1,000 lbs produce world-class 400+ inch antler racks.

Pennsylvania's official state bird, celebrated for its autumn drumming across young regenerating aspen stands, mountain laurel thickets, and grapevine tangles throughout the Allegheny National Forest.

Once on the brink of extirpation, Pennsylvania's wild turkey restoration is a historic triumph. Flocks inhabit every county, supporting cherished autumn rifle/shotgun and spring gobbler seasons.

Gray squirrels abound in mature oak, hickory, and beech timber statewide, while fox squirrels occupy western farm country and agricultural woodlots.

Thriving across the rocky boulder fields, sandstone talus slopes, and hemlock hollows of northern and central Pennsylvania, managed through a limited lottery harvest.

Migrates through Pennsylvania's damp alder runs, river bottoms, and old overgrown orchards every autumn, providing classic pointing dog action.