The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners (PGC) is expected on July 10 to finalize new elk zones, approve adding about 1,700 acres to state game lands in several parts of the state, and start a solar farm agreement.
The agency has modified the management zones for wild elk living in northcentral Pennsylvania. The 11 zones provide staff members the opportunity to closely manage the population, including where hunting should be approved or be off limits.
The agency will be issuing 155 elk licenses on July 25 during the annual Elk Expo in Benezette. The tags will include 80 for bulls and 75 for antlerless cows.
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The agenda for the quarterly meeting includes several land acquisitions.
The agency is considering three parcels of land totaling 1,516.5 acres in three northern counties. JKLM Energy of Sewickley requested an amendment to their non-surface Use Oil and Gas Agreement from Aug. 6, 2024, in State Game Land 37 in Tioga County. The company agreed to pay a $10,367,940 bonus in three yearly installments.
In lieu of paying the final, $3,424,390.20 cash payment, the company wants to offer 352 acres next to State Game Land 102 in Union Township, Erie County, 954 acres adjacent to State Game Land 62 in Keating Township, McKean County, and 210 acres adjacent to State Game Land 59 in Clara Township, Potter County to the PGC. The agency reports the value of the three properties is not equal to the $3.4 million payment and the company will pay $250,000 to the PGC in addition to the land.
Debra Mackey is offering approximately 50 acres of land in Scott Township, Wayne County, adjacent to State Game Land 299 for $50,000. The agency’s staff reports the acquisition would improve boundary line maintenance and provide additional old orchard habitat.
Relief and Research International is offering about 60 acres of land in Milford Township, Susquehanna County that is adjacent to State Game Land 35. The selling price for the land, that is described to have ideal grouse and woodcock habitat, is $228,000.
A 12.5% interest in 59 acres of land in Bell Township, Clearfield County. The property, located on both sides of Troutville Road, is an interior to State Game Land 87. Craig Knarr and the Serian Group are selling the land for $22,125. The PGC reports this parcel is a high priority grouse area. In January the commission approved acquiring 87.5% interest in this tract. This deal would give the PGC 100% ownership.
The commissioners will also consider an agreement with a solar company for property where the PGC doesn’t own the surface, but does own the mineral rights. SR1 Captura Sage Holdco, is requesting a limited waiver of surface rights for a solar development on 27 acres of a 47.3-acre parcel in Derry Township, Westmoreland County. It is a 25-year offer where the company will pay the PGC $500 an acre totaling $13,500. The PGC will be prevented from using the surface of the land, described as the top 100 feet, during the agreement.
The PGC is considering an oil and gas agreement with Snyder Brother Inc. of Kittanning under 206 acres of State Game Lands 259 in Armstrong County. The company will access the energy resources by drilling under the state property from adjacent areas. The 10-year proposal includes a $2,500 net oil and gas acre bonus payment, an 18% royalty for all oil, gas and other liquids sold from the tract. The total bonus payment is listed as $515,500 and the deal also includes amending an existing 146-acre lease the company holds on SGL 259 to restrict any future surface impact on the parcel, except for continued access to the existing Minteer and Baker Enterprises well on this tract.
The agency will have its quarterly meeting starting at 1 p.m. July 10 at the Game Commission’s Harrisburg headquarters, 2001 Elmerton Ave.
Those wishing to speak at the start of the meeting may register beginning at 12:15 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Public comments offered at board meetings are limited to five minutes and are to be confined to agenda items.
The agenda for the July meeting will be available on the PGC website. Under “About the PGC,” click on “Public Meetings,” then find the July 10 meeting info and click on the “Meeting Agenda” link.
The meeting will be livestreamed on the Game Commission’s YouTube channel and can be viewed there afterward.
Brian Whipkey is the outdoors columnist for USA TODAY Network sites in Pennsylvania. Contact him at bwhipkey@usatodayco.com and sign up for our weekly Go Outdoors PA newsletter email on this website’s homepage under your login name. Follow him on Facebook @whipkeyoutdoors.

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