State game lands expanding in 2 midstate counties
(Harrisburg) — The size of State Game Lands in two midstate counties will increase, under a deal approved by the state Game Commission. It’s part of a plan to improve wildlife protection across the state.
In Miller Township, Perry County, a $127,000 agreement will bring some 46 wooded acres of privately held land within State Game Land 281 under state control.
Agency General Counsel Brad Bechtel says the plan is to make all of state game lands contiguous.
“That may be 100 years until we close it out, but every step is a step in the right direction,” Bechtel says.
He says having game lands that are not broken up by private property has several benefits, like “less hunter-land owner conflict.
“It also makes it easier to manage wildlife on that scale, and less wildlife-people conflict, as well,” Bechtel says.
In Lebanon County, the commission accepted a donation of three parcels of undeveloped forest land.
The combined 12 acres in South Lebanon Township are next to State Game Land 156, and were donated by a couple from Lebanon.
The commission also expanded its land holdings in Erie, McKean and Centre counties.
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