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Clear Creek State Forest for Hunters
A hunter’s summary of Clear Creek State Forest in Jefferson, Venango, Clarion and Forest counties: rules, seasons, harvest and local services.
Photo: Nicholas A. Tonelli (CC BY 2.0)
Clear Creek State Forest: the essentials
WMU 2D and WMU 2F covers Clear Creek State Forest, a DCNR state forest district open to hunting and trapping in Jefferson, Venango, Clarion and Forest counties. The DCNR Bureau of Forestry sets the rules on the ground. By size (16,716 acres) it comes in at 18th of 20 state forests. On the DCNR forest boundary the district adds up to 16,103 acres. Look northwest of Brockway (the nearest town we cover), around 10 miles out.
County details near Clear Creek State Forest
| County | Seat | 2024 residents | Square miles | WMUs | SRA county | CWD feeding ban | Head bin site | Bear harvest 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | Brookville | 43,367 | 652 | 2D, 2F, 2E, 2G | No | 7 municipalities | Yes | 60 |
| Venango County | Franklin | 49,476 | 674 | 2F, 2D, 1B, 1A | No | — | No | 74 |
| Clarion County | Clarion | 36,855 | 601 | 2D, 2F | No | — | No | 57 |
| Forest County | Tionesta | 6,601 | 427 | 2F | No | — | No | 48 |
From the source record (DCNR Clear Creek State Forest page: "Clear Creek State Forest comprises 16,716 acres in:"), counties and WMUs from the PGC county and WMU layers; county facts from the Census and the 2026-27 digest; bear counts from the PGC 2024 bear release. Checked October 12, 2026.
What Clear Creek State Forest is hunted for
The record lists whitetails, black bears, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, squirrels and cottontails.
White-tailed deer
Deer harvest, WMU 2D, 2025-26: 42,300.
Black bear
PGC recorded 175 bears in WMU 2D for 2025.
Wild turkey
PGC estimates 3,620 spring birds for WMU 2D (2024).
Ruffed grouse
PGC survey estimate for 2025: 3,175 grouse.
Squirrels
Pennsylvania hunters took about 344,414 squirrels statewide in 2025 (Game Take Survey).
Cottontail rabbit
PGC survey estimate for 2025: 66,555 rabbits.
Species from the area record; bag limits and seasons from the PGC seasons and bag limits; harvest from PGC deer report, PGC harvest data and PGC turkey report. Checked October 12, 2026.
Clear Creek State Forest: rules before the first sit
Prices are the PGC 2026-27 license figures.
Rules on this ground
Open to hunting and trapping under PGC seasons and regulations throughout the forest except safety zones around buildings and picnic areas; Sunday hunting follows PGC dates.
Forest musts
On state forests, Sunday hunting runs on the PGC dates. Safety zones around forest buildings and picnic areas are the only closed spots.
License costs
One general license covers small game and comes with tags for an antlered deer and two turkeys (fall and spring).
Sunday and orange rules
Firearm big game and all small game seasons call for orange; archery-only, turkey and migratory bird hunts do not.
Sunday hunting now covers every season other than ducks, geese, doves and woodcock; the 2026 spring gobbler season skipped Sundays.
On the ground at Clear Creek State Forest
From the agency map layers and description.
What the DCNR Bureau of Forestry says about it
Hunting for deer, turkey, grouse, squirrels, rabbits, and black bear is a popular use of the forest during designated seasons. Other than a few safety zones around leased camps and forestry buildings, hunting is permitted throughout the state forest.
Facts from the source record, pa.gov, PGC AGOL layer, pa.gov; retrieved 2026-10-12, checked October 12, 2026.
Clear Creek State Forest deer numbers by WMU
Unit-level figures from PGC, the finest level published for deer.
| Unit | Area sq mi | Game lands | Antlers | Licenses | Change | Sellout 2025 | CWD | Deer 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMU 2D | 2,487 | 84 | Three up | 112,000 | +16,000 | 8/29 | Yes | 42,300 |
| WMU 2F | 2,411 | 221 | 3 points, one side | 67,000 | +16,000 | 7/31 | Yes | 26,500 |
Peak: 42,300 deer in 2025. Low: 28,000 in 2015. Bucks: 15,000; antlerless: 27,300 (2025-26). Archery 13,680; firearms 26,300; muzzleloader 2,320. Antlerless licenses for WMU 2D: 112,000 this year (+16,000).
PGC has found CWD in WMU 2D and WMU 2F. Dispose of high-risk parts as the statewide rule requires. CWD page
WMU areas from the PGC WMU pages; antlerless allocations from the PGC allocation; deer harvest from the 2025-26 PGC report and the PGC historic harvest dashboard; bears from PGC releases; turkeys from PGC job report. Checked October 12, 2026.
2026-27 season calendar for Clear Creek State Forest
Rows come straight from the 2026-27 digest and the seasons and bag limits page; the status column turns green while a season is open.
| Animal | Season | Covers | Starts | Ends | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Agricultural Deer Control (Ag Tag, antlerless only) | This area | Aug 1, 2026 | Apr 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery (antlered and antlerless) | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | October muzzleloader (antlerless only) | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Special firearms (antlerless only) | Statewide | Oct 22, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Rifle (antlered and antlerless) | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery (antlered and antlerless) | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Extended regular firearms (antlerless only) | This area | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Flintlock (antlered or antlerless) | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Archery | This area | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Oct 22, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Special firearms | Statewide | Oct 22, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Rifle | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 24, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall season (male or female) | WMU 2F | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall season (male or female) | WMU 2D | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall season (male or female) | WMU 2F | Nov 25, 2026 | Nov 27, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall season (male or female) | WMU 2D | Nov 25, 2026 | Nov 27, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring gobbler youth hunt | Statewide | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring gobbler season (morning only) | Statewide | May 1, 2027 | May 15, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring gobbler season (all day) | Statewide | May 16, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Regular | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 24, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Junior hunt | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (male or female) | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 24, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (male or female) | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Dec 24, 2026 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Regular | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Cottontail | Junior hunt | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Regular | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 24, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Regular | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Regular | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Squirrels | Junior hunt | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Squirrels | Regular | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Dec 24, 2026 | |
| Squirrels | Regular | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodchuck | Regular | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Dec 24, 2026 | |
| Woodchuck | Regular | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Crow | Regular (Thursday-Sunday only) | Statewide | Aug 20, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Fox | Hunting | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Feb 21, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Feb 21, 2027 | |
| Porcupine | Hunting | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 27, 2026 | |
| Porcupine | Hunting | Statewide | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 24, 2026 | |
| Porcupine | Hunting | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Mourning dove | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 27, 2026 | |
| Mourning dove | Regular | Statewide | Dec 18, 2026 | Jan 2, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Regular | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 8, 2026 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | This area | Jan 9, 2027 | Feb 3, 2027 | |
| Opossum, striped skunk and weasel | Hunting | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Starling and English sparrow | No closed season | Statewide | Jul 1, 2026 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| Gallinules | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Virginia and sora rails | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Regular | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 8, 2026 |
From the Pennsylvania Game Commission seasons and bag limits and the 2026-27 digest, checked October 12, 2026.
Clear Creek State Forest plotted with its neighbors
Clear Creek State Forest sits at the orange pin, with 12 public neighbors inside 25 miles. Largest within reach: Allegheny National Forest, Marienville Ranger District, 249,968 acres.
| Area | Type | Acres | Distance | Direction | WMU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Game Lands 54 | State Game Lands | 19,408 | 4 mi | east | 2F |
| Clear Creek State Park | State park | 1,000 | 7 mi | west | 2F |
| State Game Lands 28 | State Game Lands | 11,268 | 10 mi | north | 2F |
| State Game Lands 44 | State Game Lands | 39,335 | 10 mi | east | 2F, 2G |
| State Game Lands 283 | State Game Lands | 3,061 | 12 mi | west | 2F |
| Cook Forest State Park | State park | 11,000 | 13 mi | west | 2F |
| Allegheny National Forest, Marienville Ranger District | Ranger district | 249,968 | 14 mi | north | 2F |
| State Game Lands 77 | State Game Lands | 3,038 | 14 mi | southeast | 2E, 2G |
| State Game Lands 244 | State Game Lands | 4,872 | 15 mi | south | 2D |
| State Game Lands 74 | State Game Lands | 6,568 | 18 mi | west | 2F |
| State Game Lands 24 | State Game Lands | 8,585 | 19 mi | northwest | 2F |
| State Game Lands 31 | State Game Lands | 5,157 | 19 mi | south | 2D |
Points from PGC, DCNR, USFS, USFWS and NPS GIS layers (DCNR Bureau of Forestry boundary GIS (point inside largest parcel)). Distances are straight-line. Statewide public land map.
Clear Creek State Forest: parent, units and county neighbors
Largest first; distance is as the crow flies.
Neighbors by county
| Name | Type | Counties | Acreage | Straight line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegheny National Forest | National forest | Warren, Elk, Forest | 512,932 | 24 mi |
| Allegheny National Forest, Bradford Ranger District | Ranger district | Warren, McKean, Forest | 262,965 | 37 mi |
| Allegheny National Forest, Marienville Ranger District | Ranger district | Elk, Forest, McKean | 249,968 | 14 mi |
| State Game Lands 54 | State Game Lands | Jefferson, Elk | 19,408 | 4 mi |
| State Game Lands 28 | State Game Lands | Elk, Forest | 11,268 | 10 mi |
| Cook Forest State Park | State park | Clarion, Forest, Jefferson | 11,000 | 13 mi |
| State Game Lands 39 | State Game Lands | Venango | 10,869 | 50 mi |
| State Game Lands 24 | State Game Lands | Forest, Clarion | 8,585 | 19 mi |
| Oil Creek State Park | State park | Venango | 6,800 | 39 mi |
| State Game Lands 74 | State Game Lands | Clarion, Jefferson | 6,568 | 18 mi |
| State Game Lands 45 | State Game Lands | Venango, Clarion | 6,138 | 35 mi |
| State Game Lands 31 | State Game Lands | Jefferson | 5,157 | 19 mi |
| State Game Lands 96 | State Game Lands | Venango | 5,031 | 47 mi |
| State Game Lands 244 | State Game Lands | Jefferson | 4,872 | 15 mi |
| State Game Lands 63 | State Game Lands | Clarion | 3,553 | 26 mi |
| State Game Lands 195 | State Game Lands | Jefferson | 3,460 | 26 mi |
| State Game Lands 130 | State Game Lands | Mercer, Venango | 3,170 | 55 mi |
| State Game Lands 283 | State Game Lands | Jefferson, Clarion | 3,061 | 12 mi |
County share of Clear Creek State Forest
| County | District acres |
|---|---|
| Jefferson County | 9,891 |
| Venango County | 3,242 |
| Clarion County | 1,922 |
| Forest County | 1,004 |
| Mercer County | 45 |
State forest land by county from the DCNR forest boundary layer intersected with Census county outlines.
Clear Creek State Forest hunting hours by day
Deer, bear and grouse hunters get a half hour of light at both ends of the day. Duck, goose and dove hunters stop right at sunset.
Times worked out for Clear Creek State Forest in Eastern time from the rule in the Pennsylvania Game Commission digest (shooting hours). Some furbearers may be taken at night; check the digest. Shooting hours for every county.
Where to sight in near Clear Creek State Forest
The Game Commission range closest to Clear Creek State Forest is State Game Lands 44 Public Shooting Range (8 miles). Local clubs within 30 miles are included.
Rifle / long-range rifle
From the PGC Shooting Ranges layer and the Game Commission range rules, checked October 12, 2026.
Where to stay and shop near Clear Creek State Forest
Pick a base town, then find a processor.
| Town | County | Miles | Direction to area | Population | Public land nearby (ac) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brockway | Jefferson | 10 mi | northwest | 2,226 | 58,329 |
| Brookville | Jefferson | 12 mi | northeast | 3,899 | 14,070 |
| Marienville | Forest | 13 mi | southeast | — | 167,129 |
| Ridgway | Elk | 15 mi | southwest | 3,930 | 113,577 |
Services close by
Nearest offices
Towns and populations from the Census 2024 estimates and Gazetteer; public acres within 10 miles from PGC, DCNR and federal layers; businesses from Hunters Sharing the Harvest, PDA, store locators and listings; offices from PGC and DCNR pages. Checked October 12, 2026. Call ahead.
Clear Creek State Forest: what to bring along
Four items chosen for this ground and its seasons.
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Clear Creek State Forest: what hunters keep asking
What is the antlerless allocation near Clear Creek State Forest?
112,000 for WMU 2D this year. Last year’s sellout date: 8/29.
Which 2026-27 deer segments cover Clear Creek State Forest?
Rifle season: Nov 28 to Dec 13, 2026. Archery starts Oct 3, 2026. The full list is in the season table above.
Is Sunday hunting allowed on Clear Creek State Forest?
All seasons include Sundays now, migratory birds excepted.
When is orange mandatory at Clear Creek State Forest?
250 sq in of fluorescent orange, visible all around, whenever the season requires it.
What paperwork do I carry on Clear Creek State Forest?
Start with the $20.97 resident license; bear, archery, muzzleloader and antlerless are extra.
What species does Clear Creek State Forest hold?
Whitetails, black bears, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, squirrels and cottontails.
What is the closest public land to Clear Creek State Forest?
In order of distance: State Game Lands 54 (4 miles), Clear Creek State Park (7 miles) and State Game Lands 28 (10 miles).
What was the deer harvest near Clear Creek State Forest?
About 42,300 deer came from WMU 2D last season.
Where can I get a map of Clear Creek State Forest?
The managing agency’s page or PDF is linked above.
How many bears in Jefferson and Venango counties?
239 bears in 2024 across Jefferson, Venango, Clarion and Forest counties.
Is Clear Creek State Forest owned by the state, a federal agency or someone else?
A DCNR state forest district open to hunting and trapping; the manager is the DCNR Bureau of Forestry.
Clear Creek State Forest, the last word
Double-check Clear Creek State Forest with its manager: open areas, gates and any drawn hunts.
Sources for this page: pa.gov: hunting · pa.gov: clear creek · PGC AGOL layer: FeatureServer 1 · pa.gov: hunting; regulations from the 2026-27 PGC digest. Checked October 12, 2026.
Other photos on this page: GerryT (CC BY 2.0); USFWS/Southeast (Public domain).