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State Game Lands · Southwest region
State Game Lands 42 for Hunters
A hunter’s summary of State Game Lands 42 in Westmoreland, Cambria and Somerset counties: rules, seasons, harvest and local services.
Photo: John Brighenti (CC BY 2.0)
SGL 42: the essentials
WMU 2C covers State Game Lands 42, a State Game Lands tract owned and managed by the Game Commission for hunting and trapping in Westmoreland, Cambria and Somerset counties. The Pennsylvania Game Commission sets the rules on the ground. By size (18,041 acres) it comes in at 15th of 312 State Game Lands. Map figure: 18,046 acres, January 2021. Look south of Seward (the nearest town we cover), around 8 miles out.
County details near SGL 42
| County | Seat | 2024 residents | Square miles | WMUs | SRA county | CWD feeding ban | Head bin site | Bear harvest 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westmoreland County | Greensburg | 350,935 | 1,028 | 2C, 2B, 2D, 2A | No | — | Yes | 18 |
| Cambria County | Ebensburg | 130,108 | 688 | 2E, 2C, 4D | No | 12 municipalities | Yes | 18 |
| Somerset County | Somerset | 72,134 | 1,075 | 2C | No | 5 municipalities | Yes | 34 |
From the source record (PGC SGL Boundaries GIS (sum of ACRES for SGL 42)), 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 SGL 42 is hunted for
The record lists whitetails, black bears, pheasants and furbearers.
White-tailed deer
Deer harvest, WMU 2C, 2025-26: 34,400.
Black bear
PGC recorded 106 bears in WMU 2C for 2025.
Ring-necked pheasant
214,577 pheasants statewide in 2025, by PGC survey.
Furbearers (trapping)
Statewide in 2025: 33,682 coyotes, 50,350 red foxes and 136,839 raccoons.
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.
SGL 42: rules before the first sit
Prices are the PGC 2026-27 license figures.
Rules on this ground
Statewide seasons and rules apply across the game land, for hunters and trappers alike. Vehicles are barred from gated roads and trails; posted refuges and propagation areas cannot be entered.
Game land rules
Visitors who are not hunting on State Game Lands must show orange (a hat or 250 sq in) in the two seasonal windows, Oct. 1 to Jan. 31 and April 20 to May 31. License holders and $31.97 permit holders may use the range.
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 SGL 42
From the agency map layers and description.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Food plots (PGC) | 11 · 28 ac |
| SGL shooting range | rifle 100 Yds, 6 firing points; pistol 25 Yds, 3 firing points (open) |
| SGL shooting range | rifle 100 Yds, 4 firing points (open) |
What PGC says about it
State game land (SGL) 042 is located within Fairfield, Ligonier, and St. Clair Townships of Westmoreland County; Upper Yoder and Lower Yoder Townships in Cambria County; and the Townships of Conemaugh and Jenner in Somerset County. It is comprised of four separate tracts totaling 18,046.2 acres, all within Wildlife Management Unit 2C (WMU 2C). Most of the game land lies on the west slope of Laurel Mountain. Located in Pennsylvania Game Commission land management group two (2), SGL 042 is maintained by a three-member crew.
All water flows into the Ohio River Basin via the Conemaugh River. State game land 042 has 20 miles of administrative roads and 16 public parking areas. Most roads are closed year-round to motor vehicles and access is controlled with signage and/or 21 locked gates. Two roads are open year-round, and five others are open during bear and rifle deer seasons. Ongoing gas well development is increasing the number of gas well access roads on this game land as well as forest openings.
The crew headquarters is on this property. The farthest point on SGL 042 by foot from a parking area or public road is approximately 1 mile. This game land is used by the public for hunting, trapping, hiking, bird-watching, and photography. Temporarily Closed for Maintenance Listed for PGC pheasant stocking in 2026-27: 8 releases, 1,213 birds (no late season stocking).
Facts from the source record, pa.gov, PGC GIS, PGC AGOL layer; retrieved 2026-10-12, checked October 12, 2026.
SGL 42 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 2C | 2,934 | 246 | 3 points, one side | 117,000 | +24,000 | 10/18 | Yes | 34,400 |
Peak: 34,400 deer in 2025. Low: 15,200 in 2016. Bucks: 11,400; antlerless: 23,000 (2025-26). Archery 11,320; firearms 21,200; muzzleloader 1,880. Antlerless licenses for WMU 2C: 117,000 this year (+24,000).
Bears by county
| County | In 2024 | In 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Westmoreland | 18 | — |
| Cambria | 18 | — |
| Somerset | 34 | — |
Turkeys and bears by WMU
| Unit | Turkeys (spring 2024) | Bears (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| WMU 2C | 3,415 | 106 |
PGC has found CWD in WMU 2C. 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 SGL 42
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) | This area | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall season (male or female) | This area | 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.
SGL 42 plotted with its neighbors
SGL 42 sits at the orange pin, with 12 public neighbors inside 25 miles. Largest within reach: Gallitzin State Forest, 24,370 acres.
| Area | Type | Acres | Distance | Direction | WMU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurel Ridge State Park | State park | 13,000 | 6 mi | northeast | 2C |
| State Game Lands 153 | State Game Lands | 3,059 | 10 mi | northwest | 2C |
| State Game Lands 276 | State Game Lands | 4,775 | 13 mi | north | 2C, 2E |
| Hanson Aggregates | Pheasant release site | — | 13 mi | west | 2C |
| Linn Run State Park | State park | 300 | 14 mi | southwest | 2C |
| Laurel Summit State Park | State park | 5 | 14 mi | southwest | 2C |
| State Game Lands 79 | State Game Lands | 11,689 | 15 mi | northeast | 2C, 2E |
| Conemaugh River Lake | Corps lake | 8,367 | 16 mi | northwest | 2C, 2D |
| State Game Lands 93 | State Game Lands | 660 | 18 mi | southeast | 2C |
| Keystone State Park | State park | 800 | 18 mi | west | 2C |
| Gallitzin State Forest | State forest | 24,370 | 18 mi | east | 2C, 4D |
| State Game Lands 273 | State Game Lands | 1,146 | 19 mi | north | 2E |
Points from PGC, DCNR, USFS, USFWS and NPS GIS layers (PGC SGL Boundaries GIS (polygon centroid)). Distances are straight-line. Statewide public land map.
SGL 42 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 SGL 42 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.
The Game Commission range at State Game Lands 42
2 Game Commission ranges on this game land, open with the range permit or a hunting license.
Rifle range 100 yd, 6 points; Handgun range 25 yd, 3 points
- Firearm ranges: an annual State Game Lands range permit ($31.97, good for 365 days) or a current Pennsylvania general hunting or furtaker license.
- Each permit or license holder may bring one guest.
- Archery ranges need no permit and are open dawn to dusk.
From the PGC Shooting Ranges layer and the Game Commission range rules, checked October 12, 2026.
Where to stay and shop near SGL 42
Pick a base town, then find a processor.
| Town | County | Miles | Direction to area | Population | Public land nearby (ac) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seward | Westmoreland | 8 mi | south | 399 | 34,896 |
| Geistown | Cambria | 10 mi | west | 2,296 | 28,622 |
| Jennerstown | Somerset | 10 mi | north | 664 | 17,972 |
| Ligonier | Westmoreland | 10 mi | northeast | 1,478 | 20,615 |
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.
SGL 42: what to bring along
Four items chosen for this ground and its seasons.
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SGL 42: what hunters keep asking
Is SGL 42 owned by the state, a federal agency or someone else?
A State Game Lands tract owned and managed by the Game Commission for hunting and trapping; the manager is the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Is SGL 42 big enough for a full day of hunting?
18,041 acres on the record.
Which town works well as a base for SGL 42?
Westmoreland, Cambria and Somerset counties; Seward is the nearest town we cover, 8 miles away.
What Wildlife Management Unit covers SGL 42?
It lies in WMU 2C. The antler rule in WMU 2C is three points on a side.
What is the antlerless allocation near SGL 42?
117,000 for WMU 2C this year. Last year’s sellout date: 10/18.
Which 2026-27 deer segments cover SGL 42?
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 SGL 42?
All seasons include Sundays now, migratory birds excepted.
When is orange mandatory at SGL 42?
250 sq in of fluorescent orange, visible all around, whenever the season requires it. Visitors need orange on game lands in those windows too.
What paperwork do I carry on SGL 42?
Start with the $20.97 resident license; bear, archery, muzzleloader and antlerless are extra. The pheasant permit is $26.97 for adults.
What species does SGL 42 hold?
Whitetails, black bears, pheasants and furbearers.
How many food plots does SGL 42 have?
11 mapped plots, 28 acres.
SGL 42, the last word
Double-check SGL 42 with its manager: open areas, gates and any drawn hunts.
Sources for this page: PGC GIS: MapServer 17 · pa.gov: sgl 042 · PGC GIS: MapServer 9 · PGC AGOL layer: FeatureServer 100 · pa.gov: pheasant allocation · PGC GIS: MapServer 15 · pa.gov: state game lands; regulations from the 2026-27 PGC digest. Checked October 12, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Rodney Campbell (CC BY 2.0); USFWS Mountain Prairie (CC BY 2.0).