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Southcentral region · WMU 4A
State Game Lands 73 Hunting Guide
State Game Lands 73, 20,814 acres in Bedford, Blair and Huntingdon counties: WMU 4A seasons, antlerless numbers, nearby land and towns.
Photo: Javcon117* (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Sizing up SGL 73
Type of ground: State Game Lands tract owned and managed by the Game Commission for hunting and trapping. Location: Bedford, Blair and Huntingdon counties, WMU 4A. Day-to-day management sits with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. With 20,814 acres, it ranks 12th by area among 312 State Game Lands. Of the towns with a guide here, Martinsburg is closest; the map point is about 6 miles south of it.
The 3 counties around SGL 73
| County | Seat of county | Population 2024 | Land area | WMUs in county | Special Regulations | Feeding ban | CWD bin | Bears taken 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford County | Bedford | 47,643 | 1,012 | 4A, 2C | No | Whole county | Yes | 40 |
| Blair County | Hollidaysburg | 120,269 | 525 | 4D, 4A, 2C | No | Whole county | Yes | 18 |
| Huntingdon County | Huntingdon | 43,359 | 875 | 4A, 4D, 4B | No | Whole county | Yes | 49 |
From the source record (PGC SGL Boundaries GIS (sum of ACRES for SGL 73)), 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.
SGL 73: who may hunt, and how
Each card cites its source.
Getting in
Access follows the statewide PGC regulations in all seasons. Walk in past the gates (no motor vehicles on gated roads or trails) and stay out of posted refuges and propagation areas.
State Game Lands rules
From October 1 to January 31 and April 20 to May 31, anyone on State Game Lands who is not hunting must wear 250 square inches of orange or an orange hat, Sundays included. PGC lists 2 designated routes here for disabled access permit holders.
Licenses for this game
Start with the general hunting license, which includes the buck and turkey tags.
Statewide rules that apply
Small game hunters and firearm deer, bear and elk hunters wear orange. Archers in archery season, turkey hunters and waterfowlers are exempt.
All Sundays inside season dates are legal for 2026-27, with migratory birds the exception.
SGL 73 species
The record for SGL 73 leaves species blank; the seasons that apply in WMU 4A follow.
What SGL 73 holds
Counts and acreages come from PGC and DCNR layers; the quoted text is the agency description.
| Feature | Figures |
|---|---|
| Food plots and openings | 3 · 2 ac |
| Route PDFs | 2 |
The PGC write-up
State Game Lands (SGL) 073 consists of 20,814 acres in 6 separate tracts in Lincoln and Hopewell townships in western Huntingdon County; North Woodbury, Huston, and Woodbury townships in eastern Blair County; and Woodbury, Liberty, Hopewell, Snake Spring, South Woodbury, and West Providence townships in northeastern Bedford County. This SGL is the largest in the Southcentral Region and will be managed in 14 compartments. SGL 073 is located entirely within wildlife management unit 4A and within the greater Chesapeake Bay Watershed and the Appalachian Mountain Section of the Ridge and Valley physiographic province of Pennsylvania.
The Game lands is heavily forested and characterized by steep mountainous terrain. Elevations range from about 900 feet above mean sea level to 2,550 feet. Access to SGL 073 is good in northern compartments, but more limited in the southern compartments. Access to compartments 1-3 is possible via Mill Lane near the village of Beavertown. Compartments 4 and 5 are accessed via Cove Mountain Road and 2 seasonal roads provide access to during hunting seasons.
Compartments 6 and 7 are accessed via Henrietta Mountain Road and a seasonal road also provides access to compartment 7. Access to compartments 7, 8, and 10 is from Raver's Gap Road. A PGC road provides public parking along Pinchot Road at the southern end of compartment 10.
Facts from the source record, pa.gov, PGC GIS, pa.gov; retrieved 2026-10-12, checked October 12, 2026.
Open and upcoming seasons, SGL 73
From the first junior squirrel weekend to late flintlock, 48 segments apply somewhere in SGL 73 this license year.
| Species | Hunt | Unit | Opening day | Closing day | Open? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 18, 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 15, 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.
Around SGL 73: more public land
Orange is SGL 73; the other pins are public land within 25 miles. State Game Lands 26 leads the list by size, 12,347 acres.
| Nearby area | Kind | Size (ac) | Miles | Heading | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warriors Path State Park | State park | 349 | 3 mi | southeast | 4A |
| State Game Lands 41 | State Game Lands | 3,234 | 6 mi | west | 4A |
| State Game Lands 67 | State Game Lands | 5,770 | 7 mi | east | 4A |
| State Game Lands 261 | State Game Lands | 3,220 | 8 mi | south | 4A |
| State Game Lands 147 | State Game Lands | 9,378 | 11 mi | north | 4A |
| Trough Creek State Park | State park | 100 | 11 mi | northeast | 4A |
| State Game Lands 121 | State Game Lands | 2,234 | 13 mi | east | 4A |
| Raystown Lake | Corps lake | 3,057 | 14 mi | northeast | 4A |
| Blue Knob State Park | State park | 5,000 | 15 mi | west | 2C |
| State Game Lands 99 | State Game Lands | 4,471 | 18 mi | east | 4A |
| Canoe Creek State Park | State park | 550 | 18 mi | north | 4D |
| State Game Lands 26 | State Game Lands | 12,347 | 18 mi | west | 2C |
Points from PGC, DCNR, USFS, USFWS and NPS GIS layers (PGC SGL Boundaries GIS (polygon centroid)). Distances are straight-line. Statewide public land map.
Antlerless licenses and harvest around SGL 73
These numbers describe the whole WMU, not this property alone.
| WMU | Sq mi | SGL sq mi | Antler rule | Antlerless 2026-27 | Change | 2025 sellout | CWD found | Deer 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMU 4A | 1,736 | 157 | 3 points, one side | 64,000 | +/- 0 | N/A | Yes | 13,500 |
Since 2015, the WMU 4A harvest has ranged from 10,100 (2016) to 16,000 (2020). The 2025-26 harvest broke down to 5,000 antlered, 8,500 antlerless. By season: 3,240 archery, 9,600 firearms, 660 muzzleloader. 64,000 antlerless licenses go to WMU 4A for 2026-27, a change of +/- 0.
County bear harvest
| County | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Bedford | 40 | — |
| Blair | 18 | — |
| Huntingdon | 49 | — |
Unit harvest
| WMU | Turkey 2024 | Bears 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| WMU 4A | 1,555 | 73 |
WMU 4A: CWD detected. The statewide high-risk parts rule applies. CWD details
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.
SGL 73: nearest towns and businesses
Each town links to its own hunting guide.
| Base town | County | Away | Area is | Residents | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martinsburg | Blair | 6 mi | south | 1,823 | 32,854 |
| Broad Top City | Huntingdon | 8 mi | west | 361 | 39,721 |
| Hollidaysburg | Blair | 15 mi | south | 5,537 | 23,193 |
| Williamsburg | Blair | 17 mi | south | 1,203 | 33,232 |
After the shot: local businesses
Agency 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.
Linked public ground for SGL 73
Links go to full pages for each area.
Other areas in these counties
| Area | Type | Counties | Acres | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscarora State Forest | State forest | Perry, Juniata, Mifflin | 96,025 | 39 mi |
| Rothrock State Forest | State forest | Huntingdon, Centre, Mifflin | 96,000 | 41 mi |
| Buchanan State Forest | State forest | Bedford, Fulton, Franklin | 71,683 | 31 mi |
| Gallitzin State Forest | State forest | Somerset, Cambria, Indiana | 24,370 | 23 mi |
| State Game Lands 108 | State Game Lands | Cambria, Blair | 22,739 | 31 mi |
| State Game Lands 158 | State Game Lands | Blair, Cambria, Clearfield | 17,463 | 32 mi |
| State Game Lands 166 | State Game Lands | Blair, Huntingdon | 12,375 | 22 mi |
| State Game Lands 26 | State Game Lands | Cambria, Bedford, Blair | 12,347 | 18 mi |
| Penn State University Lands (CWMA 447) | Cooperative WMA | Huntingdon, Centre | 11,220 | 36 mi |
| State Game Lands 48 | State Game Lands | Bedford | 11,080 | 26 mi |
| State Game Lands 147 | State Game Lands | Blair | 9,378 | 11 mi |
| State Game Lands 60 | State Game Lands | Centre, Clearfield, Blair | 8,773 | 37 mi |
| State Game Lands 198 | State Game Lands | Blair, Cambria | 8,688 | 19 mi |
| State Game Lands 104 | State Game Lands | Bedford, Somerset | 8,138 | 35 mi |
| State Game Lands 97 | State Game Lands | Bedford | 7,587 | 22 mi |
| State Game Lands 112 | State Game Lands | Huntingdon, Mifflin | 6,633 | 27 mi |
| State Game Lands 49 | State Game Lands | Bedford, Fulton | 6,437 | 30 mi |
| State Game Lands 118 | State Game Lands | Blair, Huntingdon | 6,133 | 20 mi |
Where to sight in near State Game Lands 73
About 32 miles separates State Game Lands 73 from State Game Lands 108 Public Shooting Range, the nearest PGC range. Club ranges nearby round out the list.
Rifle range 100 yd, 2 points; Handgun range 25 yd, 3 points; Shotgun patterning 20/40 yd
Archery
From the PGC Shooting Ranges layer and the Game Commission range rules, checked October 12, 2026.
Packing for SGL 73
Matched to the species on this page, with live listings.
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Fluorescent orange vest
Hunters in rifle season must wear the orange combination.
Shooting hours at SGL 73 this week
Morning shooting time begins a half hour before sunup. Big game and small game run to a half hour after sundown; ducks, geese and doves stop at sundown.
Times worked out for SGL 73 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.
Answers for SGL 73 hunters
Are Sundays open at SGL 73?
Yes, in every 2026-27 season except migratory birds.
When is deer season on SGL 73?
Bowhunting from Oct 3, 2026, rifle Nov 28 to Dec 13, 2026. Every segment is in the table above.
Which license covers hunting on SGL 73?
Residents need the $20.97 adult license; juniors pay $6.97.
Do I need orange on SGL 73?
In small game and firearms big game seasons, 250 square inches combined on head, chest and back. The SGL rule also covers non-hunters in fall and late spring.
Does PGC plant openings on SGL 73?
PGC maps 3 food plots and herbaceous openings, 2 acres in all.
Which species can hunters pursue on SGL 73?
The record is silent on species; WMU 4A rules apply.
Is the SGL 73 area good for deer?
The unit gave 13,500 deer in 2025-26 (PGC estimate).
Where can I go if SGL 73 has too many hunters?
Closest on the list: Warriors Path State Park (3 miles), State Game Lands 41 (6 miles) and State Game Lands 67 (7 miles), all within a short drive.
Are bears taken near SGL 73?
107 bears were taken in Bedford, Blair and Huntingdon counties in 2024.
Is there an official map of SGL 73?
Open the official link in the summary band.
How large a tract is SGL 73?
Roughly 20,814 acres.
Closing notes on SGL 73
Seasons, closures and road access on SGL 73 can change during the license year. Check the official page before you load the truck.
Sources for this page: PGC GIS: MapServer 17 · pa.gov: sgl 073 · PGC GIS: MapServer 15 · pa.gov: state game lands; regulations from the 2026-27 PGC digest. Checked October 12, 2026.