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Elk County · WMU 2F
Allegheny National Forest, Marienville Ranger District Hunting
Everything we could verify about Allegheny National Forest, Marienville Ranger District: acreage, rules, game, stocking and the ground nearby.
Photo: Nicholas A. Tonelli (CC BY 2.0)
Marienville Ranger District in brief
In Elk, Forest and McKean counties, Allegheny National Forest, Marienville Ranger District is a ranger district of the Allegheny National Forest; it falls in WMU 2F. The USDA Forest Service sets the rules on the ground. It covers 249,968 acres. Marienville is the closest town on this site, about 8 miles in a straight line. Allegheny National Forest is the area that contains it.
Counties that hold Marienville Ranger District
| County | County seat | Population | Sq mi | Units | SRA | Feeding ban | Head bins | 2024 bears |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk County | Ridgway | 30,124 | 827 | 2G, 2F | No | — | Yes | 44 |
| Forest County | Tionesta | 6,601 | 427 | 2F | No | — | No | 48 |
| McKean County | Smethport | 39,478 | 980 | 3A, 2F, 2G | No | — | Yes | 78 |
From the source record (USFS EDW Lands Area Statistics (USDA Forest Service ownership by district)), 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.
Marienville Ranger District up close
PGC and DCNR map data, followed by the agency text.
In the agency’s own words
District office phone 814-927-6628 (USFS offices page / 2026 roads release).
Facts from the source record, USFS, USFS, USFS; retrieved 2026-10-12, checked October 12, 2026.
Access, licenses and rules for Marienville Ranger District
Ground-specific rules first, then licenses, orange and Sundays.
How access works
Open to hunting under PGC seasons and licenses (Allegheny National Forest rules).
Paperwork for the game here
Every hunter starts with a general license; it already carries the antlered deer and both turkey tags.
Orange, plus Sunday hunting
The rule covers small game and the firearms seasons for big game. It does not apply in archery seasons or to turkey, waterfowl, dove or furbearer hunting.
This is the first license year with Sunday hunting in all seasons but migratory birds; spring gobbler 2026 had no Sundays.
Marienville Ranger District: which seasons are running
PGC unit lines follow roads and rivers, so a county can straddle two units. This list keeps every segment that touches Marienville Ranger District.
| Game | Segment | WMU | First day | Last day | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 15, 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.
Game listed for Marienville Ranger District
Species named by the agency for this ground: whitetails, black bears, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, squirrels and woodcock.
White-tailed deer
Last season WMU 2F gave up about 26,500 deer.
Black bear
Bears from WMU 2F in 2025: 228.
Wild turkey
About 1,842 gobblers came from WMU 2F in spring 2024.
Ruffed grouse
3,175 grouse statewide in 2025, by PGC survey.
Squirrels
About 344,414 squirrels were taken across the state in 2025.
Woodcock
5,105 woodcocks statewide in 2025, by PGC survey.
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.
Public ground a short drive from Marienville Ranger District
Inside a 25-mile ring sit 12 more areas; orange marks Marienville Ranger District. Of these, State Game Lands 44 is largest (39,335 acres).
| Neighbor | Type | Acres | Miles off | Direction | WMU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Game Lands 28 | State Game Lands | 11,268 | 5 mi | south | 2F |
| Clear Creek State Forest | State forest | 16,716 | 14 mi | south | 2D, 2F |
| Clear Creek State Park | State park | 1,000 | 15 mi | southwest | 2F |
| State Game Lands 44 | State Game Lands | 39,335 | 15 mi | southeast | 2F, 2G |
| State Game Lands 54 | State Game Lands | 19,408 | 15 mi | south | 2F |
| State Game Lands 24 | State Game Lands | 8,585 | 17 mi | west | 2F |
| Cook Forest State Park | State park | 11,000 | 18 mi | southwest | 2F |
| State Game Lands 29 | State Game Lands | 9,830 | 19 mi | northwest | 2F |
| State Game Lands 283 | State Game Lands | 3,061 | 19 mi | southwest | 2F |
| Chapman State Park | State park | 700 | 19 mi | northwest | 2F |
| State Game Lands 25 | State Game Lands | 24,379 | 20 mi | east | 2G |
| Tionesta Lake | Corps lake | 2,619 | 20 mi | west | 2F |
Points from PGC, DCNR, USFS, USFWS and NPS GIS layers (USFS EDW Lands Area Statistics polygons (point inside largest parcel)). Distances are straight-line. Statewide public land map.
How many deer come off the Marienville Ranger District unit
Antlerless licenses are sold by WMU, and harvest is estimated the same way.
| WMU | Size | SGL sq mi | Buck rule | Antlerless tags | Change | Last sellout | CWD | Deer harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMU 2F | 2,411 | 221 | 3 points, one side | 67,000 | +16,000 | 7/31 | Yes | 26,500 |
The best year on the chart was 2024 with 28,800 deer; the low was 12,400 in 2015. Of the 2025-26 total, 10,800 were bucks and 15,700 antlerless. 6,770 by bow, 18,400 by firearm, 1,330 by muzzleloader. The 2026-27 allocation for WMU 2F is 67,000 antlerless licenses, +16,000 versus 2025-26.
Turkey and bear harvest
| WMU | Spring 2024 | Bear 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| WMU 2F | 1,842 | 228 |
Chronic wasting disease is present in WMU 2F, so mind the high-risk parts rule. More on CWD
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.
Units and neighbors of Marienville Ranger District
Each name opens its own page.
The larger area
| Area | Category | Counties | Acres | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegheny National Forest | National forest | Warren, Elk, Forest | 512,932 | 10 mi |
| Allegheny National Forest, Bradford Ranger District | Ranger district | Warren, McKean, Forest | 262,965 | 23 mi |
Same counties, other ground
| Area | Category | Counties | Acres | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susquehannock State Forest | State forest | Potter, Clinton, McKean | 265,000 | 58 mi |
| Elk State Forest | State forest | Cameron, Elk, McKean | 217,000 | 41 mi |
| Moshannon State Forest | State forest | Clearfield, Centre, Elk | 190,031 | 39 mi |
| State Game Lands 44 | State Game Lands | Elk | 39,335 | 15 mi |
| State Game Lands 25 | State Game Lands | Elk | 24,379 | 20 mi |
| State Game Lands 54 | State Game Lands | Jefferson, Elk | 19,408 | 15 mi |
| State Game Lands 14 | State Game Lands | Cameron, Elk | 17,360 | 31 mi |
| Clear Creek State Forest | State forest | Jefferson, Venango, Clarion | 16,716 | 14 mi |
| State Game Lands 30 | State Game Lands | McKean | 11,658 | 34 mi |
| State Game Lands 28 | State Game Lands | Elk, Forest | 11,268 | 5 mi |
| Cook Forest State Park | State park | Clarion, Forest, Jefferson | 11,000 | 18 mi |
| State Game Lands 61 | State Game Lands | McKean | 9,972 | 38 mi |
| State Game Lands 34 | State Game Lands | Clearfield, Elk | 9,558 | 40 mi |
| State Game Lands 62 | State Game Lands | McKean | 9,258 | 27 mi |
| State Game Lands 24 | State Game Lands | Forest, Clarion | 8,585 | 17 mi |
| State Game Lands 59 | State Game Lands | Potter, McKean | 7,023 | 47 mi |
| State Game Lands 293 | State Game Lands | Elk, Cameron | 5,470 | 27 mi |
| State Game Lands 338 | State Game Lands | Elk | 4,738 | 30 mi |
Towns and services near Marienville Ranger District
Closest towns first; businesses sorted by county and distance.
| Town | County | Distance | Area lies | People | Public acres within 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marienville | Forest | 8 mi | northeast | — | 167,129 |
| Sheffield | Warren | 13 mi | south | — | 206,323 |
| Kane | McKean | 13 mi | southwest | 3,489 | 155,505 |
| Ridgway | Elk | 14 mi | northwest | 3,930 | 113,577 |
Processors, taxidermists and shops
PGC and DCNR contacts
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.
Allegheny National Forest, Marienville Ranger District: nearest ranges
For a permit range, drive about 14 miles to State Game Lands 44 Public Shooting Range. Closer private options are listed beside it.
Cowboy action / action pistol / handgun / benchrest
From the PGC Shooting Ranges layer and the Game Commission range rules, checked October 12, 2026.
Kit for hunting Marienville Ranger District
Picked for the game hunted here; prices load when you click.
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When the day starts and ends at Marienville Ranger District
Legal light opens 30 minutes before sunrise for every game species. In the evening, migratory birds close at sunset and the rest 30 minutes later.
Times worked out for Marienville Ranger District 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.
Hunter questions about Marienville Ranger District
Is Marienville Ranger District open to hunters on Sunday?
Yes, except for migratory birds.
When is the rifle opener at Marienville Ranger District?
Archery opens Oct 3, 2026; the regular firearms season runs Nov 28 to Dec 13, 2026. The table above has all dates.
Can out-of-state hunters use Marienville Ranger District?
Nonresidents pay $101.97 for the adult license; residents $20.97.
Do non-hunters wear orange on Marienville Ranger District?
Yes in firearms deer, bear and elk seasons and all small game seasons: 250 sq in.
What areas neighbor Marienville Ranger District?
Close by are State Game Lands 28 (5 miles), Clear Creek State Forest (14 miles) and Clear Creek State Park (15 miles), measured in a straight line.
Which game is listed for Marienville Ranger District?
The record lists whitetails, black bears, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, squirrels and woodcock.
Where is the official page for Marienville Ranger District?
Use the agency link in the at-a-glance band.
How many deer are taken around Marienville Ranger District?
WMU 2F: 26,500 deer in 2025-26.
Who looks after Marienville Ranger District?
the USDA Forest Service is the manager; the ground is a ranger district of the Allegheny National Forest.
Are black bears common near Marienville Ranger District?
The 2024 count for Elk, Forest and McKean counties was 170.
How many miles is Marienville Ranger District from Marienville?
In Elk, Forest and McKean counties, about 8 miles northeast of Marienville.
Heading to Marienville Ranger District soon?
Every property has its own fine print. Read the Marienville Ranger District page at the agency and carry your licenses.
Sources for this page: USFS EDW: MapServer 0 · USFS: offices · USFS: forest roads open 2026 27 hunting seasons · USFS: hunting shooting; regulations from the 2026-27 PGC digest. Checked October 12, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Fyn Kynd (CC BY 2.0); bgautrea (CC BY-SA 2.0).