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PGC Southwest region
Forbes State Forest Hunting Notes
Access rules, 2026-27 WMU 2C dates for whitetails, black bears, wild turkeys and ruffed grouse, deer harvest and the nearest towns.
Photo: John Brighenti (CC BY 2.0)
Where Forbes State Forest sits and how big it is
Forbes State Forest is a DCNR state forest district open to hunting and trapping in Somerset, Fayette and Westmoreland counties, inside WMU 2C. It is managed by the DCNR Bureau of Forestry. Size on record: 59,000 acres, 14th among 20 state forests. Measured in DCNR GIS: 59,506 acres. Nearest town guide: Smithfield, 6 miles off; the area sits east of there.
Forbes State Forest: county context
| County | Seat | People (2024) | Land sq mi | WMUs | Special Regs Area | CWD feeding ban | CWD head bin | Bears 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset County | Somerset | 72,134 | 1,075 | 2C | No | 5 municipalities | Yes | 34 |
| Fayette County | Uniontown | 123,941 | 791 | 2C, 2A | No | — | No | 30 |
| Westmoreland County | Greensburg | 350,935 | 1,028 | 2C, 2B, 2D, 2A | No | — | Yes | 18 |
From the source record (DCNR Forbes State Forest page: "The forest comprises 15 tracts totaling almost 59,000 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.
How hunting works on Forbes State Forest
The first card is specific to this ground; the rest are the statewide rules that matter most here.
Access rules here
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.
DCNR forest rules
Sundays follow the Game Commission calendar on state forest land. The forest is open throughout except safety zones near buildings and picnic sites.
Licenses and add-ons
The adult hunting license includes antlered deer, fall turkey and spring turkey tags and covers small game.
Two statewide rules
Wear it for small game and for all firearm deer, bear and elk hunting. Bowhunters in archery seasons and turkey, duck and furbearer hunters are exempt.
Sundays are open in every 2026-27 season except migratory birds, and there are no Sundays in the 2026 spring gobbler season.
The land itself at Forbes State Forest
Mapped features first, then what the agency writes about the place.
| What is there | Details |
|---|---|
| Wild area | Quebec Run Wild Area · 7,421 ac |
| Natural areas | 2 |
From the the DCNR Bureau of Forestry description
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 buildings and picnic areas, hunting and trapping are permitted throughout the state forest. Timber management activities conducted by The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry can create areas of lush forest growth and excellent wildlife habitat. Maps that highlight areas within the Forbes State Forest where management activities have occurred are available from the district office, or can be downloaded from our maps web page .
Facts from the source record, pa.gov, PGC AGOL layer, pa.gov; retrieved 2026-10-12, checked October 12, 2026.
The game on Forbes State Forest
Per the source, hunters come here for whitetails, black bears, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, squirrels, cottontails and furbearers.
White-tailed deer
PGC estimates 34,400 deer taken in WMU 2C last season.
Black bear
In 2025, hunters checked 106 bears from WMU 2C.
Wild turkey
The spring 2024 estimate for WMU 2C is 3,415 birds.
Ruffed grouse
The 2025 Game Take Survey puts the grouse harvest at 3,175.
Squirrels
PGC survey estimate for 2025: 344,414 squirrels.
Cottontail rabbit
The 2025 Game Take Survey puts the rabbit harvest at 66,555.
Furbearers (trapping)
Furtakers and hunters took 50,350 red foxes in 2025.
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.
Every 2026-27 hunting season in Forbes State Forest
Archery, rifle, flintlock and small game segments for WMU 2C. Where only part of Forbes State Forest is covered, the unit is named.
| Species | Season | Where | Opens | Closes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Forbes State Forest: unit allocation and harvest trend
There is no harvest figure for a single game land; WMU numbers are the closest published level.
| Unit | Sq mi | SGL | Points rule | Allocation | Up/down | Sold out on | CWD | 2025-26 deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMU 2C | 2,934 | 246 | 3 points, one side | 117,000 | +24,000 | 10/18 | Yes | 34,400 |
Range on the chart: 15,200 (2016) up to 34,400 (2025). In 2025-26 the split was 11,400 antlered and 23,000 antlerless. Season split: archery 11,320, firearms 21,200, muzzleloader 1,880. PGC set 117,000 antlerless licenses for WMU 2C in 2026-27 (+24,000 from last year).
Bear counts
| County | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Somerset | 34 | — |
| Fayette | 30 | — |
| Westmoreland | 18 | — |
Gobblers and bears
| Unit | Gobblers 2024 | Bears 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| WMU 2C | 3,415 | 106 |
WMU 2C is on the list of units with CWD; follow the statewide disposal rule for high-risk parts. CWD guide
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.
How Forbes State Forest fits with nearby ground
Rows link to each area’s page; miles are straight-line.
Public land in Somerset, Fayette and Westmoreland counties
| Unit | Type | Counties | Acres | From here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gallitzin State Forest | State forest | Somerset, Cambria, Indiana | 24,370 | 59 mi |
| Ohiopyle State Park | State park | Fayette | 20,000 | 12 mi |
| State Game Lands 42 | State Game Lands | Westmoreland, Cambria, Somerset | 18,041 | 49 mi |
| State Game Lands 51 | State Game Lands | Fayette | 16,945 | 11 mi |
| Laurel Ridge State Park | State park | Somerset, Westmoreland, Cambria | 13,000 | 55 mi |
| State Game Lands 26 | State Game Lands | Cambria, Bedford, Blair | 12,347 | 65 mi |
| State Game Lands 111 | State Game Lands | Somerset, Fayette | 10,286 | 18 mi |
| Conemaugh River Lake | Corps lake | Indiana, Westmoreland | 8,367 | 51 mi |
| State Game Lands 104 | State Game Lands | Bedford, Somerset | 8,138 | 50 mi |
| State Game Lands 82 | State Game Lands | Somerset | 7,930 | 42 mi |
| State Game Lands 228 | State Game Lands | Somerset | 4,226 | 52 mi |
| Loyalhanna Lake | Corps lake | Westmoreland | 3,395 | 44 mi |
| State Game Lands 50 | State Game Lands | Somerset | 3,232 | 35 mi |
| State Game Lands 153 | State Game Lands | Indiana, Westmoreland | 3,059 | 51 mi |
| State Game Lands 138 | State Game Lands | Fayette | 2,879 | 2 mi |
| State Game Lands 296 | State Game Lands | Westmoreland, Fayette | 2,616 | 22 mi |
| Laurel Hill State Park | State park | Somerset | 2,200 | 28 mi |
| State Game Lands 271 | State Game Lands | Somerset | 1,849 | 22 mi |
Forbes State Forest acres by county
| County | Acres in county |
|---|---|
| Somerset County | 20,815 |
| Fayette County | 20,569 |
| Westmoreland County | 18,113 |
State forest land by county from the DCNR forest boundary layer intersected with Census county outlines.
Forbes State Forest on the map, with its neighbors
Map of Forbes State Forest (orange) and the public ground within 25 miles. Ohiopyle State Park (20,000 acres) is the largest nearby.
| Area | Category | Acreage | Straight line | Direction | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Game Lands 138 | State Game Lands | 2,879 | 2 mi | west | 2C |
| State Game Lands 265 | State Game Lands | 524 | 11 mi | east | 2C |
| State Game Lands 51 | State Game Lands | 16,945 | 11 mi | northeast | 2C |
| Ohiopyle State Park | State park | 20,000 | 12 mi | east | 2C |
| State Game Lands 238 | State Game Lands | 776 | 13 mi | northwest | 2A |
| Youghiogheny River Lake | Corps lake | — | 17 mi | east | 2C |
| State Game Lands 111 | State Game Lands | 10,286 | 18 mi | east | 2C |
| State Game Lands 223 | State Game Lands | 8,063 | 19 mi | west | 2A |
| State Game Lands 296 | State Game Lands | 2,616 | 22 mi | north | 2A |
| State Game Lands 271 | State Game Lands | 1,849 | 22 mi | east | 2C |
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.
Practice before hunting Forbes State Forest
State Game Lands 51 Public Shooting Range in Fayette County is the nearest State Game Lands range, 12 miles out. Two nearby club or private ranges follow.
Trap / rifle / muzzleloader / benchrest
From the PGC Shooting Ranges layer and the Game Commission range rules, checked October 12, 2026.
Towns, processors and offices near Forbes State Forest
Towns with a guide on this site, then local businesses.
| Town | County | Miles off | Area direction | People | Public acres (10 mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smithfield | Fayette | 6 mi | east | 798 | 20,398 |
| Farmington | Fayette | 7 mi | west | — | 37,840 |
| Uniontown | Fayette | 8 mi | south | 9,554 | 27,545 |
| Connellsville | Fayette | 16 mi | south | 6,682 | 18,353 |
Local help
Offices for this ground
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.
Seven days of shooting time for Forbes State Forest
The Game Commission window is sunrise minus 30 minutes to sunset plus 30 for deer, bear, turkey and small game; migratory birds end at sunset.
Times worked out for Forbes 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.
Kit for hunting Forbes State Forest
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Hang-on tree stand
Most Pennsylvania deer hunters sit in hardwood ridges, on benches and along laurel edges.
Forbes State Forest, asked and answered
How much do licenses cost for Forbes State Forest?
The general license ($20.97 resident) plus any add-ons for your game.
What game does the agency list for Forbes State Forest?
The area lists whitetails, black bears, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, squirrels, cottontails and furbearers.
Is there more public ground near Forbes State Forest?
Try State Game Lands 138 (2 miles), State Game Lands 265 (11 miles) and State Game Lands 51 (11 miles); each has its own page here.
How many deer come out of the unit around Forbes State Forest?
PGC estimates 34,400 deer for WMU 2C in 2025-26; no figure exists for Forbes State Forest alone.
Does the agency publish a map of Forbes State Forest?
The official map or page is linked at the top of this page.
What was the bear harvest around Forbes State Forest?
Somerset, Fayette and Westmoreland counties: 82 bears in 2024.
What sort of ground is Forbes State Forest?
It is a DCNR state forest district open to hunting and trapping, managed by the DCNR Bureau of Forestry.
What does Forbes State Forest measure in acres?
About 59,000 acres.
Which town is nearest to Forbes State Forest?
Base in Smithfield, 6 miles off; the area is in Somerset, Fayette and Westmoreland counties.
Which WMU do I buy antlerless tags for at Forbes State Forest?
Seasons follow WMU 2C. Bucks in WMU 2C need three points on one side.
Which antlerless license works on Forbes State Forest?
117,000 WMU 2C licenses; the 2025-26 supply ran out 10/18.
Forbes State Forest: confirm before you go
Rules on public ground change more often than the digest. Recheck Forbes State Forest with the agency before you go.
Sources for this page: pa.gov: hunting · pa.gov: forbes · PGC AGOL layer: FeatureServer 1 · pa.gov: hunting · PASDA: MapServer 9; regulations from the 2026-27 PGC digest. Checked October 12, 2026.
Other photos on this page: tuchodi (CC BY 2.0); USFWS/Southeast (Public domain).