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Somerset County · WMU 2C and WMU 4D
Gallitzin State Forest Hunting
Everything we could verify about Gallitzin State Forest: acreage, rules, game, stocking and the ground nearby.
Photo: Chris M Morris (CC BY 2.0)
Gallitzin State Forest in brief
In Somerset, Cambria, Indiana and Bedford counties, Gallitzin State Forest is a DCNR state forest district open to hunting and trapping; it falls in WMU 2C and WMU 4D. The DCNR Bureau of Forestry sets the rules on the ground. The 24,370 acres figure places it 17th of 20 state forests by size. Bureau of Forestry GIS gives 24,462 acres. Central City is the closest town on this site, about 9 miles in a straight line.
Counties that hold Gallitzin State Forest
| County | County seat | Population | Sq mi | Units | SRA | Feeding ban | Head bins | 2024 bears |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset County | Somerset | 72,134 | 1,075 | 2C | No | 5 municipalities | Yes | 34 |
| Cambria County | Ebensburg | 130,108 | 688 | 2E, 2C, 4D | No | 12 municipalities | Yes | 18 |
| Indiana County | Indiana | 82,953 | 827 | 2E, 2D, 2C | No | 6 municipalities | Yes | 32 |
| Bedford County | Bedford | 47,643 | 1,012 | 4A, 2C | No | Whole county | Yes | 40 |
From the source record (DCNR Gallitzin State Forest page: "Much of Gallitzin rests on the Allegheny Front and the Laurel Ridge, covering 24,370 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.
Gallitzin State Forest up close
PGC and DCNR map data, followed by the agency text.
| Feature | From PGC and DCNR |
|---|---|
| Pheasant releases | 5 releases, 220 birds |
| State forest wild area | Clear Shade Wild Area · 2,774 ac |
| State forest natural areas | 1 |
In the agency’s own words
Hunting at Gallitzin State Forest 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 building and picnic areas, hunting is permitted throughout the forest. Much of Gallitzin rests on the Allegheny Front and the Laurel Ridge, covering 24,370 acres in.
Facts from the source record, pa.gov, PGC AGOL layer, pa.gov; retrieved 2026-10-12, checked October 12, 2026.
Access, licenses and rules for Gallitzin State Forest
Ground-specific rules first, then licenses, orange and Sundays.
How access works
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.
Stocked bird season
| Pheasant hunt | Open | Close |
|---|---|---|
| Junior hunt | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 |
| Regular season (male or female) | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 24, 2026 |
| Regular season (male or female) | Dec 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 |
| Falconry | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 |
Every pheasant hunter needs the pheasant permit; junior and mentored hunters under 17 get theirs free.
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.
Gallitzin State Forest: 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 Gallitzin State Forest.
| 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) | WMU 4D | 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) | WMU 4D | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall season (male or female) | WMU 2C | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall season (male or female) | WMU 2C | 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 Gallitzin State Forest
Species named by the agency for this ground: whitetails, black bears, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, squirrels, cottontails and pheasants.
White-tailed deer
Last season WMU 2C gave up about 34,400 deer.
Black bear
Bears from WMU 2C in 2025: 106.
Wild turkey
About 3,415 gobblers came from WMU 2C 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.
Cottontail rabbit
66,555 rabbits statewide in 2025, by PGC survey.
Ring-necked pheasant
The 2025 Game Take Survey puts the pheasant harvest at 214,577. Allocation: 5 releases, 220 birds.
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 Gallitzin State Forest
Inside a 25-mile ring sit 12 more areas; orange marks Gallitzin State Forest. Of these, State Game Lands 42 is largest (18,041 acres).
| Neighbor | Type | Acres | Miles off | Direction | WMU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Game Lands 26 | State Game Lands | 12,347 | 7 mi | northeast | 2C |
| Blue Knob State Park | State park | 5,000 | 9 mi | northeast | 2C |
| State Game Lands 228 | State Game Lands | 4,226 | 10 mi | south | 2C |
| State Game Lands 93 | State Game Lands | 660 | 12 mi | southwest | 2C |
| Shawnee State Park | State park | 3,000 | 14 mi | south | 2C |
| State Game Lands 198 | State Game Lands | 8,688 | 16 mi | northeast | 2C, 4D |
| Laurel Ridge State Park | State park | 13,000 | 17 mi | northwest | 2C |
| State Game Lands 41 | State Game Lands | 3,234 | 17 mi | east | 4A |
| State Game Lands 42 | State Game Lands | 18,041 | 18 mi | west | 2C |
| State Game Lands 79 | State Game Lands | 11,689 | 19 mi | northwest | 2C, 2E |
| State Game Lands 279 | State Game Lands | 469 | 20 mi | north | 2E |
| State Game Lands 48 | State Game Lands | 11,080 | 21 mi | south | 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.
How many deer come off the Gallitzin State Forest 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 2C | 2,934 | 246 | 3 points, one side | 117,000 | +24,000 | 10/18 | Yes | 34,400 |
| WMU 4D | 2,743 | 222 | 3 points, one side | 120,000 | +37,000 | 9/30 | Yes | 24,800 |
The best year on the chart was 2025 with 34,400 deer; the low was 15,200 in 2016. Of the 2025-26 total, 11,400 were bucks and 23,000 antlerless. 11,320 by bow, 21,200 by firearm, 1,880 by muzzleloader. The 2026-27 allocation for WMU 2C is 117,000 antlerless licenses, +24,000 versus 2025-26.
Chronic wasting disease is present in WMU 2C and WMU 4D, 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 Gallitzin State Forest
Each name opens its own page.
Same counties, other ground
| Area | Category | Counties | Acres | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buchanan State Forest | State forest | Bedford, Fulton, Franklin | 71,683 | 30 mi |
| Forbes State Forest | State forest | Somerset, Fayette, Westmoreland | 59,000 | 59 mi |
| State Game Lands 108 | State Game Lands | Cambria, Blair | 22,739 | 32 mi |
| State Game Lands 73 | State Game Lands | Bedford, Blair, Huntingdon | 20,814 | 23 mi |
| State Game Lands 42 | State Game Lands | Westmoreland, Cambria, Somerset | 18,041 | 18 mi |
| State Game Lands 158 | State Game Lands | Blair, Cambria, Clearfield | 17,463 | 37 mi |
| Laurel Ridge State Park | State park | Somerset, Westmoreland, Cambria | 13,000 | 17 mi |
| State Game Lands 26 | State Game Lands | Cambria, Bedford, Blair | 12,347 | 7 mi |
| State Game Lands 79 | State Game Lands | Cambria, Indiana | 11,689 | 19 mi |
| State Game Lands 48 | State Game Lands | Bedford | 11,080 | 21 mi |
| State Game Lands 111 | State Game Lands | Somerset, Fayette | 10,286 | 41 mi |
| State Game Lands 198 | State Game Lands | Blair, Cambria | 8,688 | 16 mi |
| Conemaugh River Lake | Corps lake | Indiana, Westmoreland | 8,367 | 34 mi |
| State Game Lands 104 | State Game Lands | Bedford, Somerset | 8,138 | 25 mi |
| State Game Lands 82 | State Game Lands | Somerset | 7,930 | 30 mi |
| State Game Lands 97 | State Game Lands | Bedford | 7,587 | 25 mi |
| State Game Lands 120 | State Game Lands | Clearfield, Cambria | 7,398 | 37 mi |
| State Game Lands 49 | State Game Lands | Bedford, Fulton | 6,437 | 37 mi |
How Gallitzin State Forest splits across counties
| County | State forest acres |
|---|---|
| Somerset County | 12,798 |
| Cambria County | 9,539 |
| Indiana County | 1,297 |
| Bedford County | 829 |
State forest land by county from the DCNR forest boundary layer intersected with Census county outlines.
Towns and services near Gallitzin State Forest
Closest towns first; businesses sorted by county and distance.
| Town | County | Distance | Area lies | People | Public acres within 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central City | Somerset | 9 mi | northeast | 969 | 16,681 |
| Geistown | Cambria | 9 mi | southeast | 2,296 | 28,622 |
| Jennerstown | Somerset | 18 mi | east | 664 | 17,972 |
| Bedford | Bedford | 18 mi | northwest | 2,843 | 11,061 |
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.
Gallitzin State Forest: nearest ranges
For a permit range, drive about 20 miles to State Game Lands 42 Public Shooting Range (St. Clair Township). Closer private options are listed beside it.
Rifle range 100 yd, 6 points; Handgun range 25 yd, 3 points
From the PGC Shooting Ranges layer and the Game Commission range rules, checked October 12, 2026.
Kit for hunting Gallitzin State Forest
Picked for the game hunted here; prices load when you click.
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When the day starts and ends at Gallitzin State Forest
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 Gallitzin 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.
Hunter questions about Gallitzin State Forest
Does PGC stock birds on Gallitzin State Forest?
The allocation is 220 birds in 5 releases.
Which game is listed for Gallitzin State Forest?
The record lists whitetails, black bears, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, squirrels, cottontails and pheasants.
How many deer are taken around Gallitzin State Forest?
WMU 2C: 34,400 deer in 2025-26.
What areas neighbor Gallitzin State Forest?
Close by are State Game Lands 26 (7 miles), Blue Knob State Park (9 miles) and State Game Lands 228 (10 miles), measured in a straight line.
Are black bears common near Gallitzin State Forest?
The 2024 count for Somerset, Cambria, Indiana and Bedford counties was 124.
Where is the official page for Gallitzin State Forest?
Use the agency link in the at-a-glance band.
How much huntable ground is on Gallitzin State Forest?
Agency acreage: 24,370.
Who looks after Gallitzin State Forest?
the DCNR Bureau of Forestry is the manager; the ground is a DCNR state forest district open to hunting and trapping.
Which WMU is Gallitzin State Forest in?
WMU 2C and WMU 4D. WMU 2C uses the standard three-points-on-one-side rule. Part of it lies in WMU 4D too. The three-up list covers none of them.
How many miles is Gallitzin State Forest from Central City?
In Somerset, Cambria, Indiana and Bedford counties, about 9 miles northeast of Central City.
When is the rifle opener at Gallitzin State Forest?
Archery opens Oct 3, 2026; the regular firearms season runs Nov 28 to Dec 13, 2026. The table above has all dates.
Heading to Gallitzin State Forest soon?
Every property has its own fine print. Read the Gallitzin State Forest page at the agency and carry your licenses.
Sources for this page: pa.gov: hunting · pa.gov: gallitzin · PGC AGOL layer: FeatureServer 1 · pa.gov: hunting · PASDA: MapServer 9 · PGC AGOL layer: FeatureServer 100; regulations from the 2026-27 PGC digest. Checked October 12, 2026.
Other photos on this page: mbarrison (CC BY-SA 2.0); USFWS Mountain-Prairie (Public Domain Mark 1.0).