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Southcentral region · WMU 5A
Michaux State Forest Hunting Guide
Michaux State Forest, 85,500 acres in Cumberland, Franklin and Adams counties: whitetails, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse and squirrels, WMU 5A seasons, antlerless numbers, nearby land and towns.
Photo: Nicholas A. Tonelli (CC BY 2.0)
Sizing up Michaux State Forest
Type of ground: DCNR state forest district open to hunting and trapping. Location: Cumberland, Franklin and Adams counties, WMU 5A. Day-to-day management sits with the DCNR Bureau of Forestry. With 85,500 acres, it ranks 11th by area among 20 state forests. GIS acreage from DCNR: 87,449. Of the towns with a guide here, Bendersville is closest; the map point is about 7 miles west of it.
The 3 counties around Michaux State Forest
| County | Seat of county | Population 2024 | Land area | WMUs in county | Special Regulations | Feeding ban | CWD bin | Bears taken 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland County | Carlisle | 275,516 | 545 | 5A, 4B, 5B | No | Whole county | Yes | 11 |
| Franklin County | Chambersburg | 159,285 | 772 | 5A, 4B, 4A | No | Whole county | Yes | 9 |
| Adams County | Gettysburg | 107,914 | 519 | 5A, 5B | No | Whole county | Yes | 7 |
From the source record (DCNR Michaux State Forest page: "Michaux State Forest encompasses more than 85,500 acres in the South Mountain area of:"), 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.
Michaux State Forest: who may hunt, and how
Each card cites its source.
Getting in
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.
Rules from DCNR
DCNR allows Sunday hunting on forest land within PGC dates. Only safety zones around buildings and picnic grounds are closed.
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.
Species at Michaux State Forest, with limits
Game on the list: whitetails, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse and squirrels.
White-tailed deer
WMU 5A hunters took an estimated 12,100 deer in 2025-26.
Wild turkey
Spring turkeys, WMU 5A, 2024: 822.
Ruffed grouse
About 3,175 grouse were taken across the state in 2025.
Squirrels
Statewide squirrel harvest, 2025: 344,414.
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.
What Michaux State Forest holds
Counts and acreages come from PGC and DCNR layers; the quoted text is the agency description.
| Feature | Figures |
|---|---|
| Natural areas | 4 |
The the DCNR Bureau of Forestry write-up
Hunting for deer, turkeys, grouse and squirrels is a popular use of the forest during designated seasons. Aside from a few safety zones around buildings and picnic areas, hunting is permitted throughout the state forest. Before hunting in Michaux State Forest, please read the Hunting in Michaux State Forest Fact Sheet (PDF). Michaux State Forest encompasses more than 85,500 acres in the South Mountain area of.
Facts from the source record, pa.gov, PGC AGOL layer, pa.gov; retrieved 2026-10-12, checked October 12, 2026.
Open and upcoming seasons, Michaux State Forest
From the first junior squirrel weekend to late flintlock, 49 segments apply somewhere in Michaux State Forest 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 | |
| Black bear | Extended firearms | This area | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall season (male or female) | This area | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 3, 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 Michaux State Forest: more public land
Orange is Michaux State Forest; the other pins are public land within 25 miles. State Game Lands 235 leads the list by size, 6,271 acres.
| Nearby area | Kind | Size (ac) | Miles | Heading | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Grove Furnace State Park | State park | 75 | 5 mi | northeast | 5A |
| Kings Gap Environmental Education Center | State park | 2,500 | 8 mi | northeast | 5A |
| Caledonia State Park | State park | 740 | 8 mi | southwest | 5A |
| State Game Lands 249 | State Game Lands | 1,960 | 12 mi | east | 5A, 5B |
| State Game Lands 169 | State Game Lands | 2,513 | 13 mi | northwest | 4B, 5A |
| State Game Lands 305 | State Game Lands | 730 | 16 mi | northeast | 5A |
| State Game Lands 243 | State Game Lands | 1,167 | 19 mi | east | 5B |
| Colonel Denning State Park | State park | 35 | 19 mi | north | 4B |
| State Game Lands 76 | State Game Lands | 4,297 | 20 mi | west | 4B |
| State Game Lands 230 | State Game Lands | 1,290 | 22 mi | northeast | 4B |
| State Game Lands 242 | State Game Lands | 1,517 | 23 mi | east | 5B |
| State Game Lands 235 | State Game Lands | 6,271 | 25 mi | west | 4B |
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.
Antlerless licenses and harvest around Michaux State Forest
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 5A | 1,310 | 14 | 3 points, one side | 65,000 | +19,000 | 11/20 | Yes | 12,100 |
Since 2015, the WMU 5A harvest has ranged from 6,700 (2017) to 12,200 (2024). The 2025-26 harvest broke down to 4,800 antlered, 7,300 antlerless. By season: 4,800 archery, 6,800 firearms, 500 muzzleloader. 65,000 antlerless licenses go to WMU 5A for 2026-27, a change of +19,000.
County bear harvest
| County | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Cumberland | 11 | — |
| Franklin | 9 | — |
| Adams | 7 | — |
Unit harvest
| WMU | Turkey 2024 | Bears 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| WMU 5A | 822 | 9 |
WMU 5A: 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.
Michaux State Forest: nearest towns and businesses
Each town links to its own hunting guide.
| Base town | County | Away | Area is | Residents | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bendersville | Adams | 7 mi | west | 760 | 38,985 |
| Shippensburg | Cumberland | 8 mi | southeast | 5,638 | 39,692 |
| Newville | Cumberland | 12 mi | south | 1,412 | 33,782 |
| Gettysburg | Adams | 14 mi | northwest | 8,647 | 2,604 |
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 Michaux State Forest
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 | 26 mi |
| Buchanan State Forest | State forest | Bedford, Fulton, Franklin | 71,683 | 63 mi |
| State Game Lands 170 | State Game Lands | Perry, Cumberland | 9,463 | 29 mi |
| State Game Lands 124 | State Game Lands | Franklin, Fulton | 6,847 | 36 mi |
| State Game Lands 235 | State Game Lands | Franklin | 6,271 | 25 mi |
| State Game Lands 76 | State Game Lands | Franklin | 4,297 | 20 mi |
| State Game Lands 169 | State Game Lands | Cumberland | 2,513 | 13 mi |
| Kings Gap Environmental Education Center | State park | Cumberland | 2,500 | 8 mi |
| State Game Lands 249 | State Game Lands | Adams | 1,960 | 12 mi |
| State Game Lands 230 | State Game Lands | Cumberland, Perry | 1,290 | 22 mi |
| Caledonia State Park | State park | Franklin, Adams | 740 | 8 mi |
| State Game Lands 305 | State Game Lands | Cumberland | 730 | 16 mi |
| Cowans Gap State Park | State park | Fulton, Franklin | 630 | 29 mi |
| Pine Grove Furnace State Park | State park | Cumberland | 75 | 5 mi |
| Colonel Denning State Park | State park | Cumberland | 35 | 19 mi |
Michaux State Forest, county by county
| County | Acreage |
|---|---|
| Cumberland County | 33,135 |
| Franklin County | 28,123 |
| Adams County | 26,177 |
State forest land by county from the DCNR forest boundary layer intersected with Census county outlines.
Where to sight in near Michaux State Forest
About 21 miles separates Michaux State Forest from State Game Lands 230 Public Shooting Range, the nearest PGC range. Club ranges nearby round out the list.
Rifle range 300 yd, 9 points; Handgun range 25 yd, 25 points; Archery range 10/20/30/40/50 yd, 12 lanes
Rifle / smallbore / handgun / muzzleloader / air gun / action pistol
Trap / sporting clays / shotgun / 5-stand
From the PGC Shooting Ranges layer and the Game Commission range rules, checked October 12, 2026.
Packing for Michaux State Forest
Matched to the species on this page, with live listings.
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Shooting hours at Michaux State Forest 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 Michaux 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.
Answers for Michaux State Forest hunters
Is there an official map of Michaux State Forest?
Open the official link in the summary band.
Is the Michaux State Forest area good for deer?
The unit gave 12,100 deer in 2025-26 (PGC estimate).
Which office is in charge of Michaux State Forest?
the DCNR Bureau of Forestry runs it as a DCNR state forest district open to hunting and trapping.
Are bears taken near Michaux State Forest?
27 bears were taken in Cumberland, Franklin and Adams counties in 2024.
Where do hunters stay when they hunt Michaux State Forest?
Start from Bendersville; the area lies 7 miles to the west, in Cumberland, Franklin and Adams counties.
How large a tract is Michaux State Forest?
Roughly 85,500 acres.
Can I get a doe tag for Michaux State Forest?
A WMU 5A antlerless license; PGC allocated 65,000 for 2026-27.
Which unit sets the seasons on Michaux State Forest?
WMU 5A covers it. Three points on one antler makes a legal buck in WMU 5A.
Are Sundays open at Michaux State Forest?
Yes, in every 2026-27 season except migratory birds.
When is deer season on Michaux State Forest?
Bowhunting from Oct 3, 2026, rifle Nov 28 to Dec 13, 2026. Every segment is in the table above.
Which license covers hunting on Michaux State Forest?
Residents need the $20.97 adult license; juniors pay $6.97.
Closing notes on Michaux State Forest
Seasons, closures and road access on Michaux State Forest can change during the license year. Check the official page before you load the truck.
Sources for this page: pa.gov: hunting · pa.gov: michaux · 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: Acorns Resort (CC BY 2.0); USFWS Mountain Prairie (CC BY 2.0).