Home › Pennsylvania › Public land › SGL 51
2026-27 · State Game Lands
State Game Lands 51, a Hunter’s Guide
16,945 acres of state game lands in WMU 2C, with access rules, licenses, harvest numbers and a map.
Photo: Tim Engleman (CC BY-SA 2.0)
SGL 51 by the numbers
Think of State Game Lands 51 as a State Game Lands tract owned and managed by the Game Commission for hunting and trapping, spread over Fayette County and lying in WMU 2C. The Pennsylvania Game Commission runs it. At 16,945 acres it is number 21 of the 312 State Game Lands that report a size. Its PGC map gives 16,945 acres. From Connellsville, the nearest town guide, the area is around 6 miles to the south.
Where SGL 51 sits, county by county
| County | Courthouse town | Population | Land, sq mi | Units | Special Regs | Feeding ban | Head bins 2026 | Bear count 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayette County | Uniontown | 123,941 | 791 | 2C, 2A | No | — | No | 30 |
From the source record (PGC SGL Boundaries GIS (sum of ACRES for SGL 51)), 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.
Hunting SGL 51 by species
Listed game runs to 4 groups: whitetails, black bears, wild turkeys and pheasants.
White-tailed deer
34,400 deer came out of WMU 2C in 2025-26 (PGC estimate).
Black bear
The 2025 bear count for WMU 2C was 106.
Wild turkey
WMU 2C hunters took roughly 3,415 spring turkeys in 2024.
Ring-necked pheasant
Pennsylvania hunters took about 214,577 pheasants statewide in 2025 (Game Take Survey). 1,050 pheasants in 9 releases are allocated to this ground.
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.
Hunting SGL 51 legally
What applies on this ground, card by card.
Where and when you may hunt
Hunting and trapping run on the statewide calendar. Gates mean no motorized travel, and posted propagation areas and refuges stay closed.
SGL rules to know
Hikers, birders and other visitors must wear orange (250 square inches or a hat) on State Game Lands during the Oct. 1 to Jan. 31 and April 20 to May 31 windows. Range users carry a hunting or furtaker license, or buy the $31.97 shooting range permit.
License checklist
The general license covers small game plus the antlered deer and turkey tags; add the extras below as needed.
Sundays and blaze orange
Orange is needed in small game seasons and every firearms deer, bear and elk segment; archery seasons, turkey, waterfowl, doves and furbearers are exempt.
Except for migratory birds, every season in 2026-27 includes its Sundays.
Features mapped inside SGL 51
Everything here is read from the agency record, nothing estimated.
| On the ground | Count or size |
|---|---|
| Herbaceous openings | 26 · 32 ac |
| Birds stocked | 9 releases, 1,050 birds |
| Late stocking | Yes |
| Range on site | rifle 100 Yds, 4 firing points (open) |
Agency description
State game land (SGL) 051 is located in the townships of Connellsville, Dunbar, Springfield, Stewart, and Wharton in Fayette County, in Wildlife Management Unit 2C, and has approximately 16,954 acres. All water eventually flows into the Ohio River by way of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny River watersheds. This game land has 21 public parking areas and 26.8 miles of administrative roads that are excellent access points and interior avenues for foot travel by hunters, bird watchers, photographers, and hikers.
SGL 051 is 96% forested with some terrestrial herbaceous openings and utility rights-of-ways present. The forest is comprised primarily of tuliptree (beech) –maple forest, oak types, and mixed hardwoods, but also includes other forest types. Thirty-three percent of the forest is in the 80 to 125 year age class; most of the remaining forest is in the 6 to 79 year age classes. The age-class structure is in part a result of extensive gypsy moth mortality and salvage in the 1990's.
Management of the forest will work toward balancing the age class distribution to maximize mast production with some emphasis on late successional structure. The habitat management goal for SGL 051 is to maintain mixed succession conditions with a focus on practices that favor habitat requirements for white-tailed deer, turkeys, and bears, which are species of interest to hunters that use the area.
Facts from the source record, pa.gov, PGC GIS, PGC AGOL layer; retrieved 2026-10-12, checked October 12, 2026.
Harvest and allocation near SGL 51
PGC sets deer licenses and reports deer harvest by WMU, not by property, so these are unit figures.
| WMU | Square miles | SGL area | Antler restriction | Doe licenses | Change | Sellout | CWD detected | Deer taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMU 2C | 2,934 | 246 | 3 points, one side | 117,000 | +24,000 | 10/18 | Yes | 34,400 |
Harvest peaked at 34,400 in 2025 and bottomed at 15,200 in 2016. Antlered 11,400, antlerless 23,000 in 2025-26. Firearms seasons accounted for 21,200 deer, archery 11,320 and muzzleloader 1,880. The unit’s 2026-27 antlerless quota is 117,000 (+24,000).
Bear harvest, counties
| County | 2024 harvest | 2025 (top 10) |
|---|---|---|
| Fayette | 30 | — |
WMU harvest
| WMU | Spring turkey 2024 | Bears 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| WMU 2C | 3,415 | 106 |
CWD has been detected in WMU 2C. High-risk deer parts must be disposed of under the statewide rule. CWD rules
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 51 seasons by Wildlife Management Unit
23 species and 48 dated segments for WMU 2C. The last column compares each one with today’s date.
| Species | Segment | Unit | From | Through | Status 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 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.
The 25-mile ring around SGL 51
12 public areas within 25 miles, plus SGL 51 in orange. Biggest neighbor: Forbes State Forest, 59,000 acres.
| Public ground | Type | Acres | Distance | Which way | WMU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohiopyle State Park | State park | 20,000 | 7 mi | southeast | 2C |
| Forbes State Forest | State forest | 59,000 | 11 mi | southwest | 2C |
| State Game Lands 265 | State Game Lands | 524 | 11 mi | southeast | 2C |
| State Game Lands 111 | State Game Lands | 10,286 | 11 mi | east | 2C |
| State Game Lands 138 | State Game Lands | 2,879 | 12 mi | southwest | 2C |
| Youghiogheny River Lake | Corps lake | — | 14 mi | southeast | 2C |
| State Game Lands 296 | State Game Lands | 2,616 | 15 mi | northwest | 2A |
| State Game Lands 238 | State Game Lands | 776 | 18 mi | west | 2A |
| Laurel Hill State Park | State park | 2,200 | 18 mi | east | 2C |
| State Game Lands 271 | State Game Lands | 1,849 | 19 mi | southeast | 2C |
| Cedar Creek Park | Pheasant release site | — | 21 mi | northwest | 2B |
| Mammoth Park | Pheasant release site | — | 21 mi | north | 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.
Legal hunting light around SGL 51
Pennsylvania small and big game may be hunted from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. Doves, waterfowl and woodcock stop at sunset.
Times worked out for SGL 51 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.
Shooting range on State Game Lands 51
State Game Lands 51 has its own public range: State Game Lands 51 Public Shooting Range.
- Firearm ranges: an annual State Game Lands range permit ($31.97, good for 365 days) or a current Pennsylvania general hunting or furtaker license.
- Each permit or license holder may bring one guest.
- Archery ranges need no permit and are open dawn to dusk.
From the PGC Shooting Ranges layer and the Game Commission range rules, checked October 12, 2026.
Help close to SGL 51: shops and offices
Nearest towns by straight-line distance.
| Town | County | Distance | Toward | Population | Public ground within 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connellsville | Fayette | 6 mi | south | 6,682 | 18,353 |
| Farmington | Fayette | 8 mi | north | — | 37,840 |
| Uniontown | Fayette | 8 mi | east | 9,554 | 27,545 |
| Confluence | Somerset | 14 mi | northwest | 701 | 18,301 |
Shops and processors
Region and district 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.
Gear that fits SGL 51
Chosen around the hunting done here; listings update on every click.
Amazon links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Short answers about hunting SGL 51
Will a general license do for SGL 51?
A Pennsylvania hunting license: $20.97 resident adult, $101.97 nonresident adult. Pheasants also need the $26.97 permit.
What is the orange rule on SGL 51?
Yes: 250 square inches, head, chest and back, in the seasons that call for it. Game land visitors who are not hunting also wear orange in fall and spring.
Is SGL 51 stocked with pheasants?
Yes, 1,050 pheasants in 9 stockings. Birds also go out late in the season.
What game is SGL 51 known for?
4 groups: whitetails, black bears, wild turkeys and pheasants.
Is there a shooting range on SGL 51?
Yes: rifle 100 Yds, 4 firing points. A range permit costs $31.97 if you have no license.
Where do deer feed on SGL 51?
Yes, 26, totaling 32 acres.
What is the buck harvest in WMU 2C?
Unit-level only: 34,400 deer in WMU 2C, 2025-26.
Which other areas are close to SGL 51?
The closest public ground on our list is Ohiopyle State Park (7 miles), Forbes State Forest (11 miles) and State Game Lands 265 (11 miles).
Is there bear hunting near SGL 51?
PGC counted 30 bears in Fayette County in 2024.
How do I find parking on SGL 51?
The agency link above has the map.
How many acres is SGL 51?
16,945 acres, per PGC SGL Boundaries GIS (sum of ACRES for SGL 51).
One more check on SGL 51
Before the drive to SGL 51, confirm the WMU dates, your licenses and any posted closures.
Sources for this page: PGC GIS: MapServer 17 · pa.gov: sgl 051 · PGC GIS: MapServer 9 · PGC AGOL layer: FeatureServer 100 · pa.gov: pheasant allocation · PGC GIS: MapServer 15 · pa.gov: state game lands; regulations from the 2026-27 PGC digest. Checked October 12, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Joseph Gage (CC BY-SA 2.0); Wesley Fryer (CC BY 2.0).