The Pennsylvania Game Commission reminds hunters that opening day for Pennsylvania’s 2026-27 hunting seasons is Tuesday, Sept. 1 — marking the beginning of statewide seasons for both Canada goose and mourning doves.

The agency has also upgraded its online mapping center to enhance user experience for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts.

“For hunters, we’re entering the best time of the year,” said Game Commission Executive Director Stephen Smith. “The early season is upon us, marking the beginning of the new license year, a time when hunters across the state are making plans and preparing for all our exciting seasons ahead. On behalf of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, we wish all hunters a safe and successful year ahead.”

The upgraded mapping center offers a cleaner, more user-friendly interface; faster access to maps and information; live data from authoritative agency sources; improved search, navigation, and overall performance. This platform is available on the agency’s website and will continue to grow as new features and datasets become available.

“Most of us have become very reliant on our smartphones, especially when it comes to maps, so we wanted to ensure our enhanced mapping tool had better mobile functionality,” added Smith. “Beyond that, it’s a more streamlined tool with better search capabilities, updated symbols for map layers, and more. Updates will continue to be added throughout the fall.”

The Canada goose season runs Sept. 1-25 in both the Resident Population Zone and the Atlantic Population Zone. Hunters are reminded that in western Crawford County and northwestern Mercer County, the season runs from Sept. 1-12, with a daily limit of one and a possession limit of three. In the Atlantic Population Zone, the daily limit is eight, with a possession limit of 24.

The mourning dove season begins Sept. 1 and continues through Nov. 27, 2026. The daily bag limit is 15 doves, with a possession limit of 45. The Game Commission has prepared more than 80 managed dove fields on state game lands to enhance hunting opportunities.

As a reminder, Sunday hunting is prohibited for migratory game birds, including waterfowl, doves, and woodcock, throughout the 2026-27 license year.

Licensed junior and mentored youth hunters can hunt ducks, mergansers, coots, gallinules, Canada geese, and brant statewide during a special Youth Day on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. All waterfowl hunting licensing requirements apply.

Hunting dogs are common partners in both dove and goose fields and are a valuable investment for many hunters. The Game Commission reminds hunters that in Pennsylvania, licensing your dog is required and can be helpful if a dog gets lost or separated while hunting.

Visit pa.gov/doglicense to learn more.

The Game Commission is also alerting hunters that its current mobile app has been deactivated. The agency’s new “HuntFishPA” mobile app will be managed in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to provide a digital one-stop shop for hunters and anglers. The new app is expected to launch in 2027.

$20M investment secured to clean up hazardous sites throughout Pa.

Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Jessica Shirley, state, local, and county officials this week highlighted the success of the Act 2 Land Recycling Program.

The 2026-27 budget included a one-time $20 million transfer to support the HSCA program, allowing DEP to continue critical state-led site investigations and remediation projects while the Commonwealth works toward identifying a permanent funding source for this important environmental and public health work.

“The Shapiro-Davis Administration believes environmental protection is both a responsibility and a constitutional obligation, and we’re putting real resources behind that commitment,” said Lt. Governor Davis. “We’ve invested more than $100 million to support over 800 completed Act 2 cleanups, and now the one-time $20 million investment will help the Department of Environmental Protection continue critical, state-led site investigations and remediation projects. This work doesn’t just protect our environment — it creates opportunities for economic growth, producing more jobs in manufacturing, construction, conservation, and environmental services.”

Since 2023, the Shapiro-Davis Administration has invested more than $100 million to support over 800 completed Act 2 cleanups and investigations and remediation projects at more than 150 hazardous sites across Pennsylvania — protecting public health, restoring communities, putting contaminated properties back to productive use, and creating new opportunities for economic growth across Pennsylvania.

The HSCA program conducts initial investigations into land and water pollution to identify responsible parties. When none can be found, HSCA funding supports cleanup solutions such as land remediation and water treatment.

The program also drives economic development by supporting redevelopment through Pennsylvania’s Act 2 program, which has approved 13,688 cleanups across all 67 counties since 1995.

BACK WOODS BASS RESULTS

Week of Aug. 16

Bob Strunk reports results from the Back Woods Bass Harveys Lake Wednesday Night Lunker Tournament, the Back Woods Bass Harveys Lake Friday Night Tournament and the Monday Night River Tournament.

Monday Night

River Tournament

1st Place: Ryan Borton/Jake Seymour/Jared Adamski 5.19 lbs

2nd Place: Rj Kresge/Jonathan Wychock 4.50 lbs

3rd Place: John Centak/Ron Dopko 4.10 lbs

4th Place: Brad Glazenski 4.05 lbs

5th Place: Jerry & Jerry Vitale 3.83 lbs

6th Place: Bob & Cindy 3.50 lbs

Wednesday Night

Harveys Lake Lunker Tournament

1st Place: Dave Brill 3.97 lbs

2nd Place: Kenny Kosloski 3.87 lbs

3rd Place: George Hogan 3.81 lbs

4th Place: Jake Seymour 3.54 lbs

5th Plce: Jarrett Wolfe 3.05 lbs

6th Place: Kevin Seymour 3.04 lbs

7th Place: Joe McGraw Jr. 2.98 lbs

8th Place: Joe Simko 2.91 lbs

9th Place: Joe Kosloski 2.86 lbs

10th Place: Joe McGraw Sr. 2.79 lbs

Friday Night

Harveys Lake Tournament

1st Place: Kevin & Jake Seymour 14.50 lbs

2nd Place: Johnny Niezgoda 14.27 lbs

3rd Place: Dave Brill/Chris Kalna 12.08 lbs

4th Place: Kenny Kosloski/Ron Dopko 12.04 lbs

5th Place: Matt Fredmonski/Mark Maros 12.00 lbs

6th Place: Al Arnot/Jeff Siegfried 10.27 lbs

Also won Lunker Award 4.21 lbs

7th Place: Pete Sulla 9.34 lbs

8th Place: Chuck Peterman/Duke 9.27 lbs

9th Place: Eric Jarnot/Ron Burd 9.17 lbs

10th Place: Jordon Goss/Danny Harrison 9 lbs

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