Harrisburg, PA -(AmmoLand.com)- State Game Lands 33 will grow by more than 171 acres thanks to a land donation by the Woodduck Chapter of Trout Unlimited, approved today by the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners.
The property, which is located in Rush Township, Centre County and adjoins the existing game lands, mostly is forested with mixed oaks, aspen, maple, birch, and cherry, with mountain laurel, rhododendron, witch-hazel and greenbrier in the understory.
On about 30 acres of the tract, there are seven impoundments of an acre or less that are part of a passive system to treat acid-mine discharge affecting a tributary to Cold Stream, which is stocked with trout and runs through the western side of the property.
Access to the property is from Dike Road, east of state Route 322.
Additionally, the Board of Game Commissioners today approved the donation of fractional interest in clay, coal and other minerals on nearly 1,944 acres of State Game Lands 54 and 195 in Jefferson County.
Harry Deible offered the donation, which includes a one-third interest in coal and other minerals on about 27 acres in Snyder Township under a portion of State Game Lands 54; a one-third of one-half interest in coal and other hard minerals on more than 136 acres in Henderson and Gaskill townships under a portion of State Game Lands 195; and a one-third interest in clay and other hard minerals, except coal, on more than 1,780 acres located in Henderson and Gaskill townships under a portion of State Game Lands 195.
Acquiring these fractional interests in mineral rights will provide more control of the surface on these portions of State Game Land 54 and 195.
And Camp Earl Inc. donated to the Game Commission a 50-foot-wide, 1,590 right-of-way along the northwestern boundary of a property it owns in Forkston Township, Wyoming County, adjacent to State Game Lands 57.
The board approved the donation today.
Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Director Peter F. Sussenbach said State Game Lands 57 is about 45,000 acres, but the upper section is difficult to get to because of its location and rugged terrain. The right-of-way will provide easy access that will connect an existing parking lot to that section through the right-of-way.
Access to the right-of-way will be from Windy Valley Road.
Sussenbach said the right-of-way also will allow the Game Commission to better manage timber on the tract.
About Pennsylvania Game Commission:
For more than 100 years, the Game Commission has managed the Commonwealth’s wildlife resources for all Pennsylvanians. With the help of more than 700 full-time employees and thousands of part-timers and volunteers, the agency provides a host of benefits to wildlife, state residents and visitors.
For more information, visit: www.pgc.state.pa.us.