New rules prohibiting hunters from using rifles and handguns in four state parks in southeastern Pennsylvania have been announced by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Hunters now are prohibited from hunting with any rifles or handguns in Evansburg, Marsh Creek and Nockamixon state parks, as well as White Clay Creek Preserve.
Evansburg is a 3,349-acre state park near Collegeville in Montgomery County. Marsh Creek is a 1,705-acre state park near Glenmoore in Chester County. Nockamixon is a 5,283-acre state park near Quakertown in Bucks County. White Clay Creek is a 3,050-acre preserve near Landenberg in Chester County that is administered by the Bureau of State Parks.
Under the new rules, hunters are permitted to use shotguns, muzzleloaders, and bows and arrows in the four parks during established hunting seasons, except for the portion of White Clay Creek Preserve in London Britain Township, where shotguns also are not permitted.
“DCNR’s state parks staff have worked earnestly with key stakeholders to develop new firearms restrictions to increase public safety while continuing to provide opportunities for those who hunt at state parks,” said State Parks Director John Hallas.
He noted that the new rules were developed to accommodate hunting in more heavily used state parks while enhancing the safety of other users of the parks.
By restricting the use of rifles and handguns for hunting, DCNR expects to be able to provide necessary visitor safety and mitigate risks at the multi-use parks.
The agency suggests that hunters in all state parks use extreme caution with their firearms at all times because the parks are not closed to other uses during hunting seasons.
Firearms and archery equipment used for hunting may be uncased and ready for use only in designated hunting areas in state parks during hunting seasons.
In areas of the parks not open to hunting or and outside of hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment must be kept in the owner’s car, trailer or leased campsite.
DCNR also encourages non-hunters to be aware that hunting occurs in state parks and to wear orange during hunting seasons.
Hunting rules and restrictions vary across the 121 state parks in Pennsylvania. DCNR’s online guide for each state park provides additional hunting information.
