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FALL 2026

Passing Down the Hunt

Fall Trout Fishing:

The Spawn, Ethics, & Conserving the Resource

Ducks, Dogs, & DELTA

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CONTENTS FEATURES

8 The Last Buck 12 From the Stand: Expert Tips for Deer Hunting 18 Fall Trout Fishing 26 Ducks, Dogs, & Delta 34 Passing Down the Hunt 42 Hunting Season Safety Tips 44 Northern Pennsylvania's Scenic Wonders COLUMNS

6 Field Notes 48 Annual Events 50 PA Game Commission 52 Recipes 54 PA Fish & Boat Commission 56 Local and State Organizations 58 PA Trappers Association 60 Trophy Wall Cover photo submitted by Delta Waterfowl 4 - PA OUTDOORS | FALL 2026

PUBLISHER Jocelyn Engle CONTRIBUTORS Evan Buck Liam Burke Forrest C. Hoffert Jr. Logan Moyer Mark Routch Wendy Royal CREATIVE Jeremy Knaub ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Greg March ADVERTISING INFORMATION 717-892-6818 Publication and distribution of PA Outdoors magazine does not equate to an endorsement of information, products or services. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement or editorial that is in conflict with the publication’s standards. All rights reserved. ©2026

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It’s the changing of the seasons. The sun sets a little earlier, and crisp mornings invite the start of a brand-new day. But chances are, some of us are already out there. Quiet. Waiting. Listening as the morning breaks and the woods and fields begin to stir. There’s something about those early hours—the stillness, the anticipation and, yes, the hope that maybe today we’ll get lucky. But it’s also a chance to simply take in all that nature provides and appreciate the privilege of being there to experience it. Because being outdoors has never been only about the next hunt, the next catch or the next trophy. It’s about the moments and memories that happen along the way. In this issue, we hope you enjoy stories that capture just that. Maybe it’s an early morning with your daughter in tow, teaching her the same lessons you once learned from your pap. Maybe it’s watching the excitement of a new generation of duck callers as they prepare to experience their first hunt. Or maybe it’s looking back and realizing that a day in the woods you thought was simply another hunting trip would turn out to be the last one you shared with someone you loved. Those are the stories we love to tell. They remind us of the why behind our passion for Pennsylvania’s outdoors—the traditions, relationships and experiences that stay with us long after the day is over. And that passion goes far beyond hunting, fishing and trapping. It includes our responsibility to preserve and conserve the land, waterways and wildlife that make these experiences possible. If we want future generations to know the feeling of a crisp morning in the woods, the anticipation of opening day or the simple beauty of watching the sun rise over the landscape, then we must care for these places today. That, too, is part of the tradition we pass along. So settle in and enjoy this issue. Celebrate the stories of your fellow PA outdoorsmen and -women, check out some impressive trophies, and be sure to support the advertisers whose products, services and expertise help make your next outdoor adventure possible. Most importantly, thank you for sharing your stories and experiences with us. They are what make PA Outdoors more than a publication—they make it a reflection of a community that understands just how special these moments can be. Here’s to the changing seasons, the traditions we carry forward and many more mornings spent waiting for the woods to come alive. See you out there,

Jocelyn Engle, Publisher

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THE LAST BUCK BY MARK ROUTCH It had been a successful morning hunt. My son-in-law, Ralph, had bagged his first deer, a small doe. We were all very proud of his first hunting accomplishment. My watch read 11:30 a.m., which meant it was time to head back to camp for lunch. Walking toward the car, my thoughts were quickly interrupted by a gunshot, just in front of me, then three more shots in quick succession. It sounded like my brother Kris’ gun, but he didn’t usually hunt on this side of the road. It was the first day of the 2021 rifle season, and we

8 - PA OUTDOORS | FALL 2026

were hunting out of a camp in southern Clearfield County. Camp was a little different this year. My dad was now in his 90s, and his days afield were over. He was content to putter around camp all day, taking naps, washing the dishes, building a fire and watching some football. Kris was in the midst of some tough cancer treatments that limited his ability to climb the hills and push the thickets. He wasn’t going to venture too far, and if he shot a deer, we had all promised to drag it to the car for him.

Kris was always a good hunter. He always seemed to be able to pick out a good spot that rewarded him with a nice buck. He was a “get up early” and “stay out late” hunter that liked to squeeze every possible minute of deer hunting into each season. He wasn’t afraid to explore new areas and push normal physical limits if it could improve his odds of getting a deer. He was a very independent hunter. Years ago, when we had to find new hunting grounds and we all decided to hunt the right side of the road, Kris opted for the lefthand side of the road. It was a difficult area to hunt (steep hills and streams), but he adopted it as his own hunting grounds. From the time he was 16 years old, he used a Winchester 30-30 lever action rifle with a 4-power scope. As long as the deer were standing still, he was a good shot. But when the deer started running, he couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn. You always knew where Kris was in the woods. He'd fire four to five shots at a time, followed minutes later by four to five more. He was infamous for running out of shells and calling my son, Jordan (who also used a 30-30 rifle), to bring him more. His inaccurate shooting at running deer was a constant source of ribbing throughout his hunting career, and we loved him for it. I’m not sure if it was part tradition/superstition or some frugality that prompted Kris to wear the same hunting jacket and pants for over 40 years. The bottoms of the pants were frayed and faded, but he was always proud to say that he could still fit in them. He loved the jacket because it had multiple pockets in the front and a huge back pocket to carry all of his cleaning supplies, extra gloves and snacks. “They don’t make ’em like this anymore,” he would say. It was only after the zippers broke and the jacket pockets got holes that he finally had to give up his favorite hunting outfit. Despite the new blaze orange outerwear, he still used the old 30-30 Winchester rifle. Fast forward to our 2021 opening day hunt. When I heard the multiple shots, I unshouldered my rifle and began walking quickly toward the sounds. The shots seemed to be very close to our car. I crested the hill and looked down into the small plateau above the road. There was a light dusting of snow on the ground, enough to make it easy to see through the woods. That’s when I saw Kris (in his new orange camo gear) slowly working his way down the side of the hill. I yelled over to him and he turned and gave me a “thumbs up” sign. I rushed over and observed the downed monster 10-point buck lying in the snow. Kris was so excited. After my congratulations and a hug, he told me the story. He had been worried about climbing the hill from his stand on the lefthand side of the road. So, he left a little early to make sure he would get back to the car by 11:30 a.m. With a little time to spare, he walked about 50 yards up the tram road from the car and leaned against a large oak tree to wait. After a few minutes, he noticed movement off to his left. The big buck appeared out of nowhere, ran between Kris and the car, and at about 30 yards, headed down over the small hill to a flat. For Kris,

four shots at a running deer usually meant four misses and a tail wave good-bye. But this time, the big buck dropped on the last shot and never moved again. Within a few minutes, we had all gathered to congratulate Kris. We helped him tag and dress out the buck. After some pictures, we all took turns dragging the deer to the car, as promised. Because of the short proximity to the vehicle, it was an easy drag. He couldn’t have planned it any better. We loaded the buck onto the cart and headed back to camp for some lunch and to share some new hunting stories. As we finished up our meal and prepared to drive the deer to the processors, Kris shared that he thought that this was the largest deer he had shot in rifle season at camp. We all had to agree. In addition to being his largest and most prized buck, it also turned out to be his last buck. Due to complications from his cancer issues, Kris never made it back to hunting camp for another season, and he sadly passed away in February 2023. We all have our own fond memories of hunting with Kris, but none will top that special day, when he harvested his final trophy. Whether it was the location (different side of the road), the timing (right before we were to meet at the car), the shooting accuracy (hitting a running deer), or the teamwork (plenty of helpers to assist with an easy drag), that “Last Buck” certainly was a deer of destiny.

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From the Stand: Expert Tips for Deer Hunting BY: FORREST HOFFERT JR.

Q: If you were to hunt a new property, how would you go about choosing where to set up your stand?

Q: Would you approach the property differently in early season vs. the rut period vs. last season? And why?

Prior to season, get out and find bedding areas. Look for the trails going to and from the bedding areas to food. Set up stand at pinch point along trail from bedding to the food source. Also take note of the wind. You want to be downwind from the bedding location and be able to get to and from your stand without disturbing the deer.

Early season you have more time. Can hunt the same trail location near the bedding. During the Rut you would hunt the areas where Buck chase the Doe, near field lines with woods. Last season same locations if the deer were not pushed much during the other seasons.

Q: How important are entry and exit routes to your stands? This is very important! You don’t want to walk in on the route the deer travel. And always be quiet. Don’t rush or you’ll push deer out of the area.

Q: How would you handle a situation in which you have a stand location that you really want to hunt, but it’s not easily accessed? Really try to locate the stand to a location you can access or take the long way as to not push through a good location. If you push through it, the deer will be gone. Take your time and be quiet.

12 - PA OUTDOORS | FALL 2026

Q: What are your thoughts and advice for managing wind and scent control? Wash clothes with scentless detergents. I’m a big believer in Ozonics scent management. Get geared up at your hunting spot if you are going to sweat on your way in, and seal sweaty clothes in bags.

Q: How high is high enough? When it comes to stand height vs. cover, what is more important to you? It’s more important to camo your tree stand than the height. The camo will mask your movements. Even a higher stand can be spotted by deer if they are on a higher elevation or you are moving.

Final thoughts: Is there anything else you'd like to share that we haven't covered? We'd love to hear any additional thoughts.

Q: Ladder stand vs. climbing stand vs. hang-on vs. saddle vs. ground blind. What is your preference and what factors go into choosing what type of stand you would use?

Get out and scout as much as possible. Go as far in as you can, and look for the signs. And Enjoy!

I prefer ladder stands because I feel they are safer and you can move them to different locations. Ground blinds can be good, but you need to set them up early before the season or deer will notice they are there.

Forrest C. Hoffert Jr. is a Lebanon County businessman, entrepreneur, and longtime archery enthusiast. He is the owner of Lebanon Indoor Archery & Supplies and also owns and operates H&M Glass, along with other business ventures. Lebanon Indoor Archery and Supplies 2 East Lehman St., Lebanon, PA

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Fall Trout

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Fishing:

The Spawn, Ethics, & Conserving the Resource BY EVAN BUCK

the structure apart to look for one of those big pre-spawn brown trout with a sense of urgency that can only be brought on by shorter days. Fall is here; as surely as you have noticed these changes, the trout notice them too.

Fall Is Here

You wake up on a cool morning, make your coffee, grab your fishing gear, and head to the trout stream. After putting your waders on and rigging up your rod, you begin the trek to your favorite spot, taking in the familiar sound of the crunch of leaves underfoot and the smell of that damp earthy air. After you get to your favorite pool, you begin picking

In Pennsylvania, we are lucky enough to have a thriving native brook trout and wild trout population thanks to countless miles of streams full of excellent habitat and flowing with cold and clean water. Every fall, these wild trout begin their reproductive cycle, known as the spawn. It is imperative that we as anglers know how the trout spawn works so that we can fish ethically during this time period to minimize our impact and ensure that there are wild trout for generations to come.

What Is the Spawn?

The spawn is triggered by a combination of shortened day length and cooler water temperatures. Fish will begin to feed heavily pre-spawn to ensure that they have sufficient energy to spawn since it is a very energy-intensive process. It is also common for trout to become more aggressive this time of year as they defend their feeding and spawning territories. As the days get shorter and the water begins to cool down to the lower 50s to mid 40s, female trout will begin creating beds to lay their eggs in, known as redds. This typically occurs in mid-October, but brook trout can spawn as early as late September. Redds can appear as clean patches of gravel that can be round, oval, or teardrop in shape. They are made by the female trout using their bodies and tails to clean a patch of gravel and dig a small impression to lay eggs in.

20 - PA OUTDOORS | FALL 2026

These redds are built in shallow oxygenated riffles where the gravel is free of silt and the right size - think of gravel ranging from the size of coins to baseballs in diameter. Once the redd is built and the eggs are laid, a male trout fertilizes the eggs and then the female buries them. The eggs will then sit and incubate until late winter or early spring. The timeframe of the spawn can vary by watershed and seasonal conditions. Not every trout spawns at the same time, and juvenile and immature trout will not participate in the spawn.

Ethics of Fishing During the Spawn

The spawn is incredibly stressful for trout, many of which are prone to infection, illness, or death due to being weakened during this process. Some may even be physically injured from building redds or fighting over territory. In my opinion, the best time to target trout during the fall is pre-spawn. This is a great time to throw large streamers and baitfish imitations. During pre-spawn, trout want to store as many calories as they can as fast as they can. This can make for some really fun and fast-paced fishing and is when many anglers catch their largest fish of the year. Another benefit of pre-spawn fishing is that you do not risk catching a fish that is actively spawning, which can easily result in the death of the fish. Once fish begin to pair up on redds, I cannot stress enough how important it is that you do not target those fish. A successful spawn is what allows us to have wild trout to catch year after year. Once the fish are paired up and sitting on redds, you may be able to fish in parts of the stream where fish do not spawn. Remember, trout build redds in shallow riffles with smaller gravel, so super fast runs, pocket water, and deep slow pools with larger boulders tend not to have redds. You should still double check these spots before fishing them. Fish that are not spawning will still respond well to nymphs and small streamers. Oftentimes, I will fish a heavy nymph with a weightless trout egg imitation. Eggs are very calorie dense, and trout will feed on them when they dislodge from redds. After the fish are done spawning, they tend to drop back into deeper pools and settle into their winter lies. Post-spawn fishing can be very slow. I tend to fish really small flies this time of year in very slow and deep pools and hope for the best! Pools where springs come in can fish well postspawn, as the springs keep this water slightly warmer in the late fall and early winter. One last thing to keep in mind while fishing for trout during the fall is to watch your step! It is easy to see a redd while fish are paired up, but once they are done spawning, they can be a little harder to pick out. Keep an eye out for clean patches of brighter-colored gravel that are round, oval, or teardrop in shape and give them a wide berth through the fall and winter. It is critical to not step on the redds; one wrong step can destroy hundreds of eggs. Spawning is a numbers game - out of the hundreds or thousands of eggs that a trout will lay, many of them will not survive to hatch, and many of the fish that do hatch do not survive to adulthood. With that in mind, we should do our best to help give the fish a successful hatch.

PA OUTDOORS | FALL 2026 - 21

Be a Steward of the Resource

The fall is a very special time of year to me. I love the cooler days, the colors of the changing leaves, and the damp smell of the woods that we as outdoorsmen know and love. Some of my largest trout have been caught this time of the year during pre-spawn. Sometimes I find it just as rewarding to put my rod down, enjoy the scenery, and witness the incredible and arduous process that these fish go through year after year. Be a steward of the resource, watch your step, don’t target spawning fish, and do your part to ensure that future generations can enjoy this wild trout resource just as you and I do.

Evan Buck is an avid outdoorsman

based in Clinton County. He likes to spend as much of his free time as possible outdoors, from chasing wild trout in wild places and hunting pheasants and grouse in the fall to camping in PA's vast public lands. When he isn’t exploring some remote place in the PA Wilds, he’s dedicating his time to his career in environmental protection.

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26 - PA OUTDOORS | FALL 2026

Photo by Riley Barnhill GunDog Outdoors

“It'll just consume you,” Matt Kneisley said about duck hunting. He works hard, however, to ensure that the duck population is not consumed in the process. Since Kneisley founded the first Pennsylvania chapter of Delta Waterfowl 16 years ago, the state’s membership has grown to nearly 1,600 members. From the time of its formation, under the leadership of General Mills founder James Ford Bell and the guidance of environmentalist Aldo Leopold, Delta Waterfowl has taken a science-based approach to conservation. In his role as senior regional director of Pennsylvania and four other states, Kneisley organizes fundraising to support this approach. Delta Waterfowl invests substantially in habitat conservation and duck production—working with landowners to conserve productive wetland and grassland landscapes and deploying hen houses and other science-based tools to increase duck production. These efforts are complemented by Delta’s research, policy, education, and hunting-heritage work. Previously a member of another duck conservation organization, Kneisley spent a year researching Delta Waterfowl before committing to it. “I had a say in where the money goes,” he said. “I got to put some money back [in the community] where it’d come from, and they are very, very big in youth education, youth organization, and working with kids and veterans, and new-people work. So that’s what drew me to Delta.” Delta’s youth programs have a lot to compete against for young people’s time, according to Kneisley, but they still manage to draw new eyes to waterfowling. “You try to get their attention before they realize there’s cell phones, a girl or a boy, before travel sports gets a hold of them, before they get their first car,” Kneisley said. In the branches Kneisley manages, he only requires his volunteers to host one event annually. The rest is up to them. “As a volunteer you burn out,” Kneisley said. “I’m blessed my wife puts up with me. “I can’t do this job alone,” Kneisley said. “I’m not Delta Waterfowl. My membership, my people, my volunteers, and my colleagues—we’re all Delta Waterfowl.” In his capacity as senior regional director,

Photo by Janet L. Miller

he works closely with men like Joey Searcy, R3 (recruitment, retention, reactivation) program coordinator, to get young people involved in waterfowling. As R3 program coordinator, Searcy works on Delta’s University Hunting Program, which gives wildlife management students a new perspective on the animals they study to conserve. “Those students are actually going to be graduating and be game wardens, they’re going to be waterfowl biologists, they’re going to be park managers,” Searcy said. “A lot of them have never hunted before.” While youth education primes the next generation of waterfowlers, it also gets new adults interested in hunting and conservation. “You’re not educating just a child, you’re educating the parent,” Searcy said. “If you get that child excited and that child’s like, ‘Hey Dad, Mom, I really want to go out and I want to do this. Can you help me with this?’ You’re going to not only bring the child in, you’re going to bring the parent in, you’re going to bring other family members in.” As an adult, Searcy felt firsthand the kindness of duck hunters toward the uninitiated. “Does anybody have any animals in their freezer that I can practice on? I'd like to try taxidermy,” Searcy recalled asking hunters on Facebook. He didn’t know it at the time, but this would be his path to waterfowling. Though he was more interested in deer and other mammals, people would only let him thaw their birds.

To improve his avian taxidermy, which he grew to enjoy, he wanted to go on a duck hunt and found someone willing to take him. “We hunted until eleven o'clock in the afternoon, which is rare to hunt that late for wood ducks. The reason why we hunted that late was because I was missing a lot,” he said. “The reason why I lean towards the R3 side of it is because of the mentorship. That guy took me out and changed my life. “One of my best friends I ever had in my entire life came from finding him on a duck hunt. My wife was with me and she dislocated her knee on the hunt, and he picked her up, put her in his boat, and split up,” Searcy said. “I had no idea who this guy was. He took my wife to his house, and I met him over there, and I was like, ‘Well, this hunt didn’t work out. What are you doing next Saturday?’ And then after that we’ve hunted every weekend for the past three years. You can’t get that in deer hunting.” For Kneisley, self-reliance and the “full-circle” feeling of hard work paying off are large parts of traditional duck hunting’s appeal—and large parts of why Delta must preserve the tradition and conserve the birds. As the waterfowlers say, it’s all about ducks, dogs, and decoys. “When it’s your dog that you train, and it’s your decoy that you carved and you painted, and you blow the duck call right, and everything magically comes together where you’re able to have a bird that is naturally wild come and land beside your decoy and feel comfortable, you’ve accomplished it,” Kneisley said. “It’s the artistry of fooling a wild animal to think it’s real.” To join or donate to Delta Waterfowl, visit their website at https://deltawaterfowl.org. Youth memberships are $20 annually, and adult memberships start at $35. The website also provides the locations of Pennsylvania’s local chapters and a list of upcoming dinner events.

Matt’s first decoy, created at just six years old and given to his father as a Christmas gift.

From father to son, the tradition lives on: (left) son, Matt Kneisley; (right) father Ron Kneisley.

If It Looks Like a Duck … Good!

As a fourth-generation decoy carver, Matt Kneisley has been surrounded by the craft from childhood. “I watched as a little guy. I mean, I started when I was 6. You just watched the family members all get together and start making birds for the season.” He and his father collected cedar telephone poles for famed Havre de Grace carver Madison Mitchell and received one decoy per five blocks of wood. “I had lunch on Mr. Mitchell’s knee,” a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, Kneisley recalled. “It was all about what was available, what was relatively cheap. Our family was poor tomato farmers, basically, in Washington Boro, and we had a small greenhouse,” said Kneisley. “They just worked with what they had and what they could afford.” They used belt leather and upholstery tacks instead of costlier brass hardware and glass eyes on their decoys, according to Kneisley. Cayden Deiter, Kneisley’s 17-year-old nephew, is carrying the family tradition into the fifth generation. “I have now built him his own shop. It’s unfortunately funded by Uncle Matt,” he said, though he noted Deiter is steadily repaying him with a portion of his profits. While carving has long been a source of community, back to Madison Mitchell’s collaborative decoy workshop and beyond, Kneisley’s nephew is entering a more cooperative world of carving than the one he grew up in. “We share patterns like Tic Tacs now,” Kneisley said. “Back in the day they were heavily guarded. “I kind of got to pay back for all the time everybody spent teaching me, helping me understand how the grain of the wood is, and how you need to draw your knife across that grain so you don't make a big chunk out of it,” Kneisley said about teaching his nephew to carve. “We all joke about it,

call it wood therapy because it takes your mind off the craziness of the world,” he added. “You have to concentrate. You got a sharp knife in your hand, so you get lost in the wood.” Kneisley noted how many of the great carvers, including Madison Mitchell, were undertakers. Building caskets honed the woodworking skills needed to make convincing ducks. Out of dead wood, they created the likeness of life. Though many of those men now rest, Kneisley carries on their work—not just by making the decoys, but by passing on the wisdom of the carvers he grew up with to the young who have come to keep the tradition alive.

Scan QR code to watch a video about The Road to Conservation & Adventure youth program.

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Passing Down BY LOGAN MOYER

the Hunt

yler Wilbur started hunting like everybody else in Pennsylvania – by going out for a hunt with his dad. At first, it was just groundhog hunting and some weekend adventures. Eventually, Tyler got his hunting license at the age of 12 and shot his first deer on the first day of rifle season that year. “I just loved to tag along with him,” he said. “I always just loved being outside; you couldn’t keep me inside at all when I was little growing up.” Decades later, Tyler still recalls that hunt vividly. He described it as a cold Saturday morning, one where his dad spotted a six-point buck 100 yards out. Tyler hit the shot, and it was at that moment that he saw a side of his father he had never perceived before. “He got very emotional after we recovered the buck and everything,” he recalled. “That was like a head-tilting moment for me. I knew there was a lot more to this than just shouldering the rifle and pulling the trigger.” A Mechanicsburg resident who hails from Lebanon County and Annville-Cleona High School, Tyler now sees the full picture, enjoying weekend hunting trips with his three children. He described his son as being very much like himself, hating being indoors and loving the feeling of the outdoors. He watches his son’s eyes get big as he takes in all of the different sounds and trees. “It’s wild to me,” he said, “because it seems like not that long ago I was in their shoes, you know? It’s super neat to really see it come full circle as a parent.” There are not many types of hunting that Tyler isn’t involved in, but he said that whitetail, bear and predator hunting are his favorites. Using a bow is typically his preferred method, saying that he loves the challenge. The most important item in his hunting pack is his grunt call, and Zebra Cakes are his favorite tree stand snack. He also noted that he was “bit by

the turkey bug” recently. Tyler goes all over the place for his hunting but primarily operates out of the family’s cabin up in Tioga County. Unlike his children, Tyler’s wife, Britny, has not taken too much to Tyler’s favorite hobby. Britny went hunting with Tyler one time up at the family cabin. As he described it, she came equipped with a sleeping bag and a grocery bag full of snacks and coffee to keep her warm. “It was deer rifle season, and I didn’t think it was terrible,” he said. “We got up in this super short, like 8-foot doubleseated ladder stand. ... I look over, and she isn’t saying a word because she is shivering so bad all bundled up in her sleeping bag.”

Shortly after daybreak, Tyler had to take Britny back to the cabin, where it was much warmer and where snacks need not be restricted to a plastic grocery bag. She has not braved the great outdoors with Tyler since that occasion. Nonetheless, hunting has become a way of life for the Wilbur family. Tyler puts food on the table, and not in the metaphorical financial sense. “It’s a way to provide for your family,” he said. I think over time people have gotten away from that. It’s much easier to go to the grocery store and pick out a T-bone steak for $40 versus going out and sitting in a tree for eight hours a day.” He also noted hunting’s ability to teach his children patience and resilience, saying that you can overcome a lot of things in life if you learn those two abilities. There are not many times that hunting is not on Tyler’s mind. About three years ago, the family purchased their first home, which came with a little bit of huntable land in the area around the property. During the house showing with his wife and the realtor, Tyler slipped out the back door and saw that some deer had rubbed their antlers off on the surrounding trees. “All right, game on,” he said. On the day of the settlement, Tyler threw a camera up in the woods. Two days later, he saw a gigantic six-point buck on the feed. What ensued was a years-long cat-andmouse game that Tyler described as one of his most memorable hunts. “He was very bossy,” Tyler said. “You could tell that he was kind of the head honcho. ... The next year, he didn’t stick around long. He was very sporadic; he would kind of go in a circuit.” When Tyler was home, there was no sign of the “head honcho.” But went he went up to the cabin for the weekend, he would be all over the camera feed. There were a few times that he almost made the multi-hour trip in the middle of the night to chase him the next morning, but he knew that the buck would simply disappear if he did so. Eventually, on a random morning when he was on a doe mission, he heard a twig pop. It was him. “I look, and 15 yards to my left, he’s just standing there,” he described. “I hit him perfect, right behind the shoulder. ... I went back and I called (Britny), made all my calls and everything. It was a great time, man.” Another memorable hunt he recalled was his pursuit of a 704-pound bear. Everybody else in the hunting party at the Tioga cabin had gotten a bear the year prior, leading to some good-natured fun being poked in his direction. He responded by getting the biggest prize of them all. When he called the game warden, he was told that it was the biggest bear the warden had ever processed. “As we got closer, he grew bigger,” he said. “I thought he was big, but I didn’t think he was truly that big. ... When they pull the tooth, you get a certificate in the mail that tells you pretty much how old they (were). My bear was 23 and a half years old.” While memories from many hunts live fresh in his mind, Tyler uses social media to catalog the rest. Found at @tywilbur59 on Instagram, he has over 700 posts, most of which deal with his outdoor life. A large part of that social media presence is with “Lega-

cy Pursuit,” of which he is a team member. Legacy Pursuit focuses on the family, conservation and traditional parts of hunting. Legacy Pursuit can be found by searching “legacypursuit_” on Instagram. “For me, it is exactly how it sounds,” he said. “It’s pursuit of the legacy that we leave behind, and it’s all about passing on that family tradition and seeing things come full circle in the outdoors.” Tyler said that he’s made many great friends through the effort and has been sponsored by various different companies as a result. Sticking with the traditional aspect of hunting, Tyler discussed the vast and endless technological advantages that hunters now have, if they choose to use them. “I think we’re riding a really fine line as far as fair chase goes,” he said. “How easy is it for a guy to fly a drone up 1,000 feet in the air and see heat signatures. ... You’re kind of getting away from putting boots on the ground and just hiking over the next hill. “I think it’s degenerative in a little bit of a way from developing your woodsman skills,” he added. Regardless, Tyler’s trips up to the Tioga cabin still remind him of that first trip out into the woods with his “pap.” Though now much older and able to hang on his own, he’s still hunting with his dad and uncles, just like he was back in the day.

Tyler Wilbur is a Central PA native who grew up hunting alongside his dad and family, spending as much time outdoors as possible. His passion for the outdoors has grown into a love of capturing those experiences through video and sharing the beauty, excitement, and adventure of the outdoors with others. @tywilbur59.

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HUNTING SEASON SAFETY TIPS Hunting is a popular pastime across North America. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) reports there were 14.4 million hunters across the United States in 2022, noting those hunters spent a total of $42.5 billion. According to Statistics Canada, Canadians spent $678.6 million in the second quarter of 2023 on hunting, fishing and camping equipment. The B.C. Wildlife Federation found there were 1.27 million hunters in Canada in 2019. Hunting is a popular way to enjoy the outdoors and is a carefully monitored activity that places strict limits on game collected. Safety protocols must be followed when hunting. The following guidelines can help hunters and nonhunters remain safe.

ENSURE YOU CAN BE SEEN

Visibility is essential during hunting season. Wearing blaze orange can help minimize the chances of anyone being mistaken for game animals. Deer are not colorblind, but they lack the ability to distinguish colors like red and orange from green and brown, says the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Wearing blaze orange will not make hunters stand out to deer, but it can make them visible to other hunters.

BE SAFE IN TREE STANDS

Perching above the landscape can give hunters a clear view of game below. Permanent tree stands are more likely to deteriorate over time due to the weather; hunters should use temporary tree stands only for the season. Falls tend to be the most common cause of injuries, notes the Mayo Clinic Health Systems. Hunters should pay attention to their surroundings to avoid being startled by animals while in tree stands. Also, checking equipment and using safety belts can help prevent falls. The average fall from a tree stand is 15 feet.

42 - PA OUTDOORS | FALL 2026

ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR OWN PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS Activities inherent to hunting, which include walking over rough terrain, carrying and shooting a rifle and dragging an animal carcass, push the body to work harder. This may increase the risk of heart attack in people unaccustomed to strenuous exercise. Take frequent breaks, and hunters may want to go out in pairs so that someone can call for help or administer first aid or CPR, if necessary.

DRESS ACCORDINGLY In addition to wearing blaze orange, hunters should be dressed for the weather to avoid frostbite and hypothermia. Layering clothing can be helpful, as layers can be taken off or added to stay comfortable.

BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET

The FWS advises certifying a target before taking a shot. This can help ensure people, pets or other animals are not in the line of fire.

RECOGNIZE HUNTING SEASONS AND LANDS

Nonhunters must practice safety during hunting season as well, even if they are not participating. FWS advises nature lovers to learn where and when hunting is taking place and plan recreational activities based on this information. Staying out of designated hunting areas is essential. It's also important for nonhunters to choose bright clothing to be visible when in the woods. A brightly colored bandana or piece of fabric tied around a dog's neck will help to protect the animal. Sticking to trails also improves the safety of the public and will reduce the likelihood of entering designated hunting areas.

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Hunters should treat every firearm as if it is loaded. The muzzle should be pointed in a safe direction, and the only time a finger should be on the trigger is when one is ready to shoot. Never assume a firearm is unloaded. Fall is the prime season for hunting, and hunters and nonhunters can benefit from a refresher course in hunting safety.

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Northern Pennsylvania’s

SCENIC WONDERS By Wendy Royal, Where & When Pennsylvania

CAMERON COUNTY The notoriously dark skies of Cameron County and Bucktail Overlook offer you one the most beautiful and unique places in Pennsylvania for stargazing in the night sky as well.

PAGO.com

Stargazing at the top of the world Photo Credit: Dustin Brown

44 - PA OUTDOORS | FALL 2026

CLEARFIELD COUNTY During the months of late August through early – November, many tourists head to Clearfield County to watch the majestic elk bugle and spar with each other during the rut season. The rut season is when the bull elk bugle to attract the females (cows) for mating. As bulls mature, they will be challenged by other bull elks for the right to mate with the females. Clearfield County offers many elk viewing areas that you will want to visit and take in the beauty of nature at its finest.

visitclearfieldcounty.org

Elk in Clearfield County, PA Photo Credit: Bruce Walkovich

TIOGA COUNTY The iconic Pennsylvania Grand Canyon is a 47-mile gorge that offers visitors spectacular viewing spots from the two state parks located on opposite rims. Leonard Harrison and Colton Point State Parks, as well as the popular Pine Creek Rail Trail running along the canyon floor, combine to make the canyon a perfect destination for sightseeing and outdoor recreation throughout the year.

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Pennsylvania Grand Canyon Photo Credit: Tim McBride Photography PA OUTDOORS | FALL 2026 - 45

WARREN COUNTY

Trails at Jakes Rocks (the 2024 PA Trail of the Year) is a trail system that consists of over 35 miles through the Allegheny National Forest. The trails are design for mountain biking (class 1 e-bikes are permitted) but may also be hiked. The overlooks, like the one shown, are stunning and give great views of the Allegheny Reservoir and the Kinzua Dam.

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Jakes Rocks Trail Overlook, Warren County, PA

LOYALSOCK CANYON VISTA Loyalsock Canyon Vista is an iconic view in Worlds End State Park in Forksville. The overlook gives you a bird’s-eye view of the Loyalsock Creek carving its way through the mountains. You can also see the park’s day use area far below. Visitors can hike there via the Canyon Vista Trail or drive there via Mineral Spring and Cold Run roads (open seasonally). In the winter, snowmobiles can access the vista when conditions permit. endlessmountains.org

Loyalsock Canyon Vista is an iconic view in Worlds End State Park in Forksville. Photo courtesy of the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau

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Annual events January 8-10, 2027

February 26-27, 2027

Philadelphia Fishing Show

36th Hunting & Outdoor Expo

The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center 100 Station Ave., Oaks, PA 19456 Free Seminars, Saltwater and FreshwaterTrout Pond - Catch a Fish at the Show! Hawg Trough 5,000 Gallon Gamefish Aquarium. Buy the Best Saltwater and Freshwater Fishing Tackle, Gear, Apparel, & More! phillyfishingshow.com

Wyndham Lancaster Resort & Convention Center 2300 Lincoln Hwy. East, Lancaster, PA 17602 This expo is hosted by the Eastern Chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation. Admission is free, and many prizes will be given away. ecwsf.org/hunting-and-outdoor-expo

March 12-14, 2027 January 28-31, 2027

Early Bird Sports Expo

Bloomsburg Fairgrounds 980 W. Main St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815 An annual four-day indoor event for outdoor enthusiasts held at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. The event spans three buildings and features over 100 exhibitors showcasing equipment, apparel, and services for hunting, fishing, camping, and archery. earlybirdexpo.net

February 6-14, 2027

Great American Outdoor Show

Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex 2300 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg, PA 17110 This show celebrates hunting, fishing, and other outdoor traditions and features over 1,000 exhibitors with exhibits focusing on shooting, outfitting, fishing boats, RVs, archery, and art. The event also includes speaking events, archery competitions, celebrity appearances, seminars, and demonstrations. greatamericanoutdoorshow.org

Philly Boat Show

The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center 100 Station Ave., Oaks, PA 19456 Features over 20 dealers from four states showcasing more than 50 boat brands, ranging from pontoons and fishing boats to luxury yachts. phillyboatshow.com

March 13-14, 2027

The Fly Fishing Show

Lancaster County Convention Center 25 S. Queen St., Lancaster 17603 Fly Fishers International (FFI) is pleased to offer FREE fly fishing instruction at the Learning Center located on the main show floor. Basic fly-casting, fly-tying, and knots will be taught throughout the day–every day of the Fly Fishing Show. Celebrities and authors TBA. flyfishingshow.com/pennsylvania

June 25-27, 2027

Elk Expo

Elk County Visitor Center 950 Winslow Hill Rd., Benezette, PA 15821 This free, two-day event features over 100 outdoor vendors, wildlife seminars, antler scoring, live music, and the official Pennsylvania Game Commission live elk tag drawing. elkexpo.com

See more events at paoutdoors.net/events

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GENERAL HUNTING LICENSES: Resident Adult Hunting License, Ages 17-64 ��$20.97 Resident Junior Hunting License, Ages 12-16 ��$6.97 Resident Junior Combination License, Ages 12-16 �� $9.97 Resident Senior Hunting License, Age 65 & up ��$13.97 Resident Senior Lifetime Hunting License, Age 65 & up ��$51.97 Resident Senior Lifetime Combination License, Age 65 & up ��$101.97 Resident Military Hunting License �� $2.97 Resident National Guard Hunting License �� $2.97 Resident Reserves Hunting License �� $2.97 Resident Landowner Hunting License ��$4.97 Resident Hunting Heritage License, Age 17 & up �� $2.97 Nonresident Adult Hunting License, Age 17 & up ��$101.97 Nonresident Junior Hunting License, Ages 12-16 �� $41.97 Nonresident Junior Combination License, Ages 12-16 ��$51.97 Nonresident 7-Day Small Game License, Age 12 & up ��$31.97

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Recipes smoked wild turkey dip 1/2 Lb. Smoked Wild Turkey 4 Oz. Cream Cheese 2 3/4 cups Mayonnaise 3 Lg. Hard Boiled Eggs

1 Small Onion, Minced 1/4 tsp. Thyme 1/2 tsp. Ground Mustard 1 tsp. Garlic Powder

1/4 tsp. Black Pepper 1/2 tsp. Paprika 1 Tbsp. Parsley Flakes

Grind turkey and eggs using a fine grinding blade. A small electric chopper could also be used. In a bowl, combine the cream cheese and mayonnaise. In another bowl, mix the turkey and eggs with the rest of the ingredients. Mix in the cream cheese and mayonnaise last. Serve with crackers.

pulled venison barbecue (SLOW COOKER) Serves 4-6 4 Lbs. Venison Cubed 1 1/2 cups Ketchup 3 Tbsp. Brown Sugar 1 Tbsp. Ground Mustard 1 Tbsp. Lemon Juice

1 Tbsp. Soy Sauce 1 Tbsp. Liquid Smoke 2 tsp. Celery Salt 2 tsp. Pepper 2 tsp. Worchestershire Sauce

1 tsp. Onion Powder 1 tsp. Garlic Powder 1/8 tsp. Nutmeg Dash of Hot Sauce

Place all ingredients in the slow cooker. Cook on high for 4-6 hours. Next, slide the slow cooker lid open. Continue to cook to evaporate excess water and thicken sauce. Then use forks to shred the cubes. Serve on rolls.

Skillet cornbread venison casserole Serves 4-6 8-10 Bacon Strips 1 Med. Onion, Chopped 2 Lbs. Ground Venison (2) 15 Oz. Cans Corn, Drained (2) 10 3/4 Oz. Cans Tomato Soup

1 tsp. Garlic Powder (1) 1 1/4 Oz. Pack Chili Seasoning (2) 8 1/2 Oz. Boxes Corn Muffin Mix 1 Egg 1/3 cup Milk

Heat the oven to 350° F. In a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, cook the bacon. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Reserve drippings in skillet. Crumble bacon. Chop onion. Add onion and ground venison to drippings in skillet. Heat, stirring often, until onion is tender and meat is browned. Pour off drippings from skillet, retaining onions and meat in skillet. Reduce heat to medium. Add corn, tomato soup, garlic powder, chili seasoning and bacon to skillet. In medium bowl, combine corn muffin mix, egg and milk. Mix until well combined. Spread cornbread batter over ingredients in skillet. Place skillet in oven and bake 15-20 minutes or until cornbread topping is golden brown.

RECIPES PROVIDED BY THE PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION'S GAME COOKBOOK Second Edition

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PA OUTDOORS | FALL 2026 - 53

PA Fish & Boat Commission • Seasons - For information on fishing seasons and creel limits, both statewide and in specific areas, visit online. The trout season runs from the beginning of April to the beginning of September. • Licensing - A valid Pennsylvania fishing license is required for people age 16 and older. People can buy a license online or in person through an issuing agent, who can be searched for by county online. • Boats are required to be registered in the state where they are primarily used. A valid registration card must be carried on the boat and expires on the date indicated on the decal. Visit the website for more information on registration and titling a boat.

FISHING LICENSE PRICING ANNUAL PRICING: Resident (Annual), Ages 16-64 �� $27.97 Senior Resident (Annual), Age 65 & up ��$14.47 Senior Resident (Lifetime), Age 65 & up �� $86.97 1-Day Resident (not valid March 15-April 30), Age 16 & up ��$14.47 Disabled Veterans Reduced Resident License, Age 16 & up �� $2.97 Disabled Veterans Resident Annual License, Age 16-64 ��$0.00 POW Resident Annual License, Ages 16-64 �� $2.97 Non-Resident (Annual), Ages 16 & up �� $60.97 Non-Resident PA Student (Annual), Age 16 & up �� $27.97 1-Day Tourist (not valid March 15-April 30), Age 16 & up ��$31.97 3-Day Tourist, Age 16 & up ��$31.97 7-Day Tourist, Age 16 & up �� $39.47 Voluntary Youth Fishing License (Annual), Younger than 16 �� $2.97 Mentored Youth Permit, Younger than 16 ��$0.00 Trout Permit, Age 16 & up ��$14.97 Lake Erie Permit, Age 16 & up �� $9.97 Senior Lifetime Lake Erie Permit, Age 65 & up �� $9.97 Combination Trout Lake Erie Permit, Age 16 & up ��$20.97

MULTI-YEAR PRICING: 3-Year Resident, Ages 16-64 �� $79.97 3-Year Non-Resident, Age 16 & up �� $178.97 3-Year Senior Resident, Age 65 & up �� $39.47 3-Year Trout Permit, Age 16 & up �� $40.97 3-Year Lake Erie Permit, Age 16 & up ��$25.97 3-Year Combo Trout Lake Erie Permit, Ages 16-64 ��$58.97 5-Year Resident, Ages 16-64 �� $131.97 5-Year Non-Resident, Age 16 & up �� $296.97 5-Year Senior Resident, Age 65 & up ��$64.47 5-Year Trout Permit, Age 16 & up �� $66.97 5-Year Lake Erie Permit, Age 16 & up ��$41.97 5-Year Combo Trout Lake Erie Permit, Age 16 & up �� $96.97 10-Year Resident, Ages 16-64 �� $261.97 10-Year Non-Resident, Age 16 & up �� $591.97 10-Year Trout Permit, Age 16 & up �� $131.97 10-Year Lake Erie Permit, Age 16 & up ��$81.97 10-Year Combo Lake Trout Erie Permit, Age 16 & up ��$191.97

pa.gov/agencies/fishandboat

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PA OUTDOORS | FALL 2026 - 55

local & state organizations BACKCOUNTRY HUNTERS & ANGLERS

NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION

• Information on Pennsylvania chapter • Look for upcoming events • Information on memberships

• General information • Educational resources

backcountryhunters.org

DELTA WATERFOWL deltawaterfowl.org

• Information on Delta Waterfowl’s efforts to recruit more waterfowl hunters in North America • Learn about the organization’s conservation efforts • Find your local chapter • Look for upcoming events • Information on memberships

DONEGAL FISH AND CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION donegalcreek.wordpress.com • General information • Membership

DUCKS UNLIMITED ducks.org

• Upcoming events • State officers’ contact information • Information on wetlands and the organization efforts to conserve them • Hunting information, including information on gear, destinations, and tips, as well as a migration map • Information on memberships

NATIONAL DEER ASSOCIATION deerassociation.com

• Pennsylvania page • Information on memberships • Learn to hunt

56 - PA OUTDOORS | FALL 2026

nwf.org

NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION nwtf.org

• General information • Find your local chapter • Resources for hunters and search for upcoming events at your.nwtf.org

PENNSYLVANIA FEDERATION OF SPORTSMEN AND CONSERVATIONISTS pfsc.org

• General information • Upcoming events • Memberships

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION rmef.org

• General information • Find your local chapter • Look for upcoming events • Information on memberships can be found at shop.rmef.org

TROUT UNLIMITED patrout.org

• Information on the Pennsylvania Council • Find your local chapter and upcoming events • Learn more about Trout Unlimited’s conservation efforts and information on memberships at tu.org

ARCHERY PRO SHOP S BOWS, ARROWS, CROSSBOW INDOOR 30-YD. RANGE E TECHNO-HUNT VIDEO RANG GIFT CARDS

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weaversarchery.com

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5934 Route 522 • Middleburg, PA 17842

PA OUTDOORS | FALL 2026 - 57

pa trappers association LICENSES: Resident Adult Furtaker License, Age 17 & up �� $20.97 Resident Junior Furtaker License, Ages 12-16 ��$6.97 Resident Senior Furtaker License, Age 65 & up �� $13.97 Resident Senior Lifetime Furtaker License, Age 65 & up �� $51.97 Nonresident Adult Furtaker License, Age 17 & up �� $81.97 Nonresident Junior Furtaker License, Ages 12-16 �� $41.97 • District 11 page (Berks, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Schuylkill, and York) • Trapper trainings • Resources for trappers • PA Game Commission’s information on furtaker licenses

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patrappers.com

58 - PA OUTDOORS | FALL 2026

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PA OUTDOORS | FALL 2026 - 59

Trophy Wall WOODS

Jaxon Massucci

Age 12; 10.5 inch beard and 1 3/8 spurs.

Jeremy Strickler

of Bainbridge; black bear archery season in area 4B, Central PA, with father Harry.

Brady Hilbert

of Dover; York County 2025 archery buck. Harvested on a local farm on October 10.

60 - PA OUTDOORS | FALL 2026

Zachary Conley

Age 11 of Mount Joy; first day of rifle season and first time bear hunting.

Isaiah Hershey

of Lancaster; opening day rifle 10 am. Buck limps into view about 100 yards away, I took three shots; first one was on, but other two missed. I found the buck 35 yards from where I shot it, bigger in person than in the scope.

Michael Tshudy

of New Holland; harvested this 185 lb. 9 point in the first hour and a half of September 21 of the special regulations area of Chester County.

Alex Pettenati

Kyle Heller

Age 14 of Elizabethtown; spri ng youth gobbler in Mount Pleasant Mills.

of Mount Joy; harvested this 10 pt. buck at 11 am on 11/14/25 using a compound bow.

PA OUTDOORS | FALL 2026 - 61

Trophy Wall WOODS

Dylan Gibble

of Lebanon; antler score 148 inches.

Dan Nikolaus

Age 8 of Columbia; first harvest taken with a rifle from an impressive 140 yards in Clearfield, PA.

62 - PA OUTDOORS | FALL 2026

Troy Martin

of Manheim; 11 point - 141 1/4 inch in Perry County.

Brad Yost & Father Larry

Abram Hershey

of Dover; York County 2025 rifle buck & doe. Father & son harveste d these on thei r property on Nov . 29. Larry was 84 and only decided at the last minute to carry his rifle he’s glad he did!

of Gordonville; Sitting in the rain, I look to my left and thought I saw white and brown branches, and then I saw his head. It took about 10 seconds to get my gun up boom, he ran right at me and turned broadside and I shot again. Big buck down.

Adam Dent

Ethan Lupold

of York; 10 point buck harvested with a crossbow in November 2025.

Age 19 of Lancaster; first turkey; NWTF score: 95.25 - currently #10 all time in PA. PA OUTDOORS | FALL 2026 - 63

Trophy Wall WOODS

Josh Firestone

of Dover; York Co. 2025 archery buck. Harvested on the family farm on Nov. 2 from the same stand his dad did one week earlier.

Josh Hershey

of Gordonville; My three boys and I all got nice buck at the cabin this past year. What a year to remember.

Addison Knowles

Age 15 of Elizabethtown; this was my first deer I ever shot. Nonetheless, my first time out hunting. I was super excited and shaking. I know it’s not a buck but it will always be a trophy to me, because it was my first dee r ever and my first shot.

Jon Firestone

of Dover; 2025 archery season in York County.

64 - PA OUTDOORS | FALL 2026

John Dull (Left) & Tony Pabon (Right)

of Quarryville; 8 Point (L) at 10:15 am, 9 Point (R) at 6:50 am. Harvested on 11/29/25 opening day of rifle season.

Levi Tart

of Hellam; second day of rifle seasons. Large frame 6 point scored 134 1/8 inch.

Ezekiel Hershey

of Gordonville; calm cold morning , heard a twig brake, looked and saw him marching up the hill. He walked to about 80 yards; I hit the grunt. He come walking slowly to about 33 yards. I drew bow and let it fly. Coolest weekend ever.

Kyle Heller

Age 14 of Elizabethtown; first buck and it was an 8 point. This was shot less than a week afte r he shot his first doe.

PA OUTDOORS | FALL 2026 - 65

Trophy Wall waterways

Jeremy Strickler

of Bainbridge; 30" striped bass, drifting live perch on Susquehanna River below Conowingo Dam.

Owen Etter

Age 5 of Wrightsville; 17" brow n trout caught on First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek.

Jaron Shellenberger

of Mount Joy; sight-casted this beast on the Conestoga River with a live hellgrammite on 8 lbs. monofilament line. 38" long .

66 - PA OUTDOORS | FALL 2026

Chissy Ulrich

of Elizabethtown; stripped bass caught on the Susquehanna River below Conowingo Dam on top water out of kayak.

Simon Benner

Age 13 of Lititz; bluegill caught in Elverson experiencing his first season of fishing with his brothers and mom-mom and pop-pop.

Kyle Strickler

of Bainbridge; 25" striped bass, drifting live perch on the Susquehanna River below Conowingo Dam.

Join The

Tanner Fehrenbacher

Age 12 of Willow Street; 29" catfish when fishing on the river with his pop-pop.

Trophy Wall Email us your hunting/fishing photos for your chance to be featured.

Logan Re ese

Age 14 of Columbia; Logan loves fishing with his Dad and his friend Nathan. Caught in Lake Octoraro.

Scan for details

Entries are due by February 5, 2027

Trophy Wall beyond

the border Drake Hilbert

of Dover; killed this gobbler in Maryland youth season hunting with this father, Brady.

Le o Rosenberger

of Lancaster; caught in the Callicoon Creek in the NY Catskill Mountai ns. 21" - 4.5 lbs.

Kerry Lapp

of Ron ks; successful father/son hunt in Nebraska, doubling up on back-to-back days.

Billie Joe Bollinger

of Manheim; 150/160 lb. wild boa r in Lake Placid, FL. It was my second animal ever taken and my first-ever big game animal.

Jare d Gibble

of Wrightsville; first western hunting trip to Wyoming in 202 3; shot this antelope at 621 yards.

68 - PA OUTDOORS | FALL 2026

Gunner Bratina

Age 10 of Elizabethtown; gunner shot this 157" 11 point with his Excalibur crossbow in southern Ohio.

Wyatt Zeamer

Age 10 of Columbia; 31" 15 lb. lake trout caught in Henderson Harbor, NY, Lake Ontario.

Colton Zeamer

Age 12 of Columbia; 30" 14 lb. lake trout caught in Henderson Harbor, NY, Lake Ontario.

Tom Bender

of Palymra; Enjoying a day of Pike fishing in Alaska!

Dalton Lapp

of Ron ks; successful trip to Nebraska with my dad. We both harvested nice buck on back-to back days. I used a custom-bui lt rifle in 308 Winchester.

Chad Firestone

of Dover; New York 2025 rifle buck. Harvested on his property on Nov. 17.

PA OUTDOORS | FALL 2026 - 69

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