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 State Game Lands 176 - Centre County, PA
N 40° 45.980 W 078° 00.955
17T E 751867 N 4517103
Pennsylvania state game lands are open to all, but should be avoided by non hunters during the major hunting seasons. It's always a good idea to wear orange.
Waymark Code: WM13W1P
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 02/27/2021
Views: 4
State Game Lands 176 consists of 6,500 acres, located in Centre County northeast of State College. The terrain is generally level and interspersed with herbaceous openings. Scotia shooting range and the Commission's Barrens Grouse Habitat Management Study Area area are located on this tract. Primary game species are bear, deer, turkey, rabbit, and grouse. (from listed website)
Estimated size of the public land (in regional measurement standard: hectares, acres, kms, etc.): 6500 acres
Is there a trail system?: Yes
If there is a trail system, please describe length, terrain, etc.:
various, from different parking areas.
What points of interest are there?:
Tow Hill iron mine ruins.
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The Barrens is one of the largest examples of a pitch pine - scrub oak barrens remaining in Pennsylvania. This area, adjacent to State College and PennState University, is characterized by gently rolloing terrain with Karst topography and sandy soils. The site is dominated by second-growth Chinkapin and Chestnut Oak and pitch Pine. The shrub layer is dominated by Scrub Oak, dwarf Chestnut Oak, and blueberry. There are numerous shrub/scrub areas along with old fields and ore pits. There are several wetland areas as well as the main pond (Toftrees Pond), which borders a gold course, forest, and cornfield. An unusual species of diving beetle inhabits some of the water-filled ore pits.
Bird watching information: https://www.audubon.org/important-bird-areas/barrens-scotia-sgl-176
What activities are available?:
Hunting (with license), dog training, practice shooting range, geocaching, cross country skiing, bicycling, horseback riding, bird watching, hiking. Some activities are limited on some trails. Each trail will have signage alerting to permitted and non permitted activities.
Hours of accessibility?: all
List of known hazards (cliffs, snakes, poison plants, etc.):
Ticks, snakes, ticks, jaggers, ticks
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Is a permit/fee required?: No
If a permit/fee is required please describe in detail how to get one, how much, etc.:
A PA hunting license is required for hunting activities. But the land may be accessed without a fee for hiking, geocaching, birdwatching, etc.
Please supply the website of the land if available: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
Visitors are encouraged to supply a picture of either themselves or their GPS at the trailhead and/or signage of the public access lands - describe your experience there and what you saw - tell us why other folks should come visit!
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