Hunting
About 1,300 acres of Promised Land State Park are open to hunting, trapping and dog training during Pennsylvania's established seasons, with a Pennsylvania Game Commission license. Hunting is never allowed on the lakes, Conservation Island, the Day Use Area, the Bear Wallow cabin area or Pickerel Point. The east side of the park is deer archery only, and the Lower Lake campgrounds open only for late-season deer archery. The surrounding Delaware State Forest adds more hunting ground.
Hunting at a Glance
Where You Can and Cannot Hunt
DCNR's park map shows the hunting boundaries in color: open hunting, archery-only deer, late-season archery and no hunting. Always carry it. In short:
- No hunting: both lakes, Conservation Island, the Day Use Area, the Bear Wallow cabins, Pickerel Point and any other area marked on the map.
- Deer archery only: the east side of the park.
- Late-season deer archery only: the Lower Lake campgrounds.
- Open areas: hunted daily in season, except that migratory game birds may not be hunted on Sundays.
Seasons and Game
The park follows Game Commission seasons for big game, small game, migratory game birds and trapping. There are no firearm restrictions in the park's open areas. Groundhog (woodchuck) hunting is banned in every Pennsylvania state park.
Blinds, Traps and Dogs
- Blinds and stands are allowed; contact the park office for the details.
- Traps may not be set within 50 feet of any designated trail, path, sidewalk, road or parking lot.
- Dog training happens only in designated hunting areas, from the day following Labor Day until the end of March.
DMAP and Accessible Hunting
Promised Land is enrolled in the Game Commission's DMAP deer program. If you hold a DCNR Mobility Device Permit, the park office can point you to accessible hunting spots, and you may use powered mobility devices on designated roads and trails.
Firearms Rules
Guns and bows can be uncased only inside open hunting areas while a season is on. Anywhere else, or out of season, they stay cased in your car or a closed trailer. The exceptions are police officers and holders of a valid Pennsylvania License to Carry, who may carry concealed. Other visitors are out on the trails during hunting season, so take extra care.
For Hikers in Hunting Season
Wear fluorescent orange, stick to marked trails, and know which areas are open. Conservation Island and the Day Use Area are always closed to hunting. See Hiking.
Beyond the Park
The 12,464 acres of Delaware State Forest around the park are also open to hunting under Bureau of Forestry and Game Commission rules.
Hunting FAQ
Can you hunt at Promised Land State Park?
Yes. About 1,300 acres are open during established seasons with a Pennsylvania hunting license. The lakes, Conservation Island, Day Use Area, Bear Wallow cabins and Pickerel Point are closed to hunting.
Is Promised Land State Park archery only?
Partly. The east side is deer archery only, and the Lower Lake campgrounds open only for late-season deer archery. Other open areas have no firearm restrictions.
Can you hunt on Sundays at Promised Land?
Hunting is allowed daily in season, except that no migratory bird hunting happens on Sundays.
Is the park part of DMAP?
Yes. The park is enrolled in the Game Commission's DMAP deer program.
Facts from the DCNR page for Promised Land State Park.