Call of the Outdoors

Ep. 72 | Public Land on Mission: PA’s State Game Lands System

Did you know Pennsylvania is home to enough state game lands (SGL) that each hunter could have two acres to themselves? Public Lands Section Chief Curtis Noll and Land Management Group Supervisor Rodney Mee join host Matt Morrett to highlight 106 years of the SGL system, the habitat projects that make these lands primed for wildlife, and how we can all keep the 1.5 million acres of SGL wild.   Episode Highlights: * History of Pennsylvania’s SGL system * Differences between SGL, state forests, and state parks * How the Game Commission manages wildlife habitat on SGL * Breakdown of the SGL road system * Updated regulations and signage on SGL   Resources: Visit the Game Commission’s mapping center [https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/maps] to explore SGL near you. Review the latest SGL regulations [https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/huntingandtrapping/regulations/hunting-trapping-digest].

Ep. 71 | Celebrating the Hunt All Year Long: 2026-27 Seasons & License Sales

Executive Director Steve Smith joins host Matt Morrett to discuss the 2026-27 license year, including guaranteed antlerless licenses for residents, expanded Sunday hunting, turkey season updates, elk applications, and more opportunities than ever to get out in Penn’s Woods.     Episode Highlights:   * 2026 hunting licenses go on sale June 22, and residents are guaranteed antlerless licenses * More Sunday hunting opportunities  * Spring gobbler wrap-up and turkey season future * Elk application reminder and new changes  * Do your part and take someone new into Penn’s Woods  * Balancing opportunities with sustainability    Resources:  * Log in to your HuntFishPA [https://huntfish.pa.gov/] account. * Learn more about antlerless license [https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/huntingandtrapping/licenses-and-permits/antlerless-deer-license] sales. * Find state game lands [https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/huntingandtrapping/where-to-hunt/state-game-lands] and public shooting ranges [https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/huntingandtrapping/where-to-hunt/shooting-ranges] near you. * Apply now for an elk license [https://www.pa.gov/services/pgc/apply-for-an-elk-license]. * Become a mentor [https://www.pa.gov/services/pgc/purchase-a-mentored-hunting-permit] today!

Ep. 70 | Luck of the Draw: Elk Application & Hunting Updates

Applying for the hunt of a lifetime just got easier.   Elk Biologist Jeremy Banfield joins host Matt Morrett to provide an update on the Pennsylvania elk herd, explain all the changes to elk hunting for 2026-27, and share tips for getting a glimpse at bugling bulls in elk country.   Episode Highlights: * Overview of the current status of PA’s elk population * How the simplified elk application process will work * Details on updated elk hunt zones and seasons * Tips for safe elk viewing   Resources: Review changes to the elk application and seasons for 2026-27.  Learn how to be ELK SMART [https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/wildlife/wildlife-viewing/elk-viewing-in-pennsylvania]. Apply to hunt PA elk at huntfish.pa.gov [https://www.huntfish.pa.gov/].

Ep. 69 | Spring Gobbler’s Golden Era: A Conservation Comeback

Are we living in the golden era of the wild turkey? The godfather of turkey hunting thinks so.   Pennsylvania native and former NWTF CEO Rob Keck joins host Matt Morrett to discuss his role in the turkey hunting boom, from talking conservation with U.S. presidents to expanding opportunity to millions of new hunters.   Episode Highlights * Rob’s PA roots and early days hunting Penn’s Woods * History of turkey call technology and innovation * Conservation successes under his leadership at NWTF * His role in expanding the turkey range in the Keystone State * How he became the first to complete the Canadian Super Slam * Tips for a successful spring gobbler season   Resources Learn more about turkey hunting [https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/huntingandtrapping/get-started-hunting/turkey-hunting]. Find places to hunt turkeys [https://pagame.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=c9c7c8912356450fa77fc34d30b131fb].

Special Update: Changes for 2026-27 Hunting Seasons

Following the Board of Game Commissioners April meeting, Executive Director Steve Smith joins host Matt Morrett to discuss expanded Sunday hunting opportunities, updates to big game seasons and bag limits, and the expansion of the Certified Hunter Program. Episode Highlights: * Details on Sunday hunting dates for 2026-27 * Why migratory game birds won’t be included in Sunday hunting opportunities * Changes coming to spring gobbler season * Elk hunting and application process highlights * Updates to CWD regulations * Certified Hunter Program statewide expansion after pilot year success Resources: Learn more about 2026-27 seasons [https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/newsroom/final-2026-27-hunting-seasons-approved] and other updates [https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/newsroom/highlights-from-today-s-commissioners-meeting5] from the April 2026 Board of Game Commissioners meeting. Contact the Board of Game Commissioners [https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/about-us/contact-information] with your comments.