Raystown Lake announces access opportunities for 2024-2025 hunting season

USACE, Baltimore District
Published Sept. 16, 2024

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District, announces the opening of several access roads to accommodate various upcoming hunting seasons at Raystown Lake.

The following gates will be open from September 21, 2024 – January 20, 2025:

  • High Germany Road (Gate 28 - off Old Plank Road)
  • Susquehannock Campground Road (Gate 8 - off Bakers Hollow Road)
  • Upper Corners Road (Gate 13 - off Upper Corners Road)
  • Miller Farm Road (Gate 35 - end of Weaver Falls Road)

The following gates will be open from September 21 – December 14, 2024:

  • Hawns Bridge Road (Gate 1 - end of Hawns Bridge Road)
  • Fink Road (Gate 27 - off John Bum Road)

The following gates will be open from November 30 – December 14, 2024:

  • Bowsers Orchard Road (Gate 5 - off Bakers Hollow Road)
  • Susquehannock/Bowsers Orchard Connector Road (Gate 7)
  • Nancy’s Camp Road (Gate 26)

USACE may temporarily close these gated roads depending on weather, road conditions, or other special activities. There is no off-season maintenance on these roadways; vehicle operators will be traveling at their own risk. Other outdoor recreational users, such as nature observers, mountain bikers, and hikers, may also use the open roads for vehicle access during this period.

Tree stands and portable hunting blinds on USACE lands can be placed out no more than two weeks before the first deer season in Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 4A, and must be removed no later than two weeks after the final deer season in WMU 4A. Tree stands and portable hunting blinds left on USACE lands need to be conspicuously marked with a durable and legible identification that includes the owner’s first name, last name, and legal address, or bears the Conservation Identification (CID) number that appears on the owner’s hunting license, or a number issued by the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) to the stand or blind owner.

All USACE land at Raystown Lake is NOT enrolled in the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) for the 2024-2025 hunting season. In addition, all USACE lands at Raystown Lake are within WMU 4A and Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management Area (DMA) 2. The PGC offers free CWD testing to hunters who harvest a deer inside a DMA. Hunters may submit their deer head (double bagged and with harvest tag completed and firmly affixed to the ear) into any PGC head collection bin.  Please be informed on CWD regulations. For more information, visit https://www.pgc.pa.gov/Wildlife/WildlifeHealth/Pages/ChronicWastingDisease.aspx.

All PGC and USACE regulations apply. For more information on Raystown Lake’s natural resource management, visit the natural resource programs link at https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/Missions/Dams-Recreation/Raystown-Lake/ or call (814) 658-3405.   

ABOUT RAYSTOWN LAKE

Raystown Lake is the largest lake located entirely in Pennsylvania and offers 8,300 surface acres of clear water surrounded by 21,000 acres of forested mountain slopes. Raystown is a multi-purpose lake constructed and managed by USACE for flood damage reduction, recreation and natural resource opportunities, and hydropower. Visitors come to Raystown to enjoy panoramic views of undeveloped land and waters, access to excellent public recreation facilities, and fishing and hunting opportunities. From camping and boating, to hiking and mountain biking, to striped bass fishing and whitetail deer hunting, and everything in between - Raystown offers something for everyone. Visit our website for more: https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/Missions/Dams-Recreation/Raystown-Lake/ 

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Contact
Glenn E. Werner
814-658-6807
glenn.e.werner@usace.army.mil

Release no. 24-020