Hunting Policy
The 2024-2025 ALT Hunting Season begins September 1, 2024 and ends January 31, 2025.
Allegheny Land Trust lands accommodate a wide variety of public uses including hiking, biking, birding, cross-country skiing, scientific research, and hunting. ALT (Allegheny Land Trust) views hunting primarily as a natural resource management tool and secondarily as an allowable recreational activity. To create a safe and enjoyable environment for all visitors, hunters must review and follow both the Pennsylvania Game Commission seasons and standards and our hunting rules and regulations. Failure to adhere to the rules and regulations will result in suspension of hunting privileges and/or citation by local law enforcement.
Please Remember:
- All hunters ages 12+ must have a current ALT hunting permit, which will be linked on this page as an online form and printable PDF July through January each year.
- Hunting is permitted on ALT lands only between September 1 and January 31 in accordance with PA Game Commission Seasons. You may place temporary tree stands or blinds, but you may not hunt until the PA Game Commission seasons are active.
- Camping and overnight access are not permitted.
- There is NO SUNDAY HUNTING on any ALT properties.
If you prefer to print an application at home and mail it in, you can find a PDF Permit Application here.
ALT’s green spaces fall into three categories: Open Hunting, Restricted Hunting, and No Hunting; additionally, some lands are managed by Neighborhood Deer Management Associates (NDMA) or Whitetail Management Associates (WMA). View descriptions and lists of locations below. The green space links will supply maps and added details about the site.
Open Hunting Conservation Areas
Hunters may take any game (PGC regulated seasons) by any legal weapon for the 2B zone during the permitted ALT hunting season of September 1 – January 31. This includes trapping and hunting of small game. Notice that spring gobbler season is not open on any property.
Open Hunting Properties:
Restricted Hunting Conservation Areas
Hunters are allowed to hunt only white tail deer with only a bow and arrow or crossbow during the permitted ALT hunting season of September 1 – January 31. This excludes hunting of any other game species and trapping.
Restricted Hunting Properties:
- Audubon Greenway I and II
- Beadnell Slopes
- Bethel Green
- Devils Hollow
- Girty’s Woods
- Hunt Road
- Venango Trail – Access the property from Ridge Road parking only. Do not contact adjacent landowners for permission to access from their land.
- Yough Slopes
No Hunting Conservation Areas
ALT owns property in which hunting is prohibited. These areas are generally small, found in residential neighborhoods, or too ecologically sensitive for off-trail foot traffic. This also includes all Conservation Easements as they are not owned by Allegheny Land Trust. If not listed as a hunting land on this page or in your approved permit materials, it is a “No Hunting” conservation area.
Neighborhood Deer Management Associates (NDMA) Lands
Hunting permissions on some of our properties next to public parks and residential areas in Sewickley Heights are managed by Neighborhood Deer Management Associates (NDMA). Having an ALT permit alone will not allow you to hunt on these properties. If you’re interested in hunting at one of these properties, please contact Randy at randyexley@comcast.net for more information. Be aware that there are added qualifications needed to hunt on NDMA managed properties.
NDMA Managed Properties:
Whitetail Management Associates (WMA) Lands
Hunting on our property next to North Park is managed by Whitetail Management Associates (WMA). Having an ALT permit alone will not allow you to hunt on these properties. If you’re interested in hunting at one of these properties, please contact Joe at bohunter28@gmail.com for more information. Be aware that there are added qualifications needed to hunt on WMA managed properties.
WMA Managed Properties:
Information on additional properties available for hunting is provided with your permit. Hunters handle knowing the property boundaries and obeying all federal, state, and local laws. Many properties have detailed boundary topographic maps on the property website. We ask that you respect the land, the animals, and other property users when you hunt on ALT lands. As a private landowner, ALT reserves the right to prohibit or promote hunting in conservation areas at any time following federal, state, and local laws.
While ALT understands that not all its supporters may be supportive of hunting on ALT conservation areas, our conservation organization believes the benefits of permitting hunting greatly outweigh the consequences of prohibiting hunting. For everyone’s safety, we insist hikers and hunters alike exercise good and safe judgment, wear orange, and be smart. Although it is impossible to please all user groups, limiting the time and type of hunting on ALT conservation lands allows both groups to enjoy the lands that ALT protects. Also, please remember that lands on which ALT holds a conservation easement are private property and the land trust does not have the authority to grant permission to hunt on these lands.
As a local non-profit organization, we ask that hunters donate to the land trust so that we can continue to sustainably manage our conservation lands for all recreational users. To donate, contact Allegheny Land Trust at 412-741-2750 or Donate Online.
For more information about hunting in Pennsylvania, please see the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s website or contact their Southwest Regional office at 724-238-9523.
If you prefer to print an application at home and mail it in, you can find a PDF Permit Application here.