Hunting

Each year, ALT’s hunting season runs from September 1 through January 31. You need an ALT hunting permit to hunt our lands; find our 2026-2027 ALT Hunting Permit Application at the button below.

2026-2027 ALT Hunting Permit Application

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.

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:

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, review their qualifications below. Applicants must submit by May 1 preceding the hunting season; for example, contact submit by May 1, 2027 to participate in the 27-28 hunting season. Please contact Randy at randyexley@comcast.net for more information.

NDMA Qualifications:

  1. You must be able to provide photographic proof of three big game animals with archery equipment.
  2. You must produce a certificate proving that you have passed the National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) Ethical Bowhunting class or the similar class by the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC).
  3. You must be able to pass a Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) criminal background check.
  4. You must be able to pass a shooting proficiency test.
  5. You will be interviewed to assess your general hunting and specific archery knowledge, mindset, and temperament to assure that you are suitable to participate in the program and that you are in agreement with the rules and objectives of the program. Rules provided on request.
  6. You must be willing to sign a liability waiver.
  7. You must be willing to shoot a doe before shooting a buck and then to keep hunting to shoot as many does as practically and humanely possible so as to best manage the deer population.
  8. You must be willing to pay dues to help cover the cost of insurance and operation of the program.

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, review their qualifications below. Please contact Joe at bohunter28@gmail.com in the March preceding the Fall they want to hunt; for example, contact Joe in March 2027 for the 27-28 hunting season.

WMA Qualifications:

  1. Must be able to provide photographic proof of three big game animals with archery equipment.
  2. Must attend the NBEF or IBEP bowhunter safety course, now done online.
  3. Must not have any prior game law violations.
  4. Must pass a background check and not be convicted of any felony.
  5. Each hunter must carry 2 million dollar liability insurance; this can be achieved as a group policy or you can do it yourself at your own cost.
  6. Must pass a qualifier shooting test from elevated positions using broadheads and archery equipment. The test is typically held on the first Sunday in May at Northside Sportsman club in Warrendale PA. After each season the program is reviewed, and the decision is made at that time.
  7. All other rules and pertinent information about the hunt will be provided at the qualifier upon successful completion. All necessary paperwork and releases will be provided at the qualifier. There are at least two meetings the new hunters must attend to review rules.

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.