The co-ops are marked with yellow or black dots i think on the maps. Look on the lower bottom left side of map for symbol meanings. We drove around and found Co op signs on the barns or post at the drive ways. You got to knock on doors and find out what kind of hunting they allow, whether they want you to sign in somewhere(barn or outbuilding) where to park etc. . The maps are somewhat helpfull but drive around the closest roads to the dots and look for the co-op signs. Around here co-ops are used as heavy as gamelands so you got to share. While your driving around ,knock on doors even if no co-op and see if area is good for hunting and permission, ya never know,might get lucky

 

Thanks a lot Wald Jager! Do the COOP signs look anything like the game land signs. i.e. color ect?

 

Like wald said you gotta use the map as a general reference for the area and then go out and look for the signs(this is also exactly what I was told by a WCO when I asked him about them). Helps to use a local street map to try to narrow the area down from the scale of the PGC county maps. There are also pictures of the signs on the county PDF file maps on the PGC site. Also many of these cooperators around here don't have any or all the signs posted, have found most of mine by narrowing the area down on a local map and then sometimes finding just 1 sign (usually a safety zone sign) or no sign and then knocking on doors......remember you still must ask permission to hunt these areas

 

Look for squirel sign in the woods. Go early in the morning and late in the evening and find a place to sit and watch a den tree and wait for the squirrels to come out. Many coops are all agriculture lands and unless they have tree lines squirrels wil be scarce. If you have another licensed hunter, put one on each side of the tree line and walk slowly looking up into the trees to spot squirrels.

 

Hi All,

My sons (9 + 10)and I are new to hunting in PA and found the SGL (203) in our county to be empty of small game (in particular squirrels), aside from the pheasant they are actively releasing there. My boys and I have been out many times and scoured almost the entire SGL.
...

Being that you're new to hunting, a question comes to mind.
How are you going about this squirrel hunting that you're doing? You say that you've scoured the SGL without having any luck, does that mean that you're trying to walk up on the critters or have you actually positioned yourself to sit in some hardwoods for the last half hour of daylight when squirrels are most active?

 

You do realize that you can only have one mentored youth at a time?

 

You do realize that you can only have one mentored youth at a time?

The boys may be simply accompanying Elmer, and not as mentored youths ? ? ?

 

<span style="font-style: italic">The ratio of unlicensed person to licensed hunter must not exceed 1:1 </span>

 

What I was told at hunter safety was that it's 1:1 - doesn't matter if one kid is just along as observer and the other kid falls under MYH or if both are observers because it's 1:1 for observers in a hunting party, too (ANY observers who don't have a license, even adults - there are some exceptions for organized hunts like BOW). So, even if the kids don't plan on shooting, it is still against the rules. I was asking because I have three girls and we are only two parents so we'd have to split up. It might be worth a call to the game commission just to get super clarity on it just in case there is a loophole but that is my best understanding. Also, if mentoring the kids, they may not carry their own weapons. The mentor has to hold it until the youngster is ready to shoot and I think that the mentor is not supposed to be carrying their own. Anyway, could be there is another mentor along with the OP, but just wanted to write that out because there does not seem to be a lot of clarity about the rules. It's a frustrating rule because it puts a dent in the whole "family activity" thing.

 

Here is the whole piece...

<span style="font-style: italic">An unlicensed person may accompany a properly licensed hunter or trapper provided the unlicensed person acts only as observer and does not, in any
manner, participate in hunting or trapping. Any person accompanying a licensed hunter must wear the required amount of fluorescent orange. An unlicensed
person who has never held a hunting license in Pennsylvania or any other state may accompany a properly licensed hunter or trapper and
participate in these activities providing the following requirements are met: The person remains in sight and close to a hunter at least 18 years of age;
the unlicensed person does not possess a firearm, bow or other hunting device; the person complies with fluorescent orange requirements; and the person
is listed, if mandated, on a hunting roster as a member of the hunting party. The ratio of licensed hunters to non-licensed persons must not exceed 1:1. </span>

 

Hi All,

My sons (9 + 10)and I are new to hunting in PA and found the SGL (203) in our county to be empty of small game (in particular squirrels), aside from the pheasant they are actively releasing there. My boys and I have been out many times and scoured almost the entire SGL.
...

Being that you're new to hunting, a question comes to mind.
How are you going about this squirrel hunting that you're doing? You say that you've scoured the SGL without having any luck, does that mean that you're trying to walk up on the critters or have you actually positioned yourself to sit in some hardwoods for the last half hour of daylight when squirrels are most active?

Like John S and DIYASUB say,the first 2 hours or so in the morning and the last hour of light is when they go foraging. Find some woods with big mature oaks,beeches,nut trees and dead snags, full head to toe camo, sit still and they will come. Hard for the kids but your not out all day so burn energy scouting and be quiet and stay still!

 

The ratio of unlicensed person to licensed hunter must not exceed 1:1

The exceptions to the license requirements statute (see Title 34, Section 2701 below) address "unlicensed hunters" who are participating, not just observing.


Title 34, Sec. 2701. License requirements.
(a) General rule.--Except in defense of person or property or pursuant to exemptions authorized in this title, or by regulation of the commission for implementing a mentored youth hunting program, every person, prior to engaging in any of the privileges granted by this title, shall first obtain the applicable license subject to any conditions or other requirements imposed by this title.

(b) Only one license valid.--Only one full-term or distinct hunting license and furtaking license shall be valid during any full-term license year. The issuance of any replacement license or the purchase of a second or subsequent license of any class shall immediately and automatically invalidate any license of the same kind which had been previously issued.

(c) Exception. --Any person who has never held a hunting license in Pennsylvania or any other state may participate in the hunting and trapping activities authorized under this title or commission regulations without compliance with subsection (a) of section 2704 (relating to eligibility for license) if that person satisfies all of the following requirements:

(1) The person who participates in the hunting or trapping activities must always be in sight of and close enough to a licensed hunter who is at least 18 years of age to clearly hear and understand instructions communicated to the person through normal conversation without the aid of any device. The licensed hunter shall have a valid hunting license for the game or wildlife they are hunting or qualify for license and fee exemptions under section 2706 (relating to resident license and fee exemptions.

(2) The unlicensed person may not possess, convey or use any firearm, bow or any other device that may be used to harvest game or furbearers.

(3) The unlicensed person must be in compliance with section 2524 (relating to protective material required) and with any regulations promulgated by the commission related to protective material.

(4) The unlicensed person who participates in any hunting party shall be listed on any required hunting roster and shall count as a member of the hunting party for purposes of section 2324 (relating to roster of parties hunting big game) and commission regulations relating to big game animal hunting roster and parties hunting small game.

(5) For the purposes of this section, at no time shall a licensed hunter accompany more than one unlicensed person.

 

see #(5)

 

see #(5)

Applies to people who are participating. See paragraph C.

 

Also see

<span style="font-weight: bold">An unlicensed person may accompany a properly licensed hunter or trapper <span style="text-decoration: underline">provided the unlicensed person acts only as observer and does not, in any
manner, participate in hunting or trapping.</span> Any person accompanying a licensed hunter must wear the required amount of fluorescent orange </span>

(From the digest)

 

The following is also from the digest (at bottom of index page):

<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"The Digest is not the Game & Wildlife Code or its attendant regulations and should not be considered final on legal interpretation."</span></span>

 

Interpret however you wish... I think you are giving a novice hunter poor advice. My Opinion.

 

Hi All,

My sons (9 + 10)and I are new to hunting in PA and found the SGL (203) in our county to be empty of small game (in particular squirrels), aside from the pheasant they are actively releasing there. My boys and I have been out many times and scoured almost the entire SGL.
...

Being that you're new to hunting, a question comes to mind.
How are you going about this squirrel hunting that you're doing? You say that you've scoured the SGL without having any luck, does that mean that you're trying to walk up on the critters or have you actually positioned yourself to sit in some hardwoods for the last half hour of daylight when squirrels are most active?

Like John S and DIYASUB say,the first 2 hours or so in the morning and the last hour of light is when they go foraging. Find some woods with big mature oaks,beeches,nut trees and dead snags, full head to toe camo, sit still and they will come. Hard for the kids but your not out all day so burn energy scouting and be quiet and stay still!

...and dont shoot the first squirrel that comes out and then break cover to pick him up. Wait till theres three, shoot, mark where he falls, then be still. The others will come back out in a few minutes.

 

... My boys and I have been out many times and scoured almost the entire SGL. I don't want them to get too frustrated and give up. Nothing worse for a young kid to hike over rough terrain for hours and come up short handed over and over again.

...

If you are hunting squirrels you must look down before you look up. If you see a lot of acorns on the ground, you will probably see a lot of squirrels in the trees. Acorns are the mainstay for the critters. If you sit in a mature hardwood forest at daybreak, you should hear and see the squirrels. Just sitting in the woods and observing nature can be fun. Seeing deer, turkeys, foxes, etc. in the wild can be a thrill.

My suggestion would be to try to find another hunter and tell them your situation. Stop at a restaurant, feed store or even a post office in the country and ask for help. Most hunters are good hearted folk who would be glad to help two young people get started in hunting.

 

... My boys and I have been out many times and scoured almost the entire SGL. I don't want them to get too frustrated and give up. Nothing worse for a young kid to hike over rough terrain for hours and come up short handed over and over again.

...

If you are hunting squirrels you must look down before you look up. If you see a lot of acorns on the ground, you will probably see a lot of squirrels in the trees. Acorns are the mainstay for the critters. If you sit in a mature hardwood forest at daybreak, you should hear and see the squirrels. Just sitting in the woods and observing nature can be fun. Seeing deer, turkeys, foxes, etc. in the wild can be a thrill.

My suggestion would be to try to find another hunter and tell them your situation. Stop at a restaurant, feed store or even a post office in the country and ask for help. Most hunters are good hearted folk who would be glad to help two young people get started in hunting.

Yes, I have found this to be very true. Hunters form the most welcoming and friendly community I've seen.

 

Like John S and DIYASUB say,the first 2 hours or so in the morning and the last hour of light is when they go foraging. Find some woods with big mature oaks,beeches,nut trees and dead snags, full head to toe camo, sit still and they will come. Hard for the kids but your not out all day so burn energy scouting and be quiet and stay still!

NICE, just tell him to go and BREAK the FO Law!

 

WOW!!! The speculation and jumping to conclusions that has transpired is astounding.

I never said 'I' was new to hunting, never said I took them both out at the same time. I never asked about the regulations.

I appreciate people taking the time to respond, but somehow this got way off topic.

Just as an exercise, can someone give a shout out who has met the daily bag limit for SGL 203?

Thanks

 

Like John S and DIYASUB say,the first 2 hours or so in the morning and the last hour of light is when they go foraging. Find some woods with big mature oaks,beeches,nut trees and dead snags, full head to toe camo, sit still and they will come. Hard for the kids but your not out all day so burn energy scouting and be quiet and stay still!

NICE, just tell him to go and BREAK the FO Law!

My bad, I wear camo FO for small game, so brain and fingers did not meet keyboard correctly. BTW, a simple correction works well,not a jump down my throat approach.