Safety Zone signs

Just moved into Beaver County in January. Spotted several turkey hunters in the woods next to the house--WAY too close. Rather than post the property, I decided to just put up safety zone signs. However, when I called the PGC office, they said that they no longer supply the signs. Any idea where to get them? I tried Gander, Tractor Supply and several local hardware stores. Any help appreciated. Thanks

We have also had some safety zone issues in the past few years and would like to throw a few signs up this year.  Why random people think it is ok to sit 40 yards over the hill from the house (and neighbors) with a slug gun is beyond me.   
 
Do you know if the signs available from the hardware stores bear the PGC name on them like others I have seen?  I believe that the "official" signs would be a much more effective deterant.

Thanks for the feedback. Unfortunately, the property does not meet to size requirements. Probably the best thing is to simply post it all off limits.

Thank you for the information, it is much appreciated.

I agree that the signs are nothing more than a courtesy, but unfortunately to many hunters that seems to be a foreign word.  The area I am referring to is in a housing plan and all occupied dwellings are clearly visible, yet some people still insist on getting right up in the backyard.

Next time I will not waste my breath and just contact the local WCO.   

150 yards is 150 yards....

If the dwelling owner does not own the land across the road he can not keep people from being there..

BUT if they are hunting without his permission within his safety zone..then he can report them for breaking the law because they are still within his saftey zone... my neighbor can not hunt within 150 yards of my places even though it may be his property... same as no one can not hunt the SGL(which are not mine) if they are within the safety zones of my buildings without permission from me

Is there a 50 yard saftey zone for archery?

psu.. yes for archery it was changed to 50 yards - but you still need owner's permission...

ORIGINAL: Dr. Trout

psu.. yes for archery it was changed to 50 yards - but you still need owner's permission...

With owners permission you could hunt off of their porch !

With owners permission you could hunt off of their porch !

That was NOT my point in mentioning owners permission....

There is not alot of places you can be within 50 yards of a dwelling and not be trespassing...

I did not want anyone to think that they could just go to within 50 yards of a dwelling and be legal ...


but I should have known you'd find a way to make it look more difficult to understand than it was ..

WOW.. did not know that about renters... THANKS....

Let me get this right OA...

you trying to tell me if I walk on my neighbors property tomorrow within a 150 yards of his house and accidently "jump" (disturb) a bedded deer while walking thru I have broken a safety zone law and could be arrested...

that's is really funny --- I'd love to meet the WCO that would try to make that stand up in a court of law ..

ORIGINAL: Dr. Trout

Let me get this right OA...

you trying to tell me if I walk on my neighbors property tomorrow within a 150 yards of his house and accidently "jump" (disturb) a bedded deer while walking thru I have broken a safety zone law and could be arrested...

that's is really funny --- I'd love to meet the WCO that would try to make that stand up in a court of law ..

Put this way trout. You walk through my property where it is posted with safety zone signs at "any" time and your PGC tattoo would not save your butt from being fined.

ORIGINAL: Dr. Trout

Let me get this right OA...

you trying to tell me if I walk on my neighbors property tomorrow within a 150 yards of his house and accidently "jump" a bedded deer...

Now I know why you prefer does!

Now before your undergarment wads...I was kidding Doc.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission's Cooperative Safety Zone Program is aimed toward providing a better landowner-hunter relationship and improved hunting conditions at a time when residential and industrial development and farm consolidation annually chip away at available hunting territory. Thousands of acres are lost annually. Losses are even occurring on State Game Lands as homebuilders erect dwellings near borders, effectively making segments of State Game Lands closed to hunting.

The primary intent of the more than 50-year-old Cooperative Public Safety Zone Program is to heighten safety zone awareness and provide better protection to farm residents and their properties. It is hoped that the added security this program provides through visibly unmistakable warning signage will encourage more landowners who currently close their lands to hunting and/or trapping to reconsider.

At present, thousands of Pennsylvanians are participating in this program. Their farms and properties, located in nearly every county of the state, comprise more than 1.1 million acres. The program has been attracting cooperators since its inception in 1954. Many are drawn to it because of the program's benefits and the peace of mind it provides.

To become a Safety Zone Program cooperator, the owner or person in legal control of a farm, containing a minimum of 50 acres, executes a simple agreement with the Game Commission. This agreement may be cancelled upon 60 days written notice.

Hunting for or disturbing game, or discharging firearms within 150 yards of occupied dwellings or other farm buildings is unlawful except by specific permission of the landowner or tenant. The cooperating farmer erects Safety Zone posters which are supplied free of charge by the Game Commission, through the local Wildlife Conservation Officer (WCO). These signs must be erected not more than 150 yards from farm buildings. The penalty for violating the Safety Zone Law is determined by the magistrate and includes costs of prosecution.

The farm, with the exception of the established Safety Zone, must be open to lawful public hunting. The landowner or tenant may hunt within the Safety Zone and may grant permission to others to do so. Local WCOs will occasionally patrol roads adjacent to your land to ensure individuals who enter your property obey laws and regulations.

The Pennsylvania Landowner Liability Act limits landowner liability toward individuals who enter their property for recreational purposes. The State of Pennsylvania encourages landowners to make their property available to the public for recreational purposes such as hunting and trapping, and to enjoy the benefits these cooperative arrangements can provide.

The Game Commission has strived to create programs that reinforce the important relationship between hunters and farmers for more than 70 years, because the agency has always recognized that the future of hunting depends upon ethical behavior of its participants. When hunters demonstrate respect to landowners and their property, they get an additional places to hunt, and landowners have someone to help them manage game populations.

Further information on the Cooperative Public Safety Zone Program may be obtained from Game Commission field officers, six region offices or the Bureau of Land Management at the Harrisburg headquarters.