Wildlife Watching

One of the most exciting reasons to visit a state park is to see wildlife. Many state parks have populations of white-tailed deer, squirrels and songbirds. Some state parks have black bears, bobcats and even bald eagles. The best way to see wildlife is to sit quietly and remain still. For the best results, use binoculars and keep a safe distance between yourself and wildlife. Please do not attempt to handle any wild animal. If an animal does not run away from approaching people, it might be sick or injured. If you observe any unusual behavior by wildlife, please contact a park employee immediately.

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A Vicious Circle
Feeding Deer
Feeding Geese
The Bear Truths
Where to Wildlife Watch

Feeding Deer. . .

. . .lures too many deer into an area with insufficient food. When the handouts end (often in winter) there is not enough food for the deer to survive.

. . .may not supply appropriate nutrients and leads to unhealthy animals.

Feeding Geese. . .

. . .coaxes geese to stay in their summer range year round. When natural food sources disappear in winter, geese depend completely on people for food.

. . .can cause geese to become dependent on handouts after only three years.

A large concentration of geese creates an increase in droppings. This unsanitary accumulation can raise bacterial levels in streams and lakes that can cause health concerns.

The Bear Truths

Many Pennsylvania state parks are habitat for black bears. Although they appear cute and cuddly like a teddy bear, black bears are wild animals.

A black bear can scramble up a tree like a raccoon and sprint as fast as a race horse. Bears use their claws to tear apart rotting logs to find food, and those claws also work well to open garbage cans and coolers. The size and strength of a black bear is astonishing.

Black bears have poor eyesight and fair hearing, but an excellent sense of smell. Aromatic scents coming from your food can attract a curious and hungry bear from a great distance.

Store all food items inside a vehicle. At primitive, walk-in campsites, suspend food between two trees, ten feet in the air and three feet from either tree.

Black bears normally avoid people, but bears dependent on eating human food can become slightly aggressive when people get between them and food.

If you come in contact with a black bear, try chasing it away by making loud noises like yelling, honking a car horn or banging a pot. Notify a park employee if you have difficulties with bears.

Never approach a bear and be especially wary of mother bears and cubs.

Where to See Wildlife in PA State Parks

Select the region below to go to the parks in that region.
If you can't use the map, use the text links below.

Pennsylvania's Great Lakes Region   -   Northeast Pennsylvania Mountains
Pittsburgh and Its Countryside   -   Philadelphia and the Countryside
Pennsylvania Wilds   -   The Alleghenies and Her Valleys
Dutch Country Roads

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