New online feature helps with locating, exploring state game lands.

A new offering from the Pennsylvania Game Commission might hold the answer.

The Game Commission has launched on its website a new Mapping Center that will help users to locate state game lands and other hunting grounds, view topography and aerial photos for tracts, and even find a place to park when they arrive.

Those searching for outdoor-recreation opportunities can search by game lands number, county, region or wildlife management unit. Users also can click on any game lands defined on the map to see a more detailed layout of access roads, parking areas and buildings there. The map can also be set to show hunter access points on private lands.

Outdoor enthusiasts can customize their own maps and bookmark their favorites, and print them out to use afield or to leave directions for where they'll be.

"The new Mapping Center represents a big upgrade in terms of the quantity and quality of information available," said Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe. "Anyone interested in spending time on state game lands, or other public-access properties, will find it useful."

A short video on how to use the Mapping Center is available at the www.pgc.state.pa.us, and can be found by clicking on the icon titled "State Game Lands Mapping Center."  The Mapping Center can be accessed directly at http://pgcmaps.pa.gov/pgcpublicviewer.

The Mapping Center was developed in partnership with GeoDecisions.  

This Mapping Center is part of a larger three-year initiative for the Game Commission to improve GIS mapping for state game lands.

"The Mapping Center allows the public to view all the latest information on game lands, as well as locations of hunter access cooperators," said David B. Gilbert, project manager for GeoDecisions.  "The overlay of Wildlife Management Units allows sportsmen to plan their next day in the field."

SOURCE Pennsylvania Game Commission