Updated: 7:14 PM EDT Jul 22, 2026
Pennsylvania Supreme Court rules against warrantless entry on private hunting lands – WGAL
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that government officials, including Pennsylvania Game Commission officers, can no longer enter private hunting lands without a warrant, overturning the “open fields” doctrine that had been in place for nearly 20 years.
Court sides with hunting clubs
In a 7-0 decision issued on Tuesday, the court ruled in favor of the Punxsutawney Hunting Club and Pitch Pine Hunting Club, both located in Clearfield County.
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The court determined that Pennsylvania’s Constitution provides greater privacy protections for landowners who have taken steps to secure their property against entry than the U.S. Constitution.
Warrant or consent now required
The ruling states that officials, including game wardens, must have a warrant, probable cause plus an exception, or consent before entering private property that has been clearly marked or secured.
“This is a victory for all landowners in Pennsylvania,” the president of the Punxsutawney Hunting Club said in a statement.
The president of the Pitch Pine Hunting Club also praised the decision. The clubs had brought the case forward because of frustrations with game commission officers entering their land and citing the old law.
Parts of wildlife code struck down
The ruling also strikes down portions of the Game and Wildlife Code that had authorized warrantless entry onto posted private property. Since the decision was made by Pennsylvania’s highest court, it cannot be appealed further.