Here is a portion of the game commission press release for this years game lands tours. Many of these are through areas that at one time contained thriving settlements that are now ghost towns. For anyone in other areas of PA here is the link to the release listing all tours in the state http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/PGC/newsroom/2002/nr077-02.htm Bradford County: Sunday, Oct. 6, from 11 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. This will be a 26-mile self-guided driving tour through State Game Lands 12 and 36. The route will start at the parking lot on Route 154 about one mile north of Wheelerville, Bradford County. The tour will continues across SGL 12 toward Sunfish Pond, through the Barclay area and end on the east side of SGL 36 at Schrader Creek in the Weston area. Tour participants will see food plots that the Game Commission created in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation; several timber sale operations in various stages; border cuttings; two deer exclosure project sites; and a strip mine reclamation site that was completed in 1983. Additionally, the tour will include stops by the remains of towns and farm sites; a former refuge area; Barclay Cemetery; and evergreen plantings done by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. A handout with a history of the game lands and the surrounding area will be provided to each vehicle. Roads are passable for most vehicles. Tioga County: Sunday, Oct. 6, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., State Game Lands 37. To attend, take Route 287 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Ives Run Recreation Area, then follow signs to the Stevenhouse Run Parking Lot. This will be a self-guided tour on roads not normally open to the public. Tour participants will be given a map and written tour guide. Game Commission personnel, stationed at various exhibits along the tour route, will be available to answer questions. Luzerne/Wyoming counties: Sunday, Oct. 6, State Game Lands 57. Registration will be held from 7:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the headquarters building complex on State Game Lands 57, Ricketts Station, Forkston Township, Wyoming County. Game Commission personnel will be on hand to explain various points of interest, including wildlife habitat improvement projects. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended for this three-hour, 30-mile, self-guided driving tour. Directions: At the intersection of Routes 487 and 118, take Route 487 north for 7.5 miles and turn onto a dirt road near State Game Land sign on right. Travel on dirt road one-tenth of a mile to a "Y" intersection and proceed left three-tenths of a mile to the headquarters complex. Each vehicle will receive a map and brief explanation of wildlife management programs being carried out on this parcel. -- Dana Richter (607) 255-7163 fax (607) 255-9001 http://www.chess.cornell.edu [email protected]