Hunting on NSSA Property
Members are permitted to hunt on our property, subject to the following:
- Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish rules governing hunting activities on property owned or controlled by the North Side Sportsmen’s Association (NSSA). These regulations are intended to ensure the safety of members, protect club property, and promote responsible hunting practices.
All hunting on NSSA property is a privilege extended to members and may be revoked at the discretion of the NSSA Board of Directors. - Annual Authorization
All individuals wishing to hunt on NSSA property must complete the following requirements each year prior to hunting:- Review and sign the NSSA Hunting Policy Acknowledgement.
- Obtain the current NSSA Hunting Pass.
- Comply with all sign-in procedures established by the club.
- Hunters must sign in prior to hunting and sign out upon leaving using the hunting log located in the clubhouse entryway. Failure to follow sign-in procedures will result in loss of hunting privileges.
- Each authorized hunter will receive a two-part hunting pass consisting of:
- A vehicle pass displayed on the dashboard of the hunter’s vehicle
- A personal pass carried by the hunter while in the field
- Members may request to see another hunter’s pass to confirm authorized use of NSSA property by displaying their hunting pass to each other.
- Hunters are responsible for knowing the boundaries of NSSA property.
- Eligibility
The following individuals may hunt on NSSA property:
Current NSSA members in good standing
The spouse of a member
The member’s children or grandchildren under the age of 18
Members must accompany their spouse, child, or grandchild while hunting.
Guests are not permitted to hunt on NSSA property under any circumstances.
Hunting passes are non-transferable. Any member found allowing another individual to use their pass will lose hunting privileges and may be subject to disciplinary action, including possible termination of membership. - Compliance with State Law
All hunters must comply with all Pennsylvania Game Commission regulations, including:
Legal hunting seasons
Authorized hunting hours
Bag limits
Licensing requirements
NSSA reserves the right to impose more restrictive rules than those required by state law when necessary for safety or property protection. - Firearms and Hunting Restrictions
The following restrictions apply to hunting activities on NSSA property:
Hunting or shooting is prohibited:
Within 150 yards of buildings, ranges, or roadways during firearm seasons
Within 50 yards during archery season
Hunting downrange of the rifle range or East pistol range is prohibited.
During firearm deer season, NSSA permits the use of:
Shotguns
Muzzleloaders (black powder)
Straight-wall rifles are not permitted, regardless of current Pennsylvania Game Commission allowances.
Property located east of Mt. Pleasant Road is designated Archery Only.
No firearms may be discharged in this area.
Deer drives are prohibited unless authorized in advance by the NSSA Board of Directors. - Tree Stands, Blinds, and Cameras
Members may place tree stands, ground blinds, or game cameras on NSSA property subject to the following conditions:
Equipment may be placed no earlier than one week prior to the opening of hunting season.
All equipment must be removed within one week after the close of hunting season.
No trees or vegetation may be cut, damaged, or destroyed during installation.
All equipment must be clearly labeled with NSSA membership number and Hunting CID number
Members may not move, modify, or tamper with another person’s equipment.
No member may claim exclusive rights to a hunting location. Members are expected to exercise courtesy and ethical hunting conduct when placing stands or blinds near others.
Once a hunter fills their tag, any associated stand or blind must be removed.
NSSA reserves the right to remove any equipment left beyond the permitted period.
Members found damaging another person’s hunting equipment may face:- Loss of hunting privileges
- Disciplinary action by the Board
- Liability for damages
- Tree Stand Safety
All hunters using elevated tree stands must wear a safety harness at all times while climbing and while in the stand.
Ground blinds must comply with Pennsylvania Game Commission blaze orange requirements during firearm seasons. - Game Retrieval
Motorized vehicles may not be used to retrieve harvested game on NSSA property without prior authorization from a Club Officer. - Range Closures During Deer Season
All NSSA shooting ranges will be closed during the first three days of Pennsylvania firearm deer season.
Ranges close Friday at 5:00 PM
Ranges reopen Tuesday morning
Members may hunt NSSA property during this period but may not hunt downrange of any shooting range. - Safety Zones
NSSA has established Safety Zones near occupied structures located near property boundaries.
No firearm may be discharged between posted Safety Zone markers and the property line, a distance of 150 yards.
For archery equipment, the minimum safety distance is 50 yards, although this distance may not be physically marked. - Environmental Responsibility
Members are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of NSSA property.
All materials brought onto club property, including trash and equipment, must be removed upon departure. - Enforcement
Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action by the NSSA Board of Directors, including:
Suspension or revocation of hunting privileges
Suspension or termination of club membership
Violations of Pennsylvania hunting laws may be reported to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Members are encouraged to report violations of these rules to NSSA Officers. - Questions
Questions regarding this policy should be directed to:
NSSA Hunting Chairman
NSSA Club President
Reminder:
No game animal is worth risking the safety of another person. Members are expected to conduct themselves with the highest regard for safety and sportsmanship at all times.