SUSQUEHANNOCK STATE FOREST DISTRICT
2017 MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY PLAN
The mission of DCNR Bureau of Forestry is to conserve the long-term health, viability and productivity of
the Commonwealth’s forest and to conserve native wild plants. One of the ways the bureau carries out
this mission is through the State Forest Resource Management Plan (SFRMP), a document that guides
the management of the 2.2 million-acre state forest system. The SFRMP is updated approximately
every 5 years and includes an extensive public engagement process.
One of the policies in the bureau’s strategic plan (Penn’s Woods: Sustaining Our Forests) includes,
“Public participation will be an integral part of the management of state forest lands.” The purpose of
this Management Activity Plan is to communicate to the public about upcoming management activities,
projects, and events that will be conducted to implement the SFRMP on Susquehannock State Forest.
This document will be revised at the start and middle of each calendar year to provide sufficient time for
public review, questions, and feedback. The bureau is committed to considering the views and
perspectives of the public and stakeholders and strives to accommodate public interests in planning
management activities and decision making. We encourage comments or questions regarding planned
or proposed activities be directed to the state forest district conducting the activity.
For questions, comments, or more information about this plan, please contact:
Christian Nicholas, Susquehannock District Forester
Susquehannock State Forest
3150 East Second Street, Coudersport, PA 16915
814-274-3600
District Email: [email protected]
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RECREATION

Hammersley Trail System – finish trail clearing and maintenance, trail marking and new trail
signage. Development of a new brochure focusing on the trail system and recreation in the
Hammersely Wild Area.

Mount Broadhead Trail – clearing, and/or trail marking of trails. Installation of kiosk panel at 12 at
new trailhead.

Denton Hill Ski Trail –maintenance of 29 miles of trail. Grooming of trails when conditions permit.

ATV Trail – placing of approximately 1000 tons of stone on the trail. Grading and trail maintenance
where needed. Replacement of 3 large culverts on the West Branch of Pine Creek near Maple
Hollow, Bid spring of 2017.

Snowmobile Trails – brushing and maintenance as needed. Grooming of 250 miles of trail when
conditions permit. Placement of a bridge over Losey Run to permanently re-route the snowmobile
trail off of Rock Run Road from Losey Road to the ATV Trailhead.

Susquehannock Trail System – work cooperatively with STS Trail Club to ensure the successful
maintenance of the trail system as they have for the last 40 plus years.
Gated Roads Open for Deer Season – This program allows hunters better access to DMAP areas and
inaccessible areas. The program helps the BOF to get more antlerless deer harvested in areas where we
are seeing higher deer impacts to forest regeneration. Eighteen gated roads are proposed to be opened
for the 2016 deer seasons: Final Road List should be on website by mid-late September.
Organized Events
2017 Organized Events:
February, Dice Run (Southern Potter Snowmobile Club)
May, Annual Forest Management/Habitat Tour (Susquehannock State Forest)
August, Midnight Madness Mountain Bike Race (Ole Bull State Park & Tioga County Ridge Riders
Bicycle Club)
TIMBER MANAGEMENT
Marked and sold, potentially active

McConnell Road Daylighting, 170 acres along the entire 13 miles of the McConnell Road

Nice Ash, 119 acres of Overstory Removal off of Rock Ridge Road, Gate 307
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
Norm’s Spot, 416 acres of Ash Salvage, Shelterwood, and Overstory Removal off of the Ridge
Road ATV trail

Rattlesnake, 155 acres of Shelterwood off of 12 Mile Road/Wildcat Trail

Binky Hollow, 79 acres Shelterwood off of Thompson Road/ATV Trail toward Denton Hill

Hog Haven, 189 acres Shelterwood and Overstory Removal off of Nelson Run/Schoolhouse West

Big Splash, 106 acres Shelterwood and Clearcut off of Rte. 144/Indian Run Haul Road

Bootleg, 77 acres Shelterwood off of Rock Ridge Road

60-40, 199 acres, Overstory Removal and Ash Salvage off of the Portage Road

Si Senior, 167 Overstory Removal off of the Rauch Road/Bear Run Ridge Haul Road

The Wigglin Hand, 83 acres Shelterwood and Clearcut off of the Gardeau Road

Holstein Honey, 132 acres Shelterwood and Overstory Removal off of the Eleven Mile Road

All Aboard the Gravy Train, 148 acres Shelterwood and Overstory Removal off of Nelson Run
Road/Schoolhouse West

Check Please, 201 acres Shelterwood and Overstory Removal off of the McConnell Road

Long Drag, 61 acres of Overstory Removal off of Nelson Run Road

Return of the Boot, 165 acres of Overstory Removal and Shelterwood off of Thompson Hollow
Road/ATV trail

Talkin Turk, 100 acres of Group Selection and Shelterwood off of Gas Well Road

Big Ole Beech, 41 acres of Shelterwood off of Hungry Hollow Road

I Know Squared, 125 acres Shelterwood off of Rauch Road/Rawson Ridge Haul Road

Keeney Hollow Removal, 80 acres Overstory Removal off of Shepard Road

Quarter Cauldron, 148 acres, Shelterwood and Ov erstory Removal of off Rock Run Road

No Cake, 171 Overstory Removal and Two Aged off of Robinson Road

Sizzlin, 109 acres, Shelterwood and Overstory Removal off of Nelson Run Road/Stony Birch Haul
Road

Coop, 73 acres, Overstory Removal off of Elk Lick Road
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
Running & Gunning, 132 acres, Overstory Removal and Ash Salvage off of ATV Trail near Dagget
Hollow

Hoagie Rolled, 85 acres, Overstory Removal off of Thompson Hollow Road/Ridge Road ATV Trail

Nightmare on Elm Street, 99 acres, Clearcut and Ash Salvage off of McConnell Road
Marked but not yet sold

57 acres Shelterwood off of Rock Ridge Road

55 acres Shelterwood off of Sunken Branch Road

114 acres Shelterwood off of Marvin Run/McConnell Road
Proposed (not marked yet)

96 acre Shelterwood off of Dyer Road

60 acre Shelterwood in Little Portage area

130 acre Overstory Removal off of Culver Woods Road

70 acre Shelterwood off of Boone Road/Kerner Tract

74 acre Overstory Removal off of Long Toe Road

120 acre Overstory Removal and Shelterwood off of Ellis Hollow Road

135 acre Shelterwood off of Reed Run Road

140 acre Overstory Removal off of Boone Road/Lick Ridge Haul Road

48 acres Shelterwood off of Elk Lick Road

120 acres Overstory Removal and Shelterwood off of Nelson Run Road

67 acres Overstory Removal off of Robinson Road

39 acres Overstory Removal off of Lyman Run Road

180 acres Overstory Removal and Shelterwood off of Nelson Run Road

140 acres Overstory Removal and Shelterwood off of Sunken Branch Road
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
59 acres Ash Salvage off of Ridge Road

72 acres Shelterwood off of Tom May Road

72 acres Shelterwood near Pine Mountain off of Rte. 44

60 acres Ash Salvage off of Ridge Road ATV Trail

64 acre Shelterwood off of Sunken Branch Road

140 acre Shelterwood/Ash Salvage off of McConnell Road

50 acre Ash Salvage off of Big Moore’s Run Road

212 acre Shelterwood off of Bolich Run Haul Road on Rte. 144

55 acre Overstory Removal off of Shepard Road/Joerg Run Road

50 acre Clearcut off of Rock Run Road/Ridge Road ATV Trail

144 acre Overstory Removal off of Odin Hoxie Trail

48 acre Overstory Removal off of Nelson Run Road/Schoolhouse West

141 acre Overstory Removal off of Rte. 6/Big Fill Haul Road

57 acre Shelterwood/Ash Salvage off of Windfall Road

139 acre Shelterwood off of Nelson Run Road/Stony Birch Gate

55 acres Overstory Removal off of Randall Road
Regeneration projects

1.5 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 35 acres off Rte. 44 near Patterson SP

1.5 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 88 acres off Rte. 44/Bolich Haul Road

1.5 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 42 acres off of Short Run Road

1.5 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 59 acres off of Rte. 44/Hogback Hollow

1.5 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 34 acres off of Little Moore’s Road

1.5 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 74 acres off of Eleven Mile Road/Moore’s Run Firetrail

1.5 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 180 acres off of Nelson Run Road
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
1.5 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 29 acres off of Short Run Road

1.5 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 39 acres off of 12 Mile Road/Big Trestle

1.5 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 101 acres off of Eleven Mile Road

1.5 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 136 acres off of Rte. 44/Pine Mtn

1.5 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 21 acres off of Shepard Road/Porter Branch

1.5 qt Oust Herbicide Block, 47 acres off of Hungary Hollow

1.5 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 17 acres off of Hungry Hollow

1.5 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 18 acres off of Hungry Hollow

1.5 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 82 acres off of Bark Shanty Road

1.5 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 10 acres off of Eleven Mile Road

1.5 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 23 acres off of Windfall Road

1.5 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 74 acres off of Black Diamond Road

1.5 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 7 acres off of Eleven Mile Road

1.5 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 65 acres off of Randall Road

.75 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 24 acres off of Portage Road

.75 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 24 acres off of Shepard Road

1.5 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 30 acres off of Hungry Hollow Road

1.5 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 67 acres off of Rte. 44/Mt. Broadhead

1.5 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 77 acres off of Rock Ridge Road

.75 qt Accord/Oust Herbicide Block, 39 acres off of Randall Road

Basal Stem Herbicide, 119 acres off of Nelson Run Road

Basal Stem Herbicide,

Crop Tree Project, 124 acres off of Black Diamond Road

Crop Tree Project, 86 acres off of Nelson Run Road/Schoolhouse West

Crop Tree Project, 26 acres off of Hungry Hollow Road
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
Crop Tree Project, 121 acres off of Rock Run Road

Crop Tree Project, 16 acres off of Billy Lewis Road

Crop Tree Project, 48 acres off of Thompson Hollow Road/ATV Trail

Crop Tree Project, 26 acres off of Rock Ridge Road

Planting Project, 17 acres off of Short Run Road, 6000 White Pine

Planting Project, 110 acres off of Windfall Road, 34000 White Pine

Planting Project, 26 acres off of , 10000 White Pine

Planting Project, 36 acres off of , 7000 White Pine

Planting Project, 156 acres off of Sunken Branch/ATV Trail, 25000 White Pine, 10000 Black
Cherry, 2000 Tulip Poplar, 10000 Quaking Aspen, 10000 Big Tooth Aspen

Planting Project, 35 acres off of Rock Run Road, 12000 White Pine, 2000 Black Cherry

Planting Project, 15 acres off of Rock Run Road, 5000 White Spruce

Planting Project, 58 acres off of Rock Ridge Road, 2900 Tulip Poplar, 3000 White Pine, Aspen
5100

Planting Project, 30 acres off of Gas Well Road, 1000 Tulip Poplar, 1000 Red Pine

Planting Project, 94 acres off of Odin Hoxie Trail, 18000 White Pine, Black Cherry 10000, Aspen
10000

Planting Project, 82 acres off of Jerles Farm Road, 8000 Red Oak

Planting Project, 22 acres off of Shepard Road, 8000 Red Oak

Planting Project, 67 acres off of Dyer Road, 10000 Red Oak, 2500 White Pine, 12500 Red Pine

Planting Project, 70 acres off of Gardeau Road, 2000 Tulip Poplar, 18000 White Pine, 9000
Chestnut Oak, 9000 Aspen

Planting Project, 165 acres off of Thompson Hollow Road, 12000 White Pine, 2000 Tulip Poplar,
10000 Aspen

Planting Project,48 acres off of Elk Like Road, 14500 Red Pine

Electric deer exclosure off of Nelson Run Road/Schoolhouse West

Electric deer exclosure off of Elk Lick
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


Electric deer exclosure off of Prouty Lick snowmobile trail
Electric deer exclosure off of Portage Road
Electric deer exclosure off of Bailey Run Road
RESTORATION AND HABITAT PROJECTS

Food Plot Program – Cooperative efforts between the forest district and PGC Food & Cover Crew
complete 135 acres of food plot management across the district. 2017 plans will be decided in
February 2017.

NWTF, Cross Fork Sportsmen Club, Safari International, KECA, Black Forest Conservation Club –
continue to partner with these organizations to work on habitat projects

Aspen cuts – several small wildlife aspen cuts will be completed by the PGC and district staff during
winter of 2017
ROAD AND BRIDGE PROJECTS

Paver placing of DSA on 1.15 miles of Sunken Branch Road

Improve and replace drainage structures on the 1 mile of the Sunken Branch Road

Pending funding placement of gravel on .6 miles of the Lebo Road

Grade, clean headwalls, culverts, and tail ditches on 168 miles of State Forest Road
PRESCRIBED FIRE

No Rx fires planned this year.
INSECT, DISEASE, AND INVASIVE PLANT TREATMENTS

Insect and disease monitoring and reporting will continue in 2017 and will focus on the priority list
provided by the Division of Forest Pest Management (FPM). Report forms will be forwarded to FPM
Area Specialist from the District I&D coordinator for ground truthing and possible control efforts for
reported insect and disease problems. Aerial survey flight(s) will be conducted in late June/early
July to detect possible problem areas as well.

Continue to monitor for the presence of EAB and continue to initiate ash salvage shelterwoods in
stands that are heavily stocked with ash

Treat 3 areas of Ash (approx. 100 trees) against EAB
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
Mile-a-minute treatment will continue in the Pine Island, Elk Lick, and Portage areas.
NATURAL GAS, OIL, AND OTHER GEOLOGIC RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

Presently there are no new natural gas, oil, or pipeline development activities taking place within
the Susquehannock State Forest.

Current maintenance and operation of existing gas wells with occur in the following areas:
Greenlick Storage Field, Wharton Storage Field, Pine Hill/McConnell Shallow and Marcellus wells,
Reed Run Shallow and Marcellus wells, and Tract 001 Marcellus wells.

Work cooperatively with JKLM Energy who has the Billy Lewis Road bonded for hauling in relation to
drilling on private land adjacent to state forest land
TOWER AND RIGHTS-OF-WAY PROJECTS

No new tower or ROW projects are currently planned for 2017

Tri-County Rural Electric will be clearing and maintaining ROW’s across the district

Dominion, NFG, and Enterprise Pipeline will be performing maintenance on portions of their
ROW’s
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Annual Forest Management/Habitat Tour held Sunday after Spring Gobbler Season opens each year.
The main objectives of the tour are as follows: To observe and discuss some of the on the ground
challenges involved in both sustainable forest and wildlife management, to examine some of the
habitat improvements that we are seeing with the current deer management plan, to foster a better
relationship with those who use the Susquehannock State Forest and to exchange information that
can be taken home and utilized.
Details for the 2017 Tour can be gotten by contacting the district office in early April at [email protected]
or 814-274-3600.

We staff our public contact trailer at the following events each year: Cross Fork Outdoor Show,
Cross Fork Snake Hunt, Bark Peeler’s Convention, and Cherry Springs Woodsmen Show.

Questions or comments can be asked or made at any time by emailing the Susquehannock State
Forest at [email protected] or calling 814-274-3600.
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SPECIAL PROJECTS

Demolition of buildings at Potato City Airport and Rauch Farm

Boundary line maintenance on 1/5 of total boundary line in district
RESEARCH

Researchers from Penn State University are conducting a multi-year project called the Deer-Forest
Study on the Rothrock, Bald Eagle, and Susquehannock State Forests. This study looks at better
understanding the role of deer in context of the many challenges that PA forests face including
invasive species, insect outbreaks, soil acidity, tree diseases, and even deer themselves. The goal of
this study is to help forest and wildlife managers better manage deer and the forests. This is a
cooperative project with researchers from PSU, US Geologic Survey, PA Game Commission, and
DCNR Bureau of Forestry. This study area is approximately 69 square miles in size and is in the
northern part of the Susquehannock State Forest from Cherry Springs north to US Rte. 6.

Researchers from the US Forest Service in Irvine are performing a study with the following
objectives: The disconnect between deer densities and their concomitant browse impact has led us
to ask whether incorporating information on the heterogeneity in vegetation and land use patches
across the landscape (e.g., abundance and distribution of high-quality forage) will clarify the
relationship between ungulate density and their impact on vegetation. Specifically, we propose to
(1) evaluate the relationship between deer densities and browse-impact on vegetation and (2)
determine the degree to which forest landscape heterogeneity influences foraging behavior and, in
turn, browse impact. Millington et al. (2010) asserted that elucidating the relationship among
herbivore distribution, foraging impact, and forest landscape structure was critical to “ensure the
ecological and economic sustainability” of forest ecosystems.

Researchers from the US Forest Service in Irvine are performing research looking at the
effectiveness of different Surfactants used when applying herbicides with a broadcast sprayer. They
hope to determine the most effective way to control competing vegetation consisting of striped
maple, beech brush, and fern.

Researchers from the US Forest Service in Irvine are performing research looking at the
effectiveness of different application rates of Oust herbicide in controlling competing vegetation
specifically fern and grasses.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is performing research that involves monitoring stream
conditions on two tributaries of Pine Creek and one tributary of the First Fork of the Sinnemahoning.
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They are monitoring turbidity, PH, temperature, and other measures that have the potential to be
impacted by Marcellus gas activity.
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM PREVIOUS YEAR

Marked and sold 3425 acres of timber. These timber sales generated over $6 million dollars

Administered the contracts and harvesting of over 30 timber sales

Completed administration of contract for the herbicide application of Glysophate (Round Up) and
Sulfometuron (Oust) on 1090 acres to control competing vegetation consisting of beech brush,
striped maple, and fern

Completed administration of contract for herbicide application of Triclopyr (Garlon 4) on 186 acres
to control tall striped maple and beech brush

Completed the cutting of interfering brush on 94 acres

Planted mixed hardwoods and softwood tree seedlings on 819 acres

Erected 9 new electric deer exclosures and tore down 16 electric deer exclosures, maintained the
existing deer exclosures

Completed the following road maintenance projects:
o
o
o
o
o

Drainage improvement / gravel placement on Sunken Branch Road approximately 1.1 miles
Driving Surface Aggregate (DSA) on McConnell Road – 1 mile
Driving Surface Aggregate (DSA) placement 0.5 mile – location Sunken Branch Road 2.3 miles
east of the Billy Lewis Road
Drainage improvements on .6 miles of Lebo Road
ATV /Snowmobile Trail – gravel placement on approximately 0.7 mile with 1000 tons 2A stone
Graded, cleaned culverts and headwalls on 168 miles of state forest road
Held our annual Forest Management/Habitat Tour Had our Public Contact Trailer staffed at the
following events answering questions and providing brochures, maps, and other information:
Cross Fork Outdoor Show, Cross Fork Snake Hunt, Bark Peelers and Woodsmen Show



Completed new trailhead on Mt. Broadhead Trail System
Installed Two-Sided Kiosks at 4 ATV/Snowmobile Trailheads and Mt. Broadhead Trailhead
Cleared and marked trails in the God’s Country Shared Use Trail System, Billy Lewis Area Trail
System, Denton Hill XC Trail System, and some in the Hammersley Wild Area
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
Held Arbor Day activities in 10 school districts (5 in Potter County and 5 in McKean County)
Treated Hemlock trees within the Dutlinger Natural Area against Hemlock Wooley Adelgid
Opened 18 gated haul roads for early muzzleloader and rifle deer season
Completed planting and maintenance on 135 acres of food plots in cooperation with the PA Game
Commission Potter County Food & Cover Crew
Did numerous programs for groups at the PA Lumber Museum
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