Learning from Deer Exclosures: A Walk in Plummer’s Hollow

Walk in Penn’s Woods, a statewide coordinated event on the first Sunday in October, encourages people across Pennsylvania to learn how their local woods work, see forests in new ways, and appreciate and love the forests so that we can all care well for them.

PA Forestry Association

Again this year we’re leading a hike for Walk in Penn’s Woods, this time with a focus on living with Pennsylvania’s most popular game animal, white-tailed deer.

DAY: Sunday October 4, 2026

TIME: 9am to 1pm

WALK ADDRESS and/or GPS COORDINATES OF WHERE THE WALK WILL START: Entrance to Plummer’s Hollow: 40°39’54.9″N 78°13’47.2″W

BRIEF DESCRIPTION (terrain level and estimated mileage):

Terrain: Moderate | Estimated mileage: 2 miles

This walk should be of particular interest to other landowners and land managers, but anyone who enjoys exploring the natural world should come away with a better understanding of how deer browsing affects nearly everything we see in Penn’s Woods. We will examine four different deer exclosures of varying ages and sizes, and discuss other strategies for protecting native trees, shrubs and forbs from white-tailed deer, as well, including some lessons from our hunting program. And we’ll point out numerous native species that have benefited from reduced browse pressure.

On US Rt. 453 half a mile east of Tyrone, look for a narrow, one-lane bridge across the Little Juniata River—the beginning of Plummers Hollow Road. Follow it up and across the railroad tracks to our gate, which will be open, and into a small parking area where we will hopefully leave a few cars before proceeding up the hollow. The gate will be closed again at 9:15, so don’t be late! The walk will begin a mile and a half up from the entrance.

ACCESSIBILITY OF WALK: Uneven terrain and a bit of a climb will make this challenging to anyone in a wheelchair or using a stroller. That said, one of the two hike leaders, Marcia Bonta, is 86. Any reasonably fit person should be able to do this.

CONTACT FOR MORE QUESTIONS: Dave Bonta – bontasaurus@yahoo.com 814-660-9638