Rules & Regulations

We will follow all federal, state and local game laws.

A PA hunting license number will be required annually for all members and guests.

Members must agree to the club rules and regulations on an annual basis via Harteis Farm contract

Any fees or fines incurred during the year must be paid in full prior to hunting any Harteis Farm property.

We are a Quality Deer Management Club only.

• Trophy Tracts: Bucks harvested should meet at least 3 of the 4 following guidelines to count as a legal harvest and to avoid a fine. Minimum of 7 points, 15 inch inside spread, 18 inch main beam length, and 3.5 years old or older. You can also shoot 6pt bucks with pop bellies with roman noses. If it's a big old mature buck feel free to take it.

• Non-Trophy Tracts: Bucks harvested should meet at least 2 of the 3 following guidelines to count as a legal harvest and to avoid a fine. Minimum of 7 points, 15 inch inside spread, and 18 inch main beam length.

• Doe Harvest: Trophy tracts are restricted to two doe harvest per member, per year. 

• Piebald and Albino deer are off limits to hunt at Harteis Farms.

• A fine will be imposed on any bucks harvested that are less than the required club guidelines. A sliding fine of $100 - $300 will be imposed by management and must be paid before the members' next hunt. The minimum fine will be for bucks that barely miss criteria. The middle of the road fine will be for bucks that obviously miss criteria but the managers determine that there was no ill intentions from the member. The maximum fine will be for bucks that obviously miss criteria and the managers feel that the harvest was potentially an intentional abuse of the system. Multiple under criteria harvests can result in expulsion from the club. 

• If at any time a club member, and/or visitor fails to disclose the harvest of a small buck, that member will be expelled from the club without reimbursement at the time that the deception is confirmed.

• A child's first buck can be of any size and will not incur a fine. This applies only to the child of a club member and not a guest. Please note: If the member decided to let his child shoot his buck or doe, that is considered the members deer.  Members can only shoot (1) buck, (2) doe, (1) bear, and (1) turkey between themselves and their child. 

• All members will make racks available to managers for visual inspection upon request. Failure to do so will result in a maximum fine as described above.

• A mature deer that may lack the stated/mandated criteria, will be judged on a case by case basis by management.

• Each time a member or guest harvests an animal, including deer, bear, or turkey, the member must submit a picture to Freddy Harteis.

• The Harteis Farms Hunt Club does not allow guests on the property without approval of Freddy Harteis.  Any guests approved need to sign Harteis Farms release waiver before stepping foot on the property.  Please note: We do not encourage bringing guests.  This is a private club for a few members.  If a member brings guests without approval, there will be one warning before being dropped from the Harteis Farms Club.

Members are entitled to one secure zone in which to place stands. Zones vary in size on different properties from 20 acres on a smaller tract to as much as 100 acres on a larger tract. These zones are protected from other members hunting, scouting, or encroachment. This is to ensure our members' hard work, time in development, and material investment will not be taken advantage of by other members. No matter what season a hunter chooses to hunt, they will be guaranteed the opportunity to hunt a fresh zone without the concern of other members "beating them to the trophy" they have been working to harvest. 

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• Open zones (zones not secured by another member) may be free hunted by any member. You must notify which day and what zone you will be free hunting via the club forum. Any stands or other items left in an open zone must be marked with some identification and those items will be available for any member to use.

• There can be no more than two (2) people hunting a member's zone on a non-trophy tract at any one time. The exception to this is if there is an underage child physically sitting in a buddy stand or blind with the guest or member.

• There can be no more than three (3) people hunting a member's zone on a trophy tract at any one time. The exception to this is if there is an underage child physically sitting in a buddy stand or blind with the guest or member.

• Members hunting equipment (stands, blinds, cameras, etc.) that are left on club properties should be marked using a zip tie or some other method that identifies the equipment with the club and members name whether in a secure area or a free hunting zone.

• Members will be respectful of other member's stand placement so as not to cut off game trails, and will not choose a stand site that interferes with an existing deer stand in any way.

• As previously stated, nails, spikes, or other steel objects shall not be used in hanging any type of stand. Marketable timber must not be damaged.

• Each member is responsible for his own deer stand preparation.

• A hunting year is defined as: Aug 1, 2023 thru July 31, 2024.

• Zones will be designated by Freddy Harteis and members will have locations on the Hunt board long before seasons begin.

• Both members involved in a trade must be members in good standing for the new hunting year. This means that before a trade can occur both members must have paid at least one (1) dues payment towards the new hunting year.

Each club member is required to attend at least (1) mandatory work weekend (subject to change as the club grows) a year. This work weekend will be to set stands, move blinds, post signs, or any other task needing attention at that time. Work weekends will be scheduled at least one month in advance. Each member should plan to contribute 6 hours per work day. Failure to adhere to the work weekend policy will result in possibly losing the following year's membership renewal. 

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Posting property lines

• Maintenance on roads and trails

• Maintenance on club cabin

• Installation of cables or gates

• Assisting in preparation of food plots

• Assisting in stand placement

Members must check in with Freddy Harteis prior to each hunt. This is for every member's safety and benefit. Members will be required to make property checks year round and advise the club manager with questions or concerns about the property, as the land owner must be aware of any problems that may arise.

Club dues are $3,000.00 per year with (2) year commitment.  Option for (1) year contract is $3500.00 per year.

• Payments are due no later than August 1st of each year.  

• A late fee of 5% will be applied to payments made after the required due date.

• If dues are not paid on time, a qualified applicant may be allowed to fill the membership position. The club cannot suffer because of lack of payment by a member, and landowners must be paid on time. Payments can be made in Cash or check payable to: Fredrick S. Harteis

Mail to:  Harteis Farms Hunt Club - 

Attn: Joyce Martin

2591 Clyde Ave #2

State College, PA 16801

• 60 days notice is requested in writing or email if you are not going to renew your annual club membership. This will allow sufficient time to fill your position prior to payment due date to the land owner.

Other game hunting such as raccoon, rabbits, squirrels, or other game animals that may require the use of dogs is prohibited during the entire deer season. The deer hunting season takes precedence over other game seasons if the seasons overlap or run concurrent.

Camping is not permitted at Harteis Farms. 

Access to cabin and bunker will be the following:

• (2) weeks of Rifle deer season

• (1) Week of Turkey season - from the start of full day turkey hunting for 7 consecutive days.

Always follow club rules and guidelines. Report alleged violations to the manager as soon as possible. Alleged violations will be investigated and handled according to the severity of the violation. Violations will or may be handled as follows:

• First offense - A verbal warning or written warning will be given.

• Second offense - Related or not to the first offense - Written warning or possible expulsion without reimbursement.

• Third offense - Related or not from previous offenses - Expulsion from the club without reimbursement.

By submission of the written or verbal membership application, or by acceptance of permission to enter leased lands as a guest, I concede to the following statement both knowingly and willfully. Please sign and send in release and contract with yearly dues.