Hunting & Trapping Digest 2008-2009 - (Page 21) GENERAL HUNTING REGULATIONS Spotlighting Wildlife: It is unlawful to 1) spotlight wildlife while in possession of a firearm, except by individuals who have a License to Carry Firearms permit, and only with firearms authorized by the permit (most sporting arms are not authorized), bow and arrow, or other device capable of killing wildlife; 2) spotlight wildlife during the regularly scheduled statewide antlered and antlerless deer seasons (Dec. 1-Dec. 13), including those days separating the seasons and including the late firearms deer seasons in WMUs 2B, 5C & 5D; and 3) cast an artificial light upon any building, farm animal or photoelectric cell. Recreational spotlighting is lawful between sunrise and 11 p.m., except as previously noted. Spotlighting includes handheld lights, accessory spotlights on vehicles and vehicle headlights when intentionally used to locate wildlife. A person hunting raccoons, skunks, opossums, bobcats, weasels, foxes and coyotes on foot may use a handheld light, including a gun-mounted light. Furbearer hunters still may not use a flashlight or spotlight that projects a laser light beam, though. Cultivated lands: It is unlawful to 1) hunt in unharvested buckwheat, corn, sorghum or soybean fields without permission from the owner or caretaker; 2) operate a motor vehicle on any cleared field or private property without the landowner’s permission; 3) block lanes to cultivated fields, mail boxes or private property; 4) leave gates open; 5) damage real or personal property; 6) break down or damage fences, or 7) harass, injure or kill livestock. Taking Advantage of Food or Bait: It is unlawful to hunt in or around any area where artificial or natural bait, food, hay, grain, fruit, nuts, salt, chemicals or minerals, including their residues, are used, or have been used within the past 30 days, as an enticement to lure game or wildlife regardless of the type or quantity. Hunters are responsible for ensuring that the hunting area has not been baited before they begin hunting. They should physically inspect the area and question landowners, guides and caretakers. This section does not pertain to hunting near areas where accepted farming or habitat management practices are taking place (example: hunting near food plots on game lands is legal). Any natural or manmade nonliving bait can be used to attract coyotes for hunting or trapping. It is now lawful to hunt or take deer on private lands only in the southeast special regulations areas (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties) through the use of or taking advantage of bait. Bait may be placed or distributed two weeks prior to the opening of the first deer season and continue until the deer seasons conclude. Bait accumulation in any one location will not be permitted to exceed five gallons at any given time. Decoys: Decoys simulating food are considered artificial bait and are illegal. Examples: artificial corn to attract turkeys or waterfowl. Any decoy (with the exception of electronic) used in the trapping or hunting of furbearers is now permitted. Any decoy, including electronic, can be used for hunting and trapping coyotes. Scents & Lures: Scents and lures used for hunting white-tailed deer are not interpreted as “bait” under the Game & Wildlife Code. However, the use of scents or lures while hunting black bears is prohibited. Electronic Callers: It is unlawful to use an electronic caller to lure wildlife, except for bobcats, foxes, raccoons, coyotes & crows. Littering: It is unlawful while hunting or trapping to leave or deposit any garbage, bottles, cartons, containers, glass, paper or debris, except in a receptacle for that purpose. Recovering Dead or Injured Wildlife: It is unlawful for a hunter to refuse or neglect to make a reasonable effort to retrieve any killed or injured game or wildlife. Hunters attempting to recover wildlife are not permitted to enter private property without permission. A hunting license does not give you the right to trespass on private property. Sunday Hunting: It is unlawful to hunt wildlife, except foxes, crows and coyotes, on Sundays. Drugs & Alcohol: It is unlawful to hunt wildlife while under the influence of controlled substances or alcohol. Hunting Injury Reports: If you are involved in an incident resulting in injury by a firearm or bow and arrow, either as a victim or the person causing injury (including self-inflicted), you must report the incident to the Game Commission within 72 hours. Obtain the proper forms from a PGC officer, complete in duplicate and return them to the officer, or mail to the PGC Harrisburg Headquarters. It is unlawful not to submit this report, or to flee, fail or refuse to render immediate and full assistance to an injured person. Mistake Kill: Any person who kills any wildlife while hunting or trapping by accident or mistake shall immediately field-dress any edible game and deliver the carcass to a Game Commission officer in the county where it was killed. Big game killed by accident or mistake must be tagged with the appropriate big game tag that is attached to the license before moving the carcass from the kill location. Use the tag you would have used for the animal you are legally licensed to take. Examples: An antlerless deer killed in mistake for an antlered deer must be tagged with the antlered deer tag; an antlered deer killed in mistake for an antlerless deer must be tagged with an antlerless deer tag; a hen turkey killed by mistake during the spring gobbler season must be tagged with a spring gobbler tag. Antlered deer that do not meet the minimum points requirements killed by mistake must be tagged with an antlered deer tag. (See the deer section for more details on how to handle a mistake deer kill.) If you have previously used a tag for a prior legal kill and need that tag for a mistake kill, use the tag you have remaining that you were legally hunting with. Additional Regulations & Restrictions: Many landowners (federal, state and local governments) open areas to hunting and trapping, but apply more restrictive regulations. An example is the Erie National Wildlife Refuge in Crawford County, where the use or possession of toxic shot is prohibited for shotgun hunting for all species, except turkeys and deer. Sportsmen are responsible for knowing rules and regulations on lands they intend to hunt or trap. STATE GAME LANDS SHOOTING RANGE REGULATIONS 1) Rifle and handgun ranges are open from 8 a.m. until sunset Monday through Saturday, and from noon to sunset Sundays, unless otherwise posted. (Exception: The Sunday immediately preceding the regular antlered and antlerless deer season and bear season the hours are 8 a.m. to sunset. 2) A range may be reserved for exclusive use by an organized group from January 1 through October 1. Arrangements must be made with the appropriate PGC region office at least 20 days in advance. An individual may not use the range when it has been reserved. 3) An individual or organized group using a range is responsible for keeping the area clean and free of debris and may not discard, deposit or leave litter, except in refuse containers. Users shall remove targets from backboards. 4) The Game Commission is not responsible for anyone injured on a range. An individual using a Game Commission range does so at his or her own risk and assumes all responsibility for injuries to a person or property. 5) When more than one person is using a range, a range officer shall be designated. 6) Individuals under the age of 16 may not use a range unless accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older. 7) A PGC region director may close a range by the posting of signs. Prohibited Acts: At rifle and handgun ranges located on land under Game Commission ownership, except when authorized: 1) Possess a loaded firearm , except at an established shooting station on the firing line. 2) Discharge a firearm, except from an established shooting station on the firing line at a paper target placed on a permanent backboard. 3) Discharge armor-piercing, incendiary, explosive, tracer or multiple-projectile ammunition. 4) Be intoxicated, use or possess alcohol or a controlled substance. 5) Possess an automatic firearm. 6) Possess, load or discharge a firearm that contains more than three rounds of single projectile ammunition, except at a PGC facility specifically designated as a handgun range an individual is permitted to load and discharge a handgun containing a maximum of six rounds of single projectile ammunition at any one time. 7) Shoot clay birds anywhere except areas designated by the PGC Executive Director by signs stating that clay bird shooting is permitted.
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