Hal Korber Semiautomatic rifles in the 2017-18 license year will be permitted to take coyotes and other furbearers in Pennsylvania, as well as small game, including woodchucks. But no changes were made to the list of lawful sporting arms for big game. Semiauto rifles OK'd for small game, furbearers New regulations do not allow semiautomatic rifles for big game. Hunters heading afield in the 201718 seasons will be able to carry semiautomatic rifles for hunting small game and furbearers, but not for big game, based on regulatory changes approved at the two-day March meeting of the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners. The commissioners in January preliminarily approved a proposal that would have allowed semiautomatic rifles to be used in any season where JUNE 2017 manually operated centerfire rifles now can be used. The board amended that measure, giving final approval to hunting small game and furbearers with semiautomatic rifles beginning in the 2017-18 seasons. It made no changes to the list of lawful sporting arms for hunting big game. Commissioners said a clear majority of Pennsylvania hunters voiced opposition to hunting big game with 37