Pennsylvania Bulletin

PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 14-521

PROPOSED RULEMAKING

[ 58 PA. CODE CH. 139 ]

Seasons and Bag Limits

[44 Pa.B. 1442]
[Saturday, March 15, 2014]

To effectively manage the wildlife resources of this Commonwealth, the Game Commission (Commission) proposed at its January 28, 2014, meeting to amend § 139.4 (relating to seasons and bag limits for the license year) to provide updated seasons and bag limits for the 2014-2015 hunting/trapping license year.

The proposed rulemaking will not have an adverse impact on the wildlife resources of this Commonwealth.

The authority for the proposed rulemaking is 34 Pa.C.S. (relating to Game and Wildlife Code) (code).

The proposed rulemaking was made public at the January 28, 2014, meeting of the Commission. Comments can be sent until April 4, 2014, to the Director, Information and Education, Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797.

1. Purpose and Authority

To effectively manage the wildlife resources and provide hunting and trapping opportunities in this Commonwealth during the upcoming license year, the Commission is proposing to amend § 139.4 to provide updated seasons and bag limits for the 2014-2015 license year. The 2014-2015 seasons and bag limits have been amended to reflect current available scientific data, population and harvest records, field surveys and professional staff observations, as well as recommendations received from staff, organized sporting groups, members of the agricultural community and others interested in the management of the wildlife resources of this Commonwealth.

Several changes in hunting seasons and bag limits, when compared with the 2013-2014 regulations, are being proposed. First, it is proposed that small game field possession limits be increased to three times the daily bag. Migratory game bird possession limits were increased to three times the daily bag limit for the 2013-2014 hunting season. This proposed change will make small game possession limits consistent with those for migratory game birds and provide increased hunting opportunity, particularly for nonresident hunters.

Staff have proposed to reduce the 2014 fall turkey seasons in wildlife management units (WMU) 3A, 3B and 3C from 3 weeks to 2 weeks, while retaining the 3-day Thanksgiving hunt segment. Population indices have been showing decreasing trends in each of these WMUs over the last 4 to 5 years. Low spring harvest densities, decreases in poult recruitment and summer sighting survey data also reflect declines warranting this action, which is consistent with guidelines in the Wild Turkey Management Plan. In all cases, a 1-week reduction in the first fall segment of the season is advised over elimination of the 3-day Thanksgiving season segment because it is likely to achieve a greater reduction in harvest.

Also in regard to fall turkey seasons, it is proposed that the WMU 5A season be maintained at 3 days but shifted from midweek to a Thursday-Saturday framework. The turkey population in this WMU remains low, but is higher than prior to the season closure and flocks are well distributed. Including a Saturday in the 3-day season is expected to increase hunter opportunity and satisfaction and was recommended by the WMU 5A Wild Turkey Task Force.

Staff has suggested adding WMUs 2C and 4B to the Wednesday through Saturday extended bear season that runs concurrent with deer season. WMU 2C has had a slightly increasing bear population trend, highway mortalities of bears also have been slowly increasing and there has been a noticeable increase in human-bear conflicts. WMU 4B also has had an increasing trend in human-bear conflicts with several incidents in recent years involving home entry or injury to pets and people. Vehicle mortalities of bears also has generally increased. Furthermore, harvest, which typically correlates well with annual population monitoring, has steadily increased by approximately 20% annually since 2003.

Concerning furbearers, staff has proposed adding WMUs 1B and 3C to the fisher trapping season based on increased numbers of incidental captures and sightings during the past 3 years. Finally, it is proposed that all references to regulated harvest of skunks should specify the ''striped skunk.'' Spotted skunks, a species of conservation concern, have a very limited distribution and low abundance in southwestern counties in this Commonwealth and should be excluded from any regulated harvest.

Section 322(c)(1) of the code (relating to powers and duties of commission) specifically empowers the Commission to ''fix seasons, daily shooting or taking hours, and any modification thereof, and daily, season and possession limits for any species of game or wildlife.'' Section 2102(b)(1) of the code (relating to regulations) authorizes the Commission to ''promulgate regulations relating to seasons and bag limits for hunting or furtaking. . .'' The amendments to § 139.4 are proposed under this authority.

2. Regulatory Requirements

The proposed rulemaking will amend § 139.4 by establishing when and where it is lawful to hunt and trap various game species and also place limits on the numbers that can be legally taken during the 2014-2015 hunting/trapping license year.

3. Persons Affected

Persons wishing to hunt or trap game or wildlife within this Commonwealth during the 2014-2015 hunting/trapping license year will be affected by the proposed rulemaking.

4. Cost and Paperwork Requirements

The proposed rulemaking should not result in additional cost or paperwork.

5. Effective Date

The effective dates of the proposed rulemaking are July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015.

6. Contact Person

For further information regarding the proposed rulemaking, contact Richard R. Palmer, Director, Bureau of Wildlife Protection, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797, (717) 783-6526.

R. MATTHEW HOUGH,
Executive Director

Fiscal Note: 48-359. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.

Annex A

TITLE 58. RECREATION

PART III. GAME COMMISSION

CHAPTER 139. SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS

(Editor's Note: As part of this proposed rulemaking, the Commission is replacing the table which appears in 58 Pa. Code pages 139-3—139-14, serial pages (366851)—(366862) with the following table.)

§ 139.4. Seasons and bag limits for the license year.

(SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS TABLE)
2014-2015 OPEN HUNTING AND FURTAKING SEASONS, DAILY LIMIT,
FIELD POSSESSION LIMIT AND SEASON LIMIT
OPEN SEASON INCLUDES FIRST AND LAST DATES LISTED

Species First Day Last Day Daily
Limit Field
Possession
Limit After
Second Day

Squirrels—(Combined species)— Oct. 11 Oct. 17 6 18

Eligible Junior Hunters only, with or without the required license, when properly accompanied as required by law

Squirrels (Combined species) Oct. 18 Nov. 29 6 18

and

Dec. 15 Dec. 24

and

Dec. 26 Feb. 21, 2015

Ruffed Grouse Oct. 18 Nov. 29 2 6

and

Dec. 15 Dec. 24

and

Dec. 26 Jan. 24, 2015

Rabbits, Cottontail— Oct. 11 Oct. 18 4 12

Eligible Junior Hunters only, with or without the required license, when properly accompanied as required by law

Rabbits, Cottontail Oct. 25 Nov. 29 4 12

and

Dec. 15 Dec. 24

and

Dec. 26 Feb. 21, 2015

Ring-necked Pheasant—There is no open season for the taking of pheasants in any area designated as a wild pheasant recovery area within any wildlife management unit. The Director is authorized to open the pheasant season via executive order in a designated wild pheasant recovery area if the agency is unsuccessful in its efforts to acquire and release wild pheasants.

Ring-necked Pheasant—Male only in Oct. 11 Oct. 18 2 6

WMUs 2A, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B
Eligible Junior Hunters only, with or without the required license, when properly accompanied as required by law

Ring-necked Pheasant—Male or female Oct. 11 Oct. 18 2 6

combined in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2B, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4D, 5C and 5D
Eligible Junior Hunters only, with or without the required license, when properly accompanied as required by law

Ring-necked Pheasant—Male only Oct. 25 Nov. 29 2 6

in WMUs 2A, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B and

Dec. 15 Dec. 24

and

Dec. 26 Feb. 21, 2015

Ring-necked Pheasant—Male or female Oct. 25 Nov. 29 2 6

combined in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2B, 2D, and

2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4D, 5C and 5D Dec. 15 Dec. 24

and

Dec. 26 Feb. 21, 2015

Bobwhite Quail—The hunting and taking Oct. 25 Nov. 29 4 12

of bobwhite quail is permitted in all WMUs except in WMUs 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D where the season is closed.

Hares (Snowshoe Rabbits) or Varying Hares Dec. 26 Dec. 29 1 3

in WMUs 3B, 3C and 3D

Hares (Snowshoe Rabbits) or Varying Hares—in WMYs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2C, Dec. 26 Jan. 1, 2015 1 3

2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D

Woodchucks (Groundhog) No closed season except during the Unlimited

regular firearms deer seasons. Hunting

on Sundays is prohibited.

Porcupines Sep. 1 Mar. 31, 2015 3 10

Season closed during the overlap with the regular firearms deer seasons.

Species First Day Last Day Daily
Limit
Season
Limit

Wild Turkey—Male or Female 1 1

WMU 2B Nov. 1 Nov. 21

(Shotgun, Bow and Arrow only) and

Nov. 27 Nov. 29

WMU 1B Nov. 1 Nov. 8

and

Nov. 27 Nov. 29

WMUs 1A, 2A, 2D, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A,
3B and 3C Nov. 1 Nov. 15

and

Nov. 27 Nov. 29

WMUs 2C, 2E, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D
and 4E Nov. 1 Nov. 21

and

Nov. 27 Nov. 29

WMU 5A Nov. 6 Nov. 8

WMUs 5B, 5C and 5D Closed to fall turkey hunting

Wild Turkey (Spring Gobbler) Statewide¹ 1 2

Bearded Bird only May 2, 2015 May 16, 2015 May be hunted 1/2 hour before
sunrise to 12 noon

and

May 18, 2015 May 30, 2015 May be hunted 1/2 hour before
sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset

Wild Turkey (Spring Gobbler) Statewide
Youth Hunt¹ April 25, 2014
1 1

Bearded Bird only
Eligible junior hunters only with the required license and when properly accompanied

MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS

Except as further restricted by this chapter, the seasons, bag limits, hunting hours and hunting regulations for migratory game birds shall conform to regulations adopted by the United States Secretary of the Interior under authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C.A. §§ 703—712) as published in the Federal Register on or about August 27 and September 28 of each year.

Exceptions:

(a) Hunting hours in § 141.4 (relating to hunting hours).

(b) Nontoxic shot as approved by the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service is required for use Statewide in hunting and taking of migratory waterfowl.

Species First Day Last Day Daily
Limit Field
Possession
Limit After
First Day

Crows July 4 April 5, 2015 Unlimited

(Hunting permitted on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only)

Starlings and English Sparrows No closed season except during the Unlimited

regular firearms deer seasons.

FALCONRY

Species First Day Last Day Daily
Limit Field
Possession
Limit After
Second Day

Squirrels—(Combined species) Sept. 1 Mar. 31, 2015 6 18

Quail Sept. 1 Mar. 31, 2015 4 12

Ruffed Grouse Sept. 1 Mar. 31, 2015 2 6

Cottontail Rabbits Sept. 1 Mar. 31, 2015 4 12

Snowshoe or Varying Hare Sept. 1 Mar. 31, 2015 1 3

Ring-necked Pheasant—Male Sept. 1 Mar. 31, 2015 2 6

and Female (Combined)

Migratory Game Birds—Seasons and bag limits shall be in accordance with Federal regulations.

WHITE-TAILED DEER

Species First Day Last Day Season
Limit

Deer, Archery (Antlered and Antlerless)² Oct. 4 Nov. 15 One antlered and

(Statewide) and an antlerless deer

Dec. 26 Jan. 10, 2015 with each required
antlerless license.

Deer, Archery (Antlerless) Sept. 20 Oct. 3 An antlerless deer

WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D and with each required

Nov. 17 Nov. 29 antlerless license.

Deer, Archery (Antlered and Antlerless)² Jan. 12, 2015 Jan. 24, 2015 One antlered and

WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D an anterless deer
with each required anterless license.

Deer, Regular firearms Dec. 1 Dec. 13 One antlered, and

(Antlered and Antlerless)² an antlerless deer

WMUs 1A, 1B, 2B, 3A, 3D, 4A, 4C, 5A, 5B, with each required

5C and 5D antlerless license.

Deer, Regular firearms Dec. 1 Dec. 15 One antlered deer.

(Antlered only)²

WMUs 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3B, 3C, 4B,

4D and 4E

Deer, Regular firearms Dec. 6 Dec. 13 One antlered, and

(Antlered and Antlerless)² an antlerless deer

WMUs 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3B, 3C, 4B, with each required

4D and 4E antlerless license.

Deer, Special firearms (Antlerless only) Oct. 23 Oct. 25 An antlerless deer

(Statewide) with each required

Only Junior and Senior License Holders,³ antlerless license.

Commission Disabled Person Permit Holders
(to use a vehicle as a blind), and Residents serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, or in the U.S. Coast Guard, with required antlerless license

Deer, Muzzleloading (Antlerless only) Oct. 18 Oct. 25 An antlerless deer

(Statewide) with each required
antlerless license.

Deer, Flintlock (Antlered or Antlerless)² Dec. 26 Jan. 10, 2015 One antlered, or

(Statewide) one antlerless—plus
an additional antlerless
deer with each required
antlerless license.

Deer, Flintlock (Antlered or Antlerless)² Dec. 26 Jan. 24, 2015 An anterless deer

WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D with each required
antlerless license.

Deer, Extended Regular firearms (Antlerless) Dec. 26 Jan. 24, 2015 An antlerless deer

Counties of Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, with each required

Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia antlerless license.

Deer, Antlerless Hunting is permitted on days An antlerless deer

(Letterkenny Army Depot, Franklin established by the United States with each required

County and New Cumberland Army Department of the Army. antlerless license.

Depot, York County and Fort Detrick,
Raven Rock Site, Adams County)

BLACK BEAR

Species First Day Last Day Daily
Limit Season
Limit

Bear, Archery only⁴ Nov. 17 Nov. 21 1 1

(Statewide)

Bear, Archery only⁴ Sept. 20 Nov. 15 1 1

WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D

Bear, Archery only⁴ Oct. 4 Nov. 15 1 1

WMU 5B

Bear, Muzzleloader⁴ Oct. 18 Oct. 25 1 1

WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D

Bear, Special Firearms⁴ Oct. 23 Oct. 25 1 1

WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D
Junior and Senior License holders, disabled and PA residents on active duty in armed services

Bear, Regular Firearms⁴ Nov. 22 Nov. 26 1 1

(Statewide)

Bear, Extended Firearms⁴ Dec. 3 Dec. 6 1 1

WMUs 2C, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E

Bear, Extended Firearms⁴ Dec. 1 Dec. 13 1 1

WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D

Bear, Extended Firearms⁴ Dec. 1 Dec. 6 1 1

WMUs 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D

ELK

Species First Day Last Day Daily
Limit Season
Limit

Elk, Regular⁵ Nov. 3 Nov. 8 1 One elk with

(Antlered and Antlerless) required license

Elk, Extended⁵ Nov. 10 Nov. 15 1 One elk with

(Antlered and Antlerless) required license

FURTAKING—TRAPPING

Species First Day Last Day Daily
Limit Season Limit

Minks and Muskrats Nov. 22 Jan. 11, 2015 Unlimited

(Statewide)

Beaver Dec. 26 Mar. 31, 2015

(Statewide)

WMUs

1A, 1B and 3C (Combined) 20 40

WMUs

2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 3A, 3B, 3D, 5C and 5D (Combined) 20 20

WMUs

2G, 2H, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A and 5B (Combined) 5 5

Coyotes, Foxes, Opossums, Raccoons, Oct. 26 Feb. 22, 2015 Unlimited

Striped Skunks, Weasels—(Statewide)

Coyotes & Foxes—(Statewide) Dec. 26 Feb. 22, 2015 Unlimited

(Cable restraint devices may be used)

Bobcat (with appropriate permit)

WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, Dec. 20 Jan. 15, 2015 1 1

3C, 3D, 4A, 4C, 4D and 4E

Fisher (with appropriate permit) Dec. 20 Dec. 25 1 1

WMUs 1B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A,
3B, 3C, 3D, 4D and 4E

FURTAKING—HUNTING

Species First Day Last Day Daily
Limit Season Limit

Coyotes—(Statewide) Outside of any big game season may be Unlimited

taken with a hunting license or a furtaker's license and without wearing orange.

Coyotes—(During any big game season) May be taken while lawfully hunting big game or with a furtaker's license.

Opossums, Striped Skunks, Weasels No closed season.

(Statewide)

Raccoons and Foxes—(Statewide) Oct. 25 Feb. 21, 2015 Unlimited

Bobcat (with appropriate permit)

WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, Jan. 20, 2015 Feb. 10, 2015 1 1

3C, 3D, 4A, 4C, 4D and 4E

No open seasons on other wild birds or wild mammals.

¹ Only persons who possess a special wild turkey license as provided for in section 2709 of the act (relating to license costs and fees) may take a second spring gobbler during the hunting license year; all other persons, including mentored youth hunters, may take only one spring gobbler. A maximum of 2 gobblers per license year may be taken by any combination of licenses or exceptions for mentored youth.

² Only one antlered deer (buck) may be taken during the hunting license year.

³ Includes persons who have reached or will reach their 65th birthday in the year of the application for the license and hold a valid adult license or qualify for license and fee exemptions under section 2706 of the act (relating to resident license and fee exemptions).

⁴ Only one bear may be taken during the hunting license year.

⁵ Only one elk may be taken during the hunting license year.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 14-521. Filed for public inspection March 14, 2014, 9:00 a.m.]

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PROPOSED RULEMAKING

[ 58 PA. CODE CH. 139 ]

Seasons and Bag Limits

[44 Pa.B. 1442]
[Saturday, March 15, 2014]

Annex A

TITLE 58. RECREATION

PART III. GAME COMMISSION

CHAPTER 139. SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS

§ 139.4. Seasons and bag limits for the license year.

(SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS TABLE)
2014-2015 OPEN HUNTING AND FURTAKING SEASONS, DAILY LIMIT,
FIELD POSSESSION LIMIT AND SEASON LIMIT
OPEN SEASON INCLUDES FIRST AND LAST DATES LISTED

MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS

FALCONRY

WHITE-TAILED DEER

BLACK BEAR

ELK

FURTAKING—TRAPPING

FURTAKING—HUNTING

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 14-521. Filed for public inspection March 14, 2014, 9:00 a.m.]

Species	First Day		Last Day	Daily Limit	Field Possession Limit After Second Day
Squirrels—(Combined species)—	Oct. 11		Oct. 17	6	18
Eligible Junior Hunters only, with or without the required license, when properly accompanied as required by law
Squirrels (Combined species)	Oct. 18		Nov. 29	6	18
		and
	Dec. 15		Dec. 24
		and
	Dec. 26		Feb. 21, 2015
Ruffed Grouse	Oct. 18		Nov. 29	2	6
		and
	Dec. 15		Dec. 24
		and
	Dec. 26		Jan. 24, 2015
Rabbits, Cottontail—	Oct. 11		Oct. 18	4	12
Eligible Junior Hunters only, with or without the required license, when properly accompanied as required by law
Rabbits, Cottontail	Oct. 25		Nov. 29	4	12
		and
	Dec. 15		Dec. 24
		and
	Dec. 26		Feb. 21, 2015
Ring-necked Pheasant—There is no open season for the taking of pheasants in any area designated as a wild pheasant recovery area within any wildlife management unit. The Director is authorized to open the pheasant season via executive order in a designated wild pheasant recovery area if the agency is unsuccessful in its efforts to acquire and release wild pheasants.
Ring-necked Pheasant—Male only in	Oct. 11		Oct. 18	2	6
WMUs 2A, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B Eligible Junior Hunters only, with or without the required license, when properly accompanied as required by law
Ring-necked Pheasant—Male or female	Oct. 11		Oct. 18	2	6
combined in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2B, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4D, 5C and 5D Eligible Junior Hunters only, with or without the required license, when properly accompanied as required by law
Ring-necked Pheasant—Male only	Oct. 25		Nov. 29	2	6
in WMUs 2A, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B		and
	Dec. 15		Dec. 24
		and
	Dec. 26		Feb. 21, 2015
Ring-necked Pheasant—Male or female	Oct. 25		Nov. 29	2	6
combined in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2B, 2D,		and
2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4D, 5C and 5D	Dec. 15		Dec. 24
		and
	Dec. 26		Feb. 21, 2015
Bobwhite Quail—The hunting and taking	Oct. 25		Nov. 29	4	12
of bobwhite quail is permitted in all WMUs except in WMUs 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D where the season is closed.
Hares (Snowshoe Rabbits) or Varying Hares	Dec. 26		Dec. 29	1	3
in WMUs 3B, 3C and 3D
Hares (Snowshoe Rabbits) or Varying Hares—in WMYs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2C,	Dec. 26		Jan. 1, 2015	1	3
2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D
Woodchucks (Groundhog)	No closed season except during the			Unlimited
	regular firearms deer seasons. Hunting
	on Sundays is prohibited.
Porcupines	Sep. 1		Mar. 31, 2015	3	10
Season closed during the overlap with the regular firearms deer seasons.

Species	First Day		Last Day	Daily Limit	Season Limit
Wild Turkey—Male or Female				1	1
WMU 2B	Nov. 1		Nov. 21
(Shotgun, Bow and Arrow only)		and
	Nov. 27		Nov. 29
WMU 1B	Nov. 1		Nov. 8
		and
	Nov. 27		Nov. 29
WMUs 1A, 2A, 2D, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B and 3C	Nov. 1		Nov. 15
		and
	Nov. 27		Nov. 29
WMUs 2C, 2E, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E	Nov. 1		Nov. 21
		and
	Nov. 27		Nov. 29
WMU 5A	Nov. 6		Nov. 8
WMUs 5B, 5C and 5D	Closed to fall turkey hunting
Wild Turkey (Spring Gobbler) Statewide¹				1	2
Bearded Bird only	May 2, 2015		May 16, 2015	May be hunted 1/2 hour before sunrise to 12 noon
		and
	May 18, 2015		May 30, 2015	May be hunted 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset
Wild Turkey (Spring Gobbler) Statewide Youth Hunt¹	April 25, 2014			1	1
Bearded Bird only Eligible junior hunters only with the required license and when properly accompanied

Species	First Day	Last Day	Daily Limit
Crows	July 4	April 5, 2015	Unlimited
(Hunting permitted on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only)
Starlings and English Sparrows	No closed season except during the		Unlimited
	regular firearms deer seasons.

Species	First Day	Last Day	Daily Limit	Field Possession Limit After Second Day
Squirrels—(Combined species)	Sept. 1	Mar. 31, 2015	6	18
Quail	Sept. 1	Mar. 31, 2015	4	12
Ruffed Grouse	Sept. 1	Mar. 31, 2015	2	6
Cottontail Rabbits	Sept. 1	Mar. 31, 2015	4	12
Snowshoe or Varying Hare	Sept. 1	Mar. 31, 2015	1	3
Ring-necked Pheasant—Male	Sept. 1	Mar. 31, 2015	2	6
and Female (Combined)
Migratory Game Birds—Seasons and bag limits shall be in accordance with Federal regulations.

Species	First Day		Last Day	Season Limit
Deer, Archery (Antlered and Antlerless)²	Oct. 4		Nov. 15	One antlered and
(Statewide)		and		an antlerless deer
	Dec. 26		Jan. 10, 2015	with each required antlerless license.
Deer, Archery (Antlerless)	Sept. 20		Oct. 3	An antlerless deer
WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D		and		with each required
	Nov. 17		Nov. 29	antlerless license.
Deer, Archery (Antlered and Antlerless)²	Jan. 12, 2015		Jan. 24, 2015	One antlered and
WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D				an anterless deer with each required anterless license.
Deer, Regular firearms	Dec. 1		Dec. 13	One antlered, and
(Antlered and Antlerless)²				an antlerless deer
WMUs 1A, 1B, 2B, 3A, 3D, 4A, 4C, 5A, 5B,				with each required
5C and 5D				antlerless license.
Deer, Regular firearms	Dec. 1		Dec. 15	One antlered deer.
(Antlered only)²
WMUs 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3B, 3C, 4B,
4D and 4E
Deer, Regular firearms	Dec. 6		Dec. 13	One antlered, and
(Antlered and Antlerless)²				an antlerless deer
WMUs 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3B, 3C, 4B,				with each required
4D and 4E				antlerless license.
Deer, Special firearms (Antlerless only)	Oct. 23		Oct. 25	An antlerless deer
(Statewide)				with each required
Only Junior and Senior License Holders,³				antlerless license.
Commission Disabled Person Permit Holders (to use a vehicle as a blind), and Residents serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, or in the U.S. Coast Guard, with required antlerless license
Deer, Muzzleloading (Antlerless only)	Oct. 18		Oct. 25	An antlerless deer
(Statewide)				with each required antlerless license.
Deer, Flintlock (Antlered or Antlerless)²	Dec. 26		Jan. 10, 2015	One antlered, or
(Statewide)				one antlerless—plus an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
Deer, Flintlock (Antlered or Antlerless)²	Dec. 26		Jan. 24, 2015	An anterless deer
WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D				with each required antlerless license.
Deer, Extended Regular firearms (Antlerless)	Dec. 26		Jan. 24, 2015	An antlerless deer
Counties of Allegheny, Bucks, Chester,				with each required
Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia				antlerless license.
Deer, Antlerless	Hunting is permitted on days			An antlerless deer
(Letterkenny Army Depot, Franklin	established by the United States			with each required
County and New Cumberland Army	Department of the Army.			antlerless license.
Depot, York County and Fort Detrick, Raven Rock Site, Adams County)

Species	First Day	Last Day	Daily Limit	Season Limit
Bear, Archery only⁴	Nov. 17	Nov. 21	1	1
(Statewide)
Bear, Archery only⁴	Sept. 20	Nov. 15	1	1
WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D
Bear, Archery only⁴	Oct. 4	Nov. 15	1	1
WMU 5B
Bear, Muzzleloader⁴	Oct. 18	Oct. 25	1	1
WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D
Bear, Special Firearms⁴	Oct. 23	Oct. 25	1	1
WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D Junior and Senior License holders, disabled and PA residents on active duty in armed services
Bear, Regular Firearms⁴	Nov. 22	Nov. 26	1	1
(Statewide)
Bear, Extended Firearms⁴	Dec. 3	Dec. 6	1	1
WMUs 2C, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E
Bear, Extended Firearms⁴	Dec. 1	Dec. 13	1	1
WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D
Bear, Extended Firearms⁴	Dec. 1	Dec. 6	1	1
WMUs 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D

Species	First Day	Last Day	Daily Limit	Season Limit
Elk, Regular⁵	Nov. 3	Nov. 8	1	One elk with
(Antlered and Antlerless)				required license
Elk, Extended⁵	Nov. 10	Nov. 15	1	One elk with
(Antlered and Antlerless)				required license

Species	First Day	Last Day	Daily Limit	Season Limit
Minks and Muskrats	Nov. 22	Jan. 11, 2015	Unlimited
(Statewide)
Beaver	Dec. 26	Mar. 31, 2015
(Statewide)
WMUs
1A, 1B and 3C (Combined)			20	40
WMUs
2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 3A, 3B, 3D, 5C and 5D (Combined)			20	20
WMUs
2G, 2H, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A and 5B (Combined)			5	5
Coyotes, Foxes, Opossums, Raccoons,	Oct. 26	Feb. 22, 2015	Unlimited
Striped Skunks, Weasels—(Statewide)
Coyotes & Foxes—(Statewide)	Dec. 26	Feb. 22, 2015	Unlimited
(Cable restraint devices may be used)
Bobcat (with appropriate permit)
WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B,	Dec. 20	Jan. 15, 2015	1	1
3C, 3D, 4A, 4C, 4D and 4E
Fisher (with appropriate permit)	Dec. 20	Dec. 25	1	1
WMUs 1B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4D and 4E

Species	First Day	Last Day	Daily Limit	Season Limit
Coyotes—(Statewide)	Outside of any big game season may be		Unlimited
	taken with a hunting license or a furtaker's license and without wearing orange.
Coyotes—(During any big game season)	May be taken while lawfully hunting big game or with a furtaker's license.
Opossums, Striped Skunks, Weasels	No closed season.
(Statewide)
Raccoons and Foxes—(Statewide)	Oct. 25	Feb. 21, 2015	Unlimited
Bobcat (with appropriate permit)
WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B,	Jan. 20, 2015	Feb. 10, 2015	1	1
3C, 3D, 4A, 4C, 4D and 4E
No open seasons on other wild birds or wild mammals.

PROPOSED RULEMAKING

[ 58 PA. CODE CH. 139 ]

Seasons and Bag Limits

[44 Pa.B. 1442][Saturday, March 15, 2014]

Annex A

TITLE 58. RECREATION

PART III. GAME COMMISSION

CHAPTER 139. SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS

§ 139.4. Seasons and bag limits for the license year.

(SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS TABLE) 2014-2015 OPEN HUNTING AND FURTAKING SEASONS, DAILY LIMIT, FIELD POSSESSION LIMIT AND SEASON LIMIT OPEN SEASON INCLUDES FIRST AND LAST DATES LISTED

MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS

FALCONRY

WHITE-TAILED DEER

BLACK BEAR

ELK

FURTAKING—TRAPPING

FURTAKING—HUNTING

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 14-521. Filed for public inspection March 14, 2014, 9:00 a.m.]

[44 Pa.B. 1442]
[Saturday, March 15, 2014]

(SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS TABLE)
2014-2015 OPEN HUNTING AND FURTAKING SEASONS, DAILY LIMIT,
FIELD POSSESSION LIMIT AND SEASON LIMIT
OPEN SEASON INCLUDES FIRST AND LAST DATES LISTED