PROPOSED RULEMAKING
GAME COMMISSION
[ 58 PA. CODE CH. 139 ]
Seasons and Bag Limits
[51 Pa.B. 1328]
[Saturday, March 13, 2021]To effectively manage the wildlife resources of this Commonwealth, the Game Commission (Commission) proposed at its January 23, 2021, meeting to amend § 139.4 (relating to seasons and bag limits for the license year) to provide updated seasons and bag limits for the 2021-2022 hunting/furtaking license year.
This proposed rulemaking will not have an adverse impact on the wildlife resources of this Commonwealth.
The authority for this proposed rulemaking is 34 Pa.C.S. (relating to Game and Wildlife Code) (code).
This proposed rulemaking was made public at the January 23, 2021, meeting of the Commission. Comments can be sent until April 7, 2021, 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 2021-2022 license year. The 2021-2022 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.
Proposed Sunday hunting dates are similar to those used in 2020-2021. However, expansions of Sunday opportunity are proposed in that the Sundays during the archery deer and firearms bear seasons would also be open for other species (except migratory game birds and wild turkey) with seasons encompassing those dates. These expansions of Sunday opportunity are the only changes proposed for small game and furbearer seasons.
With wild turkey population trends declining in many wildlife management units, closure of the fall season in Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 5A and reductions in season length for 14 other WMUs are recommended in accordance with Wild Turkey Management Plan guidelines to increase hen survival. For deer, a Statewide 14-day concurrent antlered and antlerless firearms season is recommended to simplify regulations and provide increased opportunity, especially for younger hunters. Also, the extended (post-Christmas) firearms season is proposed to be set at the WMU level (2B, 5C and 5D) rather than at the county level to simplify regulations, given that antlerless harvests are evenly distributed throughout these WMUs regardless of firearms restrictions.
Minor expansions of archery bear hunting opportunity are proposed in WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D. Other black bear season recommendations are similar to those in 2020. The antlerless designation is proposed to be removed from the late elk season to provide the Commission the flexibility to issue antlered elk licenses for this season, if and when appropriate. Specific license allocation recommendations for all elk seasons will be provided in April.
Section 322(c)(1) of the code (relating to powers and duties of the 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
This proposed rulemaking will amend § 139.4 to provide updated seasons and bag limits for the 2021-2022 hunting/furtaking license year.
3. Persons Affected
Persons wishing to hunt or trap game or wildlife within this Commonwealth during the 2021-2022 hunting/furtaking license year will be affected by this proposed rulemaking.
4. Cost and Paperwork Requirements
This proposed rulemaking should not result in any additional cost or paperwork.
5. Effective Date
The effective dates of this proposed rulemaking are July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022.
6. Contact Person
For further information regarding this proposed rulemaking, contact Jason L. DeCoskey, Director, Bureau of Wildlife Protection, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797, (717) 783-6526.
BRYAN J. BURHANS,
Executive DirectorFiscal Note: 48-465. 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 proposing to replace the table which appears in § 139.4, 58 Pa. Code pages 139-3—139-14, serial pages (401511)—(401522), with the following table.)
§ 139.4 Seasons and bag limits for the license year.
2021-2022 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
LimitField
Possession
Limit After
Second DaySquirrel—(Combined species)1 Sept. 11 Sept. 25 6 18 Eligible Junior Hunters only, with or without the required junior license Squirrel—(Combined species)2 Sept. 11 Nov. 13 6 18 and Sun.3, Nov. 14 Sun.3, Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 Nov. 20 and Sun.3, Nov. 21 Sun.3, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 Nov. 26 and Dec. 13 Dec. 24 and Dec. 27 Feb. 28, 2022 Ruffed Grouse2 Oct. 16 Nov. 13 2 6 and Sun.3, Nov. 14 Sun.3, Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 Nov. 20 and Sun.3, Nov. 21 Sun.3, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 Nov. 26 and Dec. 13 Dec. 24 Rabbit, Cottontail—1 Oct. 2 Oct. 16 4 12 Eligible Junior Hunters only, with or without the required junior license Rabbit, Cottontail2 Oct. 16 Nov. 13 4 12 and Sun.3, Nov. 14 Sun.3, Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 Nov. 20 and Sun.3, Nov. 21 Sun.3, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 Nov. 26 and Dec. 13 Dec. 24 and Dec. 27 Feb. 28, 2022 Ring-necked Pheasant—There is no open season for the taking of pheasants in the Franklin County Wild Pheasant Recovery Area. Central Susquehanna Wild Pheasant Recovery Area—Male only1 As authorized by the Executive Order Ring-necked Pheasant—Male or Female1 Eligible Junior Hunters only, with or without the required junior license Oct. 9 Oct. 16 2 6 Ring-necked Pheasant—Male or Female2 Oct. 23 Nov. 13 2 6 and Sun.3, Nov. 14 Sun.3, Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 Nov. 20 and Sun.3, Nov. 21 Sun.3, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 Nov. 26 and Dec. 13 Dec. 24 and Dec. 27 Feb. 28, 2022 Bobwhite Quail2 Oct. 23 Nov. 13 8 24 and Sun.3, Nov. 14 Sun.3, Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 Nov. 20 and Sun.3, Nov. 21 Sun.3, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 Nov. 26 and Dec. 13 Dec. 24 and Dec. 27 Feb. 28, 2022 Hare (Snowshoe Rabbits) or Varying Hare1 Dec. 27 Jan. 1, 2022 1 3 Woodchuck (Groundhog)2 July 1 Nov. 13 Unlimited and Sun.3, Nov. 14 Sun.3, Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 Nov. 20 and Sun.3, Nov. 21 Sun.3, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 Nov. 26 and Dec. 13 June 30, 2022
TURKEY
Species First Day Last Day Daily
LimitField Possession Limit After Season
LimitTurkey, Fall—Male or Female1 1 1 WMU 2B Oct. 30 Nov. 19 (Shotgun, Bow and Arrow only) and Nov. 24 Nov. 26 WMU 1A, 1B, 4A, 4B, 4D and 4E Oct. 30 Nov. 6 WMUs 2A, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, Oct. 30 Nov. 13 3D and 4C WMU 2C, 2D and 2E Oct. 30 Nov. 13 and Nov. 24 Nov. 26 WMU 5B Nov. 2 Nov. 4 WMUs 5A, 5C and 5D Closed to fall turkey hunting Turkey, Spring1 Apr. 23, 2022 Apr. 23, 2022 1 1 Bearded Bird only,
Eligible Junior Hunters only, with the required junior licenseTurkey, Spring1,4 1 2 Bearded Bird only April 30, 2022 May 14, 2022 May be hunted 1/2 hour before sunrise to 12 noon and May 16, 2022 May 31, 2022 May be hunted 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset
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 February 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.
(c) Hunting on Sunday not authorized.1
Species First Day Last Day Daily
LimitField
Possession
Limit After
Second DayCrow3 July 2 Apr. 10, 2022 Unlimited (Hunting permitted on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only) Starling and English Sparrow3 No closed season except during the Unlimited regular firearms deer seasons.
FALCONRY
Species First Day Last Day Daily
LimitField
Possession
Limit After
Second DaySquirrel—(Combined species)2 Sept. 1 Nov. 13 6 18 and Sun.3, Nov. 14 Sun.3, Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 Nov. 20 and Sun.3, Nov. 21 Sun.3, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 Nov. 26 and Dec. 13 Mar. 31, 2022 Quail2 Sept. 1 Nov. 13 8 24 and Sun.3, Nov. 14 Sun.3, Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 Nov. 20 and Sun.3, Nov. 21 Sun.3, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 Nov. 26 and Dec. 13 Mar. 31, 2022 Ruffed Grouse2 Sept. 1 Nov. 13 2 6 and Sun.3, Nov. 14 Sun.3, Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 Nov. 20 and Sun.3, Nov. 21 Sun.3, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 Nov. 26 and Dec. 13 Mar. 31, 2022 Cottontail Rabbits2 Sept. 1 Nov. 13 4 12 and Sun.3, Nov. 14 Sun.3, Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 Nov. 20 and Sun.3, Nov. 21 Sun.3, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 Nov. 26 and Dec. 13 Mar. 31, 2022 Snowshoe or Varying Hare2 Sept. 1 Nov. 13 1 3 and Sun.3, Nov. 14 Sun.3, Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 Nov. 20 and Sun.3, Nov. 21 Sun.3, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 Nov. 26 and Dec. 13 Mar. 31, 2022 Ring-necked Pheasant—Male2 Sept. 1 Nov. 13 2 6 and Female—(Combined) and Sun.3, Nov. 14 Sun.3, Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 Nov. 20 and Sun.3, Nov. 21 Sun.3, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 Nov. 26 and Dec. 13 Mar. 31, 2022 Migratory Game Bird1—Seasons and bag limits shall be in accordance with Federal regulations.
WHITE-TAILED DEER
Species First Day Last Day Season
LimitDeer, Archery (Antlered and Antlerless)2,5 Sept. 18 Nov. 13 One antlered deer, With the required archery license and and an antlerless deer WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D Sun.3, Nov. 14 Sun.3, Nov. 14 with each required and and antlerless license. Nov. 15 Nov. 20 and Sun.3, Nov. 21 Sun.3, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 Nov. 26 and Dec. 27 Jan. 29, 2022 Deer, Archery (Antlered and Antlerless)2,5 Oct. 2 Nov. 13 One antlered deer, With the required archery license and
and an antlerless deer WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A and 5B Sun.3, Nov. 14 Sun.3, Nov. 14 with each required
antlerless license.and Nov. 15 Nov. 19 and Dec. 27 Jan. 17, 2022 Deer, Muzzleloading (Antlerless only)1 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 An antlerless deer With the required muzzleloading license with each required antlerless license. Deer, Special firearms (Antlerless only) Oct. 21 Oct. 23 An antlerless deer Only Junior and Senior License Holders,6 with each required Commission Disabled Person Permit Holders antlerless license. (to use a vehicle as a blind), and Residents serving on active duty in the United States Armed Forces or United States Coast Guard Deer, Regular Firearms Nov. 27 Nov. 27 One antlered deer, (Antlered and Antlerless)2,5 and and an antlerless deer Statewide Sun.3, Nov. 28 Sun.3, Nov. 28 with each required and antlerless license. Nov. 29 Dec. 11 Deer, Flintlock (Antlered or Antlerless)1,5 Dec. 27 Jan. 17, 2022 One antlered or one With the required muzzleloading license antlerless deer, plus WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, an additional antlerless 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, deer with each required 5A and 5B antlerless license. Deer, Flintlock (Antlered or Antlerless)1,5 Dec. 27 Jan. 29, 2022 One antlered or one With the required muzzleloading license antlerless deer, plus WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license. Deer, Extended Regular firearms (Antlerless)1 Dec. 27 Jan. 29, 2022 An antlerless deer WMUs 2B, 5C, and 5D with each required antlerless license. Deer, Antlerless1 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 Season Limit Bear, Archery2,7 Sept. 18 Nov. 13 1 WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D and Sun.3, Nov. 14 Sun.3, Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 Nov. 20 and Sun.3, Nov. 21 Sun.3, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 Nov. 26 Bear, Archery2,7 Oct. 2 Nov. 13 1 WMU 5B and Sun.3, Nov. 14 Sun.3, Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 Nov. 19 Bear, Archery1,7 Oct. 16 Nov. 6 1 WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 5A Bear, Muzzleloader1,7 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 1 (Statewide) Bear, Special firearms7 Oct. 21 Oct. 23 1 Only Junior and Senior License Holders6, Commission Disabled Person Permit Holders (to use a vehicle as a blind), and Residents serving on active duty in the United States Armed Forces or United States Coast Guard, with required antlerless license
(Statewide)Bear, Regular Firearms2,7 Nov. 20 Nov. 20 1 (Statewide) and Sun.3, Nov. 21 Sun.3, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 Nov. 23 Bear, Extended firearms1,7 Nov. 29 Dec. 11 1 WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D Bear, Extended firearms1,7 Nov. 29 Dec. 4 1 WMUs 1B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D,
4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 5A
ELK
Species First Day Last Day Season
LimitElk, Special Conservation Tag1,8 Sept. 1 Nov. 6 1 and Special-License Tag1,8
(Antlered and Antlerless)Elk, Archery1,8 Sept. 11 Sept. 25 1 Elk, Regular8 Nov. 1 Nov. 6 1 (Antlered and Antlerless) Elk, Late1,8 Jan. 1, 2022 Jan. 8, 2022 1
FURTAKING—TRAPPING
Species First Day Last Day Daily
LimitSeason
Limit
Mink and Muskrat Nov. 20 Jan. 9, 2022 Unlimited Beaver Dec. 18 Mar. 31, 2022 WMUs 1A and 1B (Combined) 20 60 WMUs 2A, 2B and 3C (Combined) 20 40 WMUs 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 Coyote, Fox, Opossum, Raccoon, Oct. 23 Feb. 20, 2022 Unlimited Striped Skunk and Weasel Coyote and Fox Dec. 26 Feb. 20, 2022 Unlimited Use of cable restraint devices authorized with required certification Bobcat, with required bobcat permit WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, Dec. 18 Jan. 9, 2022 1 1 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E Fisher, with required fisher permit Dec. 18 Jan. 2, 2022 1 1 WMUs 1B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E River Otter, with required otter permit Feb. 12, 2022 Feb. 19, 2022 1 1 WMUs 1A, 1B, 2F, 3C and 3D
FURTAKING—HUNTING
Species First Day Last Day Daily
LimitSeason Limit Coyote—(Outside of any big game season)3 May be taken with a hunting license or Unlimited a furtaker's license. Coyote—(During any big game season) May be taken while lawfully hunting big Unlimited game or with a furtaker's license. Opossum, Striped Skunk, Weasel2 July 1 Nov. 13 Unlimited and Sun.3, Nov. 14 Sun.3, Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 Nov. 20 and Sun.3, Nov. 21 Sun.3, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 Nov. 26 and Dec. 13 June 30, 2022 Fox3 Oct. 23 Feb. 19, 2022 Unlimited Raccoon2 Oct. 23 Nov. 13 Unlimited and Sun.3, Nov. 14 Sun.3, Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 Nov. 20 and Sun.3, Nov. 21 Sun.3, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 Nov. 26 and Dec. 13 Feb. 19, 2022 Bobcat, with required bobcat permit1 WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, Jan. 8, 2022 Feb. 2, 2022 1 1 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E Porcupine2 Oct. 9 Nov. 13 3 10 and Sun.3, Nov. 14 Sun.3, Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 Nov. 20 and Sun.3, Nov. 21 Sun.3, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 Jan. 29, 2022 No open seasons on other wild birds or wild mammals.
1 No hunting on Sunday authorized. See 34 Pa.C.S. § 2303.
2 Hunting on Sunday authorized on separately delineated Sunday date(s) only. See 34 Pa.C.S. § 2303.
3 Hunting on Sunday is authorized. See 34 Pa.C.S. § 2303.
4 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 spring gobblers per license year may be taken by any combination of licenses or exceptions for mentored youth.
5 Only one antlered deer (buck) may be taken during the hunting license year.
6 Includes residents and nonresident license holders 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).
7 Only one bear may be taken during the hunting license year with the required bear license.
8 Only one elk may be taken during the hunting license year with the required elk license.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 21-369. Filed for public inspection March 12, 2021, 9:00 a.m.]
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