Subchapter A. GENERAL
Sec.
141.1. Special regulations areas.
141.2. Pesticide products to control nuisance wildlife.
141.3. Protection removed under certain circumstances.
141.4. Hunting hours.
141.5. [Reserved].
141.6. Illegal devices.
141.7. Use of artificial lights.
141.8. [Reserved].
141.8a. Accompanying junior hunters.
141.9. [Reserved].
141.10. [Reserved].
141.11. [Reserved].
141.12. [Reserved].
141.13. [Reserved].
141.14. [Reserved].
141.15. Loaded firearms or devices in vehicles.
141.16. [Reserved].
141.17. [Reserved].
141.18. Permitted devices.
141.19. Killing game or wildlife to protect property.
141.20. Protective material required.§ 141.1. Special regulations areas.
(a) Name. The areas shall be known and referred to as special regulations areas.
(b) Descriptions.
(1) Southwest area. Includes the County of Allegheny.
(2) Southeast area. Includes the Counties of Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware and Philadelphia and also includes Tyler and Ridley Creek State Parks and other publicly-owned lands therein.
(c) Prohibitions.
(1) Restricted devices. Notwithstanding the authorizations of § § 141.22, 141.43—141.45, 141.47 and 141.67, it is unlawful to:
(A) Hunt, take, kill or to attempt, aid, abet, assist or conspire to hunt, take or kill any game or wildlife through the use of a firearm that dis-charges bottle-necked centerfire cartridges or to possess bottle-necked centerfire cartridges or any firearm that is designed to discharge bottle-necked centerfire cartridges while hunting any game or wildlife within any special regulations area.
(B) Hunt, take, kill or to attempt, aid, abet, assist or conspire to hunt, take or kill any game or wildlife through the use of a centerfire or muzzleloading firearm or to possess centerfire cartridges or muzzleloading ammunition or any firearm that is designed to discharge centerfire cartridges or muzzleloading ammunition while hunting any game or wildlife within the following parts of the southeast special regulations area: Philadelphia County, Ridley Creek State Park, Delaware County and Tyler State Park, Bucks County.
(2) [Reserved].
(3) Restricted feeding. It is unlawful to, except for normal or accepted farming, habitat management practices, oil and gas drilling, mining, forest management activities, or other legitimate commercial or industrial practices, intentionally lay or place food, fruit, hay, grain, chemical, salt or other minerals anywhere in the southeast special regulations area for the purpose of feeding white-tailed deer, or to intentionally lay or place food, fruit, hay, grain, chemical, salt or other minerals that may cause white-tailed deer to congregate or habituate an area. If otherwise lawful feeding is attracting white-tailed deer, the Commission may provide written notice prohibiting this activity.
(d) Permitted acts. It is lawful to:
(1) [Reserved].
(2) [Reserved].
(3) [Reserved].
(i) [Reserved].
(ii) [Reserved].
(4) [Reserved].
(i) [Reserved].
(ii) [Reserved].
(5) [Reserved].
(6) Hunt or take deer during any deer season through the use of or by taking advantage of bait on private property currently operating under a valid deer control permit where approval for limited baiting activities has previously been obtained under § 147.552 (relating to application). This limited authorization is valid only to the extent that persons comply with the standards and conditions in § 147.556 (relating to lawful devices and methods).
(7) Hunt or take deer in the southeast special regulations area during regular open hunting seasons for white-tailed deer through the use of or by taking advantage of bait on private, township or municipal property only as set forth in this paragraph.
(i) Purpose. The purpose of this paragraph is to authorize eligible persons to hunt through the use of or otherwise take advantage of approved bait to enhance the harvest rate of white-tailed deer on private, township or municipal property within the southeast special regulations area where landowners have suffered material damage to their real property and traditional hunting and deer control methods have proven ineffective in controlling local deer populations.
(ii) Operation. Landowners and persons they permit to hunt on their property may hunt through the use of or otherwise take advantage of approved bait for the purpose of enhancing the harvest rate of white-tailed deer. This authorization is subject to the following conditions:
(A) This authorization only applies during regular open hunting seasons for white-tailed deer in the affected portion of each wildlife management unit located on private, township or municipal property within the southeast special regulations area.
(B) A bait site may not be located less than 250 yards from any previously established bait site authorized under this paragraph.
(C) Approved bait may be distributed at each bait site by approved feeders from 2 weeks prior to the opening of the first white-tailed deer season through the close of the last white-tailed deer season within the applicable wildlife management unit.
(D) Approved feeders are limited to sealed, waterproof, automatic, mechanical feeders that are set to distribute bait up to a maximum of three times per day during legal hunting hours only. The feeder must be visibly tagged or labeled with the full name and address of the landowner or an individual authorized by the landowner to use or place the approved feeder.
(E) Bait accumulation at any one bait site may not exceed 5 gallons total volume at any given time.
(F) Approved bait is limited to shelled corn and protein pellet supplements.
(G) It is the sole responsibility of landowners and persons they permit to hunt on their property to ensure that the area bait site is in compliance with this paragraph prior to hunting in that area.
(H) The landowner and persons they permit to hunt on their property may not, under any circumstances, hunt, take, kill or harvest any game or wildlife other than white-tailed deer at the bait site or coming to and from the bait site.
(iii) Suspension. The Commission may suspend the operation of any bait site if one or more of the following conditions is determined to exist:
(A) The baiting activity is causing conflict with other lawful hunting.
(B) The baiting activity is causing public safety hazards.
(C) The operation of the baiting site is not in compliance with the requirements of this paragraph.
(D) The operation if the baiting site is detrimental to the health and welfare of any wildlife, including white-tailed deer.
(E) Chronic Wasting Disease has been detected within 10 air miles of the southeast special regulations area. This suspension may remain indefinitely until the Commission determines that resumption of baiting activities will not create an unreasonable future risk of spreading of the disease on the landscape.
(iv) Violations. Violations of this paragraph will be prosecuted under section 2308 of the act (relating to unlawful devices and methods).
Authority The provisions of this § 141.1 amended under 34 Pa.C.S. § 2102(d).
Source The provisions of this § 141.1 amended July 6, 1979, effective September 1, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 2265; amended July 10, 1981, effective July 11, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 2493; amended April 30, 1982, effective May 1, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 1396; amended June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464; amended May 25, 1990, effective July 1, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 2752; amended May 3, 1991, effective July 1, 1991, 21 Pa.B. 2009; amended May 28, 1993, effective July 1, 1993, 23 Pa.B. 2565; amended September 6, 1996, effective September 7, 1996, 26 Pa.B. 4339; amended May 26, 2000, effective May 27, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 2601; amended November 17, 2000, effective November 18, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 5960; corrected December 1, 2000, effective December 2, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 6209; amended March 9, 2001, effective March 10, 2001, 31 Pa.B. 1370; amended May 18, 2001, effective May 19, 2001, 31 Pa.B. 2577; amended September 27, 2002, effective September 28, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 4712; amended June 13, 2003, effective June 14, 2003, 33 Pa.B. 2751; amended December 1, 2006, effective December 26, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 7250; amended August 22, 2008, effective August 23, 2008, 38 Pa.B. 4615; amended May 27, 2011, effective May 28, 2011, 41 Pa.B. 2694; amended June 22, 2012, effective June 23, 2012, 42 Pa.B. 3588; amended May 23, 2014, effective May 24, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 3098; amended May 29, 2015, effective May 30, 2015, 45 Pa.B. 2606; amended November 17, 2017, effective November 18, 2017, 47 Pa.B. 7048; amended May 25, 2018, effective May 26, 2018, 48 Pa.B. 3089; amended September 3, 2021, effective September 4, 2021, 51 Pa.B. 5603. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (392089) to (392090) and (401523) to (401524).
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 141.22 (relating to small game seasons); and 58 Pa. Code § 147.556 (relating to lawful devices and methods).
§ 141.2. Pesticide products to control nuisance wildlife.
(a) A person acting under the authority of the act or this part is authorized to use pesticide products registered and labeled as approved for wildlife control by the Department of Agriculture, to control wildlife destroying or damaging crops.
(b) Failure to follow methods, amounts and procedures prescribed by the manufacturer, or the Department of Agriculture or to use pesticides inconsistent with labeling and application instructions is a violation of this section.
Source The provisions of this § 141.2 amended July 6, 1979, effective September 1, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 2265; amended July 10, 1981, effective July 11, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 2493; amended April 30, 1982, effective May 1, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 1396; reserved June 17, 1983, effective June 18, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 1941; amended June 17, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (91645).
§ 141.3. Protection removed under certain circumstances.
(a) General.
(1) Protection is removed from wildlife, except migratory birds, big game and threatened or endangered species, when personal property, other than an agricultural crop, is being destroyed or damaged.
(2) Wildlife may only be taken by the owner or person in charge of the personal property affected.
(3) Wildlife taken to protect personal property shall be taken in a humane and lawful manner.
(b) Disposition.
(1) Wildlife taken to protect personal property shall be turned over to a Commission representative as required in section 2125 of the act (relating to surrender of carcass to commission officer).
(2) Wildlife, or a part thereof, taken under this section, may not be retained alive, sold or given away.
(3) Wildlife taken alive may be relocated to a natural setting unless otherwise restricted or prohibited.
(c) Diseased or sick wildlife.
(1) Protection is removed from wildlife, except migratory birds, big game and threatened or endangered species, when it is obvious that an animal is sick or diseased and poses a threat to human safety, farm animals or pets.
(2) The wildlife may only be taken by, or under the direct supervision of, the person in charge of the property where the threat exists.
(3) The wildlife shall be taken in a safe, expeditious and lawful manner.
(d) Disposition of diseased or sick wildlife.
(1) Wildlife taken under authority of subsection (c) shall be disposed of in one of the following ways:
(i) Buried on the site where taken.
(ii) Destroyed by incineration or other proper disposal.
(iii) Submitted for laboratory analysis.
(2) Wildlife or parts thereof taken under subsection (c) may not be retained alive, sold or given away.
Source The provisions of this § 141.3 amended July 6, 1979, effective September 1, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 2265; amended July 10, 1981, effective July 11, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 2493; reserved April 30, 1982, effective May 1, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 1396; amended June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464; amended December 11, 1987, effective December 12, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 5129. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (118693) to (118694).
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 133.1 (relating to protected mammals); and 58 Pa. Code § 133.2 (relating to protected birds).
§ 141.4. Hunting hours.
Except as otherwise provided, wild birds and mammals may be hunted 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
(1) [Reserved].
(2) Furbearer seasons. Raccoon, fox, skunk, opossum, coyote, bobcat and weasel may be hunted any hour, day or night.
(3) Spring turkey season. Turkey may be hunted 1/2 hour before sunrise to 12 noon from the opening day of the spring gobbler season through the third Saturday and for the remainder of the season from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
(4) Migratory bird seasons. Migratory birds may only be hunted 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset, except during the snow goose conservation season and the September resident goose season, when geese may be hunted 1/2 hour before sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset.
Authority The provisions of this § 141.4 amended under 34 Pa.C.S. § § 322(c)(1), 2102(a) and (b)(1), 2524 and 2901.
Source The provisions of this § 141.4 amended July 6, 1979, effective September 1, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 2265; amended July 10, 1981, effective July 11, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 2493; amended July 13, 1984, effective July 14, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 2414; amended June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464; amended July 7, 1989, effective July 8, 1989, 19 Pa.B. 2956; amended May 26, 1990, effective July 1, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 2752; amended April 9, 1993, effective April 10, 1993, 23 Pa.B. 1719; amended May 28, 1993, effective July 1, 1993, 23 Pa.B. 2565; amended March 25, 1994, effective March 26, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 1582; amended July 23, 1999, effective July 24, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 3886; amended February 11, 2000, effective February 12, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 765; amended May 26, 2000, effective May 27, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 2601; amended August 11, 2000, effective August 12, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 4250; amended August 9, 2002, effective August 10, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 3945; amended June 13, 2003, effective June 14, 2003, 33 Pa.B. 2752; amended October 24, 2003, effective October 25, 2003, 33 Pa.B. 5316; amended April 30, 2004, effective July 1, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 2328; amended June 29, 2007, effective June 30, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 1323; amended March 28, 2008, effective March 29, 2008, 38 Pa.B. 1472; amended June 11, 2010, effective June 12, 2010, 40 Pa.B. 3103; amended May 27, 2011, effective May 28, 2011, 41 Pa.B. 2695; amended May 31, 2013, effective June 1, 2013, 43 Pa.B. 3006; amended May 25, 2018, effective July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019, 48 Pa.B. 3089; amended August 26, 2022, effective July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, 52 Pa.B. 5466. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (414528) to (414529).
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 135.104 (relating to controlled hunting and trapping area access requirements and limitations); 58 Pa. Code § 135.105 (relating to hunting hours in a controlled hunting area); 58 Pa. Code § 139.4 (relating to seasons and bag limits for the license year); 58 Pa. Code § 147.553 (relating to agriculture deer control harvest permit); and 58 Pa. Code § 147.783 (relating to permit).
§ 141.5. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 141.5 amended July 6, 1979, effective September 1, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 2265; amended July 10, 1981, effective July 11, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 2493; amended April 30, 1982, effective May 1, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 1396; amended June 18, 1982, effective June 19, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 1870; amended June 17, 1983, effective June 18, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 1941; corrected June 24, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 1999; amended December 16, 1983, effective December 17, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 3879; amended July 13, 1984, effective July 14, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 2414; amended October 18, 1984, effective October 19, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 3866; amended July 5, 1985, effective July 6, 1985, 15 Pa.B. 2463; amended July 5, 1985, effective July 6, 1985, 15 Pa.B. 2465; amended July 11, 1986, effective July 12, 1986, 16 Pa.B. 2527; amended June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464; amended May 26, 2000, effective May 27, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 2601; amended May 18, 2001, effective May 19, 2001, 31 Pa.B. 2577; reserved July 16, 2004, effective July 17, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 3712. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (297347) to (297348).
§ 141.6. Illegal devices.
It is unlawful to:
(1) Use electronic calls to take wildlife except bobcats, foxes, raccoons, coyotes and crows.
(2) Use snares to take wildlife or furbearers except beavers may be taken with snares completely or partially submerged in water in a waterway or watercourse, marsh, pond or dam.
(3) Use body gripping traps with a spread larger than 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" for any furbearer, except beaver and otter.
(4) Use a cage or box trap capable of catching more than one furbearer at a time.
(5) Use a semi-automatic shotgun or magazine shotgun for coyotes or crows unless the shotgun is plugged to a two-shell capacity in the magazine.
(6) Hunt or take wildlife through the use of an electronic contrivance or device not permitted by Commission regulation.
Authority The provisions of this § 141.6 amended under 34 Pa.C.S. § § 322(c) and 2102(a) and (d).
Source The provisions of this § 141.6 amended July 6, 1979, effective September 1, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 2265; amended July 10, 1981, effective July 11, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 2493; amended April 30, 1982, effective May 1, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 1396, 12 Pa.B. 1396; amended September 17, 1982, effective September 18, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 3295; amended June 17, 1983, effective June 18, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 1941; amended July 13, 1984, effective July 14, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 2414; amended June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464; amended July 7, 1989, effective July 8, 1989, 19 Pa.B. 2956; amended March 8, 1991, effective March 9, 1991, 21 Pa.B. 949; amended August 7, 1998, effective August 8, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 3801; amended May 26, 2000, effective May 27, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 2601; amended March 24, 2023, effective March 25, 2023, 53 Pa.B. 1669. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (410927) to (410928).
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 141.18 (relating to permitted devices).
§ 141.7. Use of artificial lights.
(a) Coyotes are added to the list of animals in section 2310(b) of the act (relating to unlawful use of lights while hunting) which may be hunted with a light.
(b) For the purpose of enforcing section 2311 of the act (relating to restric tions on recreational spotlighting), the terms ‘‘antlered deer rifle season’’ and ‘‘antlerless deer rifle season’’ mean that period of time from 12:01 a.m. on thefirst day of the regular firearms deer season to 12 midnight on the last day of the antlerless season including Sundays within each individual wildlife management unit.
Authority The provisions of this § 141.7 amended under 34 Pa.C.S. § 2102(a), (b)(1) and (d).
Source The provisions of this § 141.7 amended July 6, 1979, effective September 1, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 2265; amended July 10, 1981, effective July 11, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 2493; amended April 30, 1982, effective May 1, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 1396; amended July 13, 1984, effective July 14, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 2414; amended June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464; corrected June 26, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2603; amended June 13, 2003, effective June 14, 2003, 33 Pa.B. 2749; amended June 16, 2006, effective June 17, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 2974; amended March 25, 2011, effective March 26, 2011, 41 Pa.B. 1622. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (349870).
§ 141.8. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 141.8 amended July 6, 1979, effective September 1, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 2265; amended July 10, 1981, effective July 11, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 2493; amended April 30, 1982, effective May 1, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 1396; amended July 13, 1984, effective July 14, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 2414; amended July 5, 1985, effective July 6, 1985, 15 Pa.B. 2465; reserved June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (100889).
§ 141.8a. Accompanying junior hunters.
It is unlawful while accompanying junior hunters under section 2711(a)(8) of the act (relating to unlawful acts concerning licenses) to be out of sight of or unable to physically or verbally control the junior hunter or to fail to comply with fluorescent orange requirements. Verbal instructions given through the use of an electronic or other sound amplification device do not meet this requirement.
Authority The provisions of this § 141.8a issued under the Game and Wildlife Code, 34 Pa.C.S. § § 2102(a) and 2711(a)(8).
Source The provisions of this § 141.8a adopted September 27, 2002, effective September 28, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 4711.
§ 141.9. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 141.9 amended July 6, 1979, effective September 1, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 2265; amended July 10, 1981, effective July 11, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 2493; amended April 30, 1982, effective May 1, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 1396; amended September 16, 1983, effective September 17, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 2840; amended July 13, 1984, effective July 14, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 2414; reserved June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (100889) to (100890) and (91653).
§ 141.10. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 141.10 amended July 6, 1979, effective September 1, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 2265; amended July 10, 1981, effective July 11, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 2493; amended April 30, 1982, effective May 1, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 1396; reserved June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (91653).
§ 141.11. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 141.11 amended July 6, 1979, effective September 1, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 2265; amended July 10, 1981, effective July 11, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 2493; amended December 4, 1981, effective December 5, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 4194; amended April 30, 1982, effective May 1, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 1396; amended June 17, 1983, effective June 18, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 1941; amended July 13, 1984, effective July 14, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 2414; reserved June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (91653) to (91654).
§ 141.12. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 141.12 amended July 6, 1979, effective September 1, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 2265; amended July 10, 1981, effective July 11, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 2493; reserved April 30, 1982, effective May 1, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 1396. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (91654).
§ 141.13. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 141.13 amended July 6, 1979, effective September 1, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 2265; amended July 10, 1981, effective July 11, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 2493; amended April 30, 1982, effective May 1, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 1396; amended June 17, 1983, effective June 18, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 1941; amended July 13, 1984, effective July 14, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 2414; reserved June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (91654) to (91655).
§ 141.14. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 141.14 amended July 6, 1979, effective September 1, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 2265; amended July 10, 1981, effective July 11, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 2493; amended April 30, 1982, effective May 1, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 1396; reserved June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (91655).
§ 141.15. Loaded firearms or devices in vehicles.
For the purpose of enforcing section 2503 of the act (relating to loaded firearms in vehicles), the term ‘‘loaded firearm’’ includes the following meanings:
(1) Any centerfire or rimfire firearm that has a live shell or cartridge in either the chamber or magazine.
(2) Any muzzleloading firearm that has a live charge of ammunition in its firing chamber and a primer, flash powder or a battery, whichever is applicable, properly positioned in the firing mechanism of the firearm rendering it capable of discharge.
(3) Any crossbow that has been cocked and has a bolt affixed onto the string or positioned into the firing mechanism of the device.
(4) Any air gun that has a pellet or bullet ammunition in either the chamber or magazine.
Authority The provisions of this § 141.15 amended under the Game and Wildlife Code, 34 Pa.C.S. § § 2102(a) and 2503.
Source The provisions of this § 141.15 adopted July 22, 1988, effective upon publication and applies retroactively to July 1, 1988, 18 Pa.B. 3213; amended September 28, 2007, effective September 29, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 5255; amended August 25, 2017, effective August 26, 2017, 47 Pa.B. 4983. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (357006).
§ 141.16. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 141.16 adopted July 22, 1988, effective upon publication and applies retroactively to July 1, 1988, 18 Pa.B. 3213; reserved June 6, 1997, effective June 7, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 2743. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (219560).
§ 141.17. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 141.17 adopted December 8, 1989, effective December 9, 1989, 19 Pa.B. 5215; reserved October 24, 2003, effective October 25, 2003, 33 Pa.B. 5318. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (297351).
§ 141.18. Permitted devices.
Notwithstanding the prohibitions in § 141.6 (relating to illegal devices), the following devices may be used to hunt or take wildlife:
(1) Firearms that use an electronic impulse to initiate discharge of ammunition. This provision is not intended to authorize use of these devices when these firearms are otherwise prohibited devices for the applicable hunting or trapping season.
(2) Electronic sound amplification devices that are incorporated into hearing protection devices and completely contained in or on the hunter’s ear.
(3) Electronic devices used for locating dogs while training or hunting, including devices such as e-collars, radio-telemetry dog tracking systems and beeper collars.
(4) Electronic illuminating devices that are affixed at the aft end of a bolt or arrow and used solely for the purpose of locating or tracking bolt or arrow flight after being launched from a crossbow or bow.
(5) Electronic crow decoys used solely for hunting crows.
(6) Electronic rangefinders, including hand-held devices and those contained within a scope or archery sight. This authorization may not be construed to permit a device that emits a light beam, infrared beam, ultraviolet light beam, radio beam, thermal beam, ultrasonic beam, particle beam or other beam that is visible outside of the device or on the target.
(7) Electronically heated scent or lure dispensers. This provision is not intended to authorize use of scents and lures when use is otherwise prohibited by section 2308 of the act (relating to unlawful devices and methods) or § 137.34 or § 137.35 (relating to Chronic Wasting Disease and emergency authority of Director; and Chronic Wasting Disease restrictions).
(8) Electronic devices that generate and distribute ozone gas for scent control purposes.
(9) Electronic waterfowl decoys used solely for hunting waterfowl.
(10) Electronic dove decoys used solely for hunting dove.
(11) Electronic hand-held and firearm-mounted night-vision and infrared optics used solely for furbearer hunting.
(12) Electronic devices used to disturb water for the purpose of preventing ice formation.
Authority The provisions of this § 141.18 amended under 34 Pa.C.S. § § 322(c)(5) and 2102(a), (b)(1) and (d).
Source The provisions of this § 141.18 amended March 9, 2001, effective March 10, 2001, 31 Pa.B. 1370; amended May 18, 2001, effective May 19, 2001, 31 Pa.B. 2577; amended January 14, 2005, effective January 15, 2005, 35 Pa.B. 353; amended June 30, 2006, effective July 1, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 3250; amended October 5, 2007, effective October 6, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 5377; amended November 16, 2012, effective November 17, 2012, 42 Pa.B. 7108; amended May 27, 2016, effective May 28, 2016, 46 Pa.B. 2675; amended November 17, 2017, effective November 18, 2017, 47 Pa.B. 7046; amended November 6, 2020, effective November 7, 2020, 50 Pa.B. 6208; amended March 15, 2024, effective March 16, 2024, 54 Pa.B. 1318. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (403155) to (403156).
§ 141.19. Killing game or wildlife to protect property.
(a) Persons authorized to kill game or wildlife under the authority of Chapter 21, Subchapter B of the act (relating to destruction for agricultural protection) shall be limited to use only those firearms and types of ammunition that have been approved by the Commission with regard to particular classifications, for the taking of game or wildlife during an open season.
(b) It is unlawful for a person to use bows and arrows or crossbows and bolts or a muzzleloading firearm of any kind to kill game or wildlife under the authority of Chapter 21, Subchapter B of the act, without advanced written permission from the District Wildlife Conservation Officer.
Authority The provisions of this § 141.19 issued under 34 Pa.C.S. § § 2102(a) and 2126(a)(2).
Source The provisions of this § 141.19 adopted September 27, 2002, effective September 28, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 4711.
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 147.764 (relating to subpermittees).
§ 141.20. Protective material required.
(a) The following requirements apply:
(1) General rule. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), it is unlawful to hunt or assist to hunt game or wildlife or move to or from a hunting location, from 1 hour before legal hunting hours to 1 hour after legal hunting hours outside of a motorized vehicle, at any time without wearing a minimum of 250 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange-colored material on the head, chest and back combined so that it is visible in a 360° arc. This shall include going to or from a hunting location before or after legal shooting hours. Except as provided in subsection (b)(2), camouflage orange clothing is lawful provided it contains the minimum amount of fluorescent orange-colored material.
(2) Additional requirements. It is unlawful to hunt during any firearms season for deer, elk or bear from any blind meeting the requirements in section 2308(b)(3) of the act (relating to unlawful devices and methods) without placing a minimum of 100 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange-colored material within 15 feet from the blind so it is visible in a 360° arc.
(b) Permitted acts. It is lawful to:
(1) Hunt without wearing daylight fluorescent orange-colored material for applicable wildlife during the following seasons:
(i) All crow seasons.
(ii) All dove seasons.
(iii) All waterfowl seasons.
(iv) All falconry small game seasons.
(v) All flintlock muzzleloading deer seasons.
(vi) All archery deer seasons.
(vii) All archery bear seasons.
(viii) All furbearer seasons, except coyote seasons.
(ix) All coyote seasons, except during the respective portion of any coyote season that runs concurrent with the legal hunting hours of any special firearms or regular firearms seasons for deer, bear or elk within each wildlife management unit, when the requirements of subsection (a) remain applicable.
(x) All turkey seasons.
(xi) All archery elk seasons.
(2) Hunt for woodchucks during any woodchuck season while wearing a hat made of solid daylight fluorescent orange-colored material on the head only.
(c) A person who violates this section shall be subject to the penalties as provided in the act.
Authority The provisions of this § 141.20 issued under 34 Pa.C.S. § § 2101(a), 2102 and 2524; amended under 34 Pa.C.S. § § 2102(a) and 2901(b).
Source The provisions of this § 141.20 adopted April 30, 2004, effective July 1, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 2328; amended September 17, 2004, effective September 18, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 5156; amended December 1, 2006, effective December 2, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 7249; amended June 29, 2007, effective June 30, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 2958; amended March 28, 2008, effective March 29, 2008, 38 Pa.B. 1471; amended November 27, 2009, effective January 1, 2010, 39 Pa.B. 6760; amended August 6, 2010, effective August 7, 2010, 40 Pa.B. 4387; amended May 27, 2011, effective May 28, 2011, 41 Pa.B. 2696; amended August 10, 2012, effective August 11, 2012, 42 Pa.B. 5214; amended May 17, 2019, effective May 18, 2019, 49 Pa.B. 2506. Immediately preceeding text appears at serial pages (389074) and (393863) to (393864).
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 147.553 (relating to agriculture deer control harvest permit).
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