§ 141.22. Small game seasons.
(a) Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt small game, except woodchucks, during any small game season with the following devices:
(1) A manually operated or semiautomatic rimfire rifle or manually operated rimfire handgun. The firearm must be .22 caliber or less, that propels single-projectile ammunition.
(2) A manually operated or semiautomatic centerfire shotgun or muzzleloading shotgun. The firearm must be 10 gauge or less, that propels multiple-projectile shotgun ammunition not larger than # 4 lead, # 2 steel, or # 4 of any other composition or alloy of nontoxic shot approved by the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or an authorized representative under 50 CFR 20.134 (relating to approval of nontoxic shot types and shot coatings). A centerfire shotgun’s magazine capacity may not exceed two rounds. The shotgun’s total aggregate ammunition capacity may not exceed three rounds.
(3) A muzzleloading rifle or handgun. The firearm must be .40 caliber or less, that propels single-projectile ammunition.
(4) A bow and arrow.
(5) A crossbow and bolt.
(6) A raptor. The raptor shall be lawfully possessed under a falconry permit under section 2925 of the act (relating to falconry permits).
(7) A manually operated or semiautomatic air rifle or manually operated air handgun between .177 and .22 caliber, inclusive, that propels single-projectile pellet or bullet ammunition. BB ammunition is not authorized.
(b) Prohibitions. While hunting small game during any small game season, except woodchucks, it is unlawful to:
(1) Use or possess single-projectile ammunition larger than .22 caliber or multiple-projectile shotgun ammunition larger than # 4 lead, # 2 steel, or # 4 of any other composition or alloy of nontoxic shot approved by the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or an authorized representative under 50 CFR 20.134, except as authorized under section 2525 of the act (relating to possession of firearm for protection of self or others).
(2) Possess a firearm while hunting with a raptor, except as authorized under section 2525 of the act.
(3) Discharge a firearm within 150 yards of a Commission vehicle releasing pheasants.
(4) Use or possess a device or ammunition not provided for in the act or in this section, except as authorized under section 2525 of the act.
(5) Hunt in a party of more than six persons. This does not apply to waterfowl or dove hunters when hunting from a blind or other stationary position.
(c) Woodchuck (Groundhog) season.
(1) Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt woodchucks during woodchuck season with the following devices:
(i) A manually operated or semiautomatic rifle or manually operated handgun that propels single-projectile ammunition.
(ii) A manually operated or semiautomatic centerfire shotgun or muzzleloading shotgun. The firearm must be 10 gauge or less that propels multiple-projectile shotgun ammunition not larger than # 4 lead, # 2 steel, or # 4 of any other composition or alloy of nontoxic shot approved by the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or an authorized representative under 50 CFR 20.134. A centerfire shotgun’s magazine capacity may not exceed two rounds. The shotgun’s total aggregate ammunition capacity may not exceed three rounds.
(iii) A muzzleloading rifle or handgun that propels single-projectile ammunition.
(iv) A bow and arrow.
(v) A crossbow and bolt.
(vi) A raptor. The raptor shall be lawfully possessed under a falconry permit under section 2925 of the act.
(vii) A manually operated or semiautomatic air rifle or manually operated air handgun .22 caliber or larger that propels single-projectile pellet or bullet ammunition. BB ammunition is not authorized.
(2) Prohibitions. While hunting woodchucks during woodchuck season, it is unlawful to:
(i) Use or possess multiple-projectile shotgun ammunition larger than # 4 lead, # 2 steel, or # 4 of any other composition or alloy of nontoxic shot approved by the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or an authorized representative under 50 CFR 20.134, except as authorized under section 2525 of the act.
(ii) Possess a firearm while hunting with a raptor, except as authorized under section 2525 of the act.
(iii) Use or possess a device or ammunition not provided for in the act or in this section, except as authorized under section 2525 of the act.
Authority The provisions of this § 141.22 amended under 34 Pa.C.S. § § 322(c)(5) and (6), 2102(a), (b)(1) and (d), 2505(a) and 2524.
Source The provisions of this § 141.22 adopted June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464; amended April 28, 1989, effective April 29, 1989, 19 Pa.B. 1842; amended August 24, 1990, effective September 24, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 4488; amended March 27, 1992, effective July 1, 1992, 22 Pa.B. 1427; amended August 19, 1994, effective August 20, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 4197; amended November 4, 1994, effective November 5, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 5561; amended August 1, 1997, effective August 2, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 3788; corrected November 21, 1997, effective October 4, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 6092; amended November 21, 1997, effective November 22, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 6093; amended August 9, 2002, effective August 10, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 3945; amended November 29, 2002, effective November 30, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 5889; amended June 13, 2003, effective June 14, 2003, 33 Pa.B. 2751; amended April 30, 2004, effective July 1, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 2328; amended May 28, 2004, effective May 29, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 2825; amended July 16, 2004, effective July 17, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 3711; amended December 2, 2005, effective December 3, 2005, 35 Pa.B. 6537; amended June 16, 2006, effective June 17, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 2975; amended January 26, 2010, effective April 3, 2010, 40 Pa.B. 1737; amended May 12, 2017, effective May 13, 2017, 47 Pa.B. 2710; amended November 17, 2017, effective November 18, 2017, 47 Pa.B. 7048. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (387122) to (387124).
Cross References This section cited in 17 Pa. Code § 21.119 (relating to group activities); 58 Pa. Code § 135.106 (relating to controlled hunting and trapping area harvest limitations); and 58 Pa. Code § 141.1 (relating to special regulations areas).
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