§ 141.45. Turkey seasons.
(a) Fall turkey season.
(1) Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt turkey during the fall turkey season with any of the following devices:
(i) [Reserved].
(ii) A manually operated or semiautomatic, centerfire shotgun or muzzleloading shotgun that propels multiple projectile shotgun ammunition no 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.
(iii) [Reserved].
(iv) A bow and arrow. A bow must have a peak draw weight of at least 35 pounds. An arrow must be equipped with a broadhead that has an outside diameter or width of at least 7/8 inch and may not exceed 3.25 inches in length.
(v) A crossbow and bolt. A crossbow must have a peak draw weight of at least 125 pounds. A bolt must be equipped with a broadhead that has an outside diameter or width of at least 7/8 inch and may not exceed 3.25 inches in length.
(2) Prohibitions. While hunting turkey during the fall turkey season, it is unlawful to:
(i) [Reserved].
(ii) Use drives or any method other than hand or mouth calling.
(iii) Use or possess an electronic caller or a live turkey as a decoy.
(iv) Use or possess a device or ammunition not provided for in the act or in this subsection, except as authorized under section 2525 of the act (relating to possession of firearm for protection of self or others).
(b) Spring turkey season.
(1) Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt turkey during the spring turkey season with any of the following devices:
(i) A manually operated or semiautomatic, centerfire shotgun or muzzleloading shotgun using shot ammunition no larger than # 4 lead, # 2 steel, or # 4 of any other composition or alloy of nontoxic shot approved by the Director of the Unites 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.
(ii) A bow and arrow as permitted under subsection (a)(1)(iv).
(iii) A crossbow and bolt as permitted under subsection (a)(1)(v).
(2) Prohibitions. While hunting turkey during the spring turkey season, it is unlawful to:
(i) Use or possess a centerfire, rimfire or muzzleloading firearm that propels single projectile ammunition, except as authorized under section 2525 of the act.
(ii) Use or possess single projectile ammunition, except arrows or bolts, except as authorized under section 2525 of the act.
(iii) Use drives or any method other than hand or mouth calling.
(iv) Use or possess an electronic caller or a live turkey as a decoy.
(v) Use or possess a device or ammunition not provided for in the act or in this subsection, except as authorized under section 2525 of the act.
Authority The provisions of this § 141.45 amended under 34 Pa.C.S. § § 322(c)(4) and (5), 2102(a) and (d) and 2524.
Source The provisions of this § 141.45 adopted June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464; 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 November 4, 1994, effective November 5, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 5561; amended May 26, 1995, effective May 27, 1995, 25 Pa.B. 2072; amended October 27, 1995, effective October 28, 1995, 25 Pa.B. 4614; 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 May 18, 2001, effective May 19, 2001, 31 Pa.B. 2577; amended June 20, 2003, effective June 21, 2003, 33 Pa.B. 2878; amended April 30, 2004, effective July 1, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 2328; amended April 28, 2006, effective April 29, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 1990; amended June 27, 2008, effective June 28, 2008, 38 Pa.B. 3489; amended February 27, 2009, effective February 28, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 1110.; amended March 25, 2011, effective March 26, 2011, 41 Pa.B. 1623; amended May 23, 2014, effective May 24, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 3091; amended May 29, 2015, effective May 30, 2015, 45 Pa.B. 2604; amended May 12, 2017, effective May 13, 2017, 47 Pa.B. 2710; amended May 21, 2021, effective May 22, 2021, 51 Pa.B. 2940; amended August 26, 2022, effective August 27, 2022, 52 Pa.B. 5470. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (406288) and (410043).
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 141.1 (relating to special regulations areas).
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