Subchapter C. BIG GAME

§ 141.41. General.

 It is unlawful to:

   (1)  Kill big game by mistake or accident and immediately after killing and before removing any big game from the location of the killing, fail to fully complete the proper game kill tag in compliance with the instructions printed on the tag and attach only the game kill tag to the big game.

   (2)  Kill big game by mistake or accident and fail to report the killing to the appropriate Commission regional office as soon as possible but no later than 12 hours after the time of kill.

   (3)  Fail, within 10 days of the kill, to complete the report card supplied with the hunting license for reporting big game killed and mail the report card to the Commission in Harrisburg or by any other method designated by the Director.

   (4)  Receive a DMAP permit without reporting in the manner prescribed on the permit.

   (5)  Harvest more than one deer at a time before lawfully tagging a deer previously harvested when multiple harvests of deer per day are authorized, except as otherwise provided in §  141.1 (relating to special regulations areas).

   The provisions of this §  141.41 amended under the Game and Wildlife Code, 34 Pa.C.S. § §  322(c)(11), 2102, 2323 and 2524.

 (a)  Rosters are required for groups of five or more persons who are members of a permanent camp and hunt together for deer, bear or elk or cooperate with others to hunt for deer, bear or elk.

 (b)  Rosters shall conform to the following:

   (1)  Be prepared in duplicate with one copy being carried by the leader, and the other permanently posted at the headquarters.

   (2)  Include the following information:

     (i)   Name of the camp or party.

     (ii)   Name of the leader.

     (iii)   Name of each person hunting along with his current hunting license number.

     (iv)   Date the person joined the party.

     (v)   Date of departure.

     (vi)   Caliber of firearm used.

     (vii)   Big game killed.

     (viii)   Sex, approximate weight and total number of points if a deer, and the date the animal was killed.

 (c)  A roster containing false, fraudulent or misleading information, or failing to set forth the information in subsection (b) is deemed not in compliance with the act and this part.

 (d)  The roster shall remain posted at a permanent camp for 30 days after the close of the season so that it can be read from outside the camp.

 (e)  Parties hunting deer, bear or elk shall be limited to 25 persons.

 (f)  Penalties in section 2324(c) of the act (relating to roster of parties hunting big game) pertain to this section. Each person may be liable for penalties in this section.

   The provisions of this §  141.42 amended under the Game and Wildlife Code, 34 Pa.C.S. §  2102.

 (a)  Archery deer season.

   (1)  Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt deer during the archery deer season with any of the following devices:

     (i)   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 with at least two cutting edges located on the same plane throughout the length of the cutting surface, and may not exceed 3 inches in length.

     (ii)   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 with at least two cutting edges located on the same plane throughout the length of the cutting surface, and may not exceed 3 inches in length. This subparagraph shall become effective July 1, 2009, and expire on June 30, 2012, unless the Commission authorizes its continued legal effectiveness prior to June 30, 2012.

   (2)  Prohibitions. While hunting deer during the archery deer season, it is unlawful to:

     (i)   Use or possess a firearm. Exceptions:

       (A)   A person may possess certain firearms during the archery deer season under the authorizations of section 2525 of the act (relating to possession of firearm for protection of self or others).

       (B)   A person may possess and use both a bow or crossbow and a muzzleloading firearm during the overlaps of the early archery and muzzleloader deer seasons and the late archery and flintlock muzzleloading deer seasons if that person is in possession of both a valid archery deer license and a valid muzzleloader deer license and meets the greater protective material requirements for the muzzleloader deer season, if applicable.

     (ii)   Use a device not provided for in the act or in this subsection.

 (b)  Flintlock muzzleloading deer season.

   (1)  Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt deer during the flintlock muzzleloading deer season with a flintlock muzzleloading firearm. The firearm must be an original or similar reproduction of muzzleloading firearm manufactured prior to 1800. The firearm’s ignition mechanism must consist of a hammer containing a naturally occurring stone that is spring propelled onto an iron or steel frizzen which, in turn, creates sparks to ignite a priming powder. The firearm must have open sights and be a .44 caliber or larger single-barrel long gun or a .50 caliber or larger single-barrel handgun that propels single-projectile ammunition.

   (2)  Prohibitions. While hunting deer during the flintlock muzzleloading deer season, it is unlawful to:

     (i)   Use manmade materials attached to the hammer or frizzen to create sparks.

     (ii)   Use telescopic sights.

     (iii)   Use or possess multiple projectile ammunition or ammunition other than required by section 2322(a)(4) of the act (relating to prohibited devices and methods).

     (iv)   Use a device not provided for in the act or in this subsection.

 (c)  Muzzleloading deer season.

   (1)  Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt deer during the muzzleloading deer season with a muzzleloading firearm. The firearm’s ignition mechanism must consist of a percussion cap, primer or flintlock fired design. The firearm must be a .44 caliber or larger single-barrel long gun or a .50 caliber or larger single-barrel handgun that propels single-projectile ammunition.

   (2)  Prohibitions. While hunting deer during the muzzleloading deer season, it is unlawful to:

     (i)   Use or possess multiple projectile ammunition or ammunition other than required by section 2322(a)(4) of the act.

     (ii)   Use a device not provided for in the act or in this subsection.

 (d)  Regular and special firearms deer seasons.

   (1)  Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt deer during the regular and special firearms deer seasons with any of the following devices:

     (i)   A manually operated, centerfire firearm.

     (ii)   A bow and arrow as permitted under subsection (a)(1)(i).

     (iii)   A crossbow and bolt as permitted under subsection (a)(1)(ii).

     (iv)   A muzzleloading firearm as permitted under subsection (b)(1) or (c)(1).

   (2)  Prohibitions. While hunting deer during the regular and special firearms deer seasons, it is unlawful to:

     (i)   Use or possess multiple projectile ammunition or ammunition other than required by section 2322(a)(4) of the act.

     (ii)   Use a device not provided for in the act or in this subsection.

 (e)  Cooperating while hunting during any deer season. Holders of any of the appropriate licenses or stamps may cooperate while hunting antlered or antlerless deer if pertinent provisions of the act and this section are met.

 (f)  .22 caliber or less rimfire required for furbearers. When using a firearm only a rimfire rifle or handgun .22 caliber or less may be used to dispatch legally trapped furbearers during the regular or special firearms deer seasons.

   The provisions of this §  141.43 amended under the Game and Wildlife Code, 34 Pa.C.S. § §  322 (c)(5) and (6), 2101, 2102(a) and (d), 2322(a)(4), 2524 and 2901.

 (a)  Archery bear season.

   (1)  Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt bear during the archery bear season with any of the following devices:

     (i)   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 with at least two cutting edges located on the same plane throughout the length of the cutting surface, and may not exceed 3 inches in length.

     (ii)   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 with at least two cutting edges located on the same plane throughout the length of the cutting surface, and may not exceed 3 inches in length. This subparagraph shall become effective July 1, 2009, and expire on June 30, 2012, unless the Commission authorizes its continued legal effectiveness prior to June 30, 2012.

   (2)  Prohibitions. While hunting bear during the archery bear season, it is unlawful to:

     (i)   Use or possess a firearm or while in possession of a firearm, except as otherwise authorized by section 2525 of the act (relating to possession of firearm for protection of self or others).

     (ii)   Use a device not provided for in the act or in this subsection.

     (iii)   Disturb, wound or kill a bear in a den.

     (iv)   Assist, conspire or use a device to locate a bear to which a transmitter has been attached.

 (b)  Regular and extended firearms bear seasons.

   (1)  Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt bear during the regular and extended firearms bear seasons with any of the following devices:

     (i)   A manually operated, centerfire firearm.

     (ii)   A bow and arrow as permitted under subsection (a)(1)(i).

     (iii)   A crossbow and bolt as permitted under subsection (a)(1)(ii).

     (iv)   A muzzleloading firearm. The firearm’s ignition mechanism must consist of a percussion cap, primer or flintlock fired design. The firearm must be a .44 caliber or larger single-barrel long gun or a .50 caliber or larger single-barrel handgun that propels single-projectile ammunition.

   (2)  Prohibitions. While hunting for bear during the regular and extended firearms bear seasons, it is unlawful to:

     (i)   Use or possess multiple projectile ammunition or ammunition other than required by section 2322(a)(4) of the act (relating to prohibited devices and methods).

     (ii)   Use a device not provided for in the act or in this subsection.

     (iii)   Disturb, wound or kill a bear in a den.

     (iv)   Assist, conspire or use a device to locate a bear to which a transmitter has been attached.

 (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)   A manually operated centerfire, rimfire or muzzleloading firearm using single-projectile ammunition, except as otherwise prohibited in paragraph (2)(i).

     (ii)   A manually operated or semiautomatic, centerfire shotgun or muzzleloading shotgun using shot ammunition no larger than #4 lead, #4 Bismuth/tin or #2 steel.

     (iii)   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 with at least two cutting edges located on the same plane throughout the length of the cutting surface, and may not exceed 3 inches in length.

     (iv)   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 with at least two cutting edges located on the same plane throughout the length of the cutting surface, and may not exceed 3 inches in length.

   (2)  Prohibitions. While hunting turkey during the fall turkey season, it is unlawful to:

     (i)   Use a manually operated centerfire, rimfire or muzzleloading firearm using single projectile ammunition in Wildlife Management Units 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D.

     (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 a device not provided for in the act or in this subsection.

 (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, #4 Bismuth/tin or #2 steel.

     (ii)   A bow and arrow as permitted under subsection (a)(1)(iii).

     (iii)   A crossbow and bolt as permitted under subsection (a)(1)(iv).

   (2)  Prohibitions. While hunting turkey during the spring turkey season, it is unlawful to:

     (i)   Use a centerfire, rimfire or muzzleloading firearm using single projectile ammunition.

     (ii)   Use or possess single projectile ammunition, except arrows or bolts.

     (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 a device not provided for in the act or in this subsection.

   The provisions of this §  141.45 amended under the Game and Wildlife Code, 34 Pa.C.S. § §  322(c)(4) and (5), 2102(a) and (d) and 2524.

 (a)  Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt elk during the elk season with any of the following devices:

   (1)  A manually operated, centerfire rifle or handgun. The firearm must be a .27 caliber or larger firearm that propels single-projectile ammunition 130 grains or larger.

   (2)  A manually operated, centerfire shotgun. The firearm must be a 12 gauge or larger firearm.

   (3)  A muzzleloading firearm. The firearm must be .50 caliber or larger firearm that propels single-projectile ammunition 210 grains or larger.

   (4)  A bow and arrow. A bow must have a peak draw weight of at least 45 pounds. An arrow must be equipped with a broadhead that has an outside diameter or width of at least 1 inch with at least two cutting edges located on the same plane throughout the length of the cutting surface, and may not exceed 3 inches in length.

   (5)  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 1 inch with at least two cutting edges located on the same plane throughout the length of the cutting surface, and may not exceed 3 inches in length.

 (b)  Prohibitions. While hunting elk during the elk season, it is unlawful to:

   (1)  Use or possess multiple projectile ammunition or ammunition other than that required under section 2322 (a)(4) of the act (relating to prohibited devices and methods).

   (2)  Use a device not provided for in the act or in this section.

   (3)  Fail to mark the kill site after lawful harvest in accordance with Commission instructions provided during the elk season orientation.

   (4)  Drive or herd elk.

   (5)  Hunt within 150 yards from the center line of Route 555, from the intersection of Routes 255 and 555, to the intersection of Huston Hill Road and Route 555.

   (6)  Hunt within the Hick’s Run no hunt zone, this being the area immediately adjacent to and north of Route 555, between Hick’s Run Road and Huston Hill Road and within .3 mile of Route 555.

   The provisions of this §  141.47 issued under the Game and Wildlife Code, 34 Pa.C.S. §  2102; amended under the Game and Wildlife Code, 34 Pa.C.S. § §  322(c)(4) and 2102(a).

 (a)  The divisional line between two or more elk hunt zones shall be the center of the highway, natural water course, other natural boundary or marked boundary.

 (b)  The elk hunt zones will be established by the Director prior to the opening of elk season.

   The provisions of this §  141.48 issued under the Game and Wildlife Code, 34 Pa.C.S. §  2102; amended under the Game and Wildlife Code, 34 Pa.C.S. § §  322(c)(4), 2102(a) and 2705(15).

   The provisions of this §  141.49 adopted May 18, 2001, effective May 19, 2001, 31 Pa.B. 2577; reserved August 28, 2009, effective August 29, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 5122. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (343745).