Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 49, December 7, 2024
Section 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.(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.(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.The provisions of this § 141.22 adopted June 19, 1987, effective 7/1/1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464; amended April 28, 1989, effective 4/29/1989, 19 Pa.B. 1842; amended August 24, 1990, effective 9/24/1990, 20 Pa.B. 4488; amended March 27, 1992, effective 7/1/1992, 22 Pa.B. 1427; amended August 19, 1994, effective 8/20/1994, 24 Pa.B. 4197; amended November 4, 1994, effective 11/5/1994, 24 Pa.B. 5561; amended August 1, 1997, effective 8/2/1997, 27 Pa.B. 3788; corrected November 21, 1997, effective 10/4/1997, 27 Pa.B. 6092; amended November 21, 1997, effective 11/22/1997, 27 Pa.B. 6093; amended August 9, 2002, effective 8/10/2002, 32 Pa.B. 3945; amended November 29, 2002, effective 11/30/2002, 32 Pa.B. 5889; amended June 13, 2003, effective 6/14/2003, 33 Pa.B. 2751; amended April 30, 2004, effective 7/1/2004, 34 Pa.B. 2328; amended May 28, 2004, effective 5/29/2004, 34 Pa.B. 2825; amended July 16, 2004, effective 7/17/2004, 34 Pa.B. 3711; amended December 2, 2005, effective 12/3/2005, 35 Pa.B. 6537; amended June 16, 2006, effective 6/17/2006, 36 Pa.B. 2975; amended January 26, 2010, effective 4/3/2010, 40 Pa.B. 1737; amended May 12, 2017, effective 5/13/2017, 47 Pa.B. 2710; amended November 17, 2017, effective 11/18/2017, 47 Pa.B. 7048.The provisions of this § 141.22 amended under the Game and Wildlife Code, 34 Pa.C.S. §§ 322(c)(5) and (6), 2102(a), (b)(1) and (d), 2505(a) and 2524.
This section cited in 17 Pa. Code §21.119 (relating to group activities); and 58 Pa. Code § 141.1 (relating to special regulations areas).