34 Pa.C.S. § 2507 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 25 / Section 2507
Restrictions on shooting.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--It is unlawful for any person during the open season for the taking of any big game other than turkey to:

(1) Shoot at any mark or target other than legal game or wildlife with a firearm of any kind or a bow and arrow.

(2) Discharge at any time any firearm or release an arrow at random in the general direction of any game or wildlife not plainly visible for the purpose of routing or frightening them.

(3) Discharge at any time any firearm or release an arrow at random or in any other manner contrary to this section.

(b) Exceptions.--This section shall not be construed to apply in any manner to:

(1) The discharge of any firearm for the sole purpose of signaling for aid or assistance while in distress.

(2) The use of rifle, pistol or archery ranges owned, leased or maintained by a State or Federal military or police organization or by any regularly organized rifle, pistol, shotgun or archery range, shooting association or club while shooting at a regularly established and properly safeguarded range or to any public shooting exhibition properly safeguarded and conducted under the direction of any organization for the promotion of marksmanship.

(3) The discharge of a muzzle-loading firearm at a proper target for the purpose of safe transportation of the muzzle-loaded firearm.

(4) Shooting at a properly constructed target or mark or a dead tree protected by a natural or artificial barrier so that the ball, bullet or arrow cannot travel more than 15 yards beyond the target aimed at, after making due allowance for deflection in any direction not to exceed an angle of 45 degrees. Target shooting shall only be lawful when it is done:

(i) Upon property owned by the shooter or by a guest of the property owner.

(ii) Within 200 yards of the camp or other headquarters where the person shooting is quartered or is an invited guest or visitor.

(c) Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense of the fourth degree.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2101 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 21 / Section 2101
Administration of title.
Status: in_force

The commission shall have the authority to administer and enforce this title and all laws of this Commonwealth relating to the encouragement, promotion and development of game or wildlife conservation interests and the protection, propagation, distribution and control over game or wildlife.
34 Pa.C.S. § 907 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 9 / Section 907
Vehicle operation to avoid identification or inspection.
Status: in_force

A person who operates a motor vehicle, or craft of any kind, without lights, or turns off any lights, or fails or refuses to stop, for the purpose of avoiding identification or inspection of its attachments, its contents or its passengers, anywhere within this Commonwealth, upon request or signal of any officer using a flashing or rotating red light or lights or an audible warning device or both or upon request or hand signal of any officer when the officer is in uniform and displays a badge or any other sign of official identification, commits a summary offense of the fourth degree.
34 Pa.C.S. § 924 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 9 / Section 924
Liability for actions of others.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--A person who causes an unlawful act to be done by another person which, if directly performed by the person causing the unlawful act would be in violation of this title, is punishable as a principal.

(b) Exclusion.--A landowner who allows or grants permission to a person to take game or wildlife on the landowner's property shall not be liable under this section for an unlawful act committed by that person unless the landowner willfully aids, abets, assists, attempts or conspires in the commission of the unlawful act. (Nov. 1, 2013, P.L.674, No.83, eff. imd.)
34 Pa.C.S. § 2164 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 21 / Section 2164
Unlawful taking and possession of protected birds.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this title, it is unlawful for any person at any time to kill or attempt or conspire to kill or take or attempt, assist, aid or abet in the taking of any protected birds or possess protected birds, or any part thereof.

(b) Hawks, falcons or owls.--It is lawful for protected hawks, falcons or owls to be taken and possessed for use in falconry. Protected hawks, falcons or owls shall not be bought, sold or bartered, or offered for sale or barter, or held in possession for sale or barter.

(c) Mounting or retention in possession.--Except pursuant to a permit issued by the commission, no protected bird or part thereof shall be mounted or retained in possession.

(d) Penalties.--

(1) A violation of this section is a summary offense of the fifth degree for each protected bird or part thereof.

(2) A violation of this section relating to birds which are listed as threatened or endangered is, in addition to any other penalties, a misdemeanor.

(3) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), a violation of this section relating to birds listed under 16 U.S.C. § 668 (relating to bald and golden eagles) that results in the killing of a bald eagle or golden eagle is, in addition to any other penalties, a summary offense punishable by a fine of $2,000.

(e) Contraband.--Any game or wildlife or egg possessed by any person contrary to this section is contraband. (Oct. 24, 2012, P.L.1205, No.150, eff. 60 days; May 8, 2024, P.L.49, No.13, eff. 60 days) 2024 Amendment. Act 13 added subsec. (d)(3). 2012 Amendment. Act 150 amended subsec. (d)(2).
34 Pa.C.S. § 2902 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 29 / Section 2902
General categories of permits.
Status: in_force

(a) Federal permits.--Federal permits, which may be further restricted by addendum, when countersigned by the director shall become valid in this Commonwealth.

(b) Permits relating to lands.--The director may issue permits relating to lands owned by the commission as provided in Chapter 7 (relating to property and buildings).

(c) Other permits.--The director may issue other permits, with or without charge, as required to control the taking of game or wildlife for scientific study or any other purpose consistent with this title.

(d) Deer control permits in cities of the first class.--

(1) The director shall issue a permit to control deer within 30 days of receipt of an application by a city of the first class or by any department, agency, board or commission of a city of the first class. The commission may promulgate regulations to control the activities which may be performed under authority of the permit issued under this subsection.

(2) A permit for controlling deer issued to a city of the first class or to any department, agency, board or commission of a city of the first class shall not be limited by or subject to any requirement that includes public hunting or controlled hunting by licensed hunters.

(3) Activity to control deer or other game or wildlife conducted by a city of the first class or any department, agency, board or commission of a city of the first class shall not be construed to constitute "hunting" or "take" as defined in section 102 (relating to definitions).

(4) A city of the first class or any department, agency, board or commission of a city of the first class that is issued a permit to control deer may conduct deer control activity at any time or times during the term of the permit regardless of season.

(5) It is unlawful for any person to interfere with or disrupt any activities conducted by a city of the first class or any department, agency, board or commission of a city of the first class under a permit issued under this section. A violation of this subsection is a summary offense of the second degree. This subsection shall not be construed to prohibit a city of the first class from enforcing local statutes or from seeking damages suffered by such city as a result of such interference or disruption. (Dec. 20, 2000, P.L.783, No.111, eff. imd.) 2000 Amendment. Act 111 added subsec. (d). Cross References. Section 2902 is referred to in sections 2308, 2310, 2503, 2505 of this title.
34 Pa.C.S. § 323 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 3 / Section 323
Cooperative agreements.
Status: in_force

The commission may enter into cooperative agreements with any government agency, individual, corporation or educational or research institution to further the programs of the commission. Cross References. Section 323 is referred to in section 542 of this title.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2929 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 29 / Section 2929
Fur dealer permits.
Status: in_force

(a) Residents.--Holders of resident fur dealer permits shall establish a regular place of business where they and their employees may receive or buy furs for the purpose of resale. The person to whom a resident fur dealer's permit is issued may also receive or buy furs for the purpose of resale anywhere within this Commonwealth.

(b) Nonresidents.--Unless further restricted by commission regulation, a permit issued to a nonresident or a nonresident firm or corporation shall authorize the nonresident or a representative of the firm or corporation to receive, buy or sell raw furs anywhere in this Commonwealth for the purpose of reselling. The firm shall designate one person to act as their

buyer. This person's name shall appear on the face of the permit. The permit must be carried at all times when such person is engaged in buying furs.

(c) Unlawful acts.--It is unlawful for any person to:

(1) Obtain furs by purchase or barter for the purpose of reselling without a permit as required by this section.

(2) Purchase furs from any person without being shown the valid furtaking license of such person.

(2.1) Sell raw furs without a valid nonresident fur dealer permit.

(3) Violate any other provisions of this section.

(d) Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense of the third degree if the violator is a resident or a summary offense of the first degree if the violator is a nonresident. (Nov. 25, 1988, P.L.1082, No.125, eff. imd.)
34 Pa.C.S. § 2505 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 25 / Section 2505
Safety zones.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this title or to any political subdivision, its employees or agents, which has a valid deer control permit issued under section 2902(c) (relating to general categories of permits), it is unlawful for any person, other than the lawful occupant, while hunting game or wildlife, taking furbearers of any kind, or pursuing any other privilege granted by this title, to hunt for, take, trap, pursue, disturb or otherwise chase any game or wildlife or to discharge, for any reason, any firearm, arrow or other deadly weapon within or through a safety zone, or to shoot at any game or wildlife while it is within the safety zone without the specific advance permission of the lawful occupant thereof.

(b) Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense punishable by a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $500. A second or subsequent offense within two calendar years is a summary offense punishable by a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000.

(c) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "safety zone" means:

(1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2), the area within 150 yards around and that area which is below the highest point of any occupied dwelling house, residence, or other building or camp occupied by human beings, or any barn, stable, or other building used in connection therewith or any attached or detached playground of any school, nursery school or day-care center.

(2) When applied to properly licensed persons hunting with bow and arrow or crossbow and persons properly licensed for falconry, the area within 50 yards around and that area which is below the highest point of any occupied dwelling house, residence or other building or camp occupied by human beings or any barn, stable or other building used in connection therewith and the area within 150 yards around and that area which is below the highest point of any attached or detached playground of any school, nursery school or day-care center. (Nov. 25, 1988, P.L.1082, No.125, eff. imd.; Mar. 29, 1996, P.L.41, No.13, eff. imd.; Dec. 19, 1996, P.L.1442, No.184, eff. 60 days; June 28, 2002, P.L.474, No.79, eff. 60 days; June 23, 2004, P.L.435, No.43, eff. July 1, 2004; July 9, 2008, P.L.920, No.65, eff. imd.) 2008 Amendment. Act 65 amended subsec. (c)(2). Cross References. Section 2505 is referred to in section 2741 of this title.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2166 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 21 / Section 2166
Unlawful sale of protected birds and plumage.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this title, it is unlawful for any person, acting either for personal interest or as the agent or representative of another, to have any protected bird or any bird which belongs to the same family as those protected birds found in a wild state in this Commonwealth or is similar in appearance to any native protected bird, the eggs or any part from such birds, in possession or under control for the purpose of sale or barter, or to offer or expose them for sale or barter, or to transport, ship or remove, or attempt to transport, ship or remove, from this Commonwealth, for any purpose, any such bird, either living or dead, or the eggs or any part thereof.

(b) Penalties.--

(1) A violation of this section is a summary offense of the fourth degree for each bird or part thereof.

(2) A violation of this section relating to birds which are listed as threatened or endangered is, in addition to any other penalties, a misdemeanor for each bird or part thereof.

(c) Contraband.--Any protected bird or any egg or any part thereof possessed contrary to this section is contraband. (Oct. 24, 2012, P.L.1205, No.150, eff. 60 days) 2012 Amendment. Act 150 amended subsec. (b)(2).
34 Pa.C.S. § 556 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 5 / Section 556
Unlawful acts.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--It is unlawful for any owner or his employee or other agent in charge of bees or bee-keeping equipment, livestock or poultry to file a fraudulent claim for damage of any kind alleged to have been done by bears or for any person to violate any other provision of this subchapter.

(b) Penalties.--A person who collects or attempts to collect a fraudulent claim for damage by bears contrary to this subchapter commits a summary offense of the first degree. Any other violation of this subchapter is a summary offense of the fifth degree.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2103 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 21 / Section 2103
Applicability of Federal laws.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--The provisions of the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703 et seq.) or Federal Duck Stamp

Act (16 U.S.C. § 718 et seq.) are hereby made a part of this title. Federal regulations shall not apply if commission regulations or other provisions of this title prescribe stronger or more detailed restrictions for the taking of migratory birds, nongame birds or game or wildlife.

(b) Penalty.--Any violation of the regulations which the commission is authorized to promulgate pursuant to these Federal laws and which is not otherwise specifically covered in this title is a summary offense of the fifth degree.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2706.2 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 27 / Section 2706.2
Elk hunting licenses.
Status: in_force

(a) Application limitation.--Whenever the commission makes a determination to authorize a hunting season for the taking of elk, no person may submit more than one application for an elk hunting license in any license year. The commission shall hold a random drawing of applications for the issuance of elk licenses under this subsection at the Elk Country Visitor Center in the Township of Benezette.

(b) Special conservation license auction.--The commission is authorized to auction off a special license to hunters

interested in the opportunity to hunt one elk subject to the following:

(1) One license shall be auctioned annually.

(2) The auction shall be open to residents and nonresidents of this Commonwealth.

(3) The commission may, under 62 Pa.C.S. Pt. I (relating to Commonwealth Procurement Code), contract with a wildlife conservation organization to implement and conduct the auction. The commission shall promulgate regulations for the use of the license, remitting funds to the commission and conduct of the auction.

(4) The contracted organization under paragraph (3):

(i) May retain administrative costs associated with the auction. The administrative costs shall be determined and agreed to by the contracted organization receiving the license prior to the license being awarded.

(ii) Shall return the proceeds remaining after retention of administrative costs under subparagraph (i) to the commission to be used pursuant to the contract under paragraph (3) in a manner consistent with the commission's elk management plan.

(iii) Shall report annually to the commission on the use of the proceeds from the auction. The commission shall, in its annual report to the General Assembly, include the use of all proceeds from the auction.

(5) All license fees shall be paid to the commission.

(6) (Deleted by amendment).

(c) Special-license fundraiser.--In addition to any other elk license provided for under this section, the commission may hold a special-license fundraiser for hunters interested in the opportunity to hunt one elk, subject to the following:

(1) The commission may enter into a contract with a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit organization whose primary mission is the advancement of education, stewardship and habitat for the elk population in this Commonwealth and that is a participant in a public-private partnership for the management and operation of the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette Township, Elk County, to auction or raffle one elk license annually.

(2) The entity which contracts with the commission under paragraph (1) may conduct a fundraiser for the opportunity for interested hunters to purchase the elk license. The fundraiser shall be open to all residents and nonresidents of this Commonwealth who wish to obtain the license. The subsequent use of the license must meet Federal and State hunting regulations.

(3) The entity which contracts with the commission under paragraph (1) may retain administrative costs associated with the auction. The administrative costs shall be determined and agreed to by the entity receiving the license prior to the license being awarded.

(4) The proceeds remaining after retention of administrative costs under paragraph (3) shall be returned to the commission and shall be used pursuant to the contract under paragraph (1) in a manner consistent with the commission's elk management plan.

(5) The entity shall report annually to the commission on the use of the proceeds from the special-license fundraiser. The commission shall, in its annual report to the General Assembly, include the use of all proceeds from the special-license fundraiser.

(6) (Deleted by amendment).

(d) Background check.--A recipient selected to receive a license under subsection (b) or (c) must be subjected to a background check prior to being awarded the license. If one or more serious game law violations resulting in license revocation within the preceding ten years or three or more game law violations within the preceding ten years are found, the license may not be awarded to the recipient, and another recipient shall be chosen. (Dec. 20, 2000, P.L.783, No.111, eff. 60 days; Oct. 9, 2008, P.L.1375, No.101, eff. 60 days; July 9, 2014, P.L.1016, No.116, eff. imd.; Nov. 21, 2016, P.L.1317, No.168, eff. 60 days) 2016 Amendment. Act 168 deleted subsec. (c)(6). 2014 Amendment. Act 116 reenacted and amended the entire section.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2905 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 29 / Section 2905
Examination or inspection fees.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--The director shall fix an additional fee to cover the costs of any examination required for the issuance of any permit. No such examination fee shall be returned if the applicant fails to appear for the examination or fails to pass the examination.

(b) Fee for inspection.--If any facility fails to meet the required standards, the director shall fix a fee for any subsequent inspection.
34 Pa.C.S. § 8 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 8 / Section 8
Allocation of money.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for fiscal year 2025-2026:

(1) $213,200 of the money allocated to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board under 4 Pa.C.S. § 1408(c) for local law enforcement grants shall be transferred to the Public Protection Law Enforcement Restricted Account for the purpose of implementing the provisions of this act by the Office of Attorney General.

(2) $719,550 of the money allocated to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board under 4 Pa.C.S. § 1408(c) for local law enforcement grants shall be transferred to the State Parks User Fees Restricted Receipts Account for the purpose of implementing the provisions of this act by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Explanatory Note. Act 53 amended or repealed sections 5702 and 5729 of Title 18, section 901 of Title 30, section 901 of Title 34, sections 67A01 and 67A07 of Title 42 and section 6171 of Title 61.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2709 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 27 / Section 2709
License costs and fees.
Status: in_force

(a) License costs.--Any person who qualifies under the provisions of this chapter shall be issued the applicable license upon payment of the following costs and the issuing agent's fee:

(1)

(i) Junior resident hunting - $5.

(ii) Junior resident combination hunting and furtaker - $8.

(2)

(i) Adult resident hunting - $19.

(ii) Resident military personnel hunting - $1.

(iii) Former prisoner of war hunting - $1.

(iv) Pennsylvania National Guard hunting - $1.

(v) Reserve component of the armed forces hunting - $1.

(vi) Volunteer instructor license - $1.

(3)

(i) Senior resident hunting - $12.

(ii) Senior lifetime resident hunting - $50.

(iii) Senior lifetime resident combination hunting and furtaker - $100.

(4) Bear hunting:

(i) Resident - $15.

(ii) Nonresident - $35.

(5) Antlerless deer:

(i) Resident, including resident military, resident disabled veteran and landowner - $5.

(ii) Nonresident - $25.

(6) Archery deer:

(i) Resident - $15.

(ii) Nonresident - $25.

(7) Muzzleloader deer:

(i) Resident - $10.

(ii) Nonresident - $20.

(8) (Reserved).

(9) Adult nonresident hunting - $100.

(10)

(i) Junior nonresident hunting - $40.

(ii) Junior nonresident combination hunting and furtaker - $50.

(11) Seven-day nonresident small game - $30.

(12) Junior resident furtakers - $5.

(13) Adult resident furtakers - $19.

(14)

(i) Senior resident furtakers - $12.

(ii) Senior lifetime resident furtaker - $50.

(15) Adult nonresident furtaker - $80.

(16) Junior nonresident furtaker - $40.

(17) Resident disabled veteran hunting or furtaker under section 2706(b) (relating to disabled veterans) - no cost.

(18) Replacement license - $5. Antlerless deer and bear licenses shall be replaced by the original issuing agent only.

(19) Owners or possessors of land open to public hunting under section 2706(d) (relating to owners or possessors of land open to public hunting) - $3.

(20) Migratory game bird hunting license:

(i) Resident - $2.

(ii) Nonresident - $5.

(21) Elk hunting license:

(i) Resident - $25.

(ii) Nonresident - $250.

(22) Special wild turkey license:

(i) Resident - $20.

(ii) Nonresident - $40.

(b) Refunds.--Except as provided in section 501 (relating to refund of moneys paid erroneously or unjustly), license fees are not refundable.

(c) Agent fee.--Issuing agents shall be entitled to and may retain as full compensation for their services an additional sum of $1 for each license or replacement license.

(d) PALS transaction costs.--The fee for the transaction costs associated with the Pennsylvania Automated Licensing Service shall be limited to actual costs and may not exceed $1. (Dec. 17, 1990, P.L.687, No.170; Apr. 4, 1996, P.L.55, No.19, eff. imd.; Dec. 21, 1998, P.L.1274, No.166, eff. July 1, 1999; Dec. 20, 2000, P.L.783, No.111, eff. 60 days; Dec. 30, 2003, P.L.436, No.63, eff. 60 days; July 2, 2004, P.L.467, No.53, eff. 60 days; July 5, 2005, P.L.55, No.19, eff. imd.; July 5, 2005, P.L.56, No.20, eff. imd.; July 17, 2009, P.L.91, No.22, eff. imd.; Jan. 26, 2022, P.L.14, No.3, eff. 60 days) 2022 Amendment. Act 3 added subsec. (a)(2)(vi). 2009 Amendment. Act 22 added subsec. (d).

2005 Amendments. Act 19 amended subsec. (a)(2) and Act 20 amended subsec. (a)(2). Act 20 overlooked the amendment by Act 19, but the amendments do not conflict in substance and have both been given effect in setting forth the text of subsec.

(a)(2). 2004 Amendment. Act 53 added subsec. (a)(22). 2003 Amendment. Act 63 amended subsec. (a). Cross References. Section 2709 is referred to in section 2712 of this title.
34 Pa.C.S. § 728 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 7 / Section 728
Propagation areas.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--The commission may set aside, in its discretion, areas as it may judge best for the protection and propagation of game or wildlife on any portion of lands under its control, either by title or lease, wherein game or wildlife shall not be hunted, pursued, disturbed, molested, killed or

taken at any time except as authorized by the commission. The commission may promulgate regulations governing conduct on or within publicly or privately owned lands within this Commonwealth with the approval of the proper authorities or person or persons owning or controlling same.

(b) Penalty.--A person hunting, taking, killing or disturbing game or wildlife in a propagation area established under subsection (a) or violating any regulation adopted pursuant to subsection (a) commits a summary offense of the fifth degree. A person entering a propagation area commits a summary offense of the seventh degree.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2525 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 25 / Section 2525
Possession of firearm for protection of self or others.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--It is lawful for a law enforcement officer or any person who possesses a valid license to carry a firearm issued under 18 Pa.C.S. § 6109 (relating to licenses) to be in possession of a loaded or unloaded firearm while engaged in any activity regulated by this title.

(b) Construction.--

(1) This section shall supersede any prohibition on the possession of a firearm or ammunition contained in any other provision of this title.

(2) This subsection shall not be construed to permit the hunting or harvesting of any wildlife with a firearm or ammunition not otherwise permitted by this title.

(c) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:

"Firearm." As defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 6102 (relating to definitions).

"Law enforcement officer." As defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 6102 (relating to definitions). (Nov. 29, 2006, P.L.1462, No.162, eff. 60 days) 2006 Amendment. Act 162 added section 2525.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2721 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 27 / Section 2721
License issuance supervision.
Status: in_force

The issuance of all hunting and furtaking licenses and other essential related functions shall be under the direct supervision of the commission and made upon forms provided for that purpose and in accordance with the regulations of the commission.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2363 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 23 / Section 2363
Trapping exception for certain persons.
Status: in_force

Except for section 2704(c) (relating to furtaker's certificate of training), the remaining provisions of this title shall not be construed to prevent or prohibit any person under 12 years of age from trapping furbearers. Persons covered by this section shall not use any firearm other than a .22 caliber rimfire rifle or sidearm and then only when accompanied by an adult. Cross References. Section 2363 is referred to in section 2711 of this title.
34 Pa.C.S. § 932 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 9 / Section 932
Determination of second or subsequent offenses.
Status: in_force

Any person convicted or pleading guilty or signing an acknowledgment of guilt under any provisions of this title who, within the past seven years, was convicted or pleaded guilty or signed an acknowledgment of guilt for violating any of the provisions of this title or the former laws relating to game or wildlife then in force shall be sentenced under this title as a second or subsequent offender. Any acceptance of Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition within the past seven years of the present violation shall be considered for the purposes of determining a second or subsequent offense. (July 9, 2010, P.L.387, No.54, eff. 60 days) 2010 Amendment. See section 6 of Act 54 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to public notice.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2314 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 23 / Section 2314
Trespass on private property while hunting.
Status: in_force

(a) Trespass.--A person, while engaged in hunting or furtaking, commits an offense if, knowing that the person is not licensed or privileged to do so, the person:

(1) enters or remains on any land of another without authorization to do so, when the land is posted in a manner prescribed by law or reasonably likely to come to the person's attention;

(2) enters or remains on any land of another without authorization and defies an order not to enter or to leave that has been personally communicated to the person by the owner of the land or other authorized person;

(3) enters or remains on any land of another without authorization to do so, when the land is fenced or enclosed in a manner manifestly designed to exclude trespassers; or

(4) subject to subsection (b), enters or remains on any land of another without authorization to do so when notice against trespass is given by the placement of identifying purple paint marks on trees or posts on the property, in accordance with 18 Pa.C.S. § 3503(b)(1)(vi) (relating to criminal trespass).

(b) Applicability.--This section shall not apply to an unarmed person who enters onto posted property for the sole purpose of retrieving a hunting dog.

(1) (Deleted by amendment).

(2) (Deleted by amendment).

(c) Penalty.--An offense under this section shall be graded as follows:

(1) A person who violates subsection (a)(1), (3) or (4) commits a summary offense of the second degree and may result in forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take game or wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period of up to one year.

(2) A person who violates subsection (a)(2) commits a misdemeanor and shall result in forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take game or wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period of three years.

(3) A person who commits a second or subsequent violation of this section within a seven-year period commits a misdemeanor, and the second or subsequent violation shall result in forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take game or wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period of five years.

(c.1) Restoration.--Upon the dismissal or dropping of charges under this section against a person, or upon a finding that a person is not guilty of a violation of this section, the person's privilege to hunt or take game or wildlife within this Commonwealth shall immediately be restored.

(d) Enforcement.--The director shall authorize the police department of each municipal corporation to assist in the enforcement of this section as necessary, in addition to those under section 903 (relating to delegation of enforcement powers). (Dec. 22, 2005, P.L.467, No.90, eff. 60 days; July 9, 2010, P.L.387, No.54, eff. 60 days; Nov. 27, 2019, P.L.739, No.107, eff. 90 days; July 9, 2025, P.L.122, No.36, eff. 60 days) 2025 Amendment. Act 36 amended subsecs. (a) and (c) and added subsec. (c.1). 2010 Amendment. See section 6 of Act 54 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to public notice.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2904 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 29 / Section 2904
Permit fees.
Status: in_force

(a) Annual fees.--The annual fee for permits provided for in this chapter shall be as follows:

(1) Bird banding - $25.

(2) Collecting - $25.

(3) (Deleted by amendment).

(3.1) Temporary permit for disabled person - $5 for the license year.

(4) Dog training area - $50.

(5) Dog trials (three consecutive days):

(i) Field trials - $25 per day.

(ii) Raccoon trials - $25 per day.

(iii) Retriever trials - $25.

(6) Endangered or threatened species:

(i) Native - $300.

(ii) Non-native - free with necessary Federal permit.

(7) Falconry - $50.

(8) Fox chasing - $150.

(9) Fur dealers:

(i) Resident - $100.

(ii) Nonresident - $300.

(10) Regulated hunting grounds:

(i) Commercial - $100 for first 100 acres and $25 for each additional 100 acres, or part thereof.

(ii) Noncommercial - $38 for first 100 acres and $8 for each additional 100 acres, or part thereof.

(11) Retriever training area - $50.

(12) (Deleted by amendment).

(13) Wildlife (exotic) dealer - $200.

(14) Wildlife menagerie - $100.

(15) Wildlife (exotic) possession - $50 per animal.

(16) Wildlife propagation - $25 for one species and $10 for each additional species.

(17) Commercial wildlife pest control - $50.

(b) Disabled permit fees.--The disabled permit fee for a disabled person shall be a one-time fee of $5, which is valid for the lifetime of the disabled person.

(c) Other fees.--The commission shall set a reasonable fee for any permit required by this title which is not specifically set forth in this section. (Nov. 25, 1988, P.L.1082, No.125, eff. imd.; June 28, 1993, P.L.178, No.37, eff. imd.; May 22, 1996, P.L.310, No.48, eff. imd.; Dec. 13, 2001, P.L.897, No.98, eff. imd.; July 7, 2006, P.L.358, No.77, eff. 90 days; June 24, 2011, P.L.46, No.9, eff. imd.) 2011 Amendment. Act 9 amended subsec. (a)(7). 2006 Amendment. Act 77 amended subsec. (a). Cross References. Section 2904 is referred to in sections 2712, 2903 of this title.
34 Pa.C.S. § 29 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 29 / Section 29
Construction of law.
Status: in_force

Nothing in this act shall be construed or deemed to provide magisterial district judges with retirement benefits or rights that are different from those available to district justices or justices of the peace immediately prior to the effective date of this act. Nothing in this act shall be construed or deemed to provide senior magisterial district judges with retirement benefits or rights that are different from those available to senior district justices immediately prior to the effective date of this act.

2010, JULY 9, P.L.387, NO.54
34 Pa.C.S. § 2327 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 23 / Section 2327
Subsequent kill if big game unfit for human consumption.
Status: in_force

Any person who legally kills any big game and discovers that the flesh of the big game was unfit for human consumption at the time of killing shall, within 12 hours following the discovery, deliver the entire carcass, less entrails, but including the head and hide, to any commission officer who, being satisfied that the big game was unfit for human consumption at the time killed, shall issue a written authorization to the person to kill a second animal or bird of the same species during the unexpired portion of the season for that species.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2125 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 21 / Section 2125
Surrender of carcass.
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, the entire carcass, including the head and hide, of all big game animals and the entire carcass of any other game or wildlife, other than raccoons, less entrails, shall be made available, unless otherwise directed by an officer of the commission, intact, to any commission officer calling for them or delivered to a processor for final disposition. As used in this section, the term "processor" means a location specified by the commission that is willing to accept donations of animals taken under this chapter. (June 30, 2025, P.L.83, No.26, eff. 60 days)
34 Pa.C.S. § 2122 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 21 / Section 2122
Report to commission officer.
Status: in_force

Any person who kills any game or wildlife, other than raccoons, under the provisions of this subchapter shall, within 24 hours, report, orally or in writing, the killing to an officer of the commission. The report shall set forth the date, time and place of the killing, the number of species killed, the sex of the species and the location of each carcass. The commission shall establish a self-reporting system that allows a person assigned to remove deer for crop damage purposes to report each harvest to an officer of the commission via a toll-free telephone number, online application or publicly accessible Internet website. (June 30, 2025, P.L.83, No.26, eff. 60 days)
34 Pa.C.S. § 2324 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 23 / Section 2324
Parties hunting big game.
Status: in_force

(a) Power of commission.--The commission may establish limitations applicable to groups or parties of persons hunting together or in unison or in any other manner cooperating with others while hunting for big game.

(b) Inspection of roster.--(Deleted by amendment).

(b.1) Exclusion.--Limitations established by the commission under this section shall not include a roster requirement.

(c) Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense of the seventh degree. (Nov. 27, 2013, P.L.1148, No.103, eff. 60 days) Cross References. Section 2324 is referred to in section 2701 of this title.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2323 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 23 / Section 2323
Tagging and reporting big game kills.
Status: in_force

(a) Tags issued with licenses.--

(1) Each licensed person who kills any big game shall, immediately after the killing and before removing the big game from the location of the killing, 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. The attached game kill tag shall remain on the big game until such time as the big game is processed for consumption or prepared for mounting.

(2) In any year in which the commission establishes check stations, each person shall, within 24 hours after killing any big game, present the big game for examination and tagging.

(3) Within ten days of the kill, the person shall report the killing of big game as required in the manner or methods prescribed by commission regulations.

(b) Killings by persons without license.--Any person not required to secure a license who lawfully kills any big game shall make and attach a tag to the big game which contains in English the person's name, address, date, township, if known, and county where the big game was killed. Within five days following the kill, the person shall mail, to the headquarters of the commission at Harrisburg, a statement setting forth the information required on the tag and the sex of the big game.

(c) Licenses issued without tags.--Any person who is issued a license without the required tags or accompanying report cards and who kills any big game shall comply with the provisions of subsection (b) and shall also place the license number and letter on the tag and postcard report.

(d) Existing tags invalidated by replacement license.--The issuance of any replacement license shall automatically invalidate any remaining game kill tags issued with the lost license, and the only valid game kill tags shall be those issued with the replacement license last procured. It is unlawful to use any game kill tag invalidated by this subsection to tag any big game.

(e) Duplicated tags unlawful.--It is unlawful to prepare and use any duplicated game kill tag or to use any game kill tag to mark a second big game animal or to remove any tag from any big game contrary to the provisions of this title.

(f) Possession of tags after killing legal limit.--It is unlawful for any person, after killing the legal limit of big game, to be in possession of a big game kill tag while in the fields, forests or on the waters or highways within or bordering this Commonwealth.

(g) Penalty.--

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a violation of this section is a summary offense of the fifth degree.

(2) A violation of subsection (a)(3) is a summary offense of the eighth degree.

(h) Contraband.--Any big game or any other game or wildlife found in possession of any person contrary to this section is contraband. (Nov. 29, 2004, P.L.1298, No.162, eff. 60 days) 2004 Amendment. Act 162 amended subsec. (a)(3). Cross References. Section 2323 is referred to in sections 2306, 2321 of this title.
34 Pa.C.S. § 522 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 5 / Section 522
Appropriation and audit of moneys.
Status: in_force

(a) Appropriation.--Subject to an annual review and recommendations under subsection (b), all moneys in the Game Fund are hereby appropriated to the commission and may be expended only for the purposes authorized under this title.

(b) Audit and report.--

(1) A performance audit of the commission to examine the commission's compliance with its strategic plan for the concluding fiscal year shall be conducted by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee and shall be submitted to the Game and Fisheries Committee and the Appropriations Committee of the Senate and the Game and Fisheries Committee and the

Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives no later than February 28, 2000. After February 28, 2000, the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee shall conduct a performance audit of the commission every three years no later than February 28th.

(2) No later than January 31 of each year the commission through its executive director shall submit an annual written report to the Game and Fisheries Committee and the Appropriations Committee of the Senate and the Game and Fisheries Committee and the Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives which shall include the complete budget for the current fiscal year and for the next fiscal year. The commission shall meet with the specified committees of the General Assembly to receive oral testimony in relation to the annual written reports and to examine the commission's compliance with section 328 (relating to accountability) when so requested.

(c) Expenditures from Game Fund.--After review under subsection (a), the commission shall submit to the Governor, for approval or disapproval, estimates of the amount of moneys to be expended from the Game Fund. The State Treasurer shall not honor any requisition for expenditure of any moneys in excess of the amount approved by the Governor. Moneys in the Game Fund shall be paid out upon warrant of the State Treasurer drawn after requisition by the director of the commission. (Apr. 4, 1996, P.L.55, No.19, eff. imd.; Dec. 21, 1998, P.L.1274, No.166, eff. imd.) Cross References. Section 522 is referred to in sections 328, 521 of this title.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2161 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 21 / Section 2161
Commonwealth actions for damage to game or wildlife.
Status: in_force

(a) Declaration of policy.--The Commonwealth has sufficient interest in game or wildlife living in a free state to give it standing, through its authorized agents, to recover compensatory and punitive damages in a civil action against any person who kills any game or wildlife or who damages any game or wildlife habitat. The proprietary ownership, jurisdiction and control of game or wildlife living free in nature is vested in the Commonwealth by virtue of the continued expenditure of its funds and its efforts to protect, propagate, manage and preserve the game or wildlife population as a renewable natural resource of this Commonwealth.

(b) General rule.--The commission, as the agency of the Commonwealth authorized to regulate, protect, propagate, manage and preserve game or wildlife, may, in addition to the penalties provided in this title, bring civil actions on behalf of the Commonwealth for compensatory and punitive damages for any game or wildlife killed or any game or wildlife habitat injured or destroyed. In determining the value of game or wildlife killed or habitat injured or destroyed, the commission may consider all factors that give value to the game or wildlife or habitat. These factors may include, but need not be limited to, the

commercial resale value, the replacement costs or the recreational value of observing, hunting or furtaking. In addition, the commission may recover the costs of gathering the evidence, including expert testimony, in any civil action brought under this section where the defendant is found liable for damages.

(c) Concurrent authority.--The commission shall have concurrent authority to enforce the act of November 26, 1978 (P.L.1375, No.325), known as the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, and the regulations thereto, with respect to encroachments and water obstructions only if a violation would, in the opinion of the commission, negatively impact upon a swamp, marsh or wetland. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 26, in the event the commission shall bring a civil action suit pursuant to section 21 or a criminal proceeding pursuant to section 22 of the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, any moneys recovered by the commission shall be deposited in the Game Fund instead of the Dams and Encroachments Fund.

(d) Exemptions.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to include normal or accepted practices which have been conducted within guidelines set forth by the State or Federal agency having jurisdiction over such actions or any activities arising from lawful activity by other land uses, including farming, mining, oil and gas drilling, habitat management practices, forestry practices, recreation or real estate development.
34 Pa.C.S. § 930 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 9 / Section 930
Suspension of privileges pending payment of penalties.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--Notwithstanding subsection (b), all privileges granted by this title shall automatically be suspended if a defendant fails to respond to a citation or summons within 60 days or fails to pay all penalties in full within 180 days following conviction.

(b) Payment plan.--If a defendant is enrolled in a payment plan to repay penalties mandated by a court of competent jurisdiction and the defendant is making regular payments in accordance with the court's mandate, the privileges of this title may not be suspended. (Feb. 15, 2018, P.L.6, No.3, eff. 60 days)
34 Pa.C.S. § 2906 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 29 / Section 2906
Records.
Status: in_force

Each permit holder shall keep accurate records of all transactions carried out under authority of the permit issued and any other information required by the director. The records for each year of a permit must be kept for a period of three years and shall be open to inspection by any officer of the commission during normal business hours and shall be the basis of any reports required by the commission. (Dec. 13, 2001, P.L.897, No.98, eff. imd.)
34 Pa.C.S. § 2504 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 25 / Section 2504
Shooting on or across highways.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--It is unlawful for any person to shoot at any game or wildlife while it is on a public highway or on

a highway open to use or used by the public or to shoot across a public highway or a highway or roadway open to use or used by the public unless the line of fire is high enough above the elevation of the highway to preclude any danger to the users of the highway. It shall be unlawful for any person, after alighting from a motor vehicle being driven on or stopped on or along a public highway or road open to public travel, to shoot at any wild bird or wild animal while the person doing the shooting is within 25 yards of the traveled portion of the public highway or road open to public travel.

(b) Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense of the fourth degree.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2364 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 23 / Section 2364
Penalties.
Status: in_force

Any violation of this subchapter relating to bobcat or otter is a summary offense of the fourth degree. Except for threatened or endangered species, any other violation of this subchapter is a summary offense of the fifth degree.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2506 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 25 / Section 2506
Prohibitions within burial grounds.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--It is unlawful for any person at any time to hunt, take or trap game or wildlife of any kind or to

discharge any firearm or other deadly weapon into or within, or to dress out game or wildlife within, any cemetery or other burial grounds.

(b) Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense of the fourth degree.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2325 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 23 / Section 2325
Cooperation after lawfully killing big game.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--Except as provided in section 2301(b) (relating to lawful cooperation or assistance) and subsection

(a.1), it is unlawful for any person who has lawfully killed any big game to hunt for or cooperate with any other person hunting for big game of the same species while carrying a loaded firearm of any kind, a bow and nocked arrow or any other device capable of killing any big game.

(a.1) Exception.--Nothing in this section shall prohibit any person from carrying a loaded handgun in the field provided that person is in compliance with 18 Pa.C.S. § 6109 (relating to licenses).

(b) Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense of the fourth degree. (Apr. 13, 1988, P.L.350, No.52, eff. July 1, 1988)
34 Pa.C.S. § 2941 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 29 / Section 2941
Dog training areas.
Status: in_force

(a) Establishment.--Upon the application of 20 or more citizens of this Commonwealth, the commission may issue a permit to the applicants authorizing the establishment and maintenance, on land owned by them or over which they have legal control, of a special dog training area where dogs may be trained at any time during the entire year and field trials may be conducted without the necessity of securing a field trial permit. No such dog training area shall be less than 50 acres nor more than 250 acres. Permits shall not be issued for more than ten special dog training areas in any one county. Persons training dogs in established dog training areas shall not be required to have a hunting or furtaking license.

(b) Training periods.--At any time during the year, permittees or guests may train their dogs or the dogs of other persons on the designated dog training area.

(c) Hunting and furtaking restrictions.--Hunting or trapping of a furbearer or other protected game animal by the permittee or any other person authorized in writing by the permittee may occur during seasons established by the commission.

(d) Big game hunting may be permitted.--Hunting of big game may be permitted on dog training areas during seasons fixed by the commission. A person may not hunt big game on a dog training area without permission from the permittee, unless the area is conspicuously posted open to the public for big game hunting.

(e) Marking boundary.--A roadway, vehicle entrance or pedestrian pathway entering or bordering a dog training area must be posted prior to October 1 of each year with either a legible notice to warn a trespasser of the purpose of the area or by legible no trespassing signs endorsed by the permittee. The endorsement must note the purpose of the area.

(f) Unlawful acts.--It is unlawful to:

(1) Permit, or through negligence permit, dogs to disturb game or wildlife on a dog training area contrary to the provisions of this section.

(2) Trap for any game or wildlife on a dog training area without written permission from the permittees.

(3) Willfully, negligently or maliciously cut, remove, cover up, deface or otherwise mutilate, injure or destroy any special dog training area boundary fence or wire or poster placed in accordance with the provisions of this section or willfully, negligently or maliciously destroy, vandalize or remove any equipment, vegetation, buildings or other facilities within the dog training area.

(3.1) Willfully, negligently or maliciously kill, maim, injure or interfere with a dog engaged in training or field trials within a permitted dog training area or willfully, negligently or maliciously interfere with a person training dogs or participating in field trial events or lawfully engaged in hunting or trapping within a permitted dog training area.

(3.2) Enter onto a posted dog training area without the written permission of the permittee for any purpose.

(4) Violate any other provision of this section.

(g) Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense of the fifth degree. (Nov. 24, 2015, P.L.236, No.65, eff. 60 days) Cross References. Section 2941 is referred to in section 2943 of this title.
34 Pa.C.S. § 928 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 9 / Section 928
Disposition of seized property.
Status: in_force

All guns, traps, dogs, boats, vehicles or conveyances, or any device, implement or appliance, and other shooting, hunting, trapping or furtaking paraphernalia seized under this title, where the owner thereof escapes arrest and refuses to present himself and make claim to the property, shall be held for a period of not less than 30 days, after which time the property shall be forwarded to the commission and shall be disposed of at the discretion of the director. The moneys arising from the sale shall be applied to any costs of prosecution accrued and the remainder forfeited to the commission and deposited in the Game Fund.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2308 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 23 / Section 2308
Unlawful devices and methods.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this title, it is unlawful for any person to hunt or aid, abet, assist or conspire to hunt any game or wildlife through the use of:

(1) An automatic firearm or similar device.

(2) A semiautomatic rifle or pistol, except as set forth in subsection (b.1).

(3) (Reserved).

(4) A semiautomatic shotgun or magazine shotgun for hunting or taking small game, furbearers, turkey or unprotected birds unless the shotgun is plugged to a two-shell capacity in the magazine.

(5) (Deleted by amendment).

(6) Any recorded call or sound or recorded or electronically amplified imitation of a call or sound of any description or any other call or sound or imitation of calls or sounds which are prohibited by regulations of the commission. The commission shall be authorized, by resolution, to adopt rules and regulations authorizing the limited use of recorded calls or sounds or recorded or electronically amplified imitation of calls or sounds when such use is necessary in the commission's judgment to protect the public health and safety or to preserve that species or any other endangered by it.

(7) A vehicle or conveyance of any kind or its attachment propelled by other than manpower. Nothing in this subsection shall pertain to any of the following:

(i) A motorboat or sailboat if the motor has been completely shut off or sail furled, and the progress thereof has ceased.

(ii) A motorized wheelchair if the person has been issued a permit to hunt under section 2923(a.1) (relating to disabled person permits).

(8) Any artificial or natural bait, hay, grain, fruit, nut, salt, chemical, mineral or other food as an enticement for game or wildlife, regardless of kind and quantity, or take advantage of any such area or food or bait prior to 30 days after the removal of such material and its residue. Nothing contained in this subsection shall pertain to normal or accepted farming, habitat management practices, oil and gas drilling, mining, forest management activities or other legitimate commercial or industrial practices. Upon discovery of such baited areas, whether prosecution is contemplated or not, the commission may cause a reasonable area surrounding the enticement to be posted against hunting or taking game or wildlife. The posters shall remain for 30 days after complete removal of the bait.

(9) Any setgun, net, bird lime, deer lick, pit or pit fall, turkey blind except as permitted under subsection

(b)(3) or turkey pen or any explosive, poison or chemical of any kind.

(9.1) Any device which permits the release of two or more arrows simultaneously on a single full draw of a bow.

(10) Any other device or method of any kind prohibited by this title or regulations promulgated under this title.

(b) Exceptions.--The provisions of subsection (a) shall not apply to:

(1)

(i) Any archery sight or firearm's scope which contains and uses any mechanical, photoelectric, ultraviolet or solar-powered device to solely illuminate the sight or crosshairs within the scope.

(ii) (Repealed).

(iii)

(A) A flashlight or spotlight may be mounted on a firearm to take furbearers if the sole source of power for the flashlight or spotlight is contained within the flashlight or spotlight or on the person.

(B) For the purposes of this subparagraph, a flashlight or spotlight mounted on a firearm shall not include a device that projects a beam of laser light to indicate the intended point of impact for one or more projectiles discharged from the firearm.

(2)

(i) Any political subdivision, its employees or agents, which has a valid deer control permit issued under section 2902(c) (relating to general categories of permits).

(ii) Any licensed hunter in cities of the first class, while hunting on private property and using a bow and arrow or crossbow, using bait to attract deer for removal as provided by commission regulations.

(iii) Any licensed hunter in special regulation areas, other than counties of the second class, using bait to attract deer for removal as provided by commission regulations.

(3) Any artificial or manufactured turkey blind consisting of all manmade materials of sufficient density to block the detection of movement within the blind from an observer located outside of the blind.

(4) Any natural or manmade nonliving bait used to attract coyotes for hunting or trapping.

(5) Any electronic or mechanical device used to attract coyotes for hunting or trapping.

(6) Any decoy used in the trapping or hunting of furbearers.

(7) Natural deer urine for the purposes of taking, attempting to take, attracting or scouting wildlife.

(b.1) Additional exception.--A semiautomatic rifle may be used to hunt game in accordance with regulations promulgated by the commission.

(c) Penalties.--

(1) A violation of subsection (a)(1), (2), (4) or (5) is a summary offense of the fifth degree.

(2) A violation of subsection (a)(7) is a summary offense of the third degree.

(3) A violation of any other provision of this section is a summary offense of the fourth degree. (Apr. 13, 1988, P.L.350, No.52, eff. July 1, 1988; Nov. 25, 1988, P.L.1082, No.125, eff. imd.; Mar. 29, 1996, P.L.41, No.13, eff. imd.; Dec. 19, 1996, P.L.1442, No.184, eff. 60 days; Dec. 20, 2000, P.L.783, No.111, eff. 60 days; Dec. 20, 2000, P.L.937, No.125, eff. imd.; June 28, 2002, P.L.474, No.79, eff. 60 days; Dec. 22, 2005, P.L.452, No.86, eff. 60 days; July 3, 2007, P.L.79, No.26, eff. 60 days; Dec. 10, 2015, P.L.446, No.76, eff. 60 days; Nov. 21, 2016, P.L.1317, No.168; July 1, 2020, P.L.529, No.41, eff. 60 days; July 9, 2025, P.L.122, No.36, eff. 60 days) 2025 Amendment. Act 36 added subsec. (b)(7). 2020 Repeal. Act 42 repealed subsec. (b)(1)(ii). 2016 Amendment. Act 168 amended subsec. (a)(2), added subsec. (b.1) and deleted subsec. (a)(5), effective in 60 days as to the deletion of subsec. (a)(5) and immediately as to the remainder of the section. 2015 Amendment. Act 76 amended subsec. (a)(7). 2007 Amendment. Act 26 amended subsec. (b)(1). Section 2 of Act 26 provided that Act 26 shall apply to offenses committed on or after the effective date of section 2. 2005 Amendment. Act 86 amended subsec. (b). 2000 Amendments. Act 111 amended the entire section and Act 125 amended subsec. (a)(9) and added subsec. (b)(3). Act 125 overlooked the amendment by Act 111, but the amendments do not conflict in substance and have both been given effect in setting forth the text of section 2308.
34 Pa.C.S. § 6 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 6 / Section 6
Public notice.
Status: in_force

The Pennsylvania Game Commission shall provide public notice of the provisions within this act. This notice shall be included within the next edition of the Pennsylvania Hunting and Trapping Digest and summaries of the amendments shall be made available at each issuing agent. Explanatory Note. Act 54 amended or repealed sections 102, 905, 925, 929, 932, 2167, 2306, 2307, 2310, 2312, 2314, 2321, 2329 and 2711 of Title 34. 2025, NOVEMBER 24, P.L.326, NO.53
34 Pa.C.S. § 2521 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 25 / Section 2521
Incident reports.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--Every person who causes or is involved in an incident in which a human being is injured by any firearm or bow and arrow while hunting or taking game, wildlife or furbearers or incurs a self-inflicted injury with any firearm or bow and arrow while hunting or taking game, wildlife or furbearers shall render a report to the commission at Harrisburg or deliver the report to any officer of the commission on duplicate forms provided for that purpose. The report shall be delivered within 72 hours after the injury. Each 24-hour period thereafter shall constitute a separate offense. If the person is physically incapable of making the required report, it shall be the duty of the person or persons involved in the incident to designate an agent to file the report within the specified time.

(b) Penalty.--

(1) A violation of this section involving a nonfatal incident is a summary offense of the fifth degree.

(2) A violation of this section involving a fatal incident is a summary offense of the fourth degree. (Dec. 19, 1996, P.L.1442, No.184, eff. 60 days)
34 Pa.C.S. § 303 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 3 / Section 303
Game Commission officers and employees.
Status: in_force

(a) Appointment.--The director shall select competent persons as Game Commission officers, assigned to field, administrative or office duties, and other competent persons for other duties as may be necessary to fulfill the requirements of this title.

(b) Status.--Except for the director, all personnel shall be employed in accordance with the classification and compensation plans of the Commonwealth and regulations of the commission.

(c) Power and authority.--Every officer, employee or representative of the commission in the exercise of their powers and duties shall have the right and authority to go upon or enter any property, posted or otherwise, outside of buildings.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2302 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 23 / Section 2302
Interference with lawful taking of wildlife or other activities permitted by this title prohibited.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this title, it is unlawful for another person at the location where the activity is taking place to intentionally obstruct or interfere with the lawful taking of wildlife or other activities permitted by this title.

(a.1) Activities which violate section.--A person violates this section when he intentionally or knowingly:

(1) drives or disturbs wildlife for the purpose of disrupting the lawful taking of wildlife where another person is engaged in the process of lawfully taking wildlife or other permitted activities;

(2) blocks, impedes or otherwise harasses another person who is engaged in the process of lawfully taking wildlife or other permitted activities;

(3) uses natural or artificial visual, aural, olfactory or physical stimuli to affect wildlife behavior in order to hinder or prevent the lawful taking of wildlife or other permitted activities;

(4) creates or erects barriers with the intent to deny ingress or egress to areas where the lawful taking of wildlife or other permitted activities may occur;

(5) interjects himself into the line of fire;

(6) affects the condition or placement of personal or public property intended for use in the lawful taking of wildlife or other permitted activities in order to impair its usefulness or prevent its use;

(7) enters or remains upon public lands or upon private lands without permission of the owner or their agent, with intent to violate this section; or

(8) fails to obey the order of any officer whose duty it is to enforce any of the laws of this Commonwealth where such officer observes any conduct which violates this section

or has reasonable grounds to believe that any person intends to engage in such conduct.

(b) Enforcement and recovery of damages.--The commission or any person who is lawfully engaged in the taking, hunting or trapping of game or wildlife who is directly affected by a violation of this section may bring an action to restrain conduct declared unlawful in this section and to recover damages.

(c) Exceptions.--The conduct declared unlawful in this section does not include any activities arising from lawful activity by other land uses, including farming, mining, forestry practices, recreation or any other activities when it is evident that such activities are not intended to violate this section.

(d) Penalties.--A violation of this section is a summary offense of the second degree. (May 28, 1992, P.L.262, No.45, eff. July 1, 1992)
34 Pa.C.S. § 327 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 3 / Section 327
Junior hunter projects.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--It shall be the duty of the commission to initiate, implement and administer two or more junior license hunter projects for the purpose of increasing and sustaining interest in hunting among young persons of this Commonwealth. Except for the requirement to actually hold a junior hunting license under section 2705(2) or (9) (relating to classes of licenses) and as may otherwise be modified by commission regulations, all participants in any junior hunter project shall comply with all of the provisions of this title and the regulations promulgated hereunder.

(b) Specific projects.--

(1) One of the projects shall consist of at least two free hunting days for persons qualified to receive a junior hunting license under section 2705(2) or (9) and who have successfully completed the hunter education requirements under section 2704(b) (relating to eligibility for license). The commission shall establish the days, times and species which may be taken during the free hunting days.

(2) One of the projects shall consist of a Pennsylvania Game Commission program subject to the review of both the Game and Fisheries Committee of the House of Representatives and the Game and Fisheries Committee of the Senate. The respective committees shall have 60 days to review the program and submit comments to the commission. Prior to completion of the review by the respective committees, the commission shall not take any action to initiate the program. (July 11, 1996, P.L.659, No.114, eff. imd.) 1996 Amendment. Act 114 added section 327.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2124 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 21 / Section 2124
Retention of edible carcass for food.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), the carcass of one deer, bear or elk killed under the provisions of section 2121 (relating to killing game or wildlife to protect property) may be retained for food. All portions of the carcass generally considered edible shall be consumed only within the household of a person having authority to kill and possess the game or wildlife. No additional animals may be retained for food until the entire carcass of the animal previously retained has been entirely consumed. The head and hide of each deer, bear or elk killed and retained for food shall be properly salted, placed in safekeeping and turned over to a commission officer.

(b) Exceptions.--No carcass, or any part or parts thereof, of any deer, bear or elk shall be retained for food, by any person, if the animal was killed upon:

(1) Land located within a game or wildlife deterrent fence provided by the commission.

(2) Land, or any part thereof, on which access for hunting purposes is denied at any time.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2923 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 29 / Section 2923
Disabled person permits.
Status: in_force

(a) Use of vehicle as a blind.--

(1) Unless further restricted by commission regulation, a lifetime permit to hunt from a stationary vehicle may be issued to a person with permanent disabilities who qualified for a hunting license pursuant to Chapter 27 (relating to hunting and furtaking licenses) or who possesses a junior resident license under section 2705(2) (relating to classes of licenses) and who meets any of the following requirements:

(i) Has a permanent or irreversible physical disability and is unable to ambulate and requires a wheelchair, walker, one leg brace or external prosthesis above the knee, two leg braces or external prostheses below the knees, two crutches or two canes for mobility.

(ii) Suffers significantly from lung disease to the extent that forced expiratory volume for one second when measured by spirometry is less than one liter or the arterial oxygen tension (po) is less than 60 millimeters of mercury on room air at rest. This subparagraph would also apply to someone who is oxygen dependent 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

(iii) Suffers significantly from cardiovascular disease to the extent that functional limitations are classified in severity as class 3 or 4 according to the current standards accepted by the American Heart

Association and where ordinary physical activity results in fatigue, palpitation, dyspnea or anginal pain.

(iv) Has a disability or combination of disabilities creating a minimum impairment of function of or equivalent to no less than 90% loss of function in one leg or no more than 10% maximal functional use in one leg regardless of the functional level of the other leg.

(v) (Deleted by amendment).

(2) Unless further restricted by commission regulation, a permit to hunt from a stationary vehicle may be issued to a person who qualified for a hunting license pursuant to
34 Pa.C.S. § 2921 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 29 / Section 2921
Bird banding permits.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--Unless further provided by commission regulation, persons wishing to band birds under authority of a Federal bird banding permit shall:

(1) First pay the prescribed fee and have the Federal permit validated by the director.

(2) Submit any project outlines, reports or other information necessary for the commission to administer this title.

(b) Unlawful acts.--It is unlawful to:

(1) Trap or band protected birds without first securing valid permits as set forth in this title.

(2) Violate any other provision of this section or regulation of the commission promulgated under authority of this chapter.

(c) Penalty.--Except for endangered or threatened species, a violation of this section is a summary offense of the fifth

degree. Each bird captured, banded or held constitutes a separate offense.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2510 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 25 / Section 2510
Littering and restrictions on vehicles.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--It is unlawful for any person while hunting or furtaking or while on lands or waters open to hunting or furtaking to:

(1) Deposit or leave any garbage, bottles, cartons, containers, glass, paper or other rubbish or debris other than in a place or receptacle maintained for that purpose. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any spent shotgun shell or spent rifle shell casing which is ejected during normal hunting activities.

(2) Drive a motor vehicle on any cleared field, whether public or private, except with the permission of the owner, tenant or other person in charge of the land.

(3) Park or leave standing any motor vehicle in such manner as to block the means of ingress or egress to any person's property, mailbox, cattleways or fields.

(b) Penalties.--

(1) When litter is transported from another location and is deposited on lands or waters open to hunting or furtaking, the violation is a summary offense of the third degree. Any person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of this paragraph shall pay twice the fine imposed for the first offense. A conviction for a violation of this section shall not bar any civil action by the property owner.

(2) Except as provided in paragraph (1), any other violation of this section is a summary offense of the seventh degree.

(3) In addition to the fine imposed by section 925 (relating to jurisdiction and penalties), an additional fine of $10 may be imposed for each item of litter thrown, discarded, left, emitted or deposited in violation of this section.

(c) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "normal hunting activities" shall not include a circumstance when a person has fired more than six rounds from a stationary position. (Dec. 19, 1996, P.L.1442, No.184, eff. 60 days; Mar. 24, 2004, P.L.157, No.20, eff. imd.)
34 Pa.C.S. § 5 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 5 / Section 5
Transition provisions.
Status: in_force

(a) Continuance of members of Game Commission.--

(1) The members of the Pennsylvania Game Commission in office on the date when this act becomes effective shall constitute the Pennsylvania Game Commission and shall hold their offices as members of the Pennsylvania Game Commission until their successors are appointed as provided by 34 Pa.C.S. § 301 (relating to organization of commission).

(2) The provisions of 34 Pa.C.S. § 301(c) (relating to term of office and compensation) insofar as they impose limits on the number of terms or years of service shall not apply to the members of the Pennsylvania Game Commission in office on the effective date of this act, who shall be eligible for reappointment without regard to the limitations.

(b) Restoration of certain revoked privileges.--Any person whose hunting and trapping privileges are now revoked under the provisions of section 315(4) of The Game Law shall have such privileges restored upon the date when this act becomes effective. This subsection shall not be construed to affect any other revocation period imposed under other provisions of The Game Law.

(c) Regulations, permits, etc.--All rules, regulations, orders, permits, decisions and other actions of the Pennsylvania Game Commission shall remain in full force and effect until modified, repealed, suspended, superseded or otherwise changed by appropriate action of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

(d) Licenses.--This act shall apply to the license year beginning July 1, 1987, and each year thereafter. For the months of July and August 1987, hunting licenses issued for the license year 1986 or for the license year 1987 shall be valid for any activities permitted under 34 Pa.C.S. (relating to game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. Explanatory Note. Act 93 added Chapters 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29 of Title 34. § 6. Saving provision. The provisions of 34 Pa.C.S. (relating to game) as added by this act shall not affect any act done, liability incurred, or right accrued or vested, or affect any suit or prosecution pending or to be instituted to enforce any right or penalty, or punish any offense, under the authority of any statute repealed by this act. 2004, NOVEMBER 30, P.L.1618, NO.207 § 28. Applicability. This act shall apply as follows:

(1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2), any and all references in any other law to a "district justice" or "justice of the peace" shall be deemed to be references to a magisterial district judge.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the provisions of 71 Pa.C.S. Explanatory Note. Act 207 amended sections 102, 925, 2511, 2512, 2711, 2726 and 2741 of Title 34.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2321 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 23 / Section 2321
Unlawful killing or taking of big game.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--Except as provided in this title or by regulation of the commission, it is unlawful for any person to:

(1) Take, injure, kill, possess or transport or knowingly or intentionally aid, abet, assist, attempt or conspire in any manner to take, injure, kill, possess or transport any big game animal during closed season.

(2) Take, injure, kill, possess or transport or knowingly or intentionally aid, abet, assist, attempt or conspire in any manner to take, injure, kill, possess or transport any big game animal beyond established daily or season limits.

(3) (Deleted by amendment).

(b) Exception.--This section shall not be construed to prohibit the transportation or possession of one or more big game animals which are lawfully killed and properly tagged.

(c) Evidence of unlawful killing.--Unless the head is attached in a natural manner and properly tagged as provided in section 2323 (relating to tagging and reporting big game kills), the possession, transportation or control of any big game or a part or parts of such big game shall be prima facie evidence that the big game was unlawfully killed within this Commonwealth. Under such circumstances, the person possessing, transporting or controlling the big game shall immediately, upon demand of an officer of the commission, produce the head of the big game or the name and address of the person killing the big game or other satisfactory evidence that the carcass in possession or under the person's control is part of a lawfully taken big game.

(d) Penalty.--

(1)

(i) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2), a violation of this section or a second violation of this section during the same criminal episode is a misdemeanor and may result in forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period of five years.

(ii) A third or fourth violation of this section during the same criminal episode or a second violation of this section within a seven-year period is a misdemeanor of the first degree and may result in forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take wildlife

anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period of ten years.

(iii) A fifth or subsequent violation of this section during the same criminal episode or third offense within a seven-year period is a felony of the third degree and may result in forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period of 15 years.

(2)

(i) A violation of subsection (a)(1) or (2) where the species is a single white-tailed deer or a single wild turkey is a summary offense of the first degree and may result in forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period of three years. A second violation of subsection

(a)(1) or (2) where the species is a single white-tailed deer or a single wild turkey within a seven-year period is a misdemeanor and may result in forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period of five years. A third offense within a seven-year period where the species is a single white-tailed deer or a single wild turkey is a misdemeanor of the first degree and may result in the forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period of ten years.

(ii)

(A) A second violation of subsection (a)(1) or (2) during the same criminal episode where the species taken, injured, killed, possessed or transported is white-tailed deer or wild turkey is a misdemeanor and may result in forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period of five years.

(B) A third or fourth violation of subsection

(a)(1) or (2) during the same criminal episode where the species is white-tailed deer or wild turkey is a misdemeanor of the first degree and may result in forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period of ten years.

(C) A fifth or subsequent violation of subsection (a)(1) or (2) during the same criminal episode where the species is white-tailed deer or wild turkey is a felony of the third degree and may result in forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period of 15 years. (July 9, 2010, P.L.387, No.54, eff. 60 days) 2010 Amendment. See section 6 of Act 54 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to public notice.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2361 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 23 / Section 2361
Unlawful acts concerning taking of furbearers.
Status: in_force

(a) General prohibitions.--Except as otherwise provided in this title, it is unlawful for any person to:

(1) Take, kill, wound, capture or have in possession, or attempt, aid, abet, assist or conspire to take, kill, wound or capture, any furbearers except during the open furtaking season and in such numbers or by such methods as fixed by the commission or this title.

(2) Have in possession the green pelt, or any part thereof, of any furbearers taken except during the open season and for ten days thereafter without first securing a permit from an officer of the commission.

(3) Stake out or set traps for furbearers prior to the date and hour fixed as the open season for taking such animals.

(4) Stake out, set or tend, or attempt to stake out, set or tend, traps of any kind in an attempt to take, kill or capture any furbearers without first securing, possessing and displaying any licenses or permits required by this title.

(5) Buy or sell, or offer to buy or sell, or export from this Commonwealth any furbearer, or any part thereof, which has been unlawfully taken, possessed, killed, transported, imported, exported or improperly tagged regardless of where the furbearer was taken.

(6) Possess live furbearers taken from the wild without securing a permit from an officer of the commission.

(7) Set traps closer than five feet from any hole or den except in the case of an underwater set.

(8) Use a pole trap, deadfall, poison, explosive, chemical, leg-hold trap with teeth on the jaws or with a jaw spread exceeding six and one-half inches or any device prohibited by regulation of the commission.

(9) Smoke out or dig out any den or house of any kind or cut den trees.

(10) Use any trap of any kind unless visited and all animals and birds released or removed at least once every 36 hours.

(11) Use or set a body-gripping trap of any description outside any established watercourse, waterway, marsh, pond or dam.

(12) Set a trap of any description unless each device is marked with a durable identification tag attached to the trap or trap chain which, at the option of the trapper, must legibly set forth in English the first name, last name and legal home address of the person setting or tending the trap or must bear a number issued by the commission. All information under this paragraph shall be subject to the provisions of section 325 (relating to limitation on disclosure of certain records).

(13) Bait a trap with meat or animal products if the bait is visible from the air.

(14) Let traps set after the close of the furtaking season.

(15) Except as provided in subsection (b), disturb the traps of another person.

(16) Remove any wildlife from the trap of another person without specific permission to do so.

(17) Set or place a cage or box trap in the water.

(18) Use any cage or box trap not approved by the commission.

(19) Destroy or disturb or interfere with the dams or houses of beavers without the specific permission of a commission officer.

(b) Permissible disturbance of certain traps.--When traps are set on private property without the permission of the landowner, lessees or their employees, the owner, lessees or their employees may remove the traps and notify an officer of the commission within 48 hours. All traps removed shall be turned over to a commission officer. The officer shall notify the trapper within ten days to claim the traps. If the traps are not claimed within 30 days following notification or the trapper cannot be located, the traps shall be forfeited to the commission. (May 28, 1992, P.L.262, No.45, eff. July 1, 1992) 1992 Amendment. Act 45 amended subsec. (a)(12). Cross References. Section 2361 is referred to in section 325 of this title.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2961 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 29 / Section 2961
Definitions.
Status: in_force

The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Educational purposes." Displays by or for public or private schools, sportsmen's organizations, youth organizations, civic associations, conservation camps and school or any other organization deemed appropriate by the commission.

"Exotic wildlife." The phrase includes, but is not limited to, all bears, coyotes, lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, cougars, wolves and any crossbreed of these animals which have similar characteristics in appearance or features.

The definition is applicable whether or not the birds or animals were bred or reared in captivity or imported from another state or nation.

"Exotic wildlife dealer." Any person who imports into this Commonwealth, possesses, buys, sells, locates or finds for a fee, barters, donates, gives away or otherwise disposes of more than one bird or one animal classified as exotic wildlife by this subchapter.

"Menagerie." Any place where one or more wild birds or wild animals, or one or more birds or animals which have similar characteristics and appearance to birds or animals wild by nature, are kept in captivity for the evident purpose of exhibition with or without charge.
34 Pa.C.S. § 905 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 9 / Section 905
Assaulting an officer (Repealed).
Status: repealed

2010 Repeal. Section 905 was repealed July 9, 2010, P.L.387, No.54, effective in 60 days.
34 Pa.C.S. § 321 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 3 / Section 321
Meetings of commission.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--The commission shall have an office in or near Harrisburg and shall annually hold meetings at such office in January and June or July and at such other times and places within this Commonwealth as the commission shall designate for the transaction of business. All meetings of the commission shall comply with the act of July 19, 1974 (P.L.486, No.175), referred to as the Public Agency Open Meeting Law.

(b) Annual election of officers.--At the meeting held in January of each year, the commission shall elect one of its members as president, one as vice president and one as secretary. These officers shall hold office for a period of one year.

(c) Quorum.--Six members appointed to the commission and in attendance at each meeting shall constitute a quorum. References in Text. The act of July 19, 1974 (P.L.486, No.175), referred to as the Public Agency Open Meeting Law, referred to in subsec. (a), was repealed by the act of July 3, 1986 (P.L.388, No.84), known as the Sunshine Act.
34 Pa.C.S. § 564 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 5 / Section 564
Finality of decision.
Status: in_force

The decision of the hearing examiner shall be final as to findings of fact.
34 Pa.C.S. § 706 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 7 / Section 706
Title to property.
Status: in_force

The title to any lands or waters acquired by purchase, gift, exchange or otherwise shall be taken in the name of the Commonwealth solely for the use of the commission.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2945 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 29 / Section 2945
Fox chasing.
Status: in_force

(a) Authorization.--It is lawful during any period designated by the commission for any fox hunting club, fox hunting organization or individual owning and using an organized pack of five or more foxhounds to chase foxes for sport by riding after the hounds on horses or ponies after securing a permit from the commission.

(b) Permit.--The director may issue a permit to allow fox chasing by the use of hounds, horses and hole dogs during any period of time that dogs may be trained on foxes within the county in which the chase is held. Persons participating in any chase authorized by this permit shall not be required to have a furtaking license pursuant to Chapter 27 (relating to hunting and furtaking licenses).

(c) Unlawful acts.--It is unlawful to:

(1) Chase fox by the method described in this section without first obtaining a permit.

(2) Kill or attempt to kill any fox being chased by hounds under authority of a fox chasing permit with any gun or device other than the dogs legally being used in the chase.

(3) Violate any other provisions of this section.

(d) Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense of the third degree.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2743 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 27 / Section 2743
Notice of denial or revocation.
Status: in_force

To revoke a license then in force or to deny any person the privilege to secure a license or to hunt or take game or wildlife anywhere in this Commonwealth for any period, the commission shall send a written notice to that effect to the person at the last known address by United States Postal Service with provisions for return of a signed receipt or a receipt of nondelivery. The return of an undeliverable notice shall be proof of service and shall not be used as a defense against the denial or revocation of the privilege to secure a license.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2341 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 23 / Section 2341
Possession and transportation of small game.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this title, it is unlawful for any person to transport any small game in excess of the daily possession limits established by the commission unless the small game is accompanied by the owner or is carried upon the same conveyance with the owner.

(b) Transportation without owner present.--Properly tagged small game unaccompanied by the owner may be transported if a hand-made tag is attached to the small game containing in English the name, address, license number and the signature of the person who killed the small game.

(c) Open to inspection.--All small game transported pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) shall be carried to permit easy inspection.

(d) Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense of the seventh degree.

(e) Contraband.--Any small game transported in violation of this section is contraband.
34 Pa.C.S. § 723 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 7 / Section 723
Exchange or sale.
Status: in_force

The commission may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the members present and voting at a public meeting:

(1) Authorize the exchange of all or part, including improvements and appurtenances, of any lands, waters or buildings to which title has been acquired in return for lands, waters or buildings having an equal or greater value when the exchange is in the best interests of the commission.

(2) Exchange timber, minerals, oil or gas to which the commission holds title for suitable lands having an equal or greater value.

(3) Sell lands to the Department of Environmental Resources for State forests or to the Federal Government for National Forests or National Wildlife Refuges when in the best interests of game or wildlife. Transfer of Powers. Section 302(h) of Act 18 of 1995, which created the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and renamed the Department of Environmental Resources as the

Department of Environmental Protection, provided that the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources shall exercise the powers and duties conferred upon the Department of Environmental Resources by section 723. Cross References. Section 723 is referred to in section 722 of this title.
34 Pa.C.S. § 541 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 5 / Section 541
Authority to provide deterrent fences.
Status: in_force

(a) Fences for deer or elk.--In areas of this Commonwealth where deer and elk are present on lands open to public hunting and are, in a material way, injuring or destroying farm crops, fruit orchards or commercial tree nurseries where ornamental or fruit trees are grown for sale or regeneration on commercial forest lands, the owners or lessees of such farms, fruit orchards, commercial tree nurseries or commercial forest lands may make application to the commission for assistance in the erection of a deterrent fence. Except where produce is raised for market on a commercial basis, the provisions of this section shall not apply to gardens or truck patches.

(b) Fences for bears.--In areas of this Commonwealth where bears are present on lands open to public hunting and are, in a material way, damaging or destroying beehives where ten or more hives are placed at one location or imminent danger exists of such damage or destruction, the owner of such beehives may make application to the director for assistance in the erection of a deterrent fence. Cross References. Section 541 is referred to in section 542 of this title.
34 Pa.C.S. § 727 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 7 / Section 727
Proceeds from sales and grants.
Status: in_force

All proceeds from the sale of waters, timber, buildings, other appurtenances, oil, gas or minerals, leases of commission lands, waters or interests, rights from the production or sale of minerals, oil or gas or other products and from licenses or other rights granted by the commission shall be deposited in the Game Fund.
34 Pa.C.S. § 730 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 7 / Section 730
Controlled goose hunting areas.
Status: in_force

Applications are available in and must be submitted from the current edition of Digest of Pennsylvania Hunting and Trapping Regulations supplied with each hunting license. Applications shall contain requested information, including the applicant's current valid hunting license back tag number, including letter. However, any person who has been selected to reserve use of a Special Wildlife Management Area shall be required to obtain a Pennsylvania Migratory Game Bird Hunting License prior to the date of reservation. All other procedures shall be established by regulations promulgated by the commission. (Apr. 4, 1996, P.L.55, No.19, eff. imd.; Dec. 20, 2000, P.L.783, No.111, eff. 60 days)
34 Pa.C.S. § 2381 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 23 / Section 2381
Dogs pursuing, injuring or killing game or wildlife.
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in this title or by commission regulation, it is unlawful for any person controlling or harboring a dog to permit the dog to chase, pursue, follow upon the track of, injure or kill any game or wildlife at any time.
34 Pa.C.S. § 925 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 9 / Section 925
Jurisdiction and penalties.
Status: in_force

(a) Jurisdiction.--Notwithstanding the provisions of Title 42 (relating to judiciary and judicial procedure), all magisterial district judges shall have jurisdiction for all violations of this title which are classified as summary offenses and may accept guilty pleas and impose sentences for violations of this title classified as ungraded misdemeanors.

(b) Fines and penalties for violations.--In addition to any other requirements of this title, the following fines and penalties shall be imposed for violations of this title:

(1) Felony of the third degree, not more than $15,000 and may be sentenced to imprisonment up to 36 months.

(2) Misdemeanor of the first degree, not more than $10,000 and may be sentenced to imprisonment up to 18 months.

(3) Misdemeanor of the second degree, not more than $5,000 and may be sentenced to imprisonment up to 12 months.

(4) Misdemeanor not more than $3,000 and may be sentenced to imprisonment up to six months.

(5) Summary offense of the first degree, not less than $1,000 nor more than $1,500 and may be sentenced to imprisonment up to three months.

(6) Summary offense of the second degree, not less than $400 nor more than $800 and may be sentenced to imprisonment up to one month.

(7) Summary offense of the third degree, not less than $250 nor more than $500.

(8) Summary offense of the fourth degree, not less than $150 nor more than $300.

(9) Summary offense of the fifth degree, not less than $100 nor more than $200.

(10) Summary offense of the sixth degree, $75.

(11) Summary offense of the seventh degree, $50.

(12) Summary offense of the eighth degree, $25.

(b.1) Costs of prosecution for violations.--In addition to the imposition of any fines and penalties, costs of prosecution shall be assessed pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 1725.1 (relating to costs), 3571 (relating to Commonwealth portion of fines, etc.) and section 1403 of the act of August 9, 1955 (P.L.323, No.130), known as The County Code, and as otherwise deemed appropriate by the court.

(c) Penalty for undesignated violations.--A person who violates any provision of this title for which a particular penalty is not designated commits:

(1) A misdemeanor of the second degree if the violation involves an endangered or threatened species and no more severe penalty is fixed.

(2) A summary offense of the fifth degree for any other violation.

(d) Enhanced penalties for certain violations.--If applicable, one or more of the following may apply to certain offenses:

(1) An additional fine of one and one-half times the amount of the applicable fine may be imposed when the offense is a second or subsequent offense within a seven-year period or during the same criminal episode and no penalties for second or subsequent offenses are prescribed for the violation under this title.

(2) An additional fine of $500 may be imposed when the offense involves the unlawful taking of big game or threatened or endangered species and a witness report was instrumental in securing a successful conviction. Any additional fines imposed under this paragraph shall be directed to the commission to compensate any witness whose report directly results in a successful conviction. If applicable, each witness, up to a maximum of two, shall be compensated $250 for each additional $500 imposed.

(e) Installment payment of fines.--Upon a plea and proof that person is unable to pay any fine and costs imposed under this title, a court may, in accordance with 42 Pa.C.S. § 9758 (relating to fine), permit installment payments it considers appropriate to the circumstances of the person, in which case its order shall specify when each installment payment is due.

(f) Nonpayment of fines and costs.--Unless otherwise provided in this title, each person who fails to pay any fines and costs imposed may, after a hearing before a magisterial district judge, be imprisoned until the fines and costs are paid in full. The court may imprison the person for a number of days equal to one day for each $40 of the unpaid balance of the fines and costs not to exceed six months.

(g) Adjudication alternative program inapplicable.--The provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. § 1520 (relating to adjudication alternative program) shall not be applied as an adjudication alternative for any violation or offense under this title.

(h) Separate offenses.--Where game or wildlife is unlawfully taken, killed, wounded, possessed, transported, purchased, concealed or sold, each bird or animal or part thereof involved in the violation constitutes a separate offense.

(i) Replacement costs.--In addition to the fines and costs imposed for violations pursuant to subsection (b), the costs incurred by the commission for the replacement of the species involved in the violation shall be assessed by the magisterial district judge in such amount as is fixed by regulation of the commission. Replacement costs shall only be assessed for violations relating to threatened or endangered species of North American game or wildlife and such other species of Pennsylvania game or wildlife as designated by the commission.

(j) Title 18 inapplicable.--Title 18 (relating to crimes and offenses) is inapplicable to this title insofar as it relates to:

(1) intent, willfulness of conduct or fines and imprisonment for convictions of summary offenses and misdemeanors; or

(2) criminal records under 18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 91 (relating to criminal history record information) for misdemeanors under section 2522(b)(1) (relating to shooting at or causing injury to human beings).

(k) Impact on other laws.--A felony under this title shall not be deemed to constitute a felony for the purpose of any other law relating to disqualification from employment, loss of suffrage or for any other purpose. (Dec. 19, 1996, P.L.1442, No.184, eff. 60 days; Dec. 21, 1998, P.L.1274, No.166, eff. July 1, 1999; Dec. 30, 2003, P.L.436, No.63, eff. 60 days; Nov. 30, 2004, P.L.1618, No.207, eff. 60 days; July 9, 2010, P.L.387, No.54, 60 days; Oct. 24, 2012, P.L.1205, No.150, eff. 60 days) 2012 Amendment. Act 150 amended subsec. (a). 2010 Amendment. See section 6 of Act 54 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to public notice. 2004 Amendment. See section 29 of Act 207 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to construction of law. References in Text. The act of August 9, 1955, P.L.323, No.130, known as The County Code, referred to in subsec. (b.1), was repealed by the act of May 8, 2024, P.L.50, No.14. The subject matter is now contained in section 14303 of Title 16 (Counties). Cross References. Section 925 is referred to in section 2510 of this title; section 2703 of Title 3 (Agriculture).
34 Pa.C.S. § 923 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 9 / Section 923
Possession prima facie evidence of violation.
Status: in_force

In all cases of violation of any provision of this title, the possession of game or wildlife or parts thereof or the possession or operation of equipment or other devices unlawfully used or prohibited under this title shall be prima facie evidence of the violation.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2501 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 25 / Section 2501
Hunting or furtaking prohibited while under influence of alcohol or controlled substance.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--It is unlawful to hunt or take game, furbearers or wildlife or aid, abet, assist or conspire to hunt or take game, furbearers or wildlife anywhere in this Commonwealth while in possession of a firearm of any kind or a bow and arrow if:

(1) under the influence of alcohol to a degree which renders the person incapable of safe hunting or furtaking;

(2) under the influence of any controlled substance, as defined by the laws of this Commonwealth and rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, to a degree which renders the person incapable of safe hunting or furtaking;

(3) under the combined influence of alcohol and a controlled substance to a degree which renders the person incapable of safe hunting or furtaking;

(4) the amount of alcohol by weight in the blood of:

(i) an adult is 0.10% or greater; or

(ii) a minor is 0.02% or greater.

(a.1) Prima facie evidence.--

(1) It is prima facie evidence that:

(i) an adult had 0.10% or more by weight of alcohol in his or her blood at the time of hunting or taking of game, furbearers or wildlife or the aiding, abetting, assisting or conspiring to hunt or take game, furbearers or wildlife if the amount of alcohol by weight in the blood of the person is equal to or greater than 0.10% at the time a chemical test is performed on a sample of the person's breath, blood or urine; or

(ii) a minor had 0.02% or more by weight of alcohol in his or her blood at the time of hunting or taking of game, furbearers or wildlife or the aiding, abetting, assisting or conspiring to hunt or take game, furbearers or wildlife if the amount of alcohol by weight in the blood of the minor is equal to or greater than 0.02% at the time a chemical test is performed on a sample of the minor's breath, blood or urine.

(2) For the purpose of this section, the chemical test of the sample of the person's or minor's breath, blood or urine shall be from a sample obtained:

(i) within three hours after the person or minor hunted or took game, furbearers or wildlife or aided, abetted, assisted or conspired to hunt or take game, furbearers or wildlife; or

(ii) within a reasonable additional time after the person or minor hunted or took game, furbearers or wildlife or aided, abetted, assisted or conspired to hunt or take game, furbearers or wildlife if the circumstances of the incident prevented collecting the sample within three hours.

(a.2) Legal use no defense.--The fact that any person charged with violating this section is or has been legally entitled to use alcohol or controlled substances is not a defense to a charge of violating this section.

(a.3) Exception.--A person who is furtaking shall not be deemed in violation of subsection (a) if that person is not in possession of a firearm.

(b) Penalty.--A violation of the provisions of this section shall be a misdemeanor. In addition to any penalty, the violator shall be denied the right to hunt or trap in this Commonwealth, with or without a license, for a period of one year.

(c) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "controlled substance" shall have the meaning ascribed to it by the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act. (Dec. 19, 1996, P.L.1442, No.184, eff. 60 days; Oct. 24, 2012, P.L.1205, No.150, eff. 60 days) 2012 Amendment. Act 150 amended subsec. (b). Cross References. Section 2501 is referred to in sections 2502, 2741 of this title.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2508 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 25 / Section 2508
Protection of institutions, parks and resorts.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--Subject to the posting requirements of subsection (b), it is unlawful for any person to hunt for or take any game or wildlife or to discharge a firearm or bow of any description into or upon any of the following areas:

(1) The lands, waters or premises of any public or private hospital or sanatorium or health care facility.

(2) The lands, waters or premises of any park or resort set aside for the use of the public where people may congregate in the open for health, recreation or pleasure.

(3) The lands, waters or premises of any publicly owned institution where people are hospitalized, quartered or incarcerated at public expense.

(b) Posting boundaries.--The boundaries of the lands, waters or premises set forth in subsection (a) shall be clearly defined

by appropriate posters or markers calling attention to the fact that the land or water within the boundary has been set apart for the specific purpose for which it was intended and that hunting upon or shooting on the property is prohibited. No privileges shall be granted by those owning or operating the posted lands or waters to any other person to hunt for any game or wildlife upon the property; nor shall the person or persons owning or in charge of the lands be eligible to hunt for any game or wildlife on the lands or waters.

(c) Exceptions.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to:

(1) Any properly constructed and designated pistol, rifle, shotgun or archery range upon the lands of a hospital, sanatorium, park, resort or other institution.

(2) Any part of the lands of any hospital, sanatorium, park, resort or institution which lie outside of the posted areas and are open to the public for hunting.

(d) Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense of the fourth degree.
34 Pa.C.S. § 906 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 9 / Section 906
False or fraudulent statements on reports, etc.
Status: in_force

A person who makes any false or fraudulent statement on any report or application required by this title, or to any representative of the commission, commits a summary offense of the fourth degree.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2928 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 29 / Section 2928
Regulated hunting grounds permits.
Status: in_force

(a) Eligibility.--Regulated hunting grounds require a minimum of 100 acres of land, or land and water combined, on which the permittee must release one of the following species of domestically produced game birds: namely, ringneck pheasants, bobwhite quail or mallard ducks. Any of the listed species and chukar partridges may be released only if they are listed on the permit application and propagated by the permittee or received from a legal source. At least 100 of each species listed on the permit shall be released.

(b) Classes of permits.--The following shall be the classes of permits:

(1) Commercial - open to the public for a fee or other charge.

(2) Noncommercial - used by permittee only or guests with no fee or any charge for the use of the area or the birds.

(c) Marking boundary.--The boundary of the premises covered by a permit as a regulated hunting ground shall be marked in such manner that any intruder is warned of the purpose of the area and that it is unlawful to enter the area without permission. The commission shall recommend wording for signs to be used for this purpose.

(d) Hunting regulations.--Permittees and their guests may shoot the birds released by them during the regulated hunting grounds season which shall be set each year by the commission without regard to the general Statewide season. Persons hunting or taking game birds released under authority of the permit on regulated hunting grounds are not required to have and display a hunting license, as required by this title, but the methods of hunting and taking these game birds shall be in compliance with provisions of this title.

(e) Seasons and bag limits.--All species of game, other than those specified, found on the premises covered by the

regulated hunting grounds permit may be taken on the premises only by persons in possession of a valid hunting or furtaker license and only in accordance with the general provisions of this title and regulations of the commission governing seasons and bag limits.

(f) Tagging killed birds.--Before any released bird killed under the provisions of a regulated hunting grounds permit is consumed on the premises or removed from the premises, the permittee shall attach a tag to each bird killed. The tags shall be numbered consecutively and supplied by the commission at reasonable cost and shall contain such information as the commission may require. No game bird killed on a regulated hunting ground shall have the right foot removed until a regulated hunting ground tag for the current season is attached to the bird. The tags shall remain attached to the individual birds until prepared for consumption and shall not be used more than once.

(g) Dog training and trials.--Dogs may be trained or field trials may be held at any time of the year upon the premises covered by a regulated hunting grounds permit, and retriever trials may be conducted thereon. All birds killed shall be included in the reported kill. Except during the open season for shooting, no game birds shall be killed while training dogs or conducting field trials. The special permit required in this title shall first be obtained to conduct a retriever trial thereon at any other period.

(h) Unlawful acts.--It is unlawful to:

(1) Remove from or consume on the premises covered by a regulated hunting grounds permit pheasants, bobwhite quail or mallard ducks killed in accordance with the provisions of this section which have not been tagged as required by this section.

(2) Violate any of the provisions of this chapter regarding marking and tagging of birds.

(3) Use any methods to hunt for, chase or kill birds on a regulated hunting ground which are not specifically permitted by this title.

(4) Trap any game bird or have any trap set that is capable of taking a game bird alive on any regulated hunting grounds unless authorized by this title.

(5) Hunt for or take any game on a three-day hunting license other than permitted by subsection (d).

(6) Violate any of the other provisions of this section.

(i) Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense of the fifth degree. Each bird or animal involved in a violation constitutes a separate offense. (Aug. 5, 1991, P.L.217, No.24, eff. imd.) 1991 Amendment. Act 24 amended subsecs. (d) and (e).
34 Pa.C.S. § 2123 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 21 / Section 2123
Safekeeping edible carcass pending disposition.
Status: in_force

Unless otherwise directed by an officer of the commission, the entire carcass intact, less entrails, of each edible bird or animal killed under the provisions of this subchapter shall be held in a place of safekeeping pending final disposition pursuant to this chapter.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2927 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 29 / Section 2927
Protected specimen mounting permits.
Status: in_force

(a) Authorization.--Unless further provided by commission regulation, a permit shall allow the holder to have a protected specimen mounted for his personal use. This permit shall be issued by the director for any specimen not protected by Federal laws or regulations. The person applying for the permit shall not be involved with the killing of the protected specimen.

(b) Endorsement of Federal permit.--The director may endorse any Federal permit issued for mounting a migratory specimen which shall have the same effect as having issued a State permit, and, for which action, the same fee shall be charged as if a separate permit was issued.

(c) Unlawful acts.--It is unlawful:

(1) To possess a protected specimen without a permit as required by this section.

(2) (Deleted by amendment).

(d) Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense of the fourth degree. (July 7, 2006, P.L.358, No.77, eff. 90 days) 2006 Amendment. Act 77 deleted subsec. (c)(2).
34 Pa.C.S. § 523 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 5 / Section 523
Donations.
Status: in_force

The commission may accept from any person donations which, if in the form of money or securities, shall be placed in the Game Fund and used for the purposes set forth in this title or, if in the form of real or personal property, shall be utilized or disposed of as provided by law.
34 Pa.C.S. § 908 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 9 / Section 908
Reciprocal enforcement on Delaware River.
Status: in_force

So long as the State of New York or the State of New Jersey, as the case may be, has in effect a statutory provision analogous to this section, any person who is authorized to enforce this title or an officer of a reciprocating state may enforce this title on any part of the Delaware River between those states or on the shores of that river.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2901 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 29 / Section 2901
Authority to issue permits.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--The commission may issue permits as specified in this chapter. Except as otherwise provided, permits shall be issued only to persons who are residents of this Commonwealth and 18 years of age or older. Wildlife menagerie permits and special use permits may be issued to persons who are residents of the United States and 18 years of age or older.

(b) Regulations for permits.--Unless otherwise provided in this title, the commission may, as deemed necessary to properly manage the game or wildlife resources, promulgate regulations for the issuance of any permit and promulgate regulations to control the activities which may be performed under authority of any permit issued.

(c) Interagency cooperation.--The commission may participate with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or any other Federal or State governmental agency in the issuance of permits.

(d) Waiver.--Where hardship or extraordinary circumstance warrants, the director may waive any of the requirements of this chapter and issue a permit without fee when it is consistent with sound game or wildlife management activities or the intent of this title.

(e) Falconry permits.--Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), falconry permits may be issued only to persons who are residents of this Commonwealth and 12 years of age or older. (Apr. 4, 1996, P.L.55, No.19, eff. imd.; June 17, 2003, P.L.12, No.5, eff. July 1, 2003; June 24, 2011, P.L.46, No.9, eff. imd.) 2011 Amendment. Act 9 amended subsec. (e). 1996 Amendment. Act 19 amended subsec. (a).
34 Pa.C.S. § 2922 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 29 / Section 2922
Collecting permits.
Status: in_force

(a) Issuance.--Unless further provided by commission regulation, permits authorizing the holder to collect birds, their nests with eggs found therein and animals, protected by this title, for exhibition in public museums or for scientific study or school instruction may be issued to:

(1) Persons of known scientific attainment in either ornithology or mammalogy for scientific study, whether residents of this Commonwealth or not.

(2) Agents of public museums or institutions of learning for exhibition purposes, whether residents of this Commonwealth or not.

(b) Application and project outline.--Applicants for a collecting permit or a renewal of a collecting permit shall include an outline of the project they are working on or propose to begin. This outline shall include any benefits for game or wildlife or useable scientific information they expect to generate along with the minimum number of specimens of each species needed. The application and project outline shall be reviewed by the director who may approve, reject or modify the project.

(c) Permit conditions.--The permit shall list the number of specimens to be taken and specify the method of taking.

(d) Unlawful acts.--It is unlawful to:

(1) Take more than the number of specimens shown on the permit.

(2) Sell or offer for sale or barter any specimen obtained.

(3) Transfer control of any specimen to another person without first securing written permission from the director.

(4) Violate any other provisions of this section.

(e) Penalty.--Except for endangered or threatened species, a violation of this section is a summary offense of the fifth degree.
34 Pa.C.S. § 325 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 3 / Section 325
Limitation on disclosure of certain records.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--It is unlawful for any game protector, deputy game protector, hunting license issuing agent, or any officer, employee or agent of any Commonwealth agency, or any other private business or agency which makes or receives records of hunting and trapping licenses, or applications for obtaining hunting and trapping licenses of any type received pursuant to this title, to sell, publish or disclose in any manner whatsoever those records or affiliations to any person except as necessary to carry out the functions and business of the commission, or for any person to purchase, secure, procure or disclose any records or affiliations as described herein.

(b) Publications.--It is unlawful for the commission, the director, any game protector or deputy game protector, any officer, employee or agent of the commission or any private business or agency to sell, publish or disclose in any manner any subscription lists or mailing lists for publications issued under section 302(e) (relating to publications).

(c) Nonapplication.--The provisions of this section shall not apply to records and reports:

(1) Required for prosecutions of any violations of this title.

(2) Required for administrative proceedings held pursuant to the laws of this Commonwealth.

(3) Required for the prosecution of any violation of any Federal laws or the laws of any state of the United States.

(4) Required to be published to enforce the suspension or revocation of hunting and trapping privileges by the commission.

(5) Authorized by action of the commission for the sole purpose of exercising legitimate governmental function or duty.

(6) Required to determine the identification of a trapper under section 2361(a)(12) (relating to unlawful acts concerning taking of furbearers), when such information is requested by a landowner, an agent of a landowner or a lessee of land. When such records and reports are made available by the commission for the limited purposes set forth in paragraphs (1) through (6), they shall not be published, circulated or disclosed by the receiving agency for any purposes.

(d) Penalty.--Any person violating any provision of this section commits a summary offense of the fifth degree. The

record or report or name of each individual person shall constitute a separate offense. (May 28, 1992, P.L.262, No.45, eff. July 1, 1992) 2006 Partial Repeal. Section 3 of Act 60 provided that subsection (d) is repealed insofar as it is inconsistent with section 1(g) of Act 60. 1992 Amendment. Act 45 amended subsec. (c). Cross References. Section 325 is referred to in sections 302, 2361 of this title.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2726 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 27 / Section 2726
Unlawful acts concerning agents.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--It is unlawful for an agent or his representative to knowingly:

(1) Issue any license:

(i) To any person not fully qualified for or entitled to the license.

(ii) To one whose privilege to hunt or take game or wildlife has been denied by the commission or by a magisterial district judge or court.

(iii) Without first securing the fees, affidavits, applications or other documents required by this title.

(iv) Without first securing satisfactory identification.

(v) At a fee greater than the fee prescribed in this title or by the commission.

(2) Violate any of the other provisions of this subchapter.

(b) Penalty.--A violation of this subchapter or regulations promulgated thereunder is a summary offense of the fifth degree. Each license, stamp or permit involved in a violation constitutes a separate offense. (Nov. 30, 2004, P.L.1618, No.207, eff. 60 days) 2004 Amendment. Act 207 amended subsec. (a)(1). See section 29 of Act 207 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to construction of law.
34 Pa.C.S. § 927 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 9 / Section 927
Disposition of fines and penalties.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--Fines recovered in all cases shall be deposited in the Game Fund in accordance with regulations promulgated by the commission.

(b) Penalty.--A person failing to forward fines in accordance with this section commits a misdemeanor. (Oct. 24, 2012, P.L.1205, No.150, eff. 60 days) 2012 Amendment. Act 150 amended subsec. (b).
34 Pa.C.S. § 552 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 5 / Section 552
Investigation and settlement.
Status: in_force

As soon as possible after the claim for damages is received, an officer of the commission shall interview the claimant and inspect the property reported as damaged, if not previously inspected, to collect any additional evidence which may appear necessary and effect a settlement of the claim when possible. The officer of the commission shall have authority immediately to seize any property for evidence which shall be returned to the owner upon refusal of the claim or, upon payment of the claim, disposed of at the discretion of the director.
34 Pa.C.S. § 701 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 7 / Section 701
Acquisition of property.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--The commission may by purchase, gift, lease, eminent domain or otherwise acquire within this Commonwealth:

(1) Title to, or control of, lands, waters, buildings, oil, gas and minerals.

(2) Hunting or trapping rights, easements, rights-of-way or other interests in land and water which are suitable for:

(i) The protection, propagation and management of game or wildlife.

(ii) Public hunting or trapping and access thereto.

(iii) Administrative purposes.

(iv) Such other uses as are provided for in this title.

(b) Approval required.--All acquisitions of lands shall be made with the approval of a majority of the members of the commission that are present and voting at a public meeting.

(c) Tax delinquent lands and waters.--The commission may purchase tax delinquent lands, waters, oil, gas and minerals from the commissioners or treasurers of the various counties as provided by law.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2126 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 21 / Section 2126
Unlawful activities.
Status: in_force

(a) Violations.--It is unlawful for any person while acting under the provisions of this subchapter to:

(1) Place any salt, bait or food of any kind or quantity or use any artificial means for the purpose of attracting or luring any game or wildlife upon any lands.

(2) Use any method not approved by the commission except that traps may be used to take furbearers and groundhogs.

(3) Use any firearm except a center fire propelling a single all-lead, lead alloy or expanding bullet or ball to kill or attempt to kill any big game animal.

(4) Fail or neglect to report the killing of any game or wildlife other than raccoons.

(5) Fail or neglect to care for the carcass, or any part thereof, of any game or wildlife other than raccoons.

(6) (Deleted by amendment).

(7) Fail to produce satisfactory evidence that material damage was done within the preceding 15 days and that there was just cause for reasonable apprehension of additional imminent destruction.

(8) Fail to relinquish to any officer the entire carcass, less the entrails, of any game or wildlife, other than raccoons, killed to which the person killing the game or wildlife is not legally entitled thereto.

(8.1) Fail to obtain written permission to hunt on a Sunday.

(9) Fail to comply with any other provision of this subchapter.

(b) Penalties.--

(1) A violation of this subchapter pertaining to big game animals is a summary offense of the fourth degree.

(2) A violation of this subchapter pertaining to any other game or wildlife, other than raccoons, is a summary offense of the seventh degree.

(3) Each bird or animal involved in a violation constitutes a separate offense.

(4) A violation of this subchapter pertaining to written permission is a summary offense of the third degree. (June 30, 2025, P.L.83, No.26, eff. 60 days; July 9, 2025, P.L.122, No.36, eff. 60 days) 2025 Amendments. Act 26 deleted subsec. (a)(6) and Act 36 amended the heading of subsec. (a) and added subsecs. (a)(8.1) and (b)(4).
34 Pa.C.S. § 561 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 5 / Section 561
Appointment of hearing examiner.
Status: in_force

Within 15 days following receipt of a request for review under section 545 (relating to request for review) or 554 (relating to request for review), a hearing examiner designated by the director shall select a location and a time for hearing the review, which location shall be within the county of origin of the dispute. The applicant for review or the commission officer investigating the claim may, at the time of the review, appear personally or with counsel to testify and present witnesses and evidence in their behalf and to confront and examine witnesses. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Title 2 (relating to administrative law and procedure) and the regulations promulgated by the commission.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2702 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 27 / Section 2702
Residents.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--Any person who has been domiciled in this Commonwealth for a period of 30 consecutive days preceding the date of application for a license and who establishes identity, age and the fact of bona fide residency to the satisfaction of the commission by production of a motor vehicle driver's license, proof of payment of State or local personal income taxes or some other positive means of identification shall for the purpose of this chapter be a resident of this Commonwealth.

(b) Commonwealth residents in armed forces.--Nothing in this chapter shall deny any qualified serviceman or servicewoman domiciled in but residing outside this Commonwealth while serving on active duty in the armed forces of the United States or in the United States Coast Guard, or any family member living in his or her home and residing outside this Commonwealth to meet military requirements, from eligibility to procure a resident hunter's license or other license when domicile within this Commonwealth is a requirement. Proof that a serviceman's or servicewoman's military home of record is in Pennsylvania shall be sufficient to establish domicile in this Commonwealth.

(c) Military personnel stationed in Commonwealth.--Any person regularly enrolled in any branch of the armed forces of the United States or in the United States Coast Guard and officially stationed and quartered within this Commonwealth 30 or more days preceding the date of application shall be a resident for the purpose of this title.

(d) Cooperation with other agencies.--To the maximum extent feasible, the commission shall be entitled to request and receive and shall utilize and be provided with such facilities, resources and data of any court, department, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof as it may reasonably request to carry out properly its powers and duties hereunder.

(e) Information to be confidential.--The commission shall not disclose information received under subsection (d) so as to divulge the identities of the persons to whom it relates except as is necessary to carry out the purposes of this title. (Nov. 25, 1988, P.L.1082, No.125, eff. imd.) 1988 Amendment. Act 125 amended subsecs. (b) and (c), retroactive to July 1, 1987. Cross References. Section 2702 is referred to in section 2703 of this title.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2712 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 27 / Section 2712
Vouchers for licenses and permits.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--The commission may make available, at its offices and through its issuing agents, vouchers for licenses and permits that may be purchased on behalf of a third party. The voucher shall be in the format prescribed by the commission and shall contain the following information:

(1) A voucher number.

(2) The identifying number of the issuing agent.

(3) The type of license or permit for which the voucher may be redeemed.

(4) The date of issuance.

(5) The date of expiration.

(b) Fees.--A person purchasing a voucher shall pay the costs for the type of license or permit being purchased and the issuing agent fee as provided in sections 2709 (relating to license costs and fees) and 2904 (relating to permit fees).

(c) Redemption.--The voucher shall only be redeemed for the type of license or permit indicated on the voucher and for which the applicable fees have been paid by the voucher purchaser. Vouchers shall be redeemed prior to their expiration date. No issuing agent fee shall be paid at the time of redemption. A voucher shall be redeemed by any issuing agent regardless of where the voucher was purchased. At the time of redemption, the bearer of a voucher shall establish that the bearer meets the eligibility requirements for the type of license or permit indicated on the voucher, and the issuing agent that redeems the voucher shall secure positive proof of identification, residency and age from the bearer.

(d) Restrictions.--The bearer of a voucher is subject to all restrictions relating to the issuance, denial or revocation of a license or permit provided in this title or any other title, law or regulation. A voucher does not constitute a hunting or furtaker license or permit, and it is unlawful to use a voucher in lieu of a hunting or furtaker license or permit.

(e) Regulations.--The commission may promulgate regulations to implement this section.

(f) Penalties.--Any person violating this section or the regulations promulgated under this section commits a summary offense of the fifth degree. (July 9, 2008, P.L.927, No.67, eff. 60 days) 2008 Amendment. Act 67 added section 2712.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2384 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 23 / Section 2384
Declaring dogs public nuisances.
Status: in_force

Any dog pursuing or following upon the track of any big game animal in such close pursuit as to endanger the big game animal or to be in the act of attacking the big game animal at any

time is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and may be destroyed as provided in this title. Cross References. Section 2384 is referred to in section 2385 of this title; section 5561 of Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses).
34 Pa.C.S. § 103 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 1 / Section 103
Ownership, jurisdiction and control of game and wildlife.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--The ownership, jurisdiction over and control of game or wildlife is vested in the commission as an independent agency of the Commonwealth in its sovereign capacity to be controlled, regulated and disposed of in accordance with this title.

(b) Method of management.--The commission shall utilize hunting and trapping as methods of effecting necessary management of game, furbearer and wildlife populations.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2741 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 27 / Section 2741
Denial or revocation of licenses.
Status: in_force

(a) Grounds for denial.--A hunting or furtaking license shall be refused any person who:

(1) Has been denied the privilege to secure that license in any manner by this title.

(2) Has been certified to the commission by a licensed medical authority or by any court of this Commonwealth having jurisdiction to be mentally or physically unfit or addicted to alcohol or controlled substances to the degree that the person is unfit to exercise any of the privileges of this title.

(b) Violations.--In addition to any penalty and costs imposed by this title, the commission may revoke any hunting or furtaking license and deny any person the privilege to secure a license or to hunt or take furbearers anywhere in this Commonwealth, with or without a license, if the licensee or person:

(1) Has either been convicted or signed an acknowledgment of guilt of violating any of the provisions of this title for such periods as are specified in this subchapter.

(2) Has been accused of having violated any of the following provisions even though such person has not been convicted of a violation of these sections: Section 2501 (relating to hunting or furtaking prohibited while under influence of alcohol or controlled substance). Section 2505 (relating to safety zones). Section 2509 (relating to damage to property). Section 2522 (relating to shooting at or causing injury to human beings). Section 2523 (relating to rendering assistance after incidents).

(c) Authority of court.--Any magisterial district judge or court having jurisdiction in any case coming before it involving any of the offenses contained in this title may revoke a hunting or furtaking license and deny the privilege to secure a license or to hunt or take furbearers anywhere in this Commonwealth, with or without a license, as set forth in this title. (Dec. 30, 2003, P.L.436, No.63, eff. 60 days; Nov. 30, 2004, P.L.1618, No.207, eff. 60 days) 2004 Amendment. Act 207 amended subsec. (c). See section 29 of Act 207 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to construction of law.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2307 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 23 / Section 2307
Unlawful taking or possession of game or wildlife.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--It is unlawful for any person to aid, abet, attempt or conspire to hunt for or take or possess, use, transport or conceal any game or wildlife unlawfully taken or not properly marked or any part thereof, or to hunt for, trap, take, kill, transport, conceal, possess or use any game or wildlife contrary to the provisions of this title.

(b) Hunting before and after lawful hunting hours.--It is unlawful for any person to take, injure, kill, possess or transport or knowingly aid, abet, assist, attempt or conspire in any manner to take, injure, kill, possess or transport any game or wildlife or any part thereof which was taken within 30 minutes prior to the commencement of lawful hunting hours or within 30 minutes after the cessation of lawful hunting hours.

(c) Wild birds and wild animals taken outside Commonwealth.--Nothing in this title shall prohibit the possession, at any time, of wild birds or wild animals lawfully taken outside of this Commonwealth which are tagged and marked in accordance with the laws of the state or nation where the wild birds or wild animals were taken. It is unlawful to transport or possess wild birds or wild animals from another state or nation which have been unlawfully taken, killed or exported.

(d) Exceptions.--This section shall not apply to:

(1) Authorized individuals who euthanize critically injured game or wildlife, which shall be permitted when it is reasonable to believe that the chance of survival of the injured game or wildlife is minimal or the injured game or wildlife poses a threat to human safety.

(2) Individuals who find and retain for their own use any deer or elk antler which is shed through natural causes. This paragraph shall not be construed to permit any individual possessing a shed antler to sell, barter or trade or to offer to sell, barter or trade any shed antler.

(e) Penalties.--A violation of this section relating to:

(1) Threatened or endangered species is a misdemeanor of the second degree.

(2) Elk or bear is a summary offense of the first degree.

(3) Deer is a summary offense of the second degree.

(3.1) (Deleted by amendment).

(4) Bobcat or otter is a summary offense of the third degree.

(5) Wild turkey or beaver is a summary offense of the fourth degree.

(6) Any other game or wildlife is a summary offense of the fifth degree.

(f) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "authorized individual" means any person who:

(1) Has 18 Pa.C.S. (relating to crimes and offenses) enforcement powers.

(2) Is a currently employed waterways conservation officer or deputy waterways conservation officer.

(3) Is a currently employed wildlife conservation officer or deputy wildlife conservation officer.

(4) Is a currently employed State park ranger or a State forest ranger.

(5) Is a veterinarian licensed to practice in the United States. (Dec. 21, 1998, P.L.1274, No.166, eff. imd.; Dec. 20, 2000, P.L.783, No.111, eff. imd.; Dec. 20, 2000, P.L.937, No.125, eff. imd.; Dec. 13, 2001, P.L.897, No.98, eff. imd.; Dec. 30, 2003, P.L.436, No.63, eff. 60 days; July 9, 2010, P.L.387, No.54, eff. 60 days) 2010 Amendment. Act 54 amended subsecs. (b) and (e). See section 6 of Act 54 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to public notice. 2001 Amendment. Act 98 amended subsec. (d). 1998 Amendment. Act 166 amended subsecs. (b) and (d) and added subsecs. (e) and (f). Cross References. Section 2307 is referred to in section 2102 of this title.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2522 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 25 / Section 2522
Shooting at or causing injury to human beings.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--It is unlawful for any person while hunting or furtaking, through carelessness or negligence, to shoot at, injure or kill any human being through the use of a firearm, bow and arrow or other deadly weapon.

(b) Penalty.--The penalty to be imposed for any violation of this section shall be determined pursuant to the following classifications:

(1) To shoot at but not hit or injure or to shoot at and cause bodily injury to a human being is a summary offense of the first degree.

(2) To shoot at and cause serious bodily injury to a human being is a misdemeanor of the second degree.

(3) To kill a human being is a misdemeanor of the first degree. Fines imposed against a violator of this paragraph shall be distributed to the next of kin as an asset of the estate of the deceased, other provisions of law to the contrary notwithstanding.

(c) Denial of privileges.--In addition to the penalty imposed pursuant to subsection (b), any person who shoots at, injures or kills a human being shall be denied the privilege to hunt or take game or wildlife anywhere in this Commonwealth, with or without license, for the following periods:

(1) To shoot at but not hit or injure or to shoot at and cause bodily injury to a human being, the denial shall be for a period of two years.

(2) To shoot at and cause serious bodily injury to a human being, the denial shall be for a period of not less than five years nor more than ten years.

(3) To kill a human being, the denial shall be for a period of 15 years.

(d) Nonpayment of fine.--In addition to any sentence imposed pursuant to subsection (b), any person who fails to pay the fine imposed by this section within 180 days shall undergo imprisonment not in excess of one year or until the fine is paid in full.

(e) Imprisonment for violation of sentence.--It is unlawful for a person to hunt or take game or wildlife or attempt to hunt or take game or wildlife, with or without license, contrary to a sentence imposed under subsection (b). Upon conviction, the person shall be sentenced to undergo imprisonment for a period of not less than three months nor more than six months.

(f) Mandatory remedial hunter education.--Any person whose privilege to hunt or take game is suspended under subsection

(c) shall, prior to obtaining a license after the period of suspension, present evidence of the successful completion of a remedial hunter education course as provided by the director and approved by the commission.

(g) Mandatory vision examination.--Any person whose privilege to hunt or take game is suspended under subsection

(c) shall present to the commission, prior to obtaining a license after the period of suspension, evidence of having taken and the results of a vision examination administered by a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist subsequent to the suspension of the license. The commission, based on the results of the vision examination, may deny a person a license or place on the license a restriction requiring the person to wear corrective lenses when the person hunts or takes game.

(h) Civil remedies preserved.--Nothing in this section shall bar the recovery of any damages in any civil action by any aggrieved party. (Dec. 19, 1996, P.L.1442, No.184, eff. 60 days; Dec. 20, 2000, P.L.783, No.111, eff. July 1, 2001) 2000 Amendment. Act 111 amended subsec. (f). Cross References. Section 2522 is referred to in sections 925, 929, 2741 of this title; section 9758 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure).
34 Pa.C.S. § 2313 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 23 / Section 2313
Investigation and seizure of game or wildlife.
Status: in_force

(a) Response to questions.--(Deleted by amendment).

(b) Seizure.--Any officer making an inquiry pursuant to subsection (a) who is not satisfied as to the legal possession or ownership of the game or wildlife being transported may seize and take possession of the game or wildlife pending further investigation. If, after appropriate investigation, the officer is satisfied that the game or wildlife was lawfully taken, possessed and transported, the seized game or wildlife shall be returned to the owner.

(c) Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense of the fifth degree.

(d) Contraband.--Any game or wildlife transported in violation of this section is contraband. (June 30, 2025, P.L.83, No.26, eff. 60 days) 2025 Amendment. Act 26 deleted subsec. (a).
34 Pa.C.S. § 2303 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 23 / Section 2303
Hunting on Sunday prohibited (Repealed).
Status: repealed

2025 Repeal. Section 2303 was repealed July 9, 2025, P.L.122, No.36, effective in 60 days.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2964 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 29 / Section 2964
Menagerie permits.
Status: in_force

(a) Authorization.--The commission may issue permits for the establishment and operation of menageries.

(b) Shelter, care and protection.--Prior to the issuance of any permits, the commission shall adopt regulations for the housing, care, treatment, feeding, sanitation, purchase and disposal of wild birds and wild animals kept in menageries and for the protection of the public from such birds or animals. The commission after issuing the permit shall enforce such regulations.

(c) Unlawful acts.--It is unlawful to:

(1) Keep any wild bird or wild animal in captivity for public exhibition, or to have any wild bird or wild animal in custody or control for such purpose, without first securing a permit issued by the commission.

(2) Violate any of the provisions of this section or to release any bird or animal into the wild.

(3) Fail to exercise due care in safeguarding the public from attack by exotic wildlife.

(4) Recklessly engage in conduct which places or may place another person in danger of attack by exotic wildlife.

(d) Penalty.--

(1) A violation of this section relating to permits or regulations adopted thereunder is a summary offense of the second degree.

(2) Any other violation of this section is a summary offense of the seventh degree.

(3) Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense, but, under no circumstances, shall the accumulated penalty for purposes of a field receipt exceed $300. There shall be no limit on any accumulated penalty a court may assess.

(e) Discretion of director.--In addition to the penalties provided, the director may, for any violation of this section, revoke or suspend any permit and order the disposal of any wildlife held in the menagerie. (Apr. 20, 1988, P.L.353, No.55, eff. 60 days) 1988 Amendment. Act 55 amended subsec. (c). Cross References. Section 2964 is referred to in section 2965 of this title; section 2380.1 of Title 3 (Agriculture).
34 Pa.C.S. § 563 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 5 / Section 563
Conduct of review.
Status: in_force

The hearing examiner shall hear and examine all witnesses, examine all evidence presented, visit any site involved in any dispute, if necessary, and, following deliberation, arrive at a decision, including the award to the appellant.
34 Pa.C.S. § 326 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 3 / Section 326
Use of credit and debit cards.
Status: in_force

(a) Sales of licenses and other items.--The executive director with the approval of the commission may establish policies and procedures for the use of credit cards and debit cards for the purchase of licenses, permits, publications, promotional items and other items sold or offered for sale by the commission.

(b) Fines and settlements.--The executive director with the approval of the commission may establish policies and procedures for use of debit cards for persons to pay fines, settlements or other amounts collected under this title. (May 16, 1996, P.L.207, No.36, eff. 90 days) 1996 Amendment. Act 36 added section 326.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2386 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 23 / Section 2386
Penalties.
Status: in_force

(a) General penalty.--Except as provided in subsection (b), a violation of this subchapter is a summary offense of the fifth degree.

(b) Specific penalties.--

(1) A violation of section 2382(b)(3) (relating to training dogs on small game) is a summary offense of the fourth degree. In addition to the imposition of a penalty, the violator shall also be liable for the replacement costs of the game or wildlife killed or injured as determined by commission regulations.

(2) A violation of section 2383 (relating to dogs pursuing, injuring or killing big game) is a summary offense of the third degree. In addition to the imposition of a penalty, the violator shall also be liable for the replacement costs of the game or wildlife killed or injured as determined by commission regulation.

(c) Second or subsequent conviction.--Any conviction for a second or subsequent offense shall result in a fine that is double the amount for the first offense.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2703 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 27 / Section 2703
Nonresidents.
Status: in_force

For the purpose of this title, any person unable to meet the requirements of section 2702 (relating to residents) shall be a nonresident.
34 Pa.C.S. § 2383 — PA Code / Title 34 / Chapter 23 / Section 2383
Dogs pursuing, injuring or killing big game.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b), it is unlawful for any person to make use of a dog in any manner to hunt for or to take big game or to permit a dog owned, controlled or harbored by that person to pursue, harass, chase, scatter, injure or make use of a dog to kill any big game.

(b) Exception.--It shall be lawful to do any of the following:

(1) Make use of a dog to pursue, chase, scatter and track wild turkeys during the fall wild turkey season.

(2) Make use of a leashed tracking dog to track a white-tailed deer, bear or elk in an attempt to recover an animal which has been legally killed or wounded during any open season for white-tailed deer, bear or elk. (June 30, 2007, P.L.62, No.18, eff. imd.; Mar. 26, 2018, P.L.86, No.11, eff. imd.) Cross References. Section 2383 is referred to in section 2386 of this title.