519 Seasons and Bag Limits

[ 58 PA. CODE CH. 139 ]

Seasons and Bag Limits

[41 Pa.B. 1634]
[Saturday, March 26, 2011]

 To effectively manage the wildlife resources of this Commonwealth, the Game Commission (Commission) proposed at its February 1, 2011, meeting, to amend § 139.4 (relating to seasons and bag limits for the license year) to provide updated seasons and bag limits for the 2011-2012 hunting license year.

 The proposed rulemaking will not have an adverse impact on the wildlife resources of this Commonwealth.

 The authority for the proposed rulemaking is 34 Pa.C.S. (relating to Game and Wildlife Code) (code).

 The proposed rulemaking was made public at the February 1, 2011, meeting of the Commission. Comments can be sent until April 4, 2011, to the Director, Information and Education, Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797.

1. Purpose and Authority

 The Commission is required to set hunting and furtaking seasons and bag limits on an annual basis. Although the 2011-2012 seasons and daily season and possession limits are similar to those set forth in 2010-2011, the 2011-2012 seasons and bag limits have been amended to reflect current available scientific data, population and harvest records, field surveys and professional staff observations, as well as recommendations received from staff, organized sporting groups, members of the agricultural community and others interested in the wildlife resources of this Commonwealth.

 Section 322(c)(1) of the code (relating to powers and duties of commission) specifically empowers the Commission to ''fix seasons, daily shooting or taking hours, and any modification thereof, and daily, season and possession limits for any species of game or wildlife.'' Section 2102(b)(1) of the code (relating to regulations) authorizes the Commission to ''promulgate regulations relating to seasons and bag limits for hunting or furtaking, the possession of certain species or parts thereof, the number and types of devices and equipment allowed, the identification of devices and the use and possession of devices.'' The amendments to § 139.4 are proposed under this authority.

2. Regulatory Requirements

 The proposed rulemaking will amend § 139.4 by establishing when and where it is lawful to hunt and trap various game species and also place limits on the numbers that can be legally taken during the 2011-2012 license year.

3. Persons Affected

 Persons wishing to hunt or trap game or wildlife in this Commonwealth during the 2011-2012 license year may be affected by the proposed rulemaking.

4. Cost and Paperwork Requirements

 The proposed rulemaking should not result in additional cost or paperwork.

5. Effective Date

 The effective dates of the proposed rulemaking are July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2012.

6. Contact Person

 For further information regarding the proposed rulemaking, contact Richard R. Palmer, Director, Bureau of Wildlife Protection, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797, [phone].

CARL G. ROE, 
Executive Director

 Fiscal Note: 48-321. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.

Annex A

TITLE 58. RECREATION

PART III. GAME COMMISSION

CHAPTER 139. SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS

 (Editor's Note: As part of this proposed rulemaking, the Commission is proposing to delete the text in § 139.4 which appears in 58 Pa. Code pages 139-3—139-14.2, serial pages (349851)—(349862), (352933) and (352934) and replace it with the following text.)

§ 139.4. Seasons and bag limits for the license year.

(SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS TABLE)

2011-2012 OPEN HUNTING AND FURTAKING SEASONS, DAILY LIMIT, FIELD POSSESSION LIMIT AND SEASON LIMIT OPEN SEASON INCLUDES FIRST AND LAST DATES LISTED

Species	First Day		Last Day	Daily Limit	Field Possession Limit After First Day
Squirrels—(Combined species)	Oct. 8		Oct. 14	6	12
Eligible Junior Hunters only, with or without the required license, when properly accompanied as required by law
Squirrels—(Combined species)	Oct. 15		Nov. 26	6	12
		and
	Dec. 12		Dec. 23
		and
	Dec. 26		Feb. 4, 2012
Ruffed Grouse	Oct. 15		Nov. 26	2	4
		and
	Dec. 12		Dec. 23
		and
	Dec. 26		Jan. 28, 2012
Rabbits, Cottontail	Oct. 8		Oct. 15	4	8
Eligible Junior Hunters only, with or without the required license, when properly accompanied as required by law
Rabbits, Cottontail	Oct. 22		Nov. 26	4	8
		and
	Dec. 12		Dec. 23
		and
	Dec. 26		Feb. 25, 2012
Ring-necked Pheasant—There is no open season for the taking of pheasants in any area designated as a wild pheasant recovery area within any wildlife management unit.
Ring-necked Pheasant—Male only in	Oct. 8		Oct. 15	2	4
WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A & 5B Eligible Junior Hunters only, with or without the required license, when properly accompanied as required by law
Ring-necked Pheasant—Male or female	Oct. 8		Oct. 15	2	4
combined in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4D, 5C & 5D Eligible Junior Hunters only, with or without the required license, when properly accompanied as required by law
Ring-necked Pheasant—Male only	Oct. 22		Nov. 26	2	4
in WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A & 5B
Ring-necked Pheasant—Male or female	Oct. 22		Nov. 26	2	4
combined in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G,		and
3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4D, 5C & 5D	Dec. 12		Dec. 23
		and
	Dec. 26		Feb. 4, 2012
Bobwhite Quail—The hunting	Oct. 22		Nov. 26	4	8
and taking of bobwhite quail is permitted in all WMUs except in WMUs 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 5C & 5D where the season is closed.
Hares (Snowshoe Rabbits) or	Dec. 26		Dec. 31	1	2
Varying Hares
Woodchucks (Groundhog)	No closed season except during the			Unlimited
	regular firearms deer seasons.
Porcupines	No closed season except during the			Unlimited
	regular firearms deer seasons.
Turkey—Male or Female				1	1
WMUs 1A, 1B & 2A	Oct. 29		Nov. 12
(Shotgun, Bow & Arrow only)		and
	Nov. 24		Nov. 26
WMU 2B	Oct. 29		Nov. 18
(Shotgun, Bow & Arrow only)		and
	Nov. 24		Nov. 26
WMUs	Oct. 29		Nov. 12
2C, 2D, 2E, 4A, 4B & 4D		and
	Nov. 24		Nov. 26
WMUs	Oct. 29		Nov. 18
2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C & 4E		and
	Nov. 24		Nov. 26
WMUs 5A	Nov. 1		Nov. 3
WMUs 5B, 5C & 5D	Closed to fall turkey hunting
Turkey (Spring Gobbler) Statewide1				1	2
Bearded Bird only
	Apr. 28, 2012		May 12, 2012	May be hunted 1/2 hour before
				sunrise to 12 noon
		and
	May 14, 2012		May 31, 2012	May be hunted 1/2 hour before
				sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset
Turkey (Spring Gobbler) Statewide Youth Hunt1	April 21, 2012		April 21, 2012	1	1
Bearded Bird only Eligible junior hunters only with the required license and when properly accompanied as required by law

MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS

 Except as further restricted by this chapter, the seasons, bag limits, hunting hours and hunting regulations for migratory game birds shall conform to regulations adopted by the United States Secretary of the Interior under authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C.A. §§ 703—711) as published in the Federal Register on or about August 27 and September 28 of each year. Exceptions:

 (a) Hunting hours in § 141.4 (relating to hunting hours).

 (b) Nontoxic shot as approved by the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service is required for use Statewide in hunting and taking of migratory waterfowl.

Species	First Day		Last Day	Daily Limit	Field Possession Limit After First Day
Crows	July 1		April 8, 2012	Unlimited
(Hunting permitted on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only)
Starlings and English Sparrows	No closed season except during the			Unlimited
	regular firearms deer seasons.

FALCONRY

Species	First Day	Last Day	Daily Limit	Field Possession Limit After First Day
Squirrels—(Combined species)	Sept. 1	Mar. 31, 2012	6	12
Quail	Sept. 1	Mar. 31, 2012	4	8
Ruffed Grouse	Sept. 1	Mar. 31, 2012	2	4
Cottontail Rabbits	Sept. 1	Mar. 31, 2012	4	8
Snowshoe or Varying Hare	Sept. 1	Mar. 31, 2012	1	2
Ring-necked Pheasant—Male	Sept. 1	Mar. 31, 2012	2	4
and Female—(Combined)
Migratory Game Birds—Seasons and bag limits shall be in accordance with Federal regulations.

WHITE-TAILED DEER

Species	First Day		Last Day	Season Limit
Deer, Archery (Antlered & Antlerless)2	Oct. 1		Nov. 12	One antlered and
(Statewide)		and		an antlerless deer
	Dec. 26		Jan. 16, 2012	with each required
				antlerless license.
Deer, Archery (Antlerless only)	Sep. 17		Sep. 30	An antlerless deer
WMUs 2B, 5C & 5D		and		with each required
	Nov. 14		Nov. 26	antlerless license.
Deer, Archery (Antlered & Antlerless)2	Oct. 1		Nov. 12	One antlered and
WMUs 2B, 5C & 5D		and		an antlerless deer
	Dec. 26		Jan. 28, 2012	with each required
				antlerless license.
Deer, Regular firearms	Nov. 28		Dec. 10	One antlered, and
(Antlered & Antlerless)2				an antlerless deer
WMUs 1A, 1B, 2B, 3A,				with each required
3D, 4A, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C & 5D				antlerless license.
Deer, Regular firearms (Antlered only)2	Nov. 28		Dec. 2	One antlered deer.
WMUs 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E,
2F, 2G, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D & 4E
Deer, Regular firearms	Dec. 3		Dec. 10	One antlered, and
(Antlered & Antlerless)2				an antlerless deer
WMUs 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E,				with each required
2F, 2G, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D & 4E				antlerless license.
Deer, Special firearms (Antlerless only)	Oct. 20		Oct. 22	An antlerless deer
(Statewide)				with each required
Only Junior and Senior License Holders,3				antlerless license.
Commission Disabled Person Permit Holders
(to use a vehicle as a blind), and Residents
serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces,
or in the U.S. Coast Guard, with required
antlerless license
Deer, Muzzleloading (Antlerless only)	Oct. 15		Oct. 22	An antlerless deer
(Statewide)				with each required
				antlerless license.
Deer, Flintlock (Antlered or Antlerless)1	Dec. 26		Jan. 16, 2012	One antlered, or
(Statewide)				one antlerless-plus an additional antler- less deer with each required antlerless license.
Deer, Flintlock (Antlered or Antlerless)2	Dec. 26		Jan. 28, 2012	An antlerless deer
WMUs 2B, 5C & 5D				with each required
				antlerless license.
Deer, Extended Regular firearms (Antlerless)	Dec. 26		Jan. 28, 2012	An antlerless deer
WMUs 2B, 5C & 5D				with each required
				antlerless license.
Deer, Antlerless	Hunting is permitted on days			An antlerless deer
(Letterkenny Army Depot, Franklin	established by the United States			with each required
County and New Cumberland Army	Department of the Army.			antlerless license.
Depot, York County and Fort Detrick,
Raven Rock Site, Adams County)

BLACK BEAR

Species	First Day	Last Day	Daily Limit	Season Limit
Bear, any age (Archery only)4	Nov. 14	Nov. 18	1	1
(Statewide)
Bear, any age (Statewide)4	Nov. 19	Nov. 23	1	1
Bear, any age4	Nov. 28	Dec. 3	1	1
WMUs 3A, 3C and
Portions of WMU 3B, East of Rt. 14 from Troy to Canton, East of Rt. 154 from Canton to Rt. 220 at Laporte and East of Rt. 42 from Laporte to Rt. 118 and that portion of 4E, East of Rt. 42.
Portions of WMUs 2G in Lycoming and Clinton counties and 3B in Lycoming County that lie North of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River from the Rt. 405 Bridge, West to Rt. 15 at Williamsport, Rt. 15 to Rt. 220, and North of Rt. 220 to the Mill Hall exit, North of SR 2015 to Rt. 150; East of Rt. 150 to Lusk Run Rd. and South of Lusk Run Rd. to Rt. 120, Rt. 120 to Veterans Street Bridge to SR 1001; East of SR 1001 to Croak Hollow Rd., South of Croak Hollow Rd. to Rt. 664 (at Swissdale), South of Rt. 664 to Little Plum Rd. (the intersection of SR 1003), South of SR 1003 to SR 1006, South of SR 1006 to Sulphur Run Rd., South of Sulphur Run Rd. to Rt. 44, East of Rt. 44 to Rt. 973, South of Rt. 973 to Rt. 87, West of Rt. 87 to Rt. 864, South of Rt. 864 to Rt. 220 and West of Rt. 220 to Rt. 405 and West of Rt. 405 to the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.
Bear, any age4	Nov. 30	Dec. 3	1	1
WMUs 3D, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5B & 5C

ELK

Species	First Day	Last Day	Daily Limit	Season Limit
Elk, Regular (Antlered & Antlerless)5	Oct. 31	Nov. 5	1	One e1k with
				required license
Elk, Special Conservation5	Sep. 1	Nov. 5	1	One e1k with
(Antlered & Antlerless)				required license
Elk, Extended (Antlered & Antlerless)5	Nov. 7	Nov. 12	1	One e1k with
				required license

FURTAKING—TRAPPING

Species	First Day	Last Day	Daily Limit	Season Limit
Minks and Muskrats	Nov. 19	Jan. 8, 2012	Unlimited
(Statewide)
Beaver	Dec. 26	Mar. 31, 2012
(Statewide)
WMUs
1A, 1B, 3A & 3C (Combined)			20	40
WMUs
2A, 2B, 2D, 2E, 2F, 3B & 3D (Combined)			20	20
WMUs
2C, 2G, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D,
4E, 5A, 5B, 5C & 5D (Combined)			5	5
Coyotes, Foxes, Opossums, Raccoons,	Oct. 23	Feb. 19, 2012	Unlimited
Skunks, Weasels—(Statewide)
Coyotes & Foxes—(Statewide)	Dec. 26	Feb. 19, 2012	Unlimited
(Cable restraint devices may be used)
Bobcat (with appropriate permit)	Dec. 17	Jan. 8, 2012	1	1
WMUs
2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D,
4A, 4D & 4E
Fisher (with appropriate permit)	Dec. 17	Dec. 22	1	1
WMUs
2C, 2D, 2E & 2F

FURTAKING—HUNTING

Species	First Day	Last Day	Daily Limit	Season Limit
Coyotes—(Statewide)	Outside of any big game season may be		Unlimited
	taken with a hunting license or a furtaker's
	license and without wearing orange.
Coyotes—(During any big game season)	May be taken while lawfully hunting big game
	or with a furtaker's license.
Opossums, Skunks, Weasels	No closed season.
(Statewide)
Raccoons and Foxes—(Statewide)	Oct. 22	Feb. 18, 2012	Unlimited
Bobcat (with appropriate permit)
WMUs	Dec. 17	Jan. 7, 2012	1	1
2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D,
4A, 4D & 4E

 No open seasons on other wild birds or wild mammals.

 ¹ Only persons who possess a special wild turkey license as provided for in section 2709 of the act (relating to license costs and fees) may take a second spring gobbler during the hunting license year; all other persons, including mentored youth hunters, may take only one spring gobbler. A maximum of 2 gobblers per license year may be taken by any combination of licenses or exceptions for mentored youth.

 ² Only one antlered deer (buck) may be taken during the hunting license year.

 ³ Includes persons who have reached or will reach their 65th birthday in the year of the application for the license and hold a valid adult license or qualify for license and fee exemptions under section 2706 of the act (relating to resident license and fee exemptions).

 ⁴ Only one bear may be taken during the hunting license year.

 ⁵ Only one elk may be taken during the hunting license year.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 11-519. Filed for public inspection March 25, 2011, 9:00 a.m.]