1090 Hunting and trapping; hunting hours

GAME COMMISSION

[ 58 PA. CODE CH. 141 ]

Hunting and Trapping; Hunting Hours

[44 Pa.B. 3101]
[Saturday, May 24, 2014]

 To effectively manage the wildlife resources of this Commonwealth, the Game Commission (Commission) at its April 8, 2014, meeting amended Chapter 141, Appendix G (relating to hunting hours) by replacing the current hunting hours table and migratory bird hunting hours table to accurately reflect the dates and hours of legal hunting for the 2014-2015 hunting/trapping license year.

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

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

 Notice of proposed rulemaking was published at 44 Pa.B. 1436 (March 15, 2014).

1. Purpose and Authority

 Each year there is a shift in calendar days for each month. As a result of this occurrence, the time tables in Appendix G must be amended and updated on an annual basis to accurately reflect the upcoming year's dates and hours for legal hunting. The Commission amended Appendix G to replace the current hunting hours table and migratory bird hunting hours table to accurately reflect the dates and hours of legal hunting for the 2014-2015 hunting/trapping license year.

 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(a) of the code (relating to regulations) provides that ''[t]he commission shall promulgate such regulations as it deems necessary and appropriate concerning game or wildlife and hunting or furtaking in this Commonwealth, including regulations relating to the protection, preservation and management of game or wildlife and game or wildlife habitat, permitting or prohibiting hunting or furtaking, the ways, manner, methods and means of hunting or furtaking, and the health and safety of persons who hunt or take wildlife or may be in the vicinity of persons who hunt or take game or wildlife in this Commonwealth.'' The amendments to Appendix G are adopted under this authority.

2. Regulatory Requirements

 The final-form rulemaking amends Appendix G by replacing the current hunting hours table and migratory bird hunting hours table to accurately reflect the dates and hours of legal hunting for the 2014-2015 hunting/trapping license year.

3. Persons Affected

 Persons wishing to hunt or trap game or wildlife within this Commonwealth during the 2014-2015 hunting year will be affected by the final-form rulemaking.

4. Comment and Response Summary

 There were no official comments received regarding the final-form rulemaking.

5. Cost and Paperwork Requirements

 The final-form rulemaking should not result in additional cost or paperwork.

6. Effective Date

 The effective dates of the final-form rulemaking are July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015.

7. Contact Person

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

Findings

 The Commission finds that:

 (1) Public notice of intention to adopt the administrative amendments adopted by this order has been given under sections 201 and 202 of the act of July 31, 1968 (P. L. 769, No. 240) (45 P. S. §§ 1201 and 1202) and the regulations thereunder, 1 Pa. Code §§ 7.1 and 7.2.

 (2) The adoption of the amendments of the Commission in the manner provided in this order is necessary and appropriate for the administration and enforcement of the authorizing statute.

Order

 The Commission, acting under the authorizing statute, orders that:

 (a) The regulations of the Commission, 58 Pa. Code Chapter 141, are amended by amending Appendix G to read as set forth at 44 Pa.B. 1436.

 (b) The Executive Director of the Commission shall certify this order and 44 Pa.B. 1436 and deposit them with the Legislative Reference Bureau as required by law.

 (c) This order will be effective from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015.

R. MATTHEW HOUGH, 
Executive Director

 Fiscal Note: Fiscal Note 48-363 remains valid for the final adoption of the subject regulation.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 14-1090. Filed for public inspection May 23, 2014, 9:00 a.m.]