Section 79.2. Taking reptiles or amphibians

(a) General.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, reptiles and amphibians may only be taken by hand, hook and line, snake hooks or tongs, turtle hooks, traps and nets less than 4 feet square or 4 feet in diameter.

(2) It is unlawful to take, catch or kill a reptile or amphibian through use of a firearm.

(3) It is unlawful to take, catch or kill a reptile or amphibian through the use of chemicals, smoke, explosives, winches, jacks or other devices or materials or manually in a manner that may disrupt, damage or destroy dens or the immediate surroundings thereof. While hunting reptiles and amphibians, it is unlawful to possess chemicals, explosives, winches, jacks or other devices or materials that may disrupt, damage or destroy dens and their immediate surroundings. It is unlawful to alter or destroy habitat in the pursuit of a reptile or amphibian.

(4) It is unlawful to damage or disrupt the nest or eggs of a reptile or to gather, take or possess the eggs of any reptile.

(b) Turtles.

(1) It is unlawful to take, catch or kill a turtle by means of a hook other than a turtle hook as defined in § 79.1 (relating to definitions).

(2) It is unlawful for a person to leave a set line, turtle trap or other device for catching turtles unattended unless the device has attached a tag or other means of identification containing the name, address and telephone number of the owner or user of the device. Traps, nets or devices used for catching turtles must be of a floating or partially submerged design so as to allow for the release of untargeted turtles unharmed.

(c) Frogs.

(1) Frogs may be taken with long bows and arrow, including compound bows, crossbows, spears or gigs. Spears or gigs may not be mechanically propelled, may not have more than five barbed points and may not be used in stocked trout waters.

(2) It is unlawful to take, catch or kill a frog by use of artificial light at night.

The provisions of this § 79.2 issued September 25, 2015, effective January 1, 2016, 45 Pa.B. 5788. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (325060) and (348989).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 79.2 issued and amended under the Fish and Boat Code, 30 Pa.C.S. § 2102.