Section 141.44. Bear

(a) Archery bear season.

(1) Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt bear during the archery bear season with any of the following devices:

(i) A bow and arrow. A bow must have a peak draw weight of at least 35 pounds. An arrow must be equipped with a broadhead that has an outside diameter or width of at least 7/8 inch and may not exceed 3.25 inches in length.

(ii) A crossbow and bolt. A crossbow must have a peak draw weight of at least 125 pounds. A bolt must be equipped with a broadhead that has an outside diameter or width of at least 7/8 inch and may not exceed 3.25 inches in length.

(2) Prohibitions. While hunting bear during the archery bear season, it is unlawful to:

(i) Use or possess a firearm or while in possession of a firearm, except as otherwise authorized by section 2525 of the act (relating to possession of firearm for protection of self or others).

(ii) Use a device not provided for in the act or in this subsection.

(iii) Disturb, wound or kill a bear in a den.

(iv) Assist, conspire or use a device to locate a bear to which a transmitter has been attached.

(b) Muzzleloading bear season.

(1) Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt bear during the muzzleloading bear season with a muzzleloading firearm. The firearm’s ignition mechanism must consist of a percussion cap, primer or flintlock fired design. The firearm must be a .44 caliber or larger single-barrel long gun or a .50 caliber or larger single-barrel handgun that propels single-projectile ammunition.

(2) Prohibitions. While hunting bear during the muzzleloading bear season, it is unlawful to:

(i) Use or possess multiple projectile ammunition or ammunition other than required under section 2322(a)(4) of the act (relating to prohibited devices and methods).

(ii) Use a device not provided for in the act or in this subsection.

(iii) Disturb, wound or kill a bear in a den.

(iv) Assist, conspire or use a device to locate a bear to which a transmitter has been attached.

(c) Regular and extended firearms bear seasons.

(1) Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt bear during the regular and extended firearms bear seasons with any of the following devices:

(i) A manually operated, centerfire firearm.

(ii) A bow and arrow as permitted under subsection (a)(1)(i).

(iii) A crossbow and bolt as permitted under subsection (a)(1)(ii).

(iv) A muzzleloading firearm as permitted under subsection (b)(1).

(2) Prohibitions. While hunting for bear during the regular and extended firearms bear seasons, it is unlawful to:

(i) Use or possess multiple projectile ammunition or ammunition other than required under section 2322(a)(4) of the act.

(ii) Use a device not provided for in the act or in this subsection.

(iii) Disturb, wound or kill a bear in a den.

(iv) Assist, conspire or use a device to locate a bear to which a transmitter has been attached.

The provisions of this § 141.44 adopted June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464; amended February 27, 2009, effective February 28, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 1110; amended June 5, 2009, effective June 6, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 2801; amended June 22, 2012, effective June 23, 2012, 42 Pa.B. 3591; amended May 23, 2014, effective May 24, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 3091. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (368716) and (361977).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 141.44 amended under the Game and Wildlife Code, 34 Pa.C.S. § 2102(a) and (d).