Changes coming to PA woods?

Posted on: November 23, 2015 | Bob Frye | Comments

Air riflesMany states allow air rifles for hunting small game. Some, though, even let hunters use them for taking deer and other bigger quarry.

It’s crunch time.

Pennsylvania lawmakers are scheduled to be in session for only a handful of days yet this year. Senators are scheduled to meet Nov. 23, 24 and 25 and Dec. 7, 8 and 9; Representatives Nov. 23, 24 and 25 and Dec. 7, 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16.

There are some sportsmen’s issues on their plates.

Generally speaking, a bill becomes law after it is approved on three different occasions –each — in the House and Senate and then is signed by the Governor.

Two bills of interest to hunters have passed the House of Representatives and are up for “third consideration” in the Senate on Nov. 23.

One is House Bill 698. Sponsored by Rep. Jim Marshall of Beaver County, it would allow people with “permanent disabilities” to get a permit from the Pennsylvania Game Commission to hunt from a motorized wheelchair. They could use the chair to flush or locate game and carry a loaded firearm while in it.

Originally, the bill would have applied only to people who already used a wheelchair. Now it would apply also to those who use a walker, one leg brace above the knee, two leg braces below the knee or two crutches or two canes “for mobility.”

Marshall’s bill passed the House of Representatives 196-0.

Also having passed the House unanimously and up for third consideration in the Senate is House Bill 263, sponsored by Rep. Matt Gabler of Clearfield County. It would remove the prohibition on hunting with air-powered rifles. It wouldn’t legalize them per se, but would give the Game Commission the authority to decide when hunters could use them, and for what species.

Pennsylvania is one of just two states that completely prohibits their use now.

Two other bills have passed one chamber and are up for second consideration on Nov. 23.

Senate Bill 737, sponsored by Sen. Scott Hutchinson of Butler County, passed the Senate 49-0 and is up for second consideration in the House.

It would remove the prohibition on hunting with semi-automatic rifles and allow the Game Commission to decide when and where they might be used.

As originally crafted, it would have limited the use of semi-automatics to hunting groundhogs and coyotes, and only outside of established seasons for white-tailed deer, bears and turkeys. It was amended in the House of Representatives. The language relating to species and seasons was removed, as was that saying the prohibition would g into effect 60 days after the bill’s passage.

Now, the bill would simply remove the prohibition on semi-automatics and leave it up to the Game Commission to make any and all other rules. It would go into effect immediately upon passage.

Going the other way, having passed the House 196-0 and up for second consideration in the Senate, is House Bill 455, sponsored by Mark Keller, a Cumberland County Republican.

Basically, it gives anyone being questioned by a Game Commission officer the right to remain silent. Under current law, it’s unlawful to refuse to answer questions from any commission representative.

Bob Frye is the everybodyadventures.com editor. Reach him at 412-838-5148 or bfrye@535mediallc.com. See other stories, blogs, videos and more at everybodyadventures.com.

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