Pennsylvania Code
Title 58 - RECREATION
Part III - GAME COMMISSION
Chapter 141 - HUNTING AND TRAPPING
Subchapter C - BIG GAME
Section 141.43 - Deer seasons
Universal Citation: 58 PA Code ยง 141.43
Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
(a) Archery deer season.
(1)
Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt deer during the
archery deer 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 deer during the archery deer
season, it is unlawful to:
(i) Use or possess
a firearm. Exceptions:
(A) A person may
possess certain firearms during the archery deer season under the
authorizations of section 2525 of the act (relating to possession of firearm
for protection of self or others).
(B) A person may possess and use both a bow
or crossbow and a muzzleloading firearm during the overlaps of the early
archery and muzzleloader deer seasons and the late archery and flintlock
muzzleloading deer seasons if that person is in possession of both a valid
archery deer license and a valid muzzleloader deer license and meets the
greater protective material requirements for the muzzleloader deer season, if
applicable.
(C) A person may
possess and use both a bow or crossbow and a muzzleloading firearm during the
overlaps of the early archery deer season and muzzleloader bear season if that
person is in possession of both a valid archery deer license and a valid bear
license and meets the greater protective material requirements for the
muzzleloader bear season, if applicable.
(ii) Use or possess a device or ammunition
not provided for in the act or in this subsection, except as authorized under
section 2525 of the act.
(b) Flintlock muzzleloading deer season.
(1)
Permitted
devices. It is lawful to hunt deer during the flintlock muzzleloading
deer season with a flintlock muzzleloading firearm. The firearm must be an
original or similar reproduction of muzzleloading firearm manufactured prior to
1800. The firearm's ignition mechanism must consist of a hammer containing a
naturally occurring stone that is spring propelled onto an iron or steel
frizzen which, in turn, creates sparks to ignite a priming powder. The firearm
must have open or aperture sights and 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 deer during the flintlock
muzzleloading deer season, it is unlawful to:
(i) Use manmade materials attached to the
hammer or frizzen to create sparks.
(ii) Use telescopic sights.
(iii) 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), except as authorized under
section 2525 of the act.
(iv) Use
or possess a device or ammunition not provided for in the act or in this
subsection, except as authorized under section 2525 of the act.
(c) Muzzleloading deer season.
(1)
Permitted devices. It is
lawful to hunt deer during the muzzleloading deer season with any of the
following devices:
(i) A muzzleloading
firearm. 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.
(ii) A bow and arrow as
permitted under subsection (a)(1)(i).
(iii) A crossbow and bolt as permitted under
subsection (a)(1)(ii).
(2)
Prohibitions. While
hunting deer during the muzzleloading deer 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, except as authorized under section 2525 of the act.
(ii) Use or possess a device or ammunition
not provided for in the act or in this subsection, except as authorized under
section 2525 of the act.
(d) Regular and special firearms deer seasons.
(1)
Permitted
devices. It is lawful to hunt deer during the regular and special
firearms deer seasons with any of the following devices:
(i) A manually operated, centerfire rifle or
handgun that propels single-projectile ammunition.
(ii) A manually operated or semiautomatic,
centerfire shotgun that propels single-projectile ammunition.
(iii) A bow and arrow as permitted under
subsection (a)(1)(i).
(iv) A
crossbow and bolt as permitted under subsection (a)(1)(ii).
(v) A muzzleloading firearm as permitted
under subsection (b)(1) or (c)(1).
(2)
Prohibitions. While
hunting deer during the regular and special firearms deer 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, except as authorized under section 2525 of the
act.
(ii) Use or possess a device
or ammunition not provided for in the act or in this subsection, except as
authorized under section 2525 of the act.
(e) Cooperating while hunting during any deer season. Holders of any of the appropriate licenses or stamps may cooperate while hunting antlered or antlerless deer if pertinent provisions of the act and this section are met.
The provisions of this §141.43 amended under the Game and Wildlife Code, 34 Pa.C.S.
This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 141.1 (relating to special regulations areas); and 58 Pa. Code § 147.556 (relating to lawful devices and methods).
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Pennsylvania may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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