Legal Tips for Pennsylvania Hunters

A deer in a field

As a Pennsylvania hunter, you must follow certain regulations to hunt lawfully and maintain your hunting privileges. Any violation of Pennsylvania Game Law can lead to a suspension or revocation of your hunting privileges. If you are cited with a violation, it’s important to speak with an attorney before pleading guilty or answering a citation.

You have rights as a Pennsylvania hunter.

You may already be familiar with Miranda rights (the list of rights police officers read when someone is arrested). The right to remain silent is among those rights, and that applies to any law enforcement officer. The Pennsylvania State Game Commission, State Game Wardens, and Deputy State Game Wardens are all considered law enforcement and you are not obligated to speak to any of them. In most circumstances, it’s best to remain silent because anything you say can and will be used against you in court.

With that in mind, there are certain requests you will be required to comply with if asked. You may be required to show your hunting license, shooting range permit, or other licenses or permits. You may be required to show any relevant tags. You may be required to submit to breath, blood, or urine tests if there is reasonable suspicion that you are hunting under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. You may also be asked to sign your name in the presence of a game warden. Wardens may also inspect your firearms and ammunition, coolers, containers, blinds, tree stands, clothes, meat and more.

Regulations to Keep in Mind

Below are some general hunting regulations to keep in mind.

  • Baiting is prohibited in almost all circumstances—You may not hunt in or around areas that have been baited within the last 30 days. There is conditional allowance for baiting deer in the Southeast Special Regulations Area.
  • Road hunting is prohibited—You may not hunt from a vehicle or help someone else who is hunting from a vehicle. You may not shoot at wildlife on a public road or shoot across a road unless the line of fire is high enough that road users are not in danger. And you cannot leave a vehicle and shoot at wildlife until you are at least 25 yards from the traveled portion of roadway.
  • Hunting in safety zones is prohibited—Occupied residences, camps, industrial and commercial buildings, farmhouses, farm buildings, schools and playgrounds are all protected by safety zones. This means you are prohibited from hunting, chasing, disturbing, trapping or taking wildlife within 150 feet of those locations. Exceptions exist if you receive permission from the occupants.
  • Dual carrying is prohibited—You cannot carry a firearm during archery hunting unless you have a concealed carry license. If there are overlaps between archery deer or bear season and muzzleloader deer or bear season, archery hunters may carry muzzleloaders.
  • Spotlighting wildlife is prohibited in certain circumstances—You may not shine a light on wildlife after 11 p.m. You also may not shine a light on wildlife during regular firearms season or while in possession of a device capable of killing wildlife.
  • You must tag big game appropriately—If you are hunting big game, you must follow the instructions printed on harvest tags. You must tag big game immediately after harvest and before moving the carcass. Tags must remain attached to their required spots until the animal is prepped for eating or mounting.
  • Mistake kills must be field-dressed and given to a game warden—If you kill any wildlife through hunting or trapping by accident or mistake, you must immediately field-dress any edible game and deliver the carcass to your county’s state game warden.

Call Cornerstone Law Firm before pleading guilty to a hunting citation.

Most hunting citations are summary offenses. This means they are the least serious type of offense. Before pleading guilty, it’s important to speak with an experienced game law attorney. Even if your offense isn’t that serious, your hunting privileges can still be at risk. If you’ve been cited with a hunting violation, the attorneys at Cornerstone Law Firm can help. Call us today to schedule a consultation.

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