Road Hunting in Pennsylvania

A hunter standing near some vehicles on a dirt road

Driving down a back highway somewhere in Eastern Pennsylvania, you spot it. The buck you’ve dreamed of all season has just crossed the road! Slamming the brakes, you grab your rifle and jump out of your truck to take the shot. As you’re about to pull the trigger, you remember—road hunting is illegal in Pennsylvania!

What exactly is road hunting?

Hopefully you haven’t actually gotten that close to breaking the law, but road hunting broadly refers to hunting from a vehicle or shooting on or across roadways. For everyone’s safety, state law prohibits specific road hunting violations. While the Game Commission’s Hunting and Trapping Digest provides a helpful summary of the law, here’s what the law actually prohibits.

In Pennsylvania, it is illegal to:

  • Shoot game or wildlife while the animal is on a public highway;
  • Shoot game or wildlife while you are on a highway open to or used by the public;
  • Shoot across any road unless your line of fire is high enough above the elevation of the road to preclude any danger to users of the road;
  • Alight (quickly exit) a vehicle, being driven or when parked, to shoot at game or wildlife while you are within 25 yards of a road.

(34 Pa. C.S. § 2504, paraphrased)

Shooting at game or wildlife on roads, while you are on a road, dangerously shooting across roads, and jumping out of your vehicle to shoot at game are reckless practices that may endanger other individuals and are illegal under Pennsylvania hunting law. The punishment for this crime is a summary offense of the fourth degree: a fine not less than $150 nor more than $300. More importantly, it can imperil your ability to hunt in the future, and you may be denied a license based on such a convision.

What about hunting from a vehicle?

Using a vehicle while actively hunting or “aiding, abetting, assisting, or conspiring to hunt” is also illegal. Although there are some minor exceptions for stationary boats and disabled hunters, using vehicles while hunting is a summary offense of the third degree: a fine not less than $250 nor more than $500. Summary offenses of first to third degrees can lead to a revocation of your hunting privileges. It’s important to speak with a lawyer if you receive a citation for a summary offense of that level.

Call Cornerstone Law Firm for help.

Road hunting is a crime in Pennsylvania. Hunters should keep in mind the rules of what is and is not allowed to hunt and trap in a safe, legal manner. Most concerningly, violations of hunting law can result in denial of a license to hunt in the future. If you have questions regarding road hunting or are involved in a hunting offense, contact Cornerstone Law Firm. Our attorneys and staff are here to help you solve your problems.

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