Pa airgun hunting?

[BigTinBoat]

Seems the wording is a bit ambiguous......


§ 141.22. Small game.

 (a)  Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt small game, except woodchucks with the following devices:

   (1) A manually operated rifle or handgun. The firearm must be .23 caliber or less, that projects single-projectile ammunition.

   (2)  A manually operated or semiautomatic centerfire shotgun or muzzleloading shotgun. The firearm must be 10 gauge or less, that projects multiple-projectile shotgun ammunition not larger than #4 lead, #2 steel, or #4 of any other composition or alloy of nontoxic shot approved by the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or an authorized representative under 50 CFR 20.134 (relating to nontoxic shot).

   (3)  A muzzleloading rifle or handgun. The firearm must be .40 caliber or less, that projects single-projectile ammunition.

   (4)  A bow and arrow.

   (5)  A crossbow and bolt.

   (6)  A raptor. The raptor must be lawfully possessed under a falconry permit pursuant to section 2925 of the act (relating to falconry permits).

A rifle or handgun, but then states "The Firearm".

Now woodchucks are different.....

(c)  Woodchucks (Groundhogs).

   (1)  Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt woodchucks with the following devices:

     (i)   A manually operated rifle or handgun.

     (ii)   A manually operated or semiautomatic centerfire shotgun or muzzleloading shotgun. The firearm must be 10 gauge or less that propels multiple-projectile shotgun ammunition not larger than #4 lead, #2 steel, or #4 of any other composition or alloy of nontoxic shot approved by the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or an authorized representative under 50 CFR 20.134 (relating to nontoxic shot).

     (iii)   A muzzleloading rifle or handgun.

     (iv)   A bow and arrow.

     (v)   A crossbow and bolt.

     (vi)   A raptor. The raptor must be lawfully possessed under a falconry permit pursuant to section 2925 of the act (relating to falconry permits).


http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/058/chapter141/chap141toc.html#141.6.

[bbv13]

That's easy to understand because it clearly states "The Firearm" and list the exceptions or other methods as line items. Unless the state of PA considers a air gun a firearm you can't hunt with it.

Bryan

[BigTinBoat]

That's easy to understand because it clearly states "The Firearm" and list the exceptions or other methods as line items. Unless the state of PA considers a air gun a firearm you can't hunt with it.

Bryan

no small game, but you CAN hunt woodchucks....no mention of firearm in that section