HUNTING

NEW LICENSE APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Beginning with this license year, the general hunting license application has been eliminated.  The back tag copy will serve as the application, with the applicant's signature to certify that all requirements are met and information given is true and correct. 

Issuing agents will use an applicant's driver's license or other valid identification to complete the back tag.  Information on the back tag will be revised and include a request for applicant's Social Security Number, to
comply with new welfare laws relating to non-payment of child support.  This new issuance method will make it easier for sportsmen to obtain licenses and eliminate the need for more than a million pieces of paper.

License Required:

A current hunting license is required to hunt, take or kill any wildlife in Pennsylvania not classified a furbearer.  A current furtaker license is required to hunt, trap, take or kill any furbearer.  A license is valid July l to the following June 30.  Licenses must be worn on the middle of the back with all numbers visible..

Identification Required When Hunting:

In addition to their hunting or furtaker license, sportsmen are required to have, in their possession, additional cards or papers that must be shown to an officer or landowner upon request to confirm identification while afield.

Junior Licenses and Hunters:

Persons under l7 years of age must have their application co-signed by their parent or legal guardian.  Eleven-year-olds who have successfully completed
a required Hunter-Trapper Education course may apply for a junior license if they will be l2 years old by December 31 of the license year.  They may not lawfully hunt with the license prior to their l2th birthday.  Persons l2 and l3
must be accompanied by an adult member of the family (at least l8), or by an adult serving in place of a parent.   Persons l4 and l5 must be accompanied by any adult l8 years of age or older.   Adults must be close enough that verbal guidance can be easily understood.   Sixteen-year-olds may hunt alone.

Unlicensed Persons:

Unlicensed persons may accompany a properly licensed hunter or trapper provided the unlicensed persons act only as observers and do not, in any manner, actually participate in hunting or trapping.

Proof of Residency:

Satisfactory proof of Pennsylvania residency must be shown to obtain a
resident hunting or furtaker license.  Persons must be domiciled in Pennsylvania at least 30 consecutive days prior to application.  Valid Pa. driver's license, certain Pa. and local tax receipts, or other positive means indicating residency may be used.

Training Certificate - Hunting:

Persons who have not held a hunting license issued in Pennsylvania, or
another state or nation, or do not possess a training certificate, are required to attain certification in an accredited hunter-trapper education program before applying for a hunting license.  These provisions do not apply to a person presenting: (l) evidence of service in the United States Armed Forces or Coast Guard and honorable discharge or separation within six months of the application, or (2) evidence the person is currently serving in the
Armed Forces or Coast Guard.

Training Certificate - Trapping:

Persons applying for a furtaker license must present to the issuing agent
one of the following:  (l) evidence the applicant has held a trapping or furtaker license issued in Pennsylvania or another state or nation; (2) a certificate of training; (3) an affidavit the applicant completed a voluntary trapping course sanctioned by the Commission, or (4) the applicant has previously hunted or trapped furbearers within the last five years.  These provisions do not apply to persons under l2 who trap furbearers under direct supervision of a licensed adult furtaker at least l8 years of age.

Special Deer Licenses:

Are required to hunt deer during the antlerless, archery and muzzleloader seasons.  An antlerless deer license application and envelope are issued with each regular hunting license.  Antlerless license applications cannot be accepted by county treasurers from state residents prior to August 3; from nonresidents prior to August l7.

Resident Landowner Hunting License:

An eligible landowner who owns 80 or more contiguous acres open to public hunting in a Cooperative Public Access Program, or a designated immediate family member living in the same household, is entitled to a Landowner
Hunting License.

Landowner Antlerless Deer Licenses:

An eligible landowner who owns 50 or more contiguous acres within any county is entitled to one antlerless deer license for that county at the
prescribed fee.   A landowner must keep his/her property open to public hunting and trapping year-round to qualify for this license.  These licenses
are allocated in advance of regular licenses.  Landowner license forms are available from county treasurers and PGC offices.  The filing deadline for a landowner antlerless license application is August l.

Bear Licenses:

Required to hunt black bears.  Licenses available directly from all issuing agents and Game Commission offices.  License must be properly signed
and carried on the person at all times when hunting for bear.  The license
does not need to be displayed, but must be produced on demand of an
officer.

Federal Duck Stamp:

All persons l6 and older are required to have a federal duck stamp to hunt waterfowl.  It must be signed in ink and carried by the hunter.  It is not necessary to display the stamp in the hunting license holder.  Do not cover hunting license letters or numbers with a duck stamp.

Migratory Game Bird License:

All persons l2 and older are required to have a Migratory Game Bird License
to hunt waterfowl and migratory birds including doves, woodcock, brant,
coots, gallinules, moorhens, rails and snipe.  Applicants must complete the harvest survey card that accompanies each license.  The license must be signed in ink and carried by the hunter; it need not be displayed.

Disabled War Veterans:

Disabled resident war veterans with service-incurred l00-percent disability, or the loss of use of one or more limbs, may qualify for free hunting and furtaker licenses.  See your county treasurer.

Replacement Licenses:

If a license has been lost or destroyed, a replacement may be purchased by applying to any issuing agent (preferably the agent where original was purchased) or to the Game Commission, License Division, 200l Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, Pa. l7ll0-9797.   The coast is $5.75.  Lost antlerless deer licenses can be replaced only by the county treasurers who issued the originals.  If the antlerless deer license application is lost, a replacement hunting license must be purchased to obtain another antlerless license application.

Licenses by Mail:

All licenses except antlerless deer and Migratory Game Bird licenses are available by mail from the Game Commission, License Division, Harrisburg.  Except for bear licenses, include $1.25 for postage and handling.

License Transfers: 

Pennsylvania hunting and furtaker licenses are non-transferable and non-refundable.  It is unlawful to be in possession of another's hunting license or big game tags when afield.

Uncollectible Checks:

If a check issued in payment of any fee or fine is returned uncollectible, the person who makes, issues or presents it will be charged a $25 fee.  This fee is in addition to any costs of prosecution or penalties assessed as a result of the uncollectible check.  Any license, permit or privilege granted by an uncollectible check shall be void until all applicable fees are paid.

HUNTERS SHARING THE HARVEST

Hunters are encouraged to share a portion of their harvest with the needy through local food banks.  Inquire if your butcher or meat processor participates in this program.  To contact your local food bank, check under "food" in the telephone book blue pages.  For more information, write "Hunters Sharing the Harvest,: 3317 Turnpike Rd., Elizabethtown, Pa.  l7022.  "Hunters Sharing the Harvest" is sponsored by Pennsylvanians for the Responsible
Use of Animals (PRUA).