thermal in Pa
- Thread starter tking
- Start date
This is correct. I did a lot of traveling to PA this summer and thought it might be cool to hunt some yotes there with my thermal, and AR. Well I found out you can't use a thermal OR an AR to hunt them.
That state has a WHOLE bunch of rules surrounding hunting. A lot of weird ones.
That state has a WHOLE bunch of rules surrounding hunting. A lot of weird ones.
NoName1
New member
I'll be moving up there next summer, we will definitely get together and kill some. Good question on scanning with thermal and shooting with a light, I'd like to know that answer myself! Because everything is so behind the times up there, I would venture to say anyone and everyone up there is going to tell you no without even knowing what exactly the law states, including the LEOs. Not just the rule book, but the written law itself. Look at your question for example, somebody told you that because that is what "they know" because someone else told them that and on down the line. None of them have researched the written title statute and scrutinized it for legal application. My understanding also is that the written law does NOT exclude use of thermal, because by it's function it does not project a beam. However, because no one has it and no one uses it, it is an understanding that is not "legal" to use it. Most people are afraid to push that envelope and they will convict you for doing it without even knowing [beeep] they are talking about. I'd like to see an army of coyote hunters just start using it one night and when the tickets start coming in everyone pushes the issue on how the law is written. Either they update the law or get current with technology and let it start being used free and clear.
When I get time I'll dig into that more and send it to you.
When I get time I'll dig into that more and send it to you.
Here you go answer is no.
§ 2308. Unlawful devices and methods.
(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this title, it is unlawful for any person to hunt or aid, abet, assist or conspire to hunt any game or wildlife through the use of:
(b) Exceptions.--The provisions of subsection (a) shall not apply to:
(1) (i) Any archery sight or firearm's scope which contains and uses any mechanical, photoelectric, ultraviolet or solar-powered device to solely illuminate the sight or crosshairs within the scope.
(ii) Except as otherwise provided under subparagraph (iii), no archery sight or firearm's scope shall contain or use any device, no matter how powered, to project or transmit any light beam, infrared beam, ultraviolet light beam, radio beam, thermal beam, ultrasonic beam, particle beam or other beam outside the sight or scope onto the target.
§ 2308. Unlawful devices and methods.
(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this title, it is unlawful for any person to hunt or aid, abet, assist or conspire to hunt any game or wildlife through the use of:
(b) Exceptions.--The provisions of subsection (a) shall not apply to:
(1) (i) Any archery sight or firearm's scope which contains and uses any mechanical, photoelectric, ultraviolet or solar-powered device to solely illuminate the sight or crosshairs within the scope.
(ii) Except as otherwise provided under subparagraph (iii), no archery sight or firearm's scope shall contain or use any device, no matter how powered, to project or transmit any light beam, infrared beam, ultraviolet light beam, radio beam, thermal beam, ultrasonic beam, particle beam or other beam outside the sight or scope onto the target.
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Victor_TNVC
New member
Originally Posted By: DoubleUpDoes thermal project a beam or just receive the heat put off by animals?
No Sir, purely heat emissions, i.e. why thermal is king for detection.
No Sir, purely heat emissions, i.e. why thermal is king for detection.
DoubleUp
Well-known member
Maybe you're right, but since the paragraph quoted says:
(ii) Except as otherwise provided under subparagraph (iii), no archery sight or firearm's scope shall contain or use any device, no matter how powered, to project or transmit any light beam, infrared beam, ultraviolet light beam, radio beam, thermal beam, ultrasonic beam, particle beam or other beam outside the sight or scope onto the target.
Then there must be another part of the law which states that thermal can't be used because in the above paragraph thermal doesn't project anything. It is a receiver not a projector as Vic pointed out.
(ii) Except as otherwise provided under subparagraph (iii), no archery sight or firearm's scope shall contain or use any device, no matter how powered, to project or transmit any light beam, infrared beam, ultraviolet light beam, radio beam, thermal beam, ultrasonic beam, particle beam or other beam outside the sight or scope onto the target.
Then there must be another part of the law which states that thermal can't be used because in the above paragraph thermal doesn't project anything. It is a receiver not a projector as Vic pointed out.
Its a electronic device that is not listed legal to hunt with..
Electronic Devices:It is unlawful to hunt with any electronic contrivance or device except:1) Electronic callers may be used to hunt
bobcats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons and crows. 2) Lighted pins on
bow sights and scopes with lighted reticles may be used as long as
they don’t cast a beam. Any device used as a sight or scope on any
firearm, bow or crossbow that projects a light beam of any kind onto
the target is unlawful. 3) Portable, two-way radios and cell phones
may be used for general communications with another hunter, but may
not be used to direct or alert another hunter of the presence or location
of live game or wildlife. The use of electronic communication devices
to alert hunters to live game is not only a violation of the Game &
Wildlife Code, but violates the concept of Fair Chase. The use of portable radios does not satisfy the legal requirement of accompanying a
junior hunter. The accompanying adult must be close enough to give
verbal instructions without the aid of an electronic device. 4) Electronic sound amplification devices that are incorporated into hearing
protection devices and completely contained in and or on the hunter’s
ear may be used to hunt or take wildlife.
The following devices may now be used to hunt or take wildlife: Any
manually operated firearm that uses an electronic impulse to detonate
the primer or main powder charge of the ammunition, unless such
firearms are a specifically prohibited device. Electronic illuminating
devices that are affixed at the aft end of a bolt or arrow and used
solely for the purpose of locating or tracking bolt or arrow flight after
being launched from a crossbow or bow.
Electronic Devices:It is unlawful to hunt with any electronic contrivance or device except:1) Electronic callers may be used to hunt
bobcats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons and crows. 2) Lighted pins on
bow sights and scopes with lighted reticles may be used as long as
they don’t cast a beam. Any device used as a sight or scope on any
firearm, bow or crossbow that projects a light beam of any kind onto
the target is unlawful. 3) Portable, two-way radios and cell phones
may be used for general communications with another hunter, but may
not be used to direct or alert another hunter of the presence or location
of live game or wildlife. The use of electronic communication devices
to alert hunters to live game is not only a violation of the Game &
Wildlife Code, but violates the concept of Fair Chase. The use of portable radios does not satisfy the legal requirement of accompanying a
junior hunter. The accompanying adult must be close enough to give
verbal instructions without the aid of an electronic device. 4) Electronic sound amplification devices that are incorporated into hearing
protection devices and completely contained in and or on the hunter’s
ear may be used to hunt or take wildlife.
The following devices may now be used to hunt or take wildlife: Any
manually operated firearm that uses an electronic impulse to detonate
the primer or main powder charge of the ammunition, unless such
firearms are a specifically prohibited device. Electronic illuminating
devices that are affixed at the aft end of a bolt or arrow and used
solely for the purpose of locating or tracking bolt or arrow flight after
being launched from a crossbow or bow.
It still electronic skypup. Also no semi rifles are allowed.. Semi shotguns yes must be plugged to 3 rounds and no shot larger than #4 buck. No semi shotguns for deer or bear unless in special reg areas.. Very limited part of the state. They are trying to legalize semi rifles for predators and small game but of now, not even semi 22s for squirrels.. Every other state around pa allows semi rifles of some sort to hunt animals but pa.does not allow any for now.. Unless you got use of only one arm then get a permit..
Yes flashlights are permitted...
Yes flashlights are permitted...
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Originally Posted By: NoName1I'll be moving up there next summer, we will definitely get together and kill some. Good question on scanning with thermal and shooting with a light, I'd like to know that answer myself! Because everything is so behind the times up there, I would venture to say anyone and everyone up there is going to tell you no without even knowing what exactly the law states, including the LEOs. Not just the rule book, but the written law itself. Look at your question for example, somebody told you that because that is what "they know" because someone else told them that and on down the line. None of them have researched the written title statute and scrutinized it for legal application. My understanding also is that the written law does NOT exclude use of thermal, because by it's function it does not project a beam. However, because no one has it and no one uses it, it is an understanding that is not "legal" to use it. Most people are afraid to push that envelope and they will convict you for doing it without even knowing [beeep] they are talking about. I'd like to see an army of coyote hunters just start using it one night and when the tickets start coming in everyone pushes the issue on how the law is written. Either they update the law or get current with technology and let it start being used free and clear.
When I get time I'll dig into that more and send it to you. Thanks man, we will get after some critters. I hunted with lights for years, I don't mind to go back to them while in PA.
When I get time I'll dig into that more and send it to you. Thanks man, we will get after some critters. I hunted with lights for years, I don't mind to go back to them while in PA.
Pa. Mick
Well-known member
Here it is try and decipher what you think it says :
2016-17 PA Hunting & Trapping Digest/ page 17
Electronic Devices
It is unlawful to hunt with any electronic contrivance or device except: 1) Electronic callers may be used to hunt bobcats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons and crows, and snow geese in the conservation season. 2) Lighted pins on bow sights and scopes with lighted reticles may be used as long as they don’t cast a beam. Any device used as a sight or scope on any firearm, bow or crossbow that projects a light beam of any kind onto the target is unlawful. 3) Portable, two-way radios and cellphones may be used for general communications with another hunter, but may not be used to direct or alert another hunter of the presence or location of live game or wildlife. The use of electronic communication devices to alert hunters to live game not only is a violation of the Game & Wildlife Code, but violates the concept of fair chase. The use of portable radios does not satisfy the legal requirement of accompanying a junior hunter. The accompanying adult must be close enough to give verbal instructions without the aid of an electronic device. 4) Electronic sound amplification devices that are incorporated into hearing-protection devices and completely contained in or on the
hunter’s ear may be used to hunt or take wildlife. 5) Electronic crow decoys may be used solely for the harvesting of crows. The following devices may be used to hunt or take wildlife: Any manually operated firearm that uses an electronic impulse to detonate the primer or main powder charge of the ammunition, unless such firearms are specifically prohibited devices. Electronic illuminating devices that are affixed at the aft end of a bolt or arrow and used solely for the purpose of locating or tracking bolt or arrow flight after being launched from a crossbow or bow. Electronic rangefinders, including handheld devices and those contained within a scope or archery sight. This authorization may not be construed to permit a device that emits any light beam, infrared beam, ultraviolet light beam, radio beam, thermal beam, ultrasonic beam, particle beam or other beam that is visible outside of the device or on the target.
2016-17 PA Hunting & Trapping Digest/ page 17
Electronic Devices
It is unlawful to hunt with any electronic contrivance or device except: 1) Electronic callers may be used to hunt bobcats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons and crows, and snow geese in the conservation season. 2) Lighted pins on bow sights and scopes with lighted reticles may be used as long as they don’t cast a beam. Any device used as a sight or scope on any firearm, bow or crossbow that projects a light beam of any kind onto the target is unlawful. 3) Portable, two-way radios and cellphones may be used for general communications with another hunter, but may not be used to direct or alert another hunter of the presence or location of live game or wildlife. The use of electronic communication devices to alert hunters to live game not only is a violation of the Game & Wildlife Code, but violates the concept of fair chase. The use of portable radios does not satisfy the legal requirement of accompanying a junior hunter. The accompanying adult must be close enough to give verbal instructions without the aid of an electronic device. 4) Electronic sound amplification devices that are incorporated into hearing-protection devices and completely contained in or on the
hunter’s ear may be used to hunt or take wildlife. 5) Electronic crow decoys may be used solely for the harvesting of crows. The following devices may be used to hunt or take wildlife: Any manually operated firearm that uses an electronic impulse to detonate the primer or main powder charge of the ammunition, unless such firearms are specifically prohibited devices. Electronic illuminating devices that are affixed at the aft end of a bolt or arrow and used solely for the purpose of locating or tracking bolt or arrow flight after being launched from a crossbow or bow. Electronic rangefinders, including handheld devices and those contained within a scope or archery sight. This authorization may not be construed to permit a device that emits any light beam, infrared beam, ultraviolet light beam, radio beam, thermal beam, ultrasonic beam, particle beam or other beam that is visible outside of the device or on the target.