Pennsylvania Hunters Q&A on Weapon regulations

[Africa58double]

So I’ve got an opportunity to Black bear hunt near “ Wellsboro “ in “early season” of Oct 15-22nd time frame.

I’ve got a few different Muzzleloaders…..

Yet I want to use my Double .58 Kodiak ofcourse.

Is it legal to do so? I don’t Believe it is.

Someone please chime in from Pa to inform.

I’ve got my Gm Lrh that will throw a 400gr bullet or my little carbine Flinter that will shoot a 250 Lee Real Bullet. Though I want my Double

 

[64Springer]

.

 

[OldRust]

Wellsboro ! Gods country, Great for you. See the attached from the PA Hunting Trapping Digest clip.

Thanks,
O.R.

 

[SDSmlf]

You could think outside the box and check the PA Game Commission. I would not trust information revived on a forum. Also not likely you could convince a PA game warden with a forum rules interpretation if not in agreement with the actual PA regulation.

 

[ADK Bigfoot]

Doesn't "single barrel long guns" eliminate double barrel guns?

ADK Bigfoot

 

[Africa58double]

Doesn't "single barrel long guns" eliminate double barrel guns?

ADK Bigfoot

I believe, you hit the nail on the head.

Appreciate the insight gentlemen.

I’ll still give a call tomorrow and try and get clarification.

Though I’m guessing there is no hope

My Stainless Gm .50 will throw a 400gr chunk of lead.

Wish I could carry my Ruger Roa as a back up.


Who writes these rules?!?!?!?

 

[Africa58double]

Yet if you look at the most recent… Rules and regulations

There is no longer a mention of “Single Barrel” muzzleloader as a requirement.

Hmmmmm

 

[Africa58double]

Ok??? No “Single barrel” is mentioned

So, maybe there is hope.

 

[Ditt44]

No need for "Hope". Only facts You are good to go based as the above image is the current posted regulation. I could scan the same from the guide laying next to me. If unplugged shotguns are legal there is no way to argue against a double-barrel muzzle-loader.

 

[OldRust]

I would not throw the hope out the window. I hope I'm wrong, but those last requirements posted are for the Regular or rifle season as we locals call it. Africa58double is looking to hunt the Muzzleloader Bear season. Two different seasons, two different sets of requirements. He will verify.


Thanks
O.R.

 

[ADK Bigfoot]

I see the updated regulations, above, are for the Regular season. Better be sure the late primitive regulations do not still contain the "single barrel" clause.

ADK Bigfoot

 

[Pete G]

Call the people who will write the ticket and impound your gun!

 

[Africa58double]

@Pete G

That’s exactly what I did. Unfortunately… they did state I can not use a Double barrel during the early muzzloader season.

Silly yet that’s the rule. I will also say it’s hunting. Is not having another fast follow up shot more ethical? That can be up for discussion and debated on different merits. However, Tell me if you had a deer limping away becouse it moved at the last second and your shot impacted the hind leg…. Wouldn’t you want to immediately place another shot upon that animal.

We are talking black powder Percussion muzzleloader here. However…Super duper in lines are ok though? Kinda silly rules, though I respect and abide by them.

 

[centershot]

@Pete G

That’s exactly what I did. Unfortunately… they did state I can not use a Double barrel during the early muzzloader season.

Silly yet that’s the rule. I will also say it’s hunting. Is not having another fast follow up shot more ethical? That can be up for discussion and debated on different merits. However, Tell me if you had a deer limping away becouse it moved at the last second and your shot impacted the hind leg…. Wouldn’t you want to immediately place another shot upon that animal.

We are talking black powder Percussion muzzleloader here. However…Super duper in lines are ok though? Kinda silly rules, though I respect and abide by them.

Wellllll..........I just finished my 52nd hunting season, and, NO, that doesn't make me special. It does make me experienced, though. Fifty-two years, I don't know how many deer I've killed, But I do know that they all were killed with my first shot. Talk all you want about having that "back-up" shot, but if you don't connect on the first shot (which is usually your best opportunity), You're not likely to connect with your second when that deer is in high gear and gettin' outta' Dodge!! To quote a friend "There's a lot of air around a running deer!".

 

[Africa58double]

I could not agree more.

However, I’m not talking about Deer specifically.

I’m in reference to a Black bear… and I don’t intend for this to become a Bear thread, plenty of them out there.

However… It will be said by me. If I’m Bear hunting with a Muzzleloader, I’d prefer a Second shot.

And that’s what the topic was about Specifically…from the First Sentence.

Haven’t seen to many Deer climbing up deer stands.

You would imagine the Pa Wildlife department could or would understand that.

And please, Don’t disregard the fact or say that this is an uncommon occurrence. Bears have done this climbing or other amazing things plenty of times. Or if a wounded bear could be stopped before getting out of sight with a fast second shot…. Instead of trailing a wounded best. All legitimate reasons for a 2nd quicker shot.

I’m sure that the old man next to the Record PA 700+ Bear didn’t plan to see that bruiser. If he had a smoke pole with him, I’m sure a Double barrel would have been his preference.

Wellllll..........I just finished my 52nd hunting season, and, NO, that doesn't make me special. It does make me experienced, though. Fifty-two years, I don't know how many deer I've killed, But I do know that they all were killed with my first shot. Talk all you want about having that "back-up" shot, but if you don't connect on the first shot (which is usually your best opportunity), You're not likely to connect with your second when that deer is in high gear and gettin' outta' Dodge!! To quote a friend "There's a lot of air around a running deer!".

 

[zimmerstutzen]

No need for "Hope". Only facts You are good to go based as the above image is the current posted regulation. I could scan the same from the guide laying next to me. If unplugged shotguns are legal there is no way to argue against a double-barrel muzzle-loader.

What Ditt44 posted is NOT THE LAW! It is not even THE actual regulation, contrary to his statement. This is where the PA Game Commission keeps fouling up. They publish the digest, referred to by hunters here as the "comic book" a sort of layman's phrased regurgitation of the law. However, right in the beginning, bottom right corner of page 2, it says that their comic book IS NOT THE LAW.

This digest is not the Game & Wildlife Code or its attendant regulations, and should not be considered final on legal interpretation. The Game & Wildlife Code can be viewed on the Game Commission’s website main page by clicking on “Hunt & Trap” and then “Law.” Questions about laws can also be directed to your nearest Game Commission office.

In fact the comic book has had wrong information for years. The law is set forth in the official regulations and statutes. While the comic book does not say "single barrel" the REGULATION (ie the law) still does.

(b) Muzzleloading bear season.

(1) Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt bear during the muzzleloading bear season with any of the following devices:

(i) A muzzleloading firearm. The firearm must be a .44 caliber or larger single-barrel long gun or a .50 caliber or larger single-barrel handgun that propels single-projectile ammunition.

(ii) A bow and arrow as permitted under subsection (a)(1)(i).

(iii) A crossbow and bolt as permitted under subsection (a)(1)(ii).

You can find it for yourself in section 141.44 subsection (b)
58 Pa. Code Subchapter C. Big Game

A wildlife conservation officer may never know, or care, but if he does, he will often confiscate the firearm. Take a big single barrel rifle and a stout muzzle loader pistol

 

[Africa58double]

@zimmerstutzen

Wildlife department stated on phone call as they double checked- Early season… Single barrel only.