FYI - from the agenda for the June 26 meeting
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B. Amend 58 Pa. Code § 141.18.
Commentary: Each year the Commission is asked to review the prospective use of certain devices for hunting or trapping purposes that are otherwise prohibited by statute or regulation. As part of the review process, the Commission generally reviews to what degree use of a given device might negatively impact principles of resource conservation, equal opportunity, fair chase or public safety. The Commission has recently been requested to formally review the use of electronic decoys used to hunt waterfowl, electronically heated scent or lure dispensers and electronic devices that generate and distribute ozone gas for scent control purposes. The Commission has reviewed these devices and determined that their use will have no or negligible negative impacts to the previously mentioned principles. The Commission is proposing to amend § 141.18 (relating to permitted devices) to authorize the use of electronic decoys used to hunt waterfowl, electronically heated scent, or lure dispensers and electronic devices that generate and distribute ozone gas for scent control purposes.
CHAPTER 141. HUNTING AND TRAPPING
Subchapter A. GENERAL
§ 141.18. Permitted devices.
Notwithstanding the prohibitions found in § 141.6 (relating to illegal devices), the
[The] following devices may be used to hunt or take wildlife:
(1) [Any manually operated firearm that uses an electronic impulse to detonate the primer or
main powder charge of the ammunition unless those firearms are a specifically prohibited device]
Firearms that use an electronic impulse to initiate discharge of their ammunition. This provision
is not intended to authorize use of these devices where such firearms are otherwise prohibited
devices for the applicable hunting or trapping season.
(2) Electronic sound amplification devices that are incorporated into hearing protection devices
and completely contained in or on the hunter’s ear.
(3) Electronic devices used for locating dogs while training or hunting, including devices such as
e-collars, radio-telemetry dog tracking systems and beeper collars.
(4) 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.
(5) Electronic crow decoys used solely for [harvesting] hunting crows.
(6) Electronic rangefinders, including hand-held devices and those contained within a scope
or archery sight. This authorization may not be construed to permit a device that
emits a 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.
(7) Electronically heated scent or lure dispensers. This provision is not intended to
authorize use of scents and lures where such use is otherwise prohibited by section 2308 of the act
(relating to unlawful devices and methods) or sections 137.34 or 137.35 of this part (relating to
Chronic Wasting Disease and the emergency authority of the Director; Chronic Wasting Disease
restrictions.
(8) Electronic devices that generate and distribute ozone gas for scent control
purposes.
(9) Electronic waterfowl decoys used solely for hunting waterfowl.
Action:
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B. Amend 58 Pa. Code § 141.18.
Commentary: Each year the Commission is asked to review the prospective use of certain devices for hunting or trapping purposes that are otherwise prohibited by statute or regulation. As part of the review process, the Commission generally reviews to what degree use of a given device might negatively impact principles of resource conservation, equal opportunity, fair chase or public safety. The Commission has recently been requested to formally review the use of electronic decoys used to hunt waterfowl, electronically heated scent or lure dispensers and electronic devices that generate and distribute ozone gas for scent control purposes. The Commission has reviewed these devices and determined that their use will have no or negligible negative impacts to the previously mentioned principles. The Commission is proposing to amend § 141.18 (relating to permitted devices) to authorize the use of electronic decoys used to hunt waterfowl, electronically heated scent, or lure dispensers and electronic devices that generate and distribute ozone gas for scent control purposes.
CHAPTER 141. HUNTING AND TRAPPING
Subchapter A. GENERAL
§ 141.18. Permitted devices.
Notwithstanding the prohibitions found in § 141.6 (relating to illegal devices), the
[The] following devices may be used to hunt or take wildlife:
(1) [Any manually operated firearm that uses an electronic impulse to detonate the primer or
main powder charge of the ammunition unless those firearms are a specifically prohibited device]
Firearms that use an electronic impulse to initiate discharge of their ammunition. This provision
is not intended to authorize use of these devices where such firearms are otherwise prohibited
devices for the applicable hunting or trapping season.
(2) Electronic sound amplification devices that are incorporated into hearing protection devices
and completely contained in or on the hunter’s ear.
(3) Electronic devices used for locating dogs while training or hunting, including devices such as
e-collars, radio-telemetry dog tracking systems and beeper collars.
(4) 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.
(5) Electronic crow decoys used solely for [harvesting] hunting crows.
(6) Electronic rangefinders, including hand-held devices and those contained within a scope
or archery sight. This authorization may not be construed to permit a device that
emits a 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.
(7) Electronically heated scent or lure dispensers. This provision is not intended to
authorize use of scents and lures where such use is otherwise prohibited by section 2308 of the act
(relating to unlawful devices and methods) or sections 137.34 or 137.35 of this part (relating to
Chronic Wasting Disease and the emergency authority of the Director; Chronic Wasting Disease
restrictions.
(8) Electronic devices that generate and distribute ozone gas for scent control
purposes.
(9) Electronic waterfowl decoys used solely for hunting waterfowl.
Action:
