AR15 for groundhogs in PA?
 

My future father-in-law invited me up to Irvona, PA to shoot groundhogs on his porperty and I was wondering if I can use my varmit AR15 for this. He said he didn't think so. Can someone who knows the current regulations answer this for me? Thanks.

RE: AR15 for groundhogs in PA?
 

He is correct, you can't use semi-automatic weapons to hunt in PA (other than shotguns with the three shot plug for small game, etc).

RE: AR15 for groundhogs in PA?
 

OK, thanks!

RE: AR15 for groundhogs in PA?
 

Isn't there also an exception for semi-auto .22's for small game?

RE: AR15 for groundhogs in PA?
 

Nope...here's the link.
http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/lib/pgc/digestpdfs/2007/small_game.pdf

RE: AR15 for groundhogs in PA?
 

No semi automatic rifles are permitted for any hunting in PA. Nor can semi auto shotguns be used if they are loaded with a single projectile (slug). semi auto shotguns permitted provided shotshells are used and it is plug to a 3 shot capacity (1 chamber - 2 in mag.)

RE: AR15 for groundhogs in PA?
 

That is a lie and mis information. I used semi on my farm and was taken to court and guess who lost the case? The PGC did. I was allowed to protect my livelyhood with any ways I chose and without a license. I won that case to. I can hunt with any legally owned firearm on my property. Be it semi or what ever. Tey have no right to tell me what I use to eliminate damage to my property or livelyhood. That includes all predators or groundhogs that my livestock steps in their borrows and breaks a leg. Don't let them make BS laws up in their little convention that are illegal. Don't spread the rumor that these types of firearms can not be used outside of SGL. They can be used on private property with the owners consent. Again I won this case and the PGC is keeping it hush hush to keep their illegal laws seem legal,they are not legal laws.

RE: AR15 for groundhogs in PA?
 

It is neither "a lie" nor misinformation.

Regs state what they state and that is no semi auto rifles may be used for hunting, (unless one has a missing limb). In which case they can apply for a permit to hunt with a semi. Disabled people may also apply for a permit to hunt from a motorized vehicle, but they can only load the firearm when parked, not drive around with it loaded.

If you were found not guilty for using a semi for killing varmints or predators on your own farm, so be it. That does not change the hunting regs. Apparently the judge (at whatever level), decided you were not hunting but wereexercising your rights to protect livestock?

FWIW, any gas operated semi could be used for hunting, IF the firearm is modified to operate as a Manually-operated firearm. The regs don't ban semis, they merely require Manually-operatedrifles forhunting game. Semi-auto shotguns are legal for small game, waterfowl, etc. (not sure if theycan be used in SRAs for deer, would have to look it up?).

Some WCOs may consider any semi-auto rifle temporarilyconverted to manual operation to be legal. Others might insist it be permanently altered?

RE: AR15 for groundhogs in PA?
 

Yep,hunting is not the same and shooting animals for crop damage and giving someone else permission to shoot deer for crop damage won't cut it.

RE: AR15 for groundhogs in PA?
 

In the booklet you get with your hunting license it states under General Hunting Regulations .....
UNLAWFUL FIREARMS & DEVICES:
1) Automatic and semi-automatic (autoloading) rifles and handguns; 2) air or gas operated rifles and handguns.
It further states under Small Game with a note under Arms & Ammunition that: Rifle and handgun caliber restrictions do not apply when hunting woodchucks. While hunting small game during the bear or muzzleloader deer seasons, the only rifle or handgun that can be used is a 22 caliber or less rimfire.
Deer, turkey, waterfowl regs also list the firearms restrictions. In no case are you permitted to use a semi-automatic rifle. Period
The laws are quite plain, when we are talking HUNTING situations. If some judge or magistrate has decided otherwise, they are ignorant of the written law, or have had a compelling reason to overrule it, in my opinion.....

RE: AR15 for groundhogs in PA?
 

I ground hog hunt in 4 states. WV, PA, OH, and MD. I was sitting in a field in PA last year. A state Trooper drove by and stopped. He then started talikng to me. I gave him a cold Pepsi and we chatted for about 15 minutes. He told me he thought I was a pretty good guy and that he was not going to arrest me. I was hunting with my RR AR15 Varminter. I never thought about it being illegal to use. I thanked him and put the rifle away immediately. I do not know if it was legal or not, and I did not care at the time. I was just glad that I did not get arrested and fined. Tom.

RE: AR15 for groundhogs in PA?
 

You're lucky it was a trooper and not a game warden.He would've taken your gun and fined you bigtime

RE: AR15 for groundhogs in PA?
 

Another one of the INCREDIBLY STUPID laws in PA....[:@]....

A person can't legally shoot a woodchuck or a rabbitwith his 10/22 or pop a coon out of a tree with his Colt Woodsman..

RE: AR15 for groundhogs in PA?
 

When you are shooting for crop damage that is not considerdhunting. Using a semi doring hunting season,Game Comm.hunting rules and regs. aply.

RE: AR15 for groundhogs in PA?
 

You can NOT hunt small game with a semi auto rifle

John Cape, could you send me a message telling me county, magistrates or judges name because I am facing the same issue. I would like to have more information about your case because it could become somewhat of a landmark case. I've been clearing those pest for over 6 years now with my AR-15. But out of nowhere a new officer comes by and drops this on me. Thanks

BOY, I'd liek to know if thats the truth or not..I'd love to buy one of the AR-25's in 7mm/08 or .308...it's another moronic law..like don't shoot turkey's with 2 shot but rifles are OK in the fall...

Why is that?
Seems kinda stupid. :hit: ;)

Just the law in PA. Semi Automatics are not allowed. With the exception of shotguns plugged to 3 shot limit (1 in the chamber 2 in the magazine).
Straight out of the PA code.

Sec. 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: