PA Game Commission to Allow Semi-Auto Hunting in 2017
Game Commission to allow use of semi- auto rifles for big game hunting.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission unanimously voted to allow the use of semi-auto rifles for deer, bear, and predator seasons at their monthly board meeting in January. It was believed that the Game Commission would only allow hunting with semi-auto rifles for small game and predator season. However, hunters can now use a semi-auto rifle to hunt any game in Pennsylvania during gun season.
For deer and bear full-metal jacket rounds are not permitted and any big game animals hunters are limited to a five round capacity magazine. The new law will be on a probationary period until the year 2020.
The Game Commission said they found no evidence to harm the safety of hunters when using semi-auto rifles. However, some hunters are still concerned that there safety in the woods will be effected.
“I feel the Game Commission made a mistake in allowing this law to be in place. I feel hunters safety will be harmed with this new law,” said Tyrone junior Bryce Bauer.
Despite some opposition, other hunters are excited to be able to use there new semi- auto rifles in the hunting woods.
“I am excited that Pennsylvania is going to allow the use of semi- auto in the hunting woods. I think its a great way to get more hunters in the woods,” said junior Matt Davis.
The new role is expected to be finalized at the PA Game Commission board meeting March 27- 28 and will go likely into effect next hunting season.
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Roger Walter • Oct 23, 2019 at 5:42 pm
I think also its a mistake to allow semis to hunt with there are to many unresponsible able hunters in the woods that like to shoot as long as the deer keep running and it may be safe when the first shot was taken but as long as the deer keep running they will continue to shoot and not notice a hunter while still shooting in another direction…Pa. game commission is only worried about selling licence but don’t pay funeral expenses..
Nick Riggleman • Feb 13, 2017 at 12:26 pm
I think the use of semi automatic rifles is a bad idea because there are so many hunters out there that don’t care for the safety of other people when it comes to hunting. also there are many poachers out there that will go out and kill as many bucks as they can before and during hunting season.