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PA. Game commission backpedals, retains a

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BEAR View Drop Down
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    Posted: 30 March 2017 at 02:36

PA governor Tom Wolf signed a bill last fall which gave
the PA Game Commission the power to allow the use of
semi-automatic rifles for hunting. The commission
dragged its
feet until PA’s deer season was complete, then in
January, 2017 they approved semi-autos for big and small
game.

Many hunters opposed the change, citing safety, and
avoidance of 'spray and pray'. some cited a negative
image hunters would be given if shown with so-called
"Assault rifles" and 'terrorist style' guns. Recent
Pittsburgh Post Gazette last sunday editorial was
particularly negative.

NOW, The PA Game Commision backpedaled and reversed its
recent allowance and decided to limit semi-autos (MSR)
for small game, but not big game.


Edited by BEAR
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Wing master Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 March 2017 at 04:29
I guess I don't understand the problem. You can hunt here
with semi-autos and I never have heard of a problem.

I have been out hunting and have heard people firing
multiple rounds at what I assume is a game animal. Never
have thought of them as "spraying and praying" though.

Maybe the folks from PA are more "tactical" than we are
out here in the west.

Wing master
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote d4570 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 March 2017 at 05:21
What about ducks?
Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BEAR Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 March 2017 at 06:21
PA changes are for Rifles, intending to allow Ar style
rifles for hunting. even 10-22 rifles in 22 rf are
presently illegal for squirrels , small game, even
varmint. always been that way in Pennsylvania.


rifles are illegal under federal law for hunting
waterfowl...single shot, pump, bolt, or semi...all
illegal!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Irish Bird Dog Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 March 2017 at 15:59
check this story out on PA semi auto rifle hunting,
read the comments too at bottom......



USA -(Ammoland.com)- Hunters heading afield in the
2017-18 seasons will be able to carry semiautomatic
rifles for hunting small game and furbearers, but not
for big game, based on regulatory changes approved
today by the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners.

The commissioners in January preliminarily approved a
proposal that would have allowed semiautomatic rifles
to be used in any season where manually operated
centerfire rifles now can be used.

The board today amended that measure, giving final
approval to hunting small game and furbearers with
semiautomatic rifles beginning in the 2017-18 seasons.
It made no changes to the list of lawful sporting arms
for hunting big game.

Commissioners said a clear majority of Pennsylvania
hunters voiced opposition to hunting big game with
semiautomatic rifles at this time, and the board’s
vote reflects that opinion.

Between the Board of Commissioners’ preliminary vote
and the vote today, Game Commission staff conducted a
scientific survey from a random sample of 4,000 of the
state’s hunters, more than 2,000 of whom responded.
The findings of that survey were presented to the
commissioners at the board’s meeting on Monday.

The findings of the survey show clear support for
hunting furbearers (55 percent support or strongly
support), woodchucks (51 percent support or strongly
support) and small game (42 percent support or
strongly support, and 12 percent neither support nor
oppose) with semiautomatic rifles.

For big game, while 28 percent of survey respondents
expressed support or strong support for semiautomatic
rifles, 64 percent of respondents said they opposed or
strongly opposed semiautomatic rifles for big-game
hunting, with 52 percent saying they were strongly
opposed.

The results bolstered the expressed opposition to
hunting big game with semiautomatic rifles that
appeared to a lesser extent in the written comments
the Game Commission received in recent months.

“We listened to our hunters,” President Commissioner
Brian H. Hoover said.

With the changes, semiautomatic rifles in .22 caliber
or less that propel single-projectile ammunition and
semiautomatic shotguns 10 gauge or smaller propelling
ammunition not larger than No. 4 lead – also No. 2
steel or No. 4 composition or alloy – will be legal
firearms for small-game seasons in the 2017-18 license
year, which begins July 1.

Semiautomatic firearms that propel single-projectile
ammunition also will be legal sporting arms for
woodchucks and furbearers, and there is no caliber
restriction for woodchucks or furbearers.

The measure also approves the use of air guns for
hunting small game and furbearers.

Air-guns will be legal for small game in calibers from
.177 to .22 that propel single-projectile pellets or
bullets.

For woodchucks and furbearers, air-guns must be at
least .22 caliber and propel a single-projectile
pellet or bullet. BB ammunition is not authorized for
small game, furbearers or woodchucks.

Pennsylvania historically prohibited the use of
semiautomatic rifles for hunting, but a law that took
effect in November enables the Game Commission to
regulate semiautomatic rifles and air guns for
hunting.

With today’s vote, Pennsylvania becomes the last state
in the nation to approve semiautomatic rifles for
hunting uses.

Following their vote, the commissioners said if
growing support for hunting big game with
semiautomatic rifles emerges at some point in the
future, they will give consideration to further
regulatory changes.

Fact-finding by Pennsylvania Game Commission staff
revealed no higher incidence of hunting accidents in
any state where semiautomatics are permitted, and many
firearms experts have said they believe semiautomatics
are safer in that they allow for continuous focus on
the target and often require the shooter to absorb
less recoil.

The survey on hunting with semiautomatic rifles also
showed greater support among younger age groups for
semiautomatic rifle hunting, including the use of
semiautomatic rifles to hunt big game.

But no such provision will be adopted for the 2017-18
license year.

Tagged: hunting., Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Game
Commission4 Comments
Advertisement
11
4 thoughts on “Semiautomatic Rifles Ok’d For
Pennslyvania Small Game, Furbearers”

AR Hunter says:
March 30, 2017 at 12:17 PM
Well crap… I was already researching places to Hunt
Bear and making a budget for a fall trip. I had it
narrowed down real good to some Public Land and Do it
yourself locations in the State.
Guess I wont be spending any money in PA until they
can modernize their hunting to come into the 21st
century. Furthermore this would have been part of a
filmed experience that would have encouraged PA as a
great state to now hunt in with Semiautos.
I do call BS on their “scientific” study. This doesn’t
appear to be anything other than a mail out or email
survey to a group of good ol boys or the Bow Hunting
community. Wonder what the real agenda of the
committee is and why coming into the 21st century
scares them?

Reply
robert says:
March 30, 2017 at 4:15 PM
commie anti gun issues

Reply
Wild Bill says:
March 30, 2017 at 4:49 PM
Wow, the liberals on the Pennsylvania Board of Game
Commissioners found a new way to limit the kind of
fire arm that you own. They can’t stop you from owning
semiautomatics, but they can limit what you hunt with
so why bother to own a semiauto. How clever. Soon
Pennsylvania hunters will be hunting with single shot
firearms.

Reply
Shawn says:
March 30, 2017 at 9:24 PM
Funny I am a Pennsylvania Hunter and I was not
surveyed and every other Hunter I ask has not been
surveyed. Hummm kinda like the ’08 & ’12 election.
Can’t find anyone who voted that way

Reply
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Edited by Irish Bird Dog
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BEAR Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 March 2017 at 02:27
Yep, "Commissioners said a clear majority of
Pennsylvania
hunters voiced opposition to hunting big game with
semiautomatic rifles at this time, and the board’s
vote reflects that opinion. "


Generally, hunters have a negative opinion of AR
shooters.


The AR community hasn't helped with the "AR image" in
the public mind and in the PA hunter's mind. Go to
Public ranges and you will see people shooting at glass
bottles, and other stuff to make a mess. Usually Semi-
auto shooters and many AR shooters.

It has been an interest to me that the M1 and m14(M1a)
shooters, have never given firearms owners the bad name
that AR owners have.   WHY?

Remember it isn't ALL ....AR owners, but it is clearly
the majority.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Irish Bird Dog Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 March 2017 at 16:34
AR's aren't the only semi auto rifles used for hunting
what's this anti AR BS from PA???? remember divided we
FALL!

read this from report in post above........

With today’s vote, Pennsylvania becomes the last state
in the nation to approve semiautomatic rifles for
hunting uses. *

Fact-finding by Pennsylvania Game Commission staff
revealed no higher incidence of hunting accidents in
any state where semiautomatics are permitted, and many
firearms experts have said they believe semiautomatics
are safer in that they allow for continuous focus on
the target and often require the shooter to absorb
less recoil.

*49 other states allow semi auto rifles for big
game and there has been no vast accounts of any issues
based on semi auto rifles from them, so what's the
outcry from PA???
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Irish Bird Dog Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 March 2017 at 16:37
Originally posted by BEAR BEAR wrote:

Yep, "Commissioners said a clear
majority of
Pennsylvania
hunters voiced opposition to hunting big game with
semiautomatic rifles at this time, and the board’s
vote reflects that opinion. "


Generally, hunters have a negative opinion of AR
shooters.


The AR community hasn't helped with the "AR image" in
the public mind and in the PA hunter's mind. Go to
Public ranges and you will see people shooting at
glass
bottles, and other stuff to make a mess. Usually
Semi-
auto shooters and many AR shooters.

It has been an interest to me that the M1 and m14(M1a)
shooters, have never given firearms owners the bad
name
that AR owners have.   WHY?

Remember it isn't ALL ....AR owners, but it is clearly
the majority.


Why is PA the only state to claim to have SLOB AR
rifle shooters???? Don't see that from the other 49
states! And it NOT Clearly the majority of AR shooters
either bear...there are literally 10's of thousands of
AR rifles in this country....no basis for SLOB claim.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BEAR Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 April 2017 at 01:12
"It has been an interest to me that the M1 and m14(M1a)
shooters, have never given firearms owners the bad name
that AR owners have.   WHY? "

Remember it isn't ALL ....AR owners.


Interesting in that the M1 and M14 (M1a) are considerably
more powerful (many would argue better weapons) than the
AR style...but why has use to the M1 and M1a not caused
public outrage? The government is still selling used
military M1s to the public...no outcry?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BEAR Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 April 2017 at 01:18
I don't know " Why is PA the only state " to recognise the
AR slob factor.

You are going to NRA Convention (wish I was, loveit) and
you will probably hear more on this there. The NRA was
the big pusher for this law change, they lobbied hard.

PA hunters never asked for ARs nor did they want it; but
legislators always respond to the big $$$. PA hunters
have been actively lobbying for legal hunting on Sundays.
We didn't get that; and PA hunters have been trying for
that for at least the last 40 years!!!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BEAR Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 April 2017 at 01:21
IBD, understand this illegal use of some rifles for
hunting, not only applies to ARs but ALL semi-automatic
(AKA autoloading) rifles. But the AR is certainly in the
front of the change. We hear nothing about the Browning
BAR nor the Remington 7800 rifles.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BEAR Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 April 2017 at 01:32
cut and paste for Pittsburgh Post Gazette editorial on
last Sunday. It was instrumental in reversing the PGC.

http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-
Ed/2017/03/19/David-Levdansky-Go-slow-on-semi-automatics-
for-hunting/stories/201703190067

It is well written explanation of PA hunters feelings.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RobertMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 April 2017 at 03:03
Originally posted by BEAR BEAR wrote:

"It has been an interest to me that the M1 and m14(M1a)
shooters, have never given firearms owners the bad name
that AR owners have.   WHY? "

Remember it isn't ALL ....AR owners.


Interesting in that the M1 and M14 (M1a) are considerably
more powerful (many would argue better weapons) than the
AR style...but why has use to the M1 and M1a not caused
public outrage? The government is still selling used
military M1s to the public...no outcry?


I would point out, maybe it's not type of rifle, but generation involved. Most shooters of M1 and M1As are over 50 and most slob AR users are under 25.

I've also seen plenty of slob shooters, using 22rf and shotguns, probably the biggest source of broken bottles and cans, 22rf pistols, at least judging from number of 22 brass on ground and distance from trash.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BEAR Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 April 2017 at 03:48
Right on Robert. Might add the high power auto pistol
use into that mix.

You must remember, one bad apple will spoil the barrel.

In a population of 100,000 even 5 % or 5,000 slobs
'looks' terrible.

Remember hunters in PA correctly feel there is no "NEED"
for autoloading rifles to hunt deer and black bear.


Interesting comment in IBD's article
"R Hunter says: March 30, 2017 at 12:17 PM

Well crap… I was already researching places to Hunt
Bear and making a budget for a fall trip. I had it
narrowed down real good to some Public Land and Do it
yourself locations in the State.

Guess I wont be spending any money in PA until they
can modernize their hunting to come into the 21st
century"

Sounds like the exact type of guy PA Hunters don't want
in the woods!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BEAR Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 November 2017 at 12:50
We beat up the topic of semiautos in PA.

Traditional Pennsylvania did NOT allow semi-automatic rifles or pistols for hunting in PA.

This summer it changed,  PA now allows semi-automatic pistols and rifle, along with air rifles for hunting in the state for small game.

Hunters, in my opinion, never really pushed for this.  It was the gun industry that pushed it through.  NRS and others feared the "picture" it made to say ARs (aka MSR) were illegal to hunt with in one of the most hunted states.  Certainly manufactures saw a very large market.

We are now into small game hunting season, and little increase in semi-automatic or air-rifles sales have materialized.  Tradition live on.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RobertMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 November 2017 at 16:00
Bear, I believe you have 10/22, do you find it any less sporting or more dangerous, to use it for squirrel or rabbit hunting than 22 pump, lever, or bolt? Do you feel 7400 in /06, any less sporting or more dangerous than 7600, in /06? Why should pump action be legal and semi not? It can't be because of faster rate of fire, pump certainly is as fast as semi, lever and bolt aren't that much slower.

To me it's the same, as Sunday hunting prohibition, it only makes sense from traditional stand point, it's no less safe to hunt on Sunday, than any other day. Semi, is not less safe than other action types, often they more safety features, than older designs.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BEAR Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 November 2017 at 07:48
Yep, I do have a 10-22, bought to hunt gopher with (aka Blondie).  But for the last two years I got a CZ 452 FS for  gophers.

Autos are no more dangerous than 'assault rifles'; it is the man behind the gun.

Maybe I'm just an old foggie???  Seems the under 40 guys are spray and pray at the range and in the field hunting NY.

This updated post is just to demonstrate that the auto thing wasn't needed or wanted by hunters.  It was outside state action.  Pennsylvania hunters DO WANT Sunday hunting and have for years.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Wing master Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 November 2017 at 23:27
I always have and probably always will use a bolt gun for hunting. 

The thing is, I don't care what you use to hunt with. It's really none of my business. 

One thing I have noticed living out here in the west is most people just want to be left alone. I'll do my thing, You do your thing. We all seem to get along fairly good. 

I damm sure don't want the government to tell me what I can and can't do. 

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I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.
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