Pennsylvania HB 2365: An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in Pennsylvania Game Commission, further providing for junior hunter projects; in hunting and furtaking, further providing for prima facie evidence of hunting and repealing provisions relating to trapping exception for certain persons; in hunting and furtaking licenses, further providing for license requirements, for eligibility for license and for unlawful acts concerning licenses; and, in special licenses and permits, further providing for permit fees.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 3146 PRINTER'S NO. 3190
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2365
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY KULIK, STAATS, OLSOMMER, PASHINSKI, HADDOCK,
STEELE AND NEILSON, APRIL 7, 2026
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON GAME AND FISHERIES, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, APRIL 14, 2026
AN ACT
Amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, in preliminary provisions, further providing for
definitions; in Pennsylvania Game Commission, further
providing for junior hunter projects; in hunting and
furtaking, further providing for prima facie evidence of
hunting and repealing provisions relating to trapping
exception for certain persons; and, in hunting and furtaking
licenses, further providing for license requirements, for
eligibility for license and for unlawful acts concerning
licenses; AND, IN SPECIAL LICENSES AND PERMITS, FURTHER
PROVIDING FOR PERMIT FEES.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 102 of Title 34 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding definitions to read:
§ 102. Definitions.
Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent
provisions of this title which are applicable to specific
provisions of this title, the following words and phrases when
used in this title shall have the meanings given to them in this
section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Accompany." Be within close proximity to another person so
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that verbal instructions and guidance can be easily understood
without the aid or use of an electronic or sound amplification
device.
* * *
"Furtaking." Any act or furtherance of the taking or killing
of any furbearer, or any part or product thereof, including, but
not limited to, chasing, tracking, calling, pursuing, lying in
wait, trapping, shooting at, including shooting at a furbearer
facsimile; wounding with any device or implement; using any
personal property, including dogs, or the property of others, of
any nature, in furtherance of any of these purposes; or aiding,
abetting or conspiring with another person in that purpose.
* * *
Section 2. Sections 327(b)(1) and 2301(b) of Title 34 are
amended to read:
§ 327. Junior hunter projects.
* * *
(b) Specific projects.--
(1) One of the projects shall consist of at least two
free hunting days for persons qualified to receive a junior
hunting license under section 2705(2) or (9) and who have
successfully completed the hunter education requirements
under section [2704(b)] 2704(b.1) (relating to eligibility
for license). The commission shall establish the days, times
and species which may be taken during the free hunting days.
* * *
§ 2301. Prima facie evidence of hunting.
* * *
(b) Lawful cooperation or assistance.--Notwithstanding any
other provision of this title to the contrary, any person who
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has lawfully taken the bag or season limit for a particular
species of game or wildlife [or any person who meets the
requirements of section 2701(c) (relating to license
requirements)] may aid, assist, abet or cooperate in any manner
specified by this title or commission regulations with another
person who is engaged in any lawful activity permitted by this
title or the regulations of the commission.
Section 3. Section 2363 of Title 34 is repealed:
[§ 2363. Trapping exception for certain persons.
Except for section 2704(c) (relating to furtaker's
certificate of training), the remaining provisions of this title
shall not be construed to prevent or prohibit any person under
12 years of age from trapping furbearers. Persons covered by
this section shall not use any firearm other than a .22 caliber
rimfire rifle or sidearm and then only when accompanied by an
adult.]
Section 4. Sections 2701, 2704 and 2711 2704, 2711 AND
2904(A)(9) of Title 34 are amended to read:
§ 2701. License requirements.
(a) General rule.--Except in defense of person or property
or pursuant to exemptions authorized in this title [or by
regulation of the commission for implementing a mentored hunting
program], every person, prior to engaging in any of the
privileges granted by this title, shall first obtain the
applicable license subject to any conditions or other
requirements imposed by this title.
(b) Only one license valid.--Only one full-term or distinct
hunting license and furtaking license shall be valid during any
full-term license year. The issuance of any replacement license
or the purchase of a second or subsequent license of any class
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shall immediately and automatically invalidate any license and
harvest tags of the same kind which had been previously issued.
[(c) Exception.--Any person who has never held a hunting
license in Pennsylvania or an