Cecily Zamora
Pennsylvania's first game law was passed in 1901, when the state issued its first non-resident hunting licenses. The law was updated in 1908 with the publication of 'The Compendium of Everyday Wants', which described the Pennsylvania Game Laws in more detail. The book outlined that hunting was prohibited on Sundays, and that it was illegal to kill any songbird, deer, or fawn. In 1905, Governor Samuel Pennypacker authorized the creation of ''game preserves' in state forests to protect deer, wild turkey, grouse, woodcock, and other animals, with the first preserve established on 2,000 acres in Clinton County. The state's game laws have continued to evolve, with the creation of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, which manages the Pennsylvania State Game Lands for hunting, trapping, and fishing, and the implementation of hunting licenses and penalties for violations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of enactment | 1897 |
| Purpose | To protect populations of deer, elk, waterfowl and game birds |
| Enforcement | Empowered constables and game protectors appointed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission |
| Hunting license cost | $1 |
| Hunting lands | 2,000 acres in Clinton County |
| Hunting license funding | Used to purchase additional lands for hunting |
| Number of game preserves | 20 |
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What You'll Learn
The Pennsylvania Game Commission
The commission's work is guided by Pennsylvania's Game and Wildlife Code, which includes regulations on hunting and wildlife conservation. For example, hunting is prohibited on Sundays, and it is illegal to kill songbirds or deer for the purpose of selling them. The code also defines "open season" and "closed season", which refer to the periods of the year and daily hours during which it is legal or unlawful, respectively, to hunt or take game or wildlife.
Violations of the Game and Wildlife Code can result in penalties ranging from summary offenses with fines and potential jail time to felonies with imprisonment and substantial fines. The most severe crimes within the code are graded as felonies of the third degree, which carry a maximum penalty of 36 months' imprisonment and a fine of up to $15,000.
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Game protectors and constables
The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) is an independent administrative commission consisting of nine citizens of the Commonwealth who are well-informed on wildlife conservation and restoration. The PGC is responsible for managing the Pennsylvania State Game Lands (SGL), which are lands used for hunting, trapping, and fishing. These lands, often not suitable for farming or development, are donated to the PGC or purchased with hunting license money.
The PGC has a monthly publication called the Pennsylvania Game News, which includes financial and legislative updates, stories, and field notes from Wildlife Conservation Officers. The Commission also employs Game protectors and constables, who are responsible for enforcing the Game and Wildlife Code.
The Game and Wildlife Code includes regulations on the use of firearms, traps, boats, decoys, and other equipment used in hunting. It also covers the protection of threatened and endangered species, with special rules for officers enforcing these laws. For example, a felony conviction for a violation related to endangered species may result in the loss of hunting privileges for 15 years.
In addition to enforcing the Game and Wildlife Code, game protectors and constables in Pennsylvania may also be involved in other activities related to wildlife conservation and restoration. They may work with the PGC to restock game lands, as was done in 1905 when Governor Samuel Pennypacker authorized the establishment of 'game preserves' to protect deer, wild turkey, grouse, and other animals.
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Hunting license fees
In 1905, Governor Samuel Pennypacker authorized the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) to establish 'game preserves' in state forests to protect deer, wild turkey, grouse, woodcock, and other animals. By 1913, the General Assembly passed the Resident Hunter's License Law, which allowed the Commission to charge one dollar for each hunting license. This provided funding to purchase additional lands for hunting.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is an independent administrative commission consisting of nine citizens of the Commonwealth, appointed by the Governor. The Commission is well-informed on wildlife conservation and restoration, with at least one member representing agricultural interests. The Commission manages the Pennsylvania State Game Lands (SGL), which are often lands not usable for farming or development. These lands are donated to the PGC or purchased with hunting license fees.
In addition to funding land acquisition and wildlife restocking, hunting license fees contribute to the broader management and conservation efforts of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The Commission publishes the Pennsylvania Game News, a monthly publication that includes financial and legislative updates, stories, and field notes from Wildlife Conservation Officers.
The Pennsylvania Game and Wildlife Code outlines various violations and their corresponding penalties, including fines and imprisonment. For example, a felony conviction may result in the forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take wildlife within the Commonwealth for 15 years. Misdemeanors are also outlined, with shooting and killing another human while hunting classified as a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Overall, hunting license fees have been instrumental in the establishment and management of Pennsylvania's State Game Lands, contributing to the conservation of wildlife and providing hunters with access to dedicated hunting spaces.
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Game and Wildlife Code violations
In 1905, Governor Samuel Pennypacker authorized the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) to establish 'game preserves' in state forests to protect deer, wild turkey, grouse, woodcock, and other animals. The first game preserve was on 2,000 acres of land in Clinton County. The Resident Hunter's License Law was passed in 1913, allowing the Commission to charge one dollar for each hunting license, with the funds being used to purchase additional lands for hunting.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is an independent administrative commission consisting of nine citizens of the Commonwealth who are well-informed on wildlife conservation and restoration. The Commission is responsible for managing the Pennsylvania State Game Lands (SGL), which are lands used for hunting, trapping, and fishing.
Violations of Pennsylvania's Game and Wildlife Code are graded as special felonies, misdemeanours, and summary offences. The most severe crimes within the Game and Wildlife Code are graded as Felonies of the third degree, with maximum penalties of 36 months imprisonment and a fine of up to $15,000. There are only a few felony game offences in Pennsylvania, and felony grading is reserved for at least a third or subsequent violation within a seven-year period or during the same criminal episode.
Examples of misdemeanours include shooting another human causing serious bodily injury while hunting, which is a misdemeanour of the second degree, and shooting and killing another human while hunting, which is a misdemeanour of the first degree. Misdemeanours of the first degree may result in imprisonment of up to 18 months and a fine of up to $10,000.
Summary offences are the most common type of violation under the Game and Wildlife Code. Within Title 34, there are eight different gradings of summary offences, each with a different range of fines and potential jail time. For example, a Summary Offence of the First Degree carries a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $1,500, and up to 90 days in jail.
The Operation Game Thief (OGT) programme encourages the public to report any suspicious activity or knowledge about poaching violations. The programme provides a toll-free hotline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, where people can confidentially report tips about wildlife crimes.
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Pennsylvania's gambling laws
The Pennsylvania Bingo Law, passed in 1981, allows organisations to hold bingo games. The state also legalised online gambling in 2017, becoming the fourth state to do so. This bill also authorised licenses for ten new satellite casinos, with up to 750 slot machines and 30 table games, to be located at least 25 miles from existing casinos. Pennsylvania is the only state to offer both gaming and lottery tickets online. Casinos in the state have been offering sports betting since 2018, following a Supreme Court ruling.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) oversees all legalized gambling in the state, issuing licenses and enforcing the laws. "Tavern games" were legalized in 2013, defined as tavern raffles for charitable or public purposes and other chance-based games at qualifying establishments. Antique slot machines, at least 25 years old, are also legal. However, games like poker and roulette are strictly prohibited.
Despite the proliferation of gambling in Pennsylvania, illegal gambling remains prevalent, particularly with the emergence of "skill machines" that resemble slot machines but are unregulated and untaxed. These can be found in bars, clubs, gas stations, and tobacco shops. Pennsylvania has seen record revenues from legal gambling, with nearly $6.4 billion generated in the state fiscal year.
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Frequently asked questions
The first game law in Pennsylvania was enacted in 1897 to protect populations of deer, elk, waterfowl, and game birds.
By 1890, game animals had practically disappeared from Pennsylvania due to hunting. The law aimed to protect the remaining wildlife populations.
John M. Phillips and other sportsmen formed the Pennsylvania Sportsmen's Association in 1890 to advocate for wildlife protection, leading to the formation of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) is an independent administrative commission consisting of nine citizens appointed by the Governor who are well-informed on wildlife conservation and restoration. They manage the Pennsylvania State Game Lands (SGL) for hunting, trapping, and fishing.
The law led to the appointment of game protectors and empowered constables to enforce the new regulations. It also resulted in the creation of game preserves and the implementation of hunting licenses to fund the purchase of additional lands for hunting.
