Hunting by handgun permitted in PA?

[tobor]

Searched the forum, didn't see a reference.

If permitted, which seasons?

Thanks...

[P89]

This relates to deer:

Arms and Ammunition

General Statewide Seasons: (1) Manually operated center-fire rifles, handguns and shotguns with all-lead bullet or ball, or a bullet designed to expand on impact; (2) muzzleloading long gun of any type or caliber; and (3) long, recurve or compound bows with a peak draw weight not less than 35 pounds, and crossbows with a draw weight of not less than 125 pounds, and not more than 200 pounds. Bowhunters must use arrows equipped with broadheads having an outside diameter of at least 7/8-inch with no less than two cutting edges, which shall be in the same plane throughout the length of the cutting surface. Crossbow hunters may use bolts tipped with broadheads of cutting edge design. The use of buckshot is illegal, except in the Southeast Special Regulations Area.

http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/lib/p...egulations.pdf

Keep reading through the PGC website, it'll tell you what you need to know.

[LittleRedToyota]

translation:

you can hunt with a revolver, but not a semi-auto...

[JIMMYC308]

No handguns in Special regulation areas. Except for small game hunting and trapping where a manually operated rimfire handgun is permitted.

Arms & Ammunition: Muzzleloading long guns .44 caliber or larger, bows and arrows, manual or autoloading shotguns, .410 or larger using slugs
and 20-gauge or larger using buckshot. Buckshot is not permitted in Allegheny County. Only bows and arrows, including crossbows, are permitted
in Philadelphia County. Crossbows may be used during any firearm deer season statewide, and during any established deer season in Wildlife
Management Units 2B, 5C and 5D. In WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, hunters using a crossbow during the archery seasons must purchase an archery stamp
in addition to their general hunting license and appropriate WMU antlerless deer license. Hunters using crossbows during the muzzleloader seasons
must have a muzzleloader stamp in addition to their general hunting license and appropriate WMU antlerless deer license. Crossbows must have a
minimum draw weight of 125 pounds and a maximum draw weight not to exceed 200 pounds.
Small Game, Huntable Furbearers & Crows: Manually operated or autoloading shotguns plugged to a 3-shell capacity; manually operated .22
caliber or less rimfire rifles and handguns; and bows and arrows.
Lawful While Trapping: Manually operated .22 caliber or less rimfire rifles and handguns, except as noted under specific “Furtaking” regulations

[41 Redhawk]

Originally Posted by LittleRedToyota

translation:

you can hunt with a revolver, but not a semi-auto...

Single shots like the Contender or Encore are legal as well.

[LittleRedToyota]

Originally Posted by 41 Redhawk

Single shots like the Contender or Encore are legal as well.

yes, of course...oversight on my part.

[Steve in PA]

This was my first deer, a small spike buck taken with a handgun. This was taken a looooooong time ago!! LOL



You can use a handgun during any of the seasons that allow a regular centerfire rifle; the regular bear or deer season.

You can also use a handgun to take smaller game, such as squirrels, turkey, etc but there as caliber restrictions.

[tobor]

Originally Posted by Steve in PA

This was my first deer, a small spike buck taken with a handgun. This was taken a looooooong time ago!! LOL



You can use a handgun during any of the seasons that allow a regular centerfire rifle; the regular bear or deer season.

You can also use a handgun to take smaller game, such as squirrels, turkey, etc but there as caliber restrictions.

Pretty cool. If I do this, I'd be using my new S&W 327 TRR8, in .357, scoped. You think this gun/caliber is suitable?

[Steve in PA]

Yes, a .357 magnum with a good load is certainly capable of taking a deer in PA.

My first year I hunted with a 6" S&W 686 .357 magnum, but I never got the opportunity to take a deer with it.