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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 any other state may participate in
the hunting and trapping activities authorized under this title
or commission regulations without compliance with subsection (a)
or section 2704 (relating to eligibility for license) if that
person satisfies all of the following requirements:
(1) The person who participates in the hunting or
trapping activities must always be in sight of and close
enough to a licensed hunter who is at least 18 years of age
to clearly hear and understand instructions communicated to
the person through normal conversation without the aid of any
device. The licensed hunter shall have a valid hunting
license for the game or wildlife they are hunting or qualify
for license and fee exemptions under section 2706 (relating
to resident license and fee exemptions).
(2) The unlicensed person may not possess, convey or use
any firearm, bow or any other device that may be used to
harvest game or furbearers.
(3) The unlicensed person must be in compliance with
section 2524 (relating to protective material required) and
with any regulations promulgated by the commission related to
protective material.
(4) The unlicensed person who participates in any
hunting party shall be listed on any required hunting roster
and shall count as a member of the hunting party for purposes
of section 2324 (relating to roster of parties hunting big
game) and commission regulations relating to big game animal
hunting roster and parties hunting small game.
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(5) For the purposes of this section, at no time shall a
licensed hunter accompany more than one unlicensed person.]
§ 2704. Eligibility for license.
[(a) General rule.--Persons meeting the requirements of this
title who have reached or will reach their 12th birthday in the
calendar year of application or who are older, whose hunting and
furtaking privileges are valid and who shall meet the
application requirements set forth in this title and pay the
prescribed license cost and issuance fee shall be eligible to
obtain the applicable hunting or furtaking license.
(b) Hunter education.--Persons who have not held a hunting
license lawfully issued to them in this Commonwealth or another
state or nation or have not hunted under the exceptions in
section 2706 (relating to resident license and fee exemptions)
or do not possess a certificate of training approved by the
director prior to the enactment of this title shall be required
to attain accreditation in a hunter education program approved
by the director before a hunting license is issued to them. The
provisions of this subsection shall not apply to a person who
presents:
(1) Evidence of service in the armed forces of the
United States or in the United States Coast Guard and
discharge or separation under honorable conditions within six
months of the date of application.
(2) Evidence that the person is currently serving in the
armed forces of the United States or in the United States
Coast Guard.
(c) Furtaker's certificate of training.--No resident or
nonresident furtaker's license shall be issued to any applicant
unless the applicant presents to the agent authorized to issue
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the license any one of the following:
(1) Evidence that the applicant has held a trapping or
furtaker's license issued by another state or nation.
(2) A certificate of training issued under this section.
(3) A certification signed by the applicant on the
furtaker's license application that the applicant completed a
voluntary trapping course sponsored by the commission or that
the applicant has previously hunted or trapped furbearers
within the last five years.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to those persons
under 12 years of age who trap furbearers under the direct
supervision of an adult licensed furtaker 18 years of age or
older.]
(a.1) General eligibility requirements.--A person shall be
eligible to obtain the applicable hunting and furtaking license
if:
(1) the hunting and furtaking privileges of the person
are valid;
(2) the person meets the application requirements under
this title and the requirements under applicable regulations
set by the commission; and
(3) the person pays the prescribed license cost and
issuance fee.
(b.1) Education program requirements.--
(1) A person who is 12 years of age or older, or who
will reach 12 years of age within the license year of
application, shall, before a hunting or furtaking license is
issued to the person, attain accreditation in a hunter or
furtaker education program approved by the director.
(2) The accreditation requirement under paragraph (1)
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does not apply in the following circumstances:
(i) The person is participating or has participated
in an apprentice license hunting or furtaking program
established by regulation of the commission. The
following apply:
(A) Regarding an apprentice junior hunting or
furtaking license:
(I) The license shall be available to a
person who is under 18 years of age at the time
of application and who does not hold a valid
certificate of training in a hunter or furtaker
education program approved by the director.
(II) The holder of the license shall comply
with applicable safety standards established
under this title or by regulation of the
commission.
(III) The license shall be available to an
eligible youth applicant who is under 12 years of
age for an unrestricted number of years.
(IV) The license shall be available to an
eligible youth applicant who is 12 years of age
or older but who is under 18 years of age for up
to a total of three license years. Previous
participation by the applicant in the apprentice
junior hunting or furtaking license program while
under 12 years of age shall reduce the
applicant's eligibility by the applicable number
of years of participation, up to three license
years.
(B) Regarding an apprentice adult hunting or
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furtaking license:
(I) The license shall be available to a
person who is 18 years of age or older at the
time of application and who does not hold a valid
certificate of training in a hunter or furtaker
education program approved by the director.
(II) The holder of the license shall comply
with applicable safety standards established
under this title or by regulation of the
commission.
(III) The license shall be available to an
eligible adult applicant for up to a total of
three license years. Previous participation by
the applicant in the apprentice hunting or
furtaking license program while under 18 years of
age shall reduce the applicant's eligibility by
the applicable number of years of participation,
up to three license years.
(ii) The person presents evidence of current service
in any branch of the United States Armed Forces as
defined in 10 U.S.C. § 101(a)(4) (relating to
definitions) or previous service and discharge or
separation under honorable conditions within six months
of the date of application.
(iii) The person presents evidence of having held:
(A) a valid certificate of training in a hunter
or furtaker education program approved by the
director; or
(B) a valid hunting or furtaking license
lawfully issued to the person in another state or
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nation.
(d) Duties of commission.--
(1) The commission shall provide for a course of
instruction, approved by the director, in the safe and
ethical [utilization] use of firearms and traps or other
devices used for taking furbearers. The commission may
cooperate with any reputable association or organization in
presentation of this course.
(2) The commission may designate any person who the
commission determines to be competent to give instruction in
the handling of firearms, traps or other devices to act as an
instructor. The appointed person shall give the course of
instruction and shall issue to each person who successfully
completes the course of instruction a certificate of training
in the handling of firearms, traps or other devices. No
charge shall be made for the course of instruction, except as
may be provided by this title or by regulations promulgated
under this title.
(3) The commission shall furnish information on the
requirements of the furtaker's education program which shall
be distributed, free of charge, to applicants for furtaker
licenses by the persons appointed and authorized to issue the
licenses.
[(4) The provisions of this section shall not apply to
those persons under 12 years of age who trap furbearers under
the direct supervision of an adult licensed furtaker 18 years
of age or older.]
(e) Compliance by certification.--The requirements of
subsection [(b) or (c)] (b.1) shall be deemed met by a
certification signed by the applicant on the license application
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stating that the applicant has held accreditation in a hunter or
furtaker education program approved by the director or a license
issued by the Commonwealth or another state or nation in a prior
year but is unable to produce evidence of holding such license.
(f) Courses combined.--Subject to the approval of the
commission, the director may combine the courses of instruction
in hunter education and furtaker's training into one
comprehensive course.
(g) Hunter education in public schools.--Upon request of the
commission, all public school districts in this Commonwealth
shall make a school facility under their control available for
the purpose of conducting a hunter education course. Classes may
occur as an after-school or weekend function or any other day
when school is not in session. The commission shall, to the best
of its ability, work with the school to schedule classes for a
time that best suits both the school and the commission. All
classes shall comply with curriculum standards and program
policies established by the director. The commission shall
compensate the school for the actual cost incurred by the school
related to the commission's use of the facility. Fees may not be
charged to the public for the service under this section.
§ 2711. Unlawful acts concerning licenses.
(a) [General rule] Prohibitions.--Except as otherwise
provided in this title, it is unlawful for any person to:
(1) Hunt or take any game or wildlife by any means or
manner or device, including the use of dogs, without first
securing and personally signing the required license. [The
required license must be carried on person when hunting,
furtaking or taking any game or wildlife within this
Commonwealth.]
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(2) Procure a license in a name other than the person's
legal name, furnish an address other than his legal place of
residence and domicile or make any false or misleading
statement whatsoever in securing a license.
(3) Lend or transfer in any manner whatsoever a license
or game or wildlife kill tag to any other person regardless
of the purpose.
(4) Issue, acquire, possess or aid, assist or conspire,
either for that person or any other person, in procuring any
hunting or furtaking license or privilege for which that
person is not legally entitled thereto.
(5) Possess while hunting or taking game or wildlife or
going to or from hunting or taking game or wildlife any
report card, license tag, license stamp or game or wildlife
kill tag belonging to another.
(6) Except as provided under section 2705 (relating to
classes of licenses), receive a hunting or furtaking license
under any circumstances if under 12 years of age.
(7) Receive a hunting or furtaking license without
presenting a written request executed by a parent or legally
constituted guardian if under 17 years of age.
[(8) Use firearms of any kind or a bow and arrow for the
purpose of hunting any game or wildlife or attempting to take
or kill any game or wildlife by hunting or trapping if under
12 years of age or when hunting or trapping any game or
wildlife or attempting to hunt or trap any game or wildlife
if between 12 and 14 years of age, unless accompanied by a
parent or a person 18 years of age or older serving in loco
parentis or as guardian or some other family member 18 years
of age or older or when hunting if between 14 and 16 years of
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age, unless accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older.
For the purpose of this paragraph "accompany" means close
enough that verbal instructions and guidance can be easily
understood. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply
to section 2363 (relating to trapping exception for certain
persons).]
(8.1) Hunt or trap game or wildlife while in possession
of a firearm, bow and arrow, raptor, trap or any other device
of any description usable for the purpose of hunting or
taking game or wildlife while unaccompanied, subject to the
following requirements regarding hunting and furtaking and
subsection (d):
(i) A person who is 12 years of age or older but
under 16 years of age and who possesses a valid junior
hunting or furtaking license or meets a valid license
exemption under section 2706(a) (relating to resident
license and fee exemptions) shall be accompanied by a
person who is 18 years of age or older, with or without a
hunting or furtaking license.
(ii) A person who is 16 years of age or older and
who possesses a valid junior hunting or furtaking license
or meets a valid license exemption under section 2706(a)
is not required to be accompanied.
(iii) A person who is 18 years of age or older and
who possesses a valid adult hunting or furtaking license
or meets a valid license exemption under section 2706(a)
is not required to be accompanied.
(iv) A person who is 16 years of age or younger and
who possesses a valid apprentice junior hunting or
furtaking license or meets a valid license exemption
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under section 2706(a) shall be accompanied by a person
who is 21 years of age or older and who possesses a valid
hunting or furtaking license.
(v) A person who is 18 years of age or older and who
possesses a valid apprentice adult hunting or furtaking
license or meets a valid license exemption under section
2706(a) shall be accompanied by a person who is 21 years
of age or older and who possesses a valid hunting or
furtaking license.
(vi) A person who is not described in subparagraph
(i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) shall be accompanied by a
person who is 21 years of age or older and who possesses
an adult hunting or furtaking license.
(10) Hunt or take, or aid, assist or attempt to hunt or
take, furbearers or take any game or wildlife anywhere in
this Commonwealth, either with or without a license, or make
application, receive or attempt or conspire to receive any
license required by this chapter, during any period that
these privileges have been denied or withdrawn by this title,
by the director or by a magisterial district judge or court
of competent jurisdiction.
(11) Conspire to or duplicate, reproduce, alter, forge
or counterfeit any permit, license, tag or stamp required by
this title.
(12) While exercising any of the privileges granted by
any license provided for in this title, refuse or fail to
satisfactorily provide positive identification or proof of
license to any landowner upon whose land that person may be
occupying or to any officer whose duty it is to enforce this
title.
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(13) Violate any regulations promulgated under the
authority of this subchapter.
[(a.1) Exemption.--For the sole purpose of implementing and
enhancing a mentored hunting program within this Commonwealth,
the commission may establish regulations exempting certain
limited hunting activities from the prohibitions specified in
subsection (a)(1), (3), (5) and (8). Such exemption shall
include a provision limiting a mentored person participating in
a mentored hunting program to the receipt of no more than one
antlerless deer license in each license year. A person 17 years
of age or older may participate in a mentored hunting program as
a mentored hunter in no more than three licensing years.]
(b) Penalties.--A violation of this subchapter relating to:
(1) Subsection (a)(1) insofar as it relates to hunting
or furtaking without a valid license or licenses required is
a summary offense of the third degree.
[(2) Subsection (a)(1) insofar as it relates to signing
a license is a summary offense of the eighth degree.]
(3) Subsection (a)(1) insofar as it relates to signing a
license, (a)(2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8.1) or (12) is a
summary offense of the fifth degree.
[(4) Subsection (a)(6), (7) or (8) is a summary offense
of the seventh degree.]
(5) Subsection (a)(10) or (11) is a summary offense of
the first degree and [may] shall result in forfeiture of the
privilege to hunt or take game or wildlife anywhere within
this Commonwealth for a period of five years.
(6) Any of the other provisions of this subchapter or
the regulations promulgated thereunder is a summary offense
of the fifth degree.
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(c) Separate offenses.--Each day of violation or each
illegal act constitutes a separate offense.
(d) Accompaniment.--
(1) For the purposes of subsection (a)(8.1)(i), (v) and
(vi), to accompany means that the accompanied person is
within close proximity to another person so that verbal
instructions and guidance can be easily understood without
the aid or use of an electronic or sound amplification
device.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (a)(8.1)(iv), to
accompany means that the accompanied person is, at all times,
within arm's reach and subject to the immediate control of
the person providing accompaniment while the accompanied
person is in possession of a firearm, bow and arrow, raptor,
trap or any other device of any description usable for the
purpose of hunting or taking game or wildlife.
§ 2904. PERMIT FEES.
(A) ANNUAL FEES.--THE ANNUAL FEE FOR PERMITS PROVIDED FOR IN
THIS CHAPTER SHALL BE AS FOLLOWS:
* * *
(9) FUR DEALERS:
(I) RESIDENT - [$100] $50.
(II) NONRESIDENT - [$300] $50.
* * *
Section 5. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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