Pa. Game Commission rejects semi-automatic rifles for big game

The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) may not be mired in controversy, but from the question of Sunday hunting to the allotment of doe tags, the agency is certainly not immune from it either. The latest bone of contention arises from the commissioners’ ruling on semi-automatic rifles made at last week’s board meeting. Back in January they had preliminarily approved a proposal that would have allowed semi-automatic rifles to be used in any season where manually operated centerfire rifles now can be used.

But last week these same PGC folks had a change of heart and ruled against allowing semiautomatics for big game (deer and black bear), this despite the fact that hunters heading afield in the 2017-18 seasons will now be able to carry semi-automatic rifles for hunting small game and furbearers. No changes were made to the list of lawful sporting arms for hunting big game.

This amended measure did not sit well with the National Rifle Association (NRA), a strong advocate for legalizing semiautomatic firearms in the state. “By excluding the use of semi-automatic rifles for big game seasons, they (the PGC commissioners) have essentially eradicated the efforts and progress made last session with the passage and enactment of House Bill 236,” the NRA announced while issuing a call for action: “The Game Commission is set to meet again in June for further rulemaking. It is imperative that you contact the commissioners and urge them to reconsider and pass semi-automatic rifle hunting for big game seasons at the next rulemaking meeting in June!”

But the commissioners’ well-reasoned vote against semi-automatics resulted from a survey that showed a clear majority of Pennsylvania hunters voicing opposition to hunting big game with semi-automatic rifles at this time. The board’s vote last week reflected that opinion.

PGC staffers conducted this 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 last week. While 28 percent of survey respondents expressed support or strong support for semi-automatic rifles for big game, 64 percent of respondents said they opposed or strongly opposed semi-automatic rifles for big-game hunting, with 52 percent saying they were strongly opposed. “We listened to our hunters,” President Commissioner Brian H. Hoover said.

A recent NRA newsletter stated, “As most other states have discovered, allowing hunters to use semi-automatic rifles does nothing more than expand firearm selection for the hunter afield. Ending the prohibition on semi-automatic rifle hunting would have provided Pennsylvania hunters the same opportunities and options enjoyed by hunters in 48 states.”

The PGC commissioners have said that, if growing support for hunting big game with semiautomatic rifles emerges at some point in the future, they’ll give consideration to further regulatory changes, but no such provisions will be adopted for the 2017-18 license year.

ABOUT TROUT

Although our regional opening day anglers endured incredibly dismal stream conditions in the morning, their prospects brightened later in the day as waters cleared and the trout finally started cooperating. Now the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will busy itself with in-season stockings of fresh trout beginning this week. Here are the streams slated for stocking.

Mill Creek, Tulpehocken Creek.

Allegheny Creek, Hay Creek, Swabia Creek, Swamp Creek.

Pickering Creek, Middle Branch White Clay Creek, French Creek.

Beaver Creek, East Branch Octoraro Creek, West Branch Brandywine Creek. pack Creek. Penny-