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HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners gave preliminary approval to a measure that would make three additional electronic devices lawful to use while hunting at their regular meeting Monday.
If the measure is adopted, hunters would be able to use electronic decoys in hunting waterfowl; electronically heated scent or lure dispensers; and electronic devices that distribute ozone gas for scent-control purposes.
The measure is scheduled to be brought back to the September meeting for a final vote. The board indicated it will consider adding electronic mourning-dove decoys to the list when it's brought up for a final vote.
Electronic devices generally are prohibited for hunting use in Pennsylvania, but the Game Commission over the years has received requests to review several specific electronic devices, and has approved some of them for hunting use. As part of the review process, the Game Commission evaluates to what degree a given device might negatively impact the principles of resource conservation, equal opportunity, fair chase and public safety.
In reviewing the devices that today were preliminarily approved for hunting use, the Game Commission identified no negative impacts that would result from their use.
Other electronic devices that are permitted for use while hunting or trapping in Pennsylvania are:
¯ Firearms that use an electronic impulse to initiate discharge of their ammunition;
¯ Electronic sound-amplification devices incorporated into hearing protection devices and completely contained within the hunters' ear;
¯ Electronic devices used for locating dogs while training and hunting;
¯ Electronic illuminating devices affixed to the aft end of a bolt or arrow and used solely for locating or tracking a bolt or arrow after it is launched;
¯ Electronic crow decoys used solely for hunting crows; and
¯ Electronic rangefinders, including handheld devices and those contained within a scope or archery sight, so long that it does not emit a beam.
In other action, the commissioners preliminarily approved a measure that would allow hunters and trappers within Special Regulations Areas also to use semiautomatic rifles and air guns.
Only rimfire ammunition would be allowed when hunting or trapping with semiautomatic rifles in Special Regulations Areas, based on the proposal, which is scheduled for a final vote at the September meeting.
Special Regulations Areas include all of Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, and Ridley Creek and Tyler state parks during special controlled hunts.
Hunters within Special Regulations Areas must follow different guidelines than in other parts of the state, and are limited to using manually operated rimfire rifles, shotguns, muzzleloading long guns and archery equipment.
The amendment would add air rifles to that list, and lift the requirement that rimfire rifles be manually operated.
The board also voted to keep baiting as an option in Southeast Special Regulations Area. Commissioners ensured deer hunters in the Southeast Special Regulations Area will continue to have the option to apply for permits to use mechanical feeders to dispense bait at hunting locations on private property.
The board first voted to create deer-attractant permits in 2014, but attached to the measure a sunset clause that would force the board to revisit the issue in 2017.
The use of mechanical feeders that dispense bait at fixed times during lawful hunting hours is intended to increase hunter success in an area of the state where deer populations are high, but hunter access is limited.