PRINTER'S NO.  2445

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

HOUSE BILL

 

No.

1859

Session of

2009

  

  

INTRODUCED BY STABACK, PEIFER, BAKER, BELFANTI, BEYER, CALTAGIRONE, CARROLL, CASORIO, CREIGHTON, DALLY, FAIRCHILD, GEIST, GERGELY, GILLESPIE, GOODMAN, HALUSKA, HORNAMAN, KAUFFMAN, KORTZ, KOTIK, LEVDANSKY, LONGIETTI, McCALL, MICOZZIE, MOUL, MURT, PYLE, ROCK, SIPTROTH, SOLOBAY, SWANGER, VULAKOVICH, WALKO AND WANSACZ, JULY 14, 2009

  

  

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GAME AND FISHERIES, JULY 14, 2009  

  

  

  

AN ACT

  

1

Amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated

2

Statutes, in preliminary provisions, further providing for

3

definitions; in enforcement, further providing for the

4

offense of assaulting an officer, for jurisdiction and

5

penalties, for revocation, suspension or denial of license,

6

permit or registration and for determination of second or

7

subsequent convictions; in game or wildlife protection,

8

further providing for endangered or threatened species; in

9

hunting and furtaking, further providing for killing game or

10

wildlife by mistake, for unlawful taking or possession of

11

game or wildlife, for unlawful use of lights while hunting,

12

for buying and selling game, for trespass on private property

13

while hunting, for unlawful killing or taking of big game and

14

for additional penalty for poaching; and, in hunting and

15

furtaking licenses, further providing for unlawful acts

16

concerning licenses. 

17

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

18

hereby enacts as follows:

19

Section 1.  The definitions of "closed season," "open season"

20

and "violation" in section 102 of Title 34 of the Pennsylvania

21

Consolidated Statutes are amended to read:

22

§ 102.  Definitions.

23

Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent

 


1

provisions of this title which are applicable to specific

2

provisions of this title, the following words and phrases when

3

used in this title shall have the meanings given to them in this

4

section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

5

* * *

6

"Closed season."  The periods of the calendar year and the

7

[shooting] hours during which it is unlawful to take game or

8

wildlife.

9

* * *

10

"Open season."  The indicated periods of the calendar year

11

and the daily [shooting] hours during which game or wildlife may

12

be legally hunted, taken or killed and includes both the first

13

and the last day of the season or period of time designated by

14

this title or by regulation of the commission.

15

* * *

16

"Violation."  [A] Any act in violation of a provision of this

17

title [and a violation of a] or any regulation promulgated by

18

the commission which implements or otherwise pertains to any

19

provision of this title.

20

* * *

21

Section 2.  Sections 905, 925, 929(a) and (b), 932, 2167,

22

2306, 2307(b) and (e), 2310(a)(2) and (c), 2312(a) and (d), 2314

23

and 2321 of Title 34 are amended to read:

24

§ 905.  Assaulting an officer.

25

[A] Any person who intentionally, knowingly or recklessly 

26

attempts to cause or causes serious bodily injury to an officer

27

making an arrest or investigation for a violation of this title

28

or performing any duties required by this title commits a

29

[misdemeanor] felony of the second degree.

30

§ 925.  Jurisdiction and penalties.

- 2 -

 


1

(a)  Jurisdiction.--Notwithstanding the provisions of Title

2

42 (relating to judiciary and judicial procedure), all

3

magisterial district judges shall have jurisdiction for all

4

violations of this title which are classified as summary

5

offenses and may accept guilty pleas and impose sentences for

6

violations of this title classified as misdemeanors.

7

(b)  Fines and penalties for violations.--In addition to any

8

other requirements of this title, the following fines and

9

penalties shall be imposed for violations of this title:

10

(1)  Felony of the second degree, not more than $25,000

11

and may be sentenced to imprisonment up to 60 months.

12

(2)  Felony of the third degree, not more than $15,000

13

and may be sentenced to imprisonment up to 36 months.

14

[(1)] (3)  Misdemeanor of the first degree, not [less

15

than $2,000 nor] more than $10,000 and may be sentenced to

16

imprisonment up to [six] 18 months.

17

[(2)] (4)  Misdemeanor of the second degree, not [less

18

than $1,000 nor] more than $5,000 and may be sentenced to

19

imprisonment up to [six] 12 months.

20

[(3)] (5)  Misdemeanor [of the third degree,] not [less

21

than $500 nor] more than [$2,500] $3,000 and may be sentenced

22

to imprisonment up to six months.

23

[(4)] (6)  Summary offense of the first degree, not less

24

than [$500] $1,000 nor more than $1,500 and may be sentenced

25

to imprisonment up to three months.

26

[(5)] (7)  Summary offense of the second degree, not less

27

than [$300] $400 nor more than $800 and may be sentenced to

28

imprisonment up to one month.

29

[(6)] (8)  Summary offense of the third degree, not less

30

than [$200] $250 nor more than $500.

- 3 -

 


1

[(7)] (9)  Summary offense of the fourth degree, not less

2

than [$100] $150 nor more than $300.

3

[(8)] (10)  Summary offense of the fifth degree, not less

4

than [$75] $100 nor more than $200.

5

[(9)] (11)  Summary offense of the sixth degree, [not

6

less than $50 nor more than $100] $75.

7

[10] (12)  Summary offense of the seventh degree, [not

8

less than $25 nor more than $75] $50.

9

[(11)] (13)  Summary offense of the eighth degree, $25.

10

(b.1)  Costs of prosecution for violations.--In addition to

11

the imposition of any fines and penalties, costs of prosecution

12

shall [also] be assessed pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 1725.1 

13

(relating to costs) [and], 3571 (relating to Commonwealth

14

portion of fines, etc.) and section 1403 of the act of August 9,

15

1955 (P.L.323, No.130), known as The County Code, and as

16

otherwise deemed appropriate by the court.

17

(c)  Penalty for undesignated violations.--A person who

18

violates any provision of this title for which a particular

19

penalty is not [applicable] designated commits:

20

(1)  A misdemeanor of the [third] second degree if the

21

violation involves an endangered or threatened species and no

22

more severe penalty is fixed.

23

(2)  A summary offense of the fifth degree for any other

24

violation.

25

(d)  [Second and subsequent offenses.--Where game or wildlife

26

is taken, killed, wounded, possessed, transported, purchased,

27

concealed or sold and the offense is a second or subsequent

28

offense in a two-year period, one and one-half times the amount

29

of fine shall be imposed.]Enhanced penalties for certain

30

violations.--If applicable, one or more of the following may

- 4 -

 


1

apply to certain offenses:

2

(1)  An additional fine of one and one-half times the

3

amount of the applicable fine may be imposed when the offense

4

is a second or subsequent offense within a seven-year period

5

or during the same criminal episode and no penalties for

6

second or subsequent offenses are prescribed for the

7

violation under this title.

8

(2)  An additional fine of $500 may be imposed when the

9

offense involves the unlawful taking of big game or

10

threatened or endangered species and a witness report was

11

instrumental in securing a successful conviction. Any

12

additional fines imposed under this paragraph shall be

13

directed to the commission to compensate any witness whose

14

report directly results in a successful conviction. If

15

applicable, each witness, up to a maximum of two, shall be

16

compensated $250 for each additional $500 imposed.

17

(e)  Installment payment of fines.--Upon a plea and proof

18

that person is unable to pay any fine and costs imposed under

19

this title, a court may, in accordance with 42 Pa.C.S. § 9758 

20

(relating to fine), permit installment payments it considers

21

appropriate to the circumstances of the [defendant] person, in

22

which case its order shall specify when each installment payment

23

is due.

24

(f)  Nonpayment of fines and costs.--Unless otherwise

25

provided in this title, each person who fails to pay [the fine] 

26

any fines and costs imposed may, after a hearing before a

27

magisterial district judge, be imprisoned until the [fine is] 

28

fines and costs are paid in full. The court may imprison the

29

person for a number of days equal to one day for each $40 of the

30

unpaid balance of the [fine] fines and costs not to exceed [120

- 5 -

 


1

days] six months.

2

(g)  [Community public service] Adjudication alternative 

3

program inapplicable.--The provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. § 1520 

4

(relating to [community public service] adjudication alternative 

5

program) shall not be applied as an adjudication alternative for

6

any violation or offense under this title.

7

(h)  Separate offenses.--Where game or wildlife is unlawfully

8

taken, killed, wounded, possessed, transported, purchased,

9

concealed or sold, each bird or animal or part thereof involved

10

in the violation constitutes a separate offense.

11

(i)  Replacement costs.--In addition to the fines and costs

12

imposed for violations pursuant to subsection (b), the costs

13

incurred by the commission for the replacement of the species

14

involved in the violation shall be assessed by the magisterial

15

district judge in such amount as is fixed by regulation of the

16

commission. Replacement costs shall only be assessed for

17

violations relating to threatened or endangered species of North

18

American game or wildlife and such other species of Pennsylvania

19

game or wildlife as designated by the commission.

20

(j)  Title 18 inapplicable.--Title 18 (relating to crimes and

21

offenses) is inapplicable to this title insofar as it relates

22

to:

23

(1)  intent, willfulness of conduct or fines and

24

imprisonment for convictions of summary offenses and

25

misdemeanors; or

26

(2)  criminal records under 18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 91 (relating

27

to criminal history record information) for misdemeanors

28

under section 2522(b)(1) (relating to shooting at or causing

29

injury to human beings).

30

§ 929.  Revocation, suspension or denial of license, permit or

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1

registration.

2

(a)  General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this

3

title, any hunting or furtaking license, special license or

4

permit or registration granted under the authority of this title

5

may be denied, revoked or suspended by the commission when the

6

holder of the license, permit or registration is convicted of an

7

offense under this title or has acted contrary to the intent of

8

the registration or permit, with each offense constituting a

9

separate violation subject to separate revocation. The

10

commission may refuse to grant to that person any permit or

11

registration and may deny any privilege granted by these

12

documents for a period not exceeding five years unless otherwise

13

provided in this title.

14

* * *

15

(b)  Regulations.--The commission may promulgate regulations

16

specifying the procedures to be followed in denying, revoking or

17

suspending any hunting and furtaking privileges, licenses,

18

permits and registrations granted under the provisions of this

19

title.

20

§ 932.  Determination of second or subsequent [convictions] 

21

offenses.

22

Any person convicted or pleading guilty or signing an

23

acknowledgment of guilt under any provisions of this title who,

24

within the past [two] seven years, was convicted or pleaded

25

guilty or signed an acknowledgment of guilt for violating any of

26

the provisions of this title or the former laws relating to game

27

or wildlife then in force shall be sentenced under this title as

28

a second or subsequent offender. Any acceptance of Accelerated

29

Rehabilitative Disposition within the past seven years of the

30

present violation shall be considered for the purposes of

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1

determining a second or subsequent offense.

2

§ 2167.  Endangered or threatened species.

3

(a)  Changes to list.--The commission may, by regulation, add

4

or remove any wild bird or wild animal native to this

5

Commonwealth to or from the Pennsylvania native list of

6

endangered or threatened species.

7

(b)  Possession, transportation, capturing or killing.--

8

Except as otherwise provided in this title, it is unlawful for

9

any person, acting either for himself or as the representative

10

of another, to bring into or remove from this Commonwealth, or

11

to possess, transport, capture or kill, or attempt, aid, abet or

12

conspire to capture or kill, any wild bird or wild animal, or

13

any part thereof, or the eggs of any wild bird, which are

14

endangered or threatened species. It is the duty of every

15

officer having authority to enforce this title to seize all wild

16

birds or wild animals, or any part thereof, or the eggs of any

17

wild bird, which have been declared endangered or threatened. [A

18

violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor of the third

19

degree. All wild birds or wild animals, or any part thereof, or

20

the eggs seized which are found to be in violation of this

21

subsection are contraband.]

22

(c)  Purchase, sale, barter or exchange.--Except as otherwise

23

provided in this title, it is unlawful for any person, acting

24

either for himself or as a representative of another, at any

25

time to buy, sell, barter or exchange, or to offer for sale or

26

barter, or to have in possession for sale or barter, or to aid,

27

abet or conspire in the possession, sale, barter or exchange, or

28

to give away any endangered or threatened species or subspecies

29

of wild birds or wild animals, or parts thereof. It is the duty

30

of every officer having authority to enforce this title to seize

- 8 -

 


1

all endangered or threatened wild birds or wild animals, or any

2

part thereof. [A violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor

3

of the second degree. All wild birds or wild animals, or any

4

part thereof, found to be in violation of this subsection are

5

contraband.] This subsection shall not be construed to permit

6

any individual or agency other than the commission to sell the

7

skins or parts of game or wildlife or the plumage or parts of

8

birds killed as a protection to crops or accidentally killed

9

upon the highways or seized as contraband.

10

(d)  Penalties.--A violation of this section shall be graded

11

as follows:

12

(1)  A first violation is a misdemeanor of the second

13

degree and may result in forfeiture of the privilege to hunt

14

or take wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a

15

period of seven years.

16

(2)  A second violation within a seven-year period or

17

during the same criminal episode as the first violation is a

18

misdemeanor of the first degree and may result in the

19

forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take wildlife anywhere

20

within this Commonwealth for a period of ten years.

21

(3)  A third or subsequent violation within a seven-year

22

period or during the same criminal episode as the first or

23

second violation is a felony of the third degree and may

24

result in the forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take

25

wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period of 15

26

years.

27

§ 2306.  Killing game or wildlife by mistake.

28

(a)  General rule.--Any person who, while hunting or trapping

29

for game or wildlife which may be lawfully taken, by accident or

30

mistake kills or attempts to kill any game or wildlife other

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1

than bears, elk or threatened or endangered species, contrary to

2

the provisions of this title, shall pay restitution pursuant to

3

subsection (b) to an officer of the commission. [The person

4

shall immediately remove all the entrails of any edible game or

5

wildlife, deliver the entire carcass, less entrails, to any

6

commission officer in the county in which killed for disposition

7

and make a written sworn statement explaining when, where and

8

how the accident or mistake occurred.]

9

(b)  Restitution.--Restitution for killing or an attempted

10

killing by accident or mistake shall be as follows:

11

(1)  Each deer - $25.

12

(2)  Each turkey - $20.

13

(3)  Each other wild bird or wild animal, other than a

14

bear, elk or an endangered or threatened species - $15.

15

(c)  [Additional action.--If the officer receiving the

16

payment and written statement after further review and

17

investigation is not satisfied the killing or attempted killing

18

was an accident or a mistake but was caused by negligence or

19

carelessness or if the person fails to pay the prescribed

20

restitution within ten days, the officer shall cause the person

21

to be prosecuted for the unlawful killing or attempted killing

22

of game or wildlife, and, if convicted, any amount paid shall be

23

applied to the payment of the penalty and costs.] Procedural

24

requirements.--Any person claiming a mistake kill or attempted

25

kill of game or wildlife pursuant to this section shall:

26

(1)  Immediately remove all of the entrails of any edible

27

game or wildlife and, if big game, tag the animal in the

28

manner prescribed under section 2323 (relating to tagging and

29

reporting big game kills).

30

(2)  Within 24 hours after the killing or attempted

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1

killing, report the same to the appropriate commission

2

regional office by telephone or electronic communication.

3

(3)  Within 24 hours after the killing or attempted

4

killing, deliver the entire carcass, less entrails, to any

5

commission officer in the county in which killed for

6

disposition and provide a written, sworn statement to the

7

commission officer explaining when, where and how the

8

accident or mistake occurred.

9

(4)  Within ten days after the killing or attempted

10

killing, provide the commission officer full payment of

11

restitution.

12

§ 2307.  Unlawful taking or possession of game or wildlife.

13

* * *

14

(b)  [(Reserved)] Hunting before and after lawful hunting

15

hours.--It is unlawful for any person to take, injure, kill,

16

possess or transport or knowingly aid, abet, assist, attempt or

17

conspire in any manner to take, injure, kill, possess or

18

transport any game or wildlife or any part thereof which was

19

taken within 30 minutes prior to the commencement of lawful

20

hunting hours or within 30 minutes after the cessation of lawful

21

hunting hours.

22

* * *

23

(e)  Penalties.--A violation of this section relating to:

24

(1)  Threatened or endangered species is a misdemeanor of

25

the second degree.

26

(2)  Elk or bear is a summary offense of the first

27

degree.

28

(3)  Deer is a summary offense of the second degree.

29

[(3.1)  Deer killed as a result of negligence or

30

carelessness as provided for in section 2306(c) (relating to

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1

killing game or wildlife by mistake) is a summary offense

2

punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than

3

$500.]

4

(4)  Bobcat or otter is a summary offense of the third

5

degree.

6

(5)  Wild turkey or beaver is a summary offense of the

7

fourth degree.

8

(6)  Any other game or wildlife is a summary offense of

9

the fifth degree.

10

* * *

11

§ 2310.  Unlawful use of lights while hunting.

12

(a)  General rule.--Except as set forth in subsection (b), it

13

is unlawful for any person or group of persons to engage in any

14

of the following activities to any degree:

15

* * *

16

(2)  [Aid] Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly act,

17

aid, assist or conspire either in the killing or taking or in

18

an attempt to kill, take, possess, transport or conceal any

19

game or wildlife or a part thereof which has been killed or

20

taken by use of any artificial light.

21

* * *

22

(c)  Penalties.--[A violation of this section is a summary

23

offense of the fifth degree. In addition thereto, if any person

24

is hunting game or wildlife or if any attempt is made to take

25

any game or wildlife, the person or persons shall be sentenced

26

to the additional penalties of:

27

(1)  For each endangered or threatened species, a fine of

28

$1,000 and forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take game

29

or wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period of

30

ten years.

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1

(2)  For each elk or bear, a fine of $800 and forfeiture

2

of the privilege to hunt or take game or wildlife anywhere

3

within this Commonwealth for a period of five years.

4

(3)  For each deer, a fine of $500 and forfeiture of the

5

privilege to hunt or take game or wildlife anywhere within

6

this Commonwealth for a period of three years.

7

(4)  For each bobcat or otter, a fine of $300 and

8

forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take game or wildlife

9

anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period of three

10

years.

11

(5)  For each turkey or beaver, a fine of $200 and

12

forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take game or wildlife

13

anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period of two years.

14

(6)  For each other bird or animal, a fine of $100 and

15

forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take game or wildlife

16

anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period of one year.]

17

(1)  A violation of subsection (a)(1) is a summary

18

offense of the fifth degree.

19

(2)  A violation of subsection(a)(2) or (3) relating to:

20

(i)  Threatened or endangered species shall be graded

21

as follows:

22

(A)  A first offense is a misdemeanor of the

23

second degree and may result in forfeiture of the

24

privilege to hunt or take game or wildlife anywhere

25

in this Commonwealth for a period of seven years.

26

(B)  A second offense within a seven-year period

27

or during the same criminal episode as the first

28

offense is a misdemeanor of the first degree and may

29

result in forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take

30

game or wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth

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1

for a period of ten years.

2

(C)  A third subsequent violation within a seven-

3

year period or during the same criminal episode of a

4

first or second offense is a felony of the third

5

degree and may result in forfeiture of the privilege

6

to hunt or take wildlife within this Commonwealth.

7

(ii)  Big game animals shall be graded as follows:

8

(A)  A first offense or a second offense during

9

the same criminal episode is a misdemeanor and may

10

result in forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take

11

game or wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth

12

for a period of five years.

13

(B)  A second offense within a seven-year period

14

or a third or fourth offense during the same criminal

15

episode is a misdemeanor of the first degree and may

16

result in the forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or

17

take game or wildlife anywhere within this

18

Commonwealth for a period of ten years.

19

(C)  A fifth or subsequent offense during the

20

same criminal episode or a third offense within a

21

seven-year period is a felony of the third degree and

22

may result in forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or

23

take game or wildlife anywhere within this

24

Commonwealth for a period of 15 years.

25

(iii)  A violation of subsection (a)(2) where the

26

species is a single white-tailed deer or a single wild

27

turkey is a summary offense of the first degree and may

28

result in forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take

29

wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period

30

of three years. A second violation of subsection (a)(2)

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1

where the species is a single white-tailed deer or a

2

single wild turkey within a seven-year period is a

3

misdemeanor and may result in forfeiture of the privilege

4

to hunt or take wildlife anywhere within this

5

Commonwealth for a period of five years. A third offense

6

within a seven-year period where the species is a single

7

white-tailed deer or a single wild turkey is a

8

misdemeanor of the first degree and may result in the

9

forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take wildlife

10

anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period of ten

11

years.

12

(iv)  Any other game or wildlife is a summary offense

13

of the first degree and may result in the forfeiture of

14

the privilege to hunt or take game or wildlife anywhere

15

within this Commonwealth for a period of three years.

16

* * *

17

§ 2312.  Buying and selling game.

18

(a)  General rule.--Unless otherwise provided, it is unlawful

19

for any person to buy, sell or barter, or aid, abet, assist or

20

conspire to buy, sell or barter, or offer for sale or barter, or

21

have in possession or transport for sale or barter, any game or

22

the edible parts of game or any protected bird or animal or

23

parts of any protected bird or animal.

24

* * *

25

(d)  Penalty.--A violation of this section relating to:

26

[(1)  Elk or bear is a summary offense of the first

27

degree and results in forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or

28

take wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period

29

of five years.

30

(2)  Deer is a summary offense of the second degree and

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1

results in forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take game

2

or wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period of

3

three years.

4

(3)  Bobcat or otter is a summary offense of the third

5

degree and results in forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or

6

take game or wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a

7

period of three years.

8

(4)  Wild turkey or beaver is a summary offense of the

9

fourth degree and results in forfeiture of the privilege to

10

hunt or take game or wildlife anywhere within this

11

Commonwealth for a period of two years.

12

(5)  Each other wild bird or wild animal is a summary

13

offense of the fifth degree and results in forfeiture of the

14

privilege to hunt or take game or wildlife anywhere within

15

this Commonwealth for a period of one year.]

16

(1)  Threatened or endangered species shall be graded as

17

follows:

18

(i)  A first offense is a misdemeanor of the second

19

degree and may result in forfeiture of the privilege to

20

hunt or take game or wildlife anywhere within this

21

Commonwealth for a period of seven years.

22

(ii)  A second offense within a seven-year period or

23

during the same criminal episode is a misdemeanor of the

24

first degree and may result in forfeiture of the

25

privilege to hunt or take game or wildlife anywhere

26

within this Commonwealth for a period of 15 years.

27

(iii)  A third or subsequent violation of this

28

section within a seven-year period or during the same

29

criminal episode is a felony of the third degree and may

30

result in forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take

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1

wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period

2

of 15 years.

3

(2)  Big game animals shall be graded as follows:

4

(i)  A first offense or a second offense during the

5

same criminal episode is a misdemeanor and may result in

6

forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take game or

7

wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period

8

of five years.

9

(ii)  A second offense within a seven-year period or

10

a third or fourth offense during the same criminal

11

episode is a misdemeanor of the first degree and may

12

result in the forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take

13

game or wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a

14

period of ten years.

15

(iii)  A fifth or subsequent offense during the same

16

criminal episode or third offense within a seven-year

17

period is a felony of the third degree and may result in

18

forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take game or

19

wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period

20

of 15 years.

21

(3)  The selling and buying of venison up to 20 pounds

22

and the buying and selling of other game or wildlife is a

23

summary offense of the first degree and may result in the

24

forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take game or wildlife

25

anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period of three

26

years.

27

§ 2314.  Trespass on private property while hunting.

28

(a)  General rule.--Any person who while violating any

29

provision of this title or any regulations promulgated under

30

this title and who in addition is found to be trespassing as

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1

defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 3503 (relating to criminal trespass)

2

shall be in violation of this section.

3

(b)  Penalty.--A violation of this section:

4

(1)  [For a first offense is a summary offense.] A

5

violation of this section is a summary offense of the fifth

6

degree.

7

(2)  [For a second or subsequent offense within one year

8

of the prior offense is a summary offense and upon conviction

9

will result in an immediate revocation of the person's

10

hunting and furtaking license and disqualification of the

11

person from issuance of a future license for a period of one

12

year from the date of revocation.] A second or subsequent

13

violation of this section within a seven-year period is a

14

summary offense of the fifth degree and may result in

15

forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take game or wildlife

16

anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period of one year.

17

§ 2321.  Unlawful killing or taking of big game.

18

(a)  General rule.--Except as provided in this title or by

19

regulation of the commission, it is unlawful for any person to:

20

(1)  [Kill or take or attempt or conspire to kill or take

21

in any manner more than the lawful number of big game animals

22

which may be taken in any license year] Take, injure, kill,

23

possess or transport or knowingly, intentionally or 

24

recklessly aid, abet, assist, attempt or conspire in any

25

manner to take, injure, kill, possess or transport any big

26

game animal during closed season.

27

(2)  [Possess or transport in any manner any big game

28

which was unlawfully killed or taken] Take, injure, kill,

29

possess or transport or knowingly, intentionally or

30

recklessly aid, abet, assist, attempt or conspire in any

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1

manner to take, injure, kill, possess or transport any big

2

game animal beyond established daily or season limits.

3

[(3)  Assist, aid or abet or conspire to assist, aid or

4

abet in any manner any other person in the violation of

5

paragraph (1) or (2).]

6

(b)  Exception.--This section shall not be construed to

7

prohibit the transportation or possession of one or more big

8

game animals which are lawfully killed and properly tagged.

9

(c)  Evidence of unlawful killing.--Unless the head is

10

attached in a natural manner and properly tagged as provided in

11

section 2323 (relating to tagging and reporting big game kills),

12

the possession, transportation or control of any big game or a

13

part or parts of such big game shall be prima facie evidence

14

that the big game was unlawfully killed within this

15

Commonwealth. Under such circumstances, the person possessing,

16

transporting or controlling the big game shall immediately, upon

17

demand of an officer of the commission, produce the head of the

18

big game or the name and address of the person killing the big

19

game or other satisfactory evidence that the carcass in

20

possession or under the person's control is part of a lawfully

21

taken big game.

22

(d)  Penalty.--

23

[(1)  A violation of this section relating to bear or elk

24

is a summary offense of the first degree.

25

(2)  A violation of this section relating to deer is a

26

summary offense of the second degree.

27

(3)  A violation of this section relating to wild turkey

28

is a summary offense of the fourth degree.

29

(4)  Each bird or animal or part thereof involved in a

30

violation constitutes a separate offense.]

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1

(1)  (i)  Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2),

2

a violation of this section or a second violation of this

3

section during the same criminal episode is a misdemeanor

4

and may result in forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or

5

take wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a

6

period of five years.

7

(ii)  A third or fourth violation of this section

8

during the same criminal episode or a second violation of

9

this section within a seven-year period is a misdemeanor

10

of the first degree and may result in forfeiture of the

11

privilege to hunt or take wildlife anywhere within this

12

Commonwealth for a period of ten years.

13

(iii)  A fifth or subsequent violation of this

14

section during the same criminal episode or third offense

15

within a seven-year period is a felony of the third

16

degree and may result in forfeiture of the privilege to

17

hunt or take wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth

18

for a period of 15 years.

19

(2)  (i)  A violation of subsection (a)(1) or (2) where

20

the species is a single white-tailed deer or a single

21

wild turkey is a summary offense of the first degree and

22

may result in forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take

23

wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period

24

of three years. A second violation of subsection (a)(1)

25

or (2) where the species is a single white-tailed deer or

26

a single wild turkey within a seven-year period is a

27

misdemeanor and may result in forfeiture of the privilege

28

to hunt or take wildlife anywhere within this

29

Commonwealth for a period of five years. A third offense

30

within a seven-year period where the species is a single

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1

white-tailed deer or a single wild turkey is a

2

misdemeanor of the first degree and may result in the

3

forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take wildlife

4

anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period of ten

5

years.

6

(ii)  (A)  A second violation of subsection (a)(1) or

7

(2) during the same criminal episode where the

8

species taken, injured, killed, possessed or

9

transported is white-tailed deer or wild turkey is a

10

misdemeanor and may result in forfeiture of the

11

privilege to hunt or take wildlife anywhere within

12

this Commonwealth for a period of five years.

13

(B)  A third or fourth violation of subsection

14

(a)(1) or (2) during the same criminal episode where

15

the species is white-tailed deer or wild turkey is a

16

misdemeanor of the first degree and may result in

17

forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take wildlife

18

anywhere within this Commonwealth for a period of ten

19

years.

20

(C)  A fifth or subsequent violation of

21

subsection (a)(1) or (2) during the same criminal

22

episode where the species is white-tailed deer or

23

wild turkey is a felony of the third degree and may

24

result in forfeiture of the privilege to hunt or take

25

wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth for a

26

period of 15 years.

27

Section 3.  Section 2329 of Title 34 is repealed:

28

[§ 2329.  Additional penalty for poaching.

29

(a)  Additional penalty.--A person who violates this chapter

30

by illegally poaching any big game or threatened or endangered

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1

species shall, in addition to any other penalty imposed, be

2

sentenced to pay a fine of $200 for each big game animal or each

3

threatened or endangered species illegally poached. Any fines

4

collected under this subsection shall be paid over to the

5

commission for use in maintaining the toll-free telephone number

6

under subsection (b) and to compensate callers whose reports led

7

to payment of a fine under this subsection. Each caller shall be

8

compensated $100 for each $200 collected as a result of the

9

caller's report.

10

(b)  Report of violations.--The commission shall establish

11

and maintain a toll-free telephone number to report poaching of

12

big game or threatened or endangered species. Reports of

13

poaching of big game or threatened or endangered species are

14

confidential. No persons other than employees of the commission

15

in the course of official duties in connection with poaching

16

reports shall have access to identifying information relating to

17

the caller.]

18

Section 4.  Section 2711(a)(4) and (b) of Title 34 are

19

amended to read:

20

§ 2711.  Unlawful acts concerning licenses.

21

(a)  General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this

22

title, it is unlawful for any person to:

23

* * *

24

(4)  Issue, acquire or aid, assist or conspire, either

25

for that person or any other person, in procuring any hunting

26

or furtaking license for which that person is not legally

27

entitled thereto.

28

* * *

29

(b)  Penalties.--A violation of this subchapter relating to:

30

[(1)  Hunting by a nonresident without a valid license or

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1

licenses required by this title is a summary offense of the

2

fourth degree.

3

(2)  Furtaking by a nonresident without a valid furtaking

4

license or licenses required by this title is a summary

5

offense of the second degree.

6

(3)  Hunting or furtaking by a resident without a valid

7

license or licenses required by this title is a summary

8

offense of the fifth degree.

9

(4)  Subsection (a)(1) insofar as it relates to signing

10

or displaying a license is a summary offense of the eighth

11

degree.

12

(5)  Subsection (a)(2), (3), (4), (5) or (9) is a summary

13

offense of the fifth degree.

14

(6)  Subsection (a)(6), (7) or (8) is a summary offense

15

of the seventh degree.

16

(7)  Subsection (a)(11) is a summary offense of the third

17

degree. In addition to the imposition of any penalty, a

18

convicted violator [shall] may incur a five-year [mandatory] 

19

revocation of the privilege to hunt or trap anywhere in this

20

Commonwealth.

21

(8)  Any of the other provisions of this subchapter or

22

the regulations promulgated thereunder is a summary offense

23

of the fifth degree.]

24

(1)  Subsection (a)(1) insofar as it relates to hunting

25

or furtaking without a valid license or licenses required is

26

a summary offense of the third degree.

27

(2)  Subsection (a)(1) insofar as it relates to signing

28

or displaying a license is a summary offense of the eighth

29

degree.

30

(3)  Subsection (a)(2), (3), (4), (5), (9) or (12) is a

- 23 -

 


1

summary offense of the fifth degree.

2

(4)  Subsection (a)(6), (7) or (8) is a summary offense

3

of the seventh degree.

4

(5)  Subsection (a)(10) or (11) is a summary offense of

5

the first degree and may result in forfeiture of the

6

privilege to hunt or take game or wildlife anywhere within

7

this Commonwealth for a period of five years.

8

(6)  Any of the other provisions of this subchapter or

9

the regulations promulgated thereunder is a summary offense

10

of the fifth degree.

11

* * *

12

Section 5.  The Pennsylvania Game Commission shall provide

13

public notice of the provisions within this measure. This notice

14

shall be included within the Pennsylvania Hunting and Trapping

15

Digest for 2010-2011, and summaries of the amendments shall be

16

made available at each issuing agent.

17

Section 6.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.

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