May. 14, 2019
HARRISBURG – To assist hunters of predatory animals that are mainly active at night, the House Game and Fisheries Committee approved
House Bill 1188, introduced by Rep. Parke Wentling (R-Crawford/Erie/Lawrence/Mercer). Wentling’s bill would give the state Game Commission the authority to allow hunters to use thermal and night vision equipment.
“This bill would give hunters one more tool to deal with predatory animals, such as coyotes,” Wentling said. “With no natural predators, coyotes can wreak havoc on our wildlife populations and other domestic animals for food sources.”
Specifically, House Bill 1188 would amend the Game and Wildlife Code by removing the current statutory restriction on the use of a sight or scope that can transmit or project a light, infrared, ultraviolet, radio, thermal, ultrasonic, particle or any other beam outside of a sight or the scope onto a target. The Game Commission would regulate the use of thermal and night vision equipment.
“There are regulations in place that don’t allow hunting certain species, such as deer and other game, at night,” Wentling said. “This bill does not change that, rather it will allow for better identification and more efficient harvest of game hunted legally at night.”
The bill now goes to the full House for consideration.
Representative Parke Wentling
17th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374
ggross@pahousegop.com
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