Classes of licenses

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Unless otherwise provided, any person wishing to exercise any of the privileges granted by this title shall first secure the applicable resident or nonresident hunting or furtaker license as follows:

(1) Adult resident hunting licenses to residents who have reached their 17th birthday but have not reached their 65th birthday.

(2) Junior resident hunting licenses to residents who have reached or will reach their 12th birthday in the license year of application for a license but who have not reached their 17th birthday prior to the date of the application for the license and who present a written request, bearing the signature of a parent or guardian, for the issuance of a license. The actual hunting privileges granted to the holder of a junior license shall not be exercised until that person in fact is 12 years of age.

(3) Senior resident hunting licenses or, at the option of the applicant, a senior lifetime resident hunting license to residents who have reached or will reach their 65th birthday in the license year of the application for the license. The commission shall develop, implement and administer a system to provide tags, report cards and applications to those residents who hold a senior lifetime resident hunting license issued under this paragraph. The system shall require the applicant or license holder to pay any approved fee assessed by the issuing agent.

(4) Adult resident furtaker licenses to residents who have reached their 17th birthday but have not reached their 65th birthday.

(5) Junior resident furtaker licenses to residents who have reached or will reach their 12th birthday in the license year of application for a license but who have not reached their 17th birthday prior to the date of the application for the license and who present a written request, containing the signature of a parent or guardian, for the issuance of a license. The actual furtaking privileges granted to the holder of a junior license shall not be exercised until that person in fact is 12 years of age.

(6) Senior resident furtaker licenses or, at the option of the applicant, a senior lifetime resident furtaker license to residents who have reached or will reach their 65th birthday in the license year of the application for the license.

(7) Senior lifetime resident combination hunting and furtaking license, including archery and muzzleloader privileges, to residents who have reached or will reach their 65th birthday in the license year of the application for the license. The commission shall develop, implement and administer a system to provide tags, report cards and applications to those residents who hold a senior lifetime resident hunting license issued under this paragraph. The system shall require the applicant or license holder to pay any approved fee assessed by the issuing agent.

(7.1) Junior resident combination hunting and furtaker license, including archery and muzzleloader privileges, to residents who have reached or will reach their 12th birthday in the license year of application for a license but who have not reached their 17th birthday prior to the date of the application for the license and who present a written request, containing the signature of a parent or guardian, for the issuance of a license. The actual privileges granted to the holder of a junior resident combination license shall not be exercised until that person in fact is 12 years of age.

(8) Adult nonresident hunting licenses to all nonresidents of 17 years of age or older.

(9) Junior nonresident hunting licenses to all nonresidents who have reached or will reach their 12th birthday in the license year of application for a license but who have not reached their 17th birthday prior to the date of the application for the license and who present a written request, bearing the signature of a parent or guardian, for the issuance of a license. The actual hunting privileges granted to the holder of a junior license shall not be exercised until that person in fact is 12 years of age.

(10) Adult nonresident furtaker licenses to nonresidents of 17 years of age or older.

(11) Junior nonresident furtaker licenses to nonresidents who have reached or will reach their 12th birthday in the license year of application for a license but who have not reached their 17th birthday prior to the date of the application for the license and who present a written request, containing the signature of a parent or guardian, for the issuance of a license. The actual furtaking privileges granted to the holder of a junior license shall not be exercised until that person in fact is 12 years of age.

(11.1) Junior nonresident combination hunting and furtaker license, including archery and muzzleloader privileges, to nonresidents who have reached or will reach their 12th birthday in the license year of application for a license but who have not reached their 17th birthday prior to the date of the application for the license and who present a written request, containing the signature of a parent or guardian, for the issuance of a license. The actual privileges granted to the holder of a junior nonresident combination license shall not be exercised until that person in fact is 12 years of age.

(12) Seven-day nonresident small game license to persons eligible to procure a nonresident hunting license. The license shall be valid for a period of seven consecutive days. The holder of the license shall be entitled to hunt for, take or kill crows and small game.

(13) Antlerless deer licenses, bear licenses, archery licenses, muzzleloader licenses and any other license required to insure just and proper administration of this title and sound game or wildlife conservation to eligible persons, subject to the regulations, requirements and conditions which the commission shall establish. Any such license shall be made available to residents serving on active duty in the armed forces of the United States or in the United States Coast Guard without regard to quota limitations or application deadlines.

(14) Migratory game bird licenses for hunting all migratory game birds to eligible persons, subject to the regulations, requirements and conditions which the commission shall establish. Any such license shall be made available to residents serving on active duty in the armed forces of the United States or in the United States Coast Guard without regard to quota limitations or application deadlines.

(15) Elk hunting license to persons eligible for classes of licenses in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (7), (7.1), (8), (9) and (11.1). Notwithstanding any other provisions of this title or the regulations promulgated thereunder, elk licenses under this paragraph shall not be subject to the provisions of sections 2706 (relating to resident license and fee exemptions) and 2706.1 (relating to complimentary nonresident licenses). To ensure sound management of Pennsylvania's wild elk population, the commission may promulgate regulations to establish a limited number of licenses. The commission may establish a nonrefundable application fee at a cost of $10.

(16) Special wild turkey license to be used in conjunction with an adult or junior resident license, adult or junior nonresident license, senior resident license, senior resident lifetime license, senior lifetime resident combination hunting and furtaking license and junior resident and nonresident combination hunting and furtaking license when the commission by regulation authorizes the harvest of wild turkeys over and above the number of turkey harvest tags attached to the preceding licenses.

(Nov. 25, 1988, P.L.1082, No.125, eff. imd.; Dec. 17, 1990, P.L.687, No.170, eff. imd.; Aug. 5, 1991, P.L.217, No.24, eff. July 1, 1992; June 22, 1993, P.L.102, No.23, eff. imd.; Apr. 4, 1996, P.L.55, No.19, eff. imd.; Dec. 21, 1998, P.L.1274, No.166, eff. July 1, 1999; Dec. 20, 2000, P.L.783, No.111; July 2, 2004, P.L.467, No.53, eff. 60 days)

2004 Amendment. Act 53 added par. (16).

2000 Amendment. Act 111 amended the entire section, effective in 60 days as to par. (15) and immediately as to the remainder of the section.

Cross References. Section 2705 is referred to in sections 327, 2711, 2923 of this title.


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