PA Handgun Hunting

BoogieMan · April 22, 2013, 09:54 AM

I had a link to get a permit to use a handgun for deer in PA but I can no longer find it. What are the requirements for using a handgun during regular firearm season?
I am a non-resident member of a club that hunts its own land in PA.

22-rimfire · April 22, 2013, 12:42 PM

The handgun can not be concealed. PA issues a "Sportsman firearm permit" who's purpose was to eliminate the in advertant concealment of a handgun while hunting. Haven't heard much about that since their carry permit is rather easy to get. That would be my suggestion to you; get the regular carry permit and you don't have a thing to worry about like having the handgun loaded in your vehicle and so forth.

From the PA regulations/guidance about handguns and hunting....

Firearms - Handguns: A Sportsman’s Firearms permit or a License to
Carry Firearms is required to carry a handgun, or have in a motor vehicle.
Licenses to Carry Firearms permits are issued by county sheriffs or
the Philadelphia Chief of Police. The License to Carry Firearms permit
only entitles bowhunters or spotlighters, for instance, to carry fi rearms
that fall within this classifi cation. County treasurers issue Sportsman’s
Firearms Permits. A person holding a Sportsman’s Firearms Permit
may not carry a concealed handgun or a loaded handgun in a vehicle,
and may not carry a handgun while bowhunting or spotlighting.

As best as I can determine, there are no minimum caliber requirements although I believe it used to be 357 mag. Not allowed to use semi-auto pistols to hunt with in PA.

BoogieMan · April 22, 2013, 02:03 PM

Thanks for the reply. I will search under sportsmans permit. I cant get a PA CCP because its not possible in NJ to get one. PA wont issue a non resident carry unless the person has one in there home state.

April 22, 2013, 09:54 AM	#1
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	PA Handgun Hunting I had a link to get a permit to use a handgun for deer in PA but I can no longer find it. What are the requirements for using a handgun during regular firearm season? I am a non-resident member of a club that hunts its own land in PA. __________________ Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it. Milton Freidman "If you find yourself in a fair fight,,, Your tactics suck"- Unknown

April 22, 2013, 12:42 PM	#2
22-rimfire Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 5,323	The handgun can not be concealed. PA issues a "Sportsman firearm permit" who's purpose was to eliminate the in advertant concealment of a handgun while hunting. Haven't heard much about that since their carry permit is rather easy to get. That would be my suggestion to you; get the regular carry permit and you don't have a thing to worry about like having the handgun loaded in your vehicle and so forth. From the PA regulations/guidance about handguns and hunting.... Firearms - Handguns: A Sportsman’s Firearms permit or a License to Carry Firearms is required to carry a handgun, or have in a motor vehicle. Licenses to Carry Firearms permits are issued by county sheriffs or the Philadelphia Chief of Police. The License to Carry Firearms permit only entitles bowhunters or spotlighters, for instance, to carry fi rearms that fall within this classifi cation. County treasurers issue Sportsman’s Firearms Permits. A person holding a Sportsman’s Firearms Permit may not carry a concealed handgun or a loaded handgun in a vehicle, and may not carry a handgun while bowhunting or spotlighting. As best as I can determine, there are no minimum caliber requirements although I believe it used to be 357 mag. Not allowed to use semi-auto pistols to hunt with in PA. Last edited by 22-rimfire; April 22, 2013 at 03:40 PM.

April 22, 2013, 02:03 PM	#3
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	Thanks for the reply. I will search under sportsmans permit. I cant get a PA CCP because its not possible in NJ to get one. PA wont issue a non resident carry unless the person has one in there home state. __________________ Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it. Milton Freidman "If you find yourself in a fair fight,,, Your tactics suck"- Unknown