HB 2365 — An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in Pennsylvania Game Commission, further providing for junior hunter projects; in hunting and furtaking, further providing for prima facie evidence of hunting and repealing provisions relating to trapping exception for certain persons; in hunting and furtaking licenses, further providing for license requirements, for eligibility for license and for unlawful acts concerning licenses; and, in special licenses and permits, further providing for permit fees.

PRINTER'S NO.   3146

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 2365
                                               Session of
                                                 2026

     INTRODUCED BY KULIK, STAATS, OLSOMMER, PASHINSKI, HADDOCK,
        STEELE AND NEILSON, APRIL 7, 2026

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GAME AND FISHERIES, APRIL 8, 2026


                                    AN ACT
 1   Amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
 2      Statutes, in preliminary provisions, further providing for
 3      definitions; in Pennsylvania Game Commission, further
 4      providing for junior hunter projects; in hunting and
 5      furtaking, further providing for prima facie evidence of
 6      hunting and repealing provisions relating to trapping
 7      exception for certain persons; and, in hunting and furtaking
 8      licenses, further providing for license requirements, for
 9      eligibility for license and for unlawful acts concerning
10      licenses.
11      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
12   hereby enacts as follows:
13      Section 1.    Section 102 of Title 34 of the Pennsylvania
14   Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding definitions to read:
15   § 102.   Definitions.
16      Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent
17   provisions of this title which are applicable to specific
18   provisions of this title, the following words and phrases when
19   used in this title shall have the meanings given to them in this
20   section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
21      "Accompany."    Be within close proximity to another person so
22   that verbal instructions and guidance can be easily understood
 1   without the aid or use of an electronic or sound amplification
 2   device.
 3      * * *
 4      "Furtaking."     Any act or furtherance of the taking or killing
 5   of any furbearer, or any part or product thereof, including, but
 6   not limited to, chasing, tracking, calling, pursuing, lying in
 7   wait, trapping, shooting at, including shooting at a furbearer
 8   facsimile; wounding with any device or implement; using any
 9   personal property, including dogs, or the property of others, of
10   any nature, in furtherance of any of these purposes; or aiding,
11   abetting or conspiring with another person in that purpose.
12      * * *
13      Section 2.     Sections 327(b)(1) and 2301(b) of Title 34 are
14   amended to read:
15   § 327.    Junior hunter projects.
16      * * *
17      (b)    Specific projects.--
18             (1)   One of the projects shall consist of at least two
19      free hunting days for persons qualified to receive a junior
20      hunting license under section 2705(2) or (9) and who have
21      successfully completed the hunter education requirements
22      under section [2704(b)] 2704(b.1) (relating to eligibility
23      for license). The commission shall establish the days, times
24      and species which may be taken during the free hunting days.
25             * * *
26   § 2301.    Prima facie evidence of hunting.
27      * * *
28      (b)    Lawful cooperation or assistance.--Notwithstanding any
29   other provision of this title to the contrary, any person who
30   has lawfully taken the bag or season limit for a particular

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 1   species of game or wildlife [or any person who meets the
 2   requirements of section 2701(c) (relating to license
 3   requirements)] may aid, assist, abet or cooperate in any manner
 4   specified by this title or commission regulations with another
 5   person who is engaged in any lawful activity permitted by this
 6   title or the regulations of the commission.
 7      Section 3.    Section 2363 of Title 34 is repealed:
 8   [§ 2363.    Trapping exception for certain persons.
 9      Except for section 2704(c) (relating to furtaker's
10   certificate of training), the remaining provisions of this title
11   shall not be construed to prevent or prohibit any person under
12   12 years of age from trapping furbearers. Persons covered by
13   this section shall not use any firearm other than a .22 caliber
14   rimfire rifle or sidearm and then only when accompanied by an
15   adult.]
16      Section 4.    Sections 2701, 2704 and 2711 of Title 34 are
17   amended to read:
18   § 2701.    License requirements.
19      (a)     General rule.--Except in defense of person or property
20   or pursuant to exemptions authorized in this title [or by
21   regulation of the commission for implementing a mentored hunting
22   program], every person, prior to engaging in any of the
23   privileges granted by this title, shall first obtain the
24   applicable license subject to any conditions or other
25   requirements imposed by this title.
26      (b)     Only one license valid.--Only one full-term or distinct
27   hunting license and furtaking license shall be valid during any
28   full-term license year. The issuance of any replacement license
29   or the purchase of a second or subsequent license of any class
30   shall immediately and automatically invalidate any license and

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 1   harvest tags of the same kind which had been previously issued.
 2      [(c)    Exception.--Any person who has never held a hunting
 3   license in Pennsylvania or any other state may participate in
 4   the hunting and trapping activities authorized under this title
 5   or commission regulations without compliance with subsection (a)
 6   or section 2704 (relating to eligibility for license) if that
 7   person satisfies all of the following requirements:
 8             (1)   The person who participates in the hunting or
 9      trapping activities must always be in sight of and close
10      enough to a licensed hunter who is at least 18 years of age
11      to clearly hear and understand instructions communicated to
12      the person through normal conversation without the aid of any
13      device. The licensed hunter shall have a valid hunting
14      license for the game or wildlife they are hunting or qualify
15      for license and fee exemptions under section 2706 (relating
16      to resident license and fee exemptions).
17             (2)   The unlicensed person may not possess, convey or use
18      any firearm, bow or any other device that may be used to
19      harvest game or furbearers.
20             (3)   The unlicensed person must be in compliance with
21      section 2524 (relating to protective material required) and
22      with any regulations promulgated by the commission related to
23      protective material.
24             (4)   The unlicensed person who participates in any
25      hunting party shall be listed on any required hunting roster
26      and shall count as a member of the hunting party for purposes
27      of section 2324 (relating to roster of parties hunting big
28      game) and commission regulations relating to big game animal
29      hunting roster and parties hunting small game.
30             (5)   For the purposes of this section, at no time shall a

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 1      licensed hunter accompany more than one unlicensed person.]
 2   § 2704.    Eligibility for license.
 3      [(a)     General rule.--Persons meeting the requirements of this
 4   title who have reached or will reach their 12th birthday in the
 5   calendar year of application or who are older, whose hunting and
 6   furtaking privileges are valid and who shall meet the
 7   application requirements set forth in this title and pay the
 8   prescribed license cost and issuance fee shall be eligible to
 9   obtain the applicable hunting or furtaking license.
10      (b)    Hunter education.--Persons who have not held a hunting
11   license lawfully issued to them in this Commonwealth or another
12   state or nation or have not hunted under the exceptions in
13   section 2706 (relating to resident license and fee exemptions)
14   or do not possess a certificate of training approved by the
15   director prior to the enactment of this title shall be required
16   to attain accreditation in a hunter education program approved
17   by the director before a hunting license is issued to them. The
18   provisions of this subsection shall not apply to a person who
19   presents:
20             (1)   Evidence of service in the armed forces of the
21      United States or in the United States Coast Guard and
22      discharge or separation under honorable conditions within six
23      months of the date of application.
24             (2)   Evidence that the person is currently serving in the
25      armed forces of the United States or in the United States
26      Coast Guard.
27      (c)    Furtaker's certificate of training.--No resident or
28   nonresident furtaker's license shall be issued to any applicant
29   unless the applicant presents to the agent authorized to issue
30   the license any one of the following:

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 1             (1)   Evidence that the applicant has held a trapping or
 2         furtaker's license issued by another state or nation.
 3             (2)   A certificate of training issued under this section.
 4             (3)   A certification signed by the applicant on the
 5         furtaker's license application that the applicant completed a
 6         voluntary trapping course sponsored by the commission or that
 7         the applicant has previously hunted or trapped furbearers
 8         within the last five years.
 9   The provisions of this section shall not apply to those persons
10   under 12 years of age who trap furbearers under the direct
11   supervision of an adult licensed furtaker 18 years of age or
12   older.]
13         (a.1)   General eligibility requirements.--A person shall be
14   eligible to obtain the applicable hunting and furtaking license
15   if:
16             (1)   the hunting and furtaking privileges of the person
17         are valid;
18             (2)   the person meets the application requirements under
19         this title and the requirements under applicable regulations
20         set by the commission; and
21             (3)   the person pays the prescribed license cost and
22         issuance fee.
23         (b.1)   Education program requirements.--
24             (1)   A person who is 12 years of age or older, or who
25         will reach 12 years of age within the license year of
26         application, shall, before a hunting or furtaking license is
27         issued to the person, attain accreditation in a hunter or
28         furtaker education program approved by the director.
29             (2)   The accreditation requirement under paragraph (1)
30         does not apply in the following circumstances:

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 1             (i)   The person is participating or has participated
 2        in an apprentice license hunting or furtaking program
 3        established by regulation of the commission. The
 4        following apply:
 5                   (A)   Regarding an apprentice junior hunting or
 6             furtaking license:
 7                         (I)    The license shall be available to a
 8                   person who is under 18 years of age at the time
 9                   of application and who does not hold a valid
10                   certificate of training in a hunter or furtaker
11                   education program approved by the director.
12                         (II)    The holder of the license shall comply
13                   with applicable safety standards established
14                   under this title or by regulation of the
15                   commission.
16                         (III)    The license shall be available to an
17                   eligible youth applicant who is under 12 years of
18                   age for an unrestricted number of years.
19                         (IV)    The license shall be available to an
20                   eligible youth applicant who is 12 years of age
21                   or older but who is under 18 years of age for up
22                   to a total of three license years. Previous
23                   participation by the applicant in the apprentice
24                   junior hunting or furtaking license program while
25                   under 12 years of age shall reduce the
26                   applicant's eligibility by the applicable number
27                   of years of participation, up to three license
28                   years.
29                   (B)   Regarding an apprentice adult hunting or
30             furtaking license:

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 1                          (I)    The license shall be available to a
 2                    person who is 18 years of age or older at the
 3                    time of application and who does not hold a valid
 4                    certificate of training in a hunter or furtaker
 5                    education program approved by the director.
 6                          (II)    The holder of the license shall comply
 7                    with applicable safety standards established
 8                    under this title or by regulation of the
 9                    commission.
10                          (III)    The license shall be available to an
11                    eligible adult applicant for up to a total of
12                    three license years. Previous participation by
13                    the applicant in the apprentice hunting or
14                    furtaking license program while under 18 years of
15                    age shall reduce the applicant's eligibility by
16                    the applicable number of years of participation,
17                    up to three license years.
18             (ii)    The person presents evidence of current service
19        in any branch of the United States Armed Forces as
20        defined in 10 U.S.C. § 101(a)(4) (relating to
21        definitions) or previous service and discharge or
22        separation under honorable conditions within six months
23        of the date of application.
24             (iii)    The person presents evidence of having held:
25                    (A)   a valid certificate of training in a hunter
26             or furtaker education program approved by the
27             director; or
28                    (B)   a valid hunting or furtaking license
29             lawfully issued to the person in another state or
30             nation.

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 1      (d)   Duties of commission.--
 2            (1)    The commission shall provide for a course of
 3      instruction, approved by the director, in the safe and
 4      ethical [utilization] use of firearms and traps or other
 5      devices used for taking furbearers. The commission may
 6      cooperate with any reputable association or organization in
 7      presentation of this course.
 8            (2)    The commission may designate any person who the
 9      commission determines to be competent to give instruction in
10      the handling of firearms, traps or other devices to act as an
11      instructor. The appointed person shall give the course of
12      instruction and shall issue to each person who successfully
13      completes the course of instruction a certificate of training
14      in the handling of firearms, traps or other devices. No
15      charge shall be made for the course of instruction, except as
16      may be provided by this title or by regulations promulgated
17      under this title.
18            (3)    The commission shall furnish information on the
19      requirements of the furtaker's education program which shall
20      be distributed, free of charge, to applicants for furtaker
21      licenses by the persons appointed and authorized to issue the
22      licenses.
23            [(4)    The provisions of this section shall not apply to
24      those persons under 12 years of age who trap furbearers under
25      the direct supervision of an adult licensed furtaker 18 years
26      of age or older.]
27      (e)   Compliance by certification.--The requirements of
28   subsection [(b) or (c)] (b.1) shall be deemed met by a
29   certification signed by the applicant on the license application
30   stating that the applicant has held accreditation in a hunter or

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 1   furtaker education program approved by the director or a license
 2   issued by the Commonwealth or another state or nation in a prior
 3   year but is unable to produce evidence of holding such license.
 4      (f)    Courses combined.--Subject to the approval of the
 5   commission, the director may combine the courses of instruction
 6   in hunter education and furtaker's training into one
 7   comprehensive course.
 8      (g)    Hunter education in public schools.--Upon request of the
 9   commission, all public school districts in this Commonwealth
10   shall make a school facility under their control available for
11   the purpose of conducting a hunter education course. Classes may
12   occur as an after-school or weekend function or any other day
13   when school is not in session. The commission shall, to the best
14   of its ability, work with the school to schedule classes for a
15   time that best suits both the school and the commission. All
16   classes shall comply with curriculum standards and program
17   policies established by the director. The commission shall
18   compensate the school for the actual cost incurred by the school
19   related to the commission's use of the facility. Fees may not be
20   charged to the public for the service under this section.
21   § 2711.    Unlawful acts concerning licenses.
22      (a)    [General rule] Prohibitions.--Except as otherwise
23   provided in this title, it is unlawful for any person to:
24             (1)   Hunt or take any game or wildlife by any means or
25      manner or device, including the use of dogs, without first
26      securing and personally signing the required license. [The
27      required license must be carried on person when hunting,
28      furtaking or taking any game or wildlife within this
29      Commonwealth.]
30             (2)   Procure a license in a name other than the person's

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 1    legal name, furnish an address other than his legal place of
 2    residence and domicile or make any false or misleading
 3    statement whatsoever in securing a license.
 4        (3)    Lend or transfer in any manner whatsoever a license
 5    or game or wildlife kill tag to any other person regardless
 6    of the purpose.
 7        (4)    Issue, acquire, possess or aid, assist or conspire,
 8    either for that person or any other person, in procuring any
 9    hunting or furtaking license or privilege for which that
10    person is not legally entitled thereto.
11        (5)    Possess while hunting or taking game or wildlife or
12    going to or from hunting or taking game or wildlife any
13    report card, license tag, license stamp or game or wildlife
14    kill tag belonging to another.
15        (6)    Except as provided under section 2705 (relating to
16    classes of licenses), receive a hunting or furtaking license
17    under any circumstances if under 12 years of age.
18        (7)    Receive a hunting or furtaking license without
19    presenting a written request executed by a parent or legally
20    constituted guardian if under 17 years of age.
21        [(8)    Use firearms of any kind or a bow and arrow for the
22    purpose of hunting any game or wildlife or attempting to take
23    or kill any game or wildlife by hunting or trapping if under
24    12 years of age or when hunting or trapping any game or
25    wildlife or attempting to hunt or trap any game or wildlife
26    if between 12 and 14 years of age, unless accompanied by a
27    parent or a person 18 years of age or older serving in loco
28    parentis or as guardian or some other family member 18 years
29    of age or older or when hunting if between 14 and 16 years of
30    age, unless accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older.

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 1    For the purpose of this paragraph "accompany" means close
 2    enough that verbal instructions and guidance can be easily
 3    understood. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply
 4    to section 2363 (relating to trapping exception for certain
 5    persons).]
 6        (8.1)     Hunt or trap game or wildlife while in possession
 7    of a firearm, bow and arrow, raptor, trap or any other device
 8    of any description usable for the purpose of hunting or
 9    taking game or wildlife while unaccompanied, subject to the
10    following requirements regarding hunting and furtaking and
11    subsection (d):
12             (i)    A person who is 12 years of age or older but
13        under 16 years of age and who possesses a valid junior
14        hunting or furtaking license or meets a valid license
15        exemption under section 2706(a) (relating to resident
16        license and fee exemptions) shall be accompanied by a
17        person who is 18 years of age or older, with or without a
18        hunting or furtaking license.
19             (ii)    A person who is 16 years of age or older and
20        who possesses a valid junior hunting or furtaking license
21        or meets a valid license exemption under section 2706(a)
22        is not required to be accompanied.
23             (iii)    A person who is 18 years of age or older and
24        who possesses a valid adult hunting or furtaking license
25        or meets a valid license exemption under section 2706(a)
26        is not required to be accompanied.
27             (iv)    A person who is 16 years of age or younger and
28        who possesses a valid apprentice junior hunting or
29        furtaking license or meets a valid license exemption
30        under section 2706(a) shall be accompanied by a person

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 1        who is 21 years of age or older and who possesses a valid
 2        hunting or furtaking license.
 3               (v)    A person who is 18 years of age or older and who
 4        possesses a valid apprentice adult hunting or furtaking
 5        license or meets a valid license exemption under section
 6        2706(a) shall be accompanied by a person who is 21 years
 7        of age or older and who possesses a valid hunting or
 8        furtaking license.
 9               (vi)   A person who is not described in subparagraph
10        (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) shall be accompanied by a
11        person who is 21 years of age or older and who possesses
12        an adult hunting or furtaking license.
13        (10)    Hunt or take, or aid, assist or attempt to hunt or
14    take, furbearers or take any game or wildlife anywhere in
15    this Commonwealth, either with or without a license, or make
16    application, receive or attempt or conspire to receive any
17    license required by this chapter, during any period that
18    these privileges have been denied or withdrawn by this title,
19    by the director or by a magisterial district judge or court
20    of competent jurisdiction.
21        (11)    Conspire to or duplicate, reproduce, alter, forge
22    or counterfeit any permit, license, tag or stamp required by
23    this title.
24        (12)    While exercising any of the privileges granted by
25    any license provided for in this title, refuse or fail to
26    satisfactorily provide positive identification or proof of
27    license to any landowner upon whose land that person may be
28    occupying or to any officer whose duty it is to enforce this
29    title.
30        (13)    Violate any regulations promulgated under the

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 1      authority of this subchapter.
 2      [(a.1)      Exemption.--For the sole purpose of implementing and
 3   enhancing a mentored hunting program within this Commonwealth,
 4   the commission may establish regulations exempting certain
 5   limited hunting activities from the prohibitions specified in
 6   subsection (a)(1), (3), (5) and (8). Such exemption shall
 7   include a provision limiting a mentored person participating in
 8   a mentored hunting program to the receipt of no more than one
 9   antlerless deer license in each license year. A person 17 years
10   of age or older may participate in a mentored hunting program as
11   a mentored hunter in no more than three licensing years.]
12      (b)   Penalties.--A violation of this subchapter relating to:
13            (1)    Subsection (a)(1) insofar as it relates to hunting
14      or furtaking without a valid license or licenses required is
15      a summary offense of the third degree.
16            [(2)    Subsection (a)(1) insofar as it relates to signing
17      a license is a summary offense of the eighth degree.]
18            (3)    Subsection (a)(1) insofar as it relates to signing a
19      license, (a)(2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8.1) or (12) is a
20      summary offense of the fifth degree.
21            [(4)    Subsection (a)(6), (7) or (8) is a summary offense
22      of the seventh degree.]
23            (5)    Subsection (a)(10) or (11) is a summary offense of
24      the first degree and [may] shall result in forfeiture of the
25      privilege to hunt or take game or wildlife anywhere within
26      this Commonwealth for a period of five years.
27            (6)    Any of the other provisions of this subchapter or
28      the regulations promulgated thereunder is a summary offense
29      of the fifth degree.
30      (c)   Separate offenses.--Each day of violation or each

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 1   illegal act constitutes a separate offense.
 2      (d)   Accompaniment.--
 3            (1)   For the purposes of subsection (a)(8.1)(i), (v) and
 4      (vi), to accompany means that the accompanied person is
 5      within close proximity to another person so that verbal
 6      instructions and guidance can be easily understood without
 7      the aid or use of an electronic or sound amplification
 8      device.
 9            (2)   For the purposes of subsection (a)(8.1)(iv), to
10      accompany means that the accompanied person is, at all times,
11      within arm's reach and subject to the immediate control of
12      the person providing accompaniment while the accompanied
13      person is in possession of a firearm, bow and arrow, raptor,
14      trap or any other device of any description usable for the
15      purpose of hunting or taking game or wildlife.
16      Section 5.    This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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