Game Commission Okays Night Vision Optics for Hunting Furbearers
HARRISBURG – Furbearer hunters soon will have the option of using handheld and sporting-arm mounted night-vision and infrared (thermal) optics.
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners on Saturday gave final approval to a regulatory change that will allow these devices to be used while hunting furbearers. The change will become effective in about six weeks to eight weeks, after the regulation is reviewed and published in the Pennsylvania Manual. The Game Commission will issue a news release at that time to announce the regulation has been published.
The ability for the Game Commission to regulate night-vision and infrared (thermal) optics was authorized earlier this year through the passage of state House Bill 1188. Previously, the hunting use of these devices was prohibited by state law. The board at its July meeting gave preliminary approval to a proposal to allow handheld and sporting-arm mounted night-vision and infrared (thermal) optics for furbearer hunting, taking swift action to begin the process of regulating these devices in response to comments the agency had received since the bill’s passage. The final vote came today.
“Following the passage of HB 1188, the Board of Commissioners was flooded with comments asking for prompt adoption of regulations permitting the use of night-vision equipment,” said board President Charlie Fox. “The board did just that, and hunters now will be able to use these devices this year, and at a time when furbearer pelts are becoming prime. This equipment will provide furbearer hunters an additional tool that will allow them to be more efficient and safe when hunting at night.”
The adopted regulations were drafted by the Game Commission’s Bureau of Wildlife Protection, which reviewed data from other states that permit the use of night-vision equipment and determined there were no safety concerns regarding their use for hunting furbearers in Pennsylvania.
There are hunting seasons for the following furbearers: raccoons, foxes, coyotes, opossums, striped skunks, weasels, bobcats and porcupines.
