(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this title or to any political subdivision, its employees or agents, which has a valid deer control permit issued under section 2902(c) (relating to general categories of permits), it is unlawful for any person, other than the lawful occupant, while hunting game or wildlife, taking furbearers of any kind, or pursuing any other privilege granted by this title, to hunt for, take, trap, pursue, disturb or otherwise chase any game or wildlife or to discharge, for any reason, any firearm, arrow or other deadly weapon within or through a safety zone, or to shoot at any game or wildlife while it is within the safety zone without the specific advance permission of the lawful occupant thereof.
(b) Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense punishable by a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $500. A second or subsequent offense within two calendar years is a summary offense punishable by a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000.
(c) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "safety zone" means:
(1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2), the area within 150 yards around and that area which is below the highest point of any occupied dwelling house, residence, or other building or camp occupied by human beings, or any barn, stable, or other building used in connection therewith or any attached or detached playground of any school, nursery school or day-care center.
(2) When applied to properly licensed persons hunting with bow and arrow or crossbow and persons properly licensed for falconry, the area within 50 yards around and that area which is below the highest point of any occupied dwelling house, residence or other building or camp occupied by human beings or any barn, stable or other building used in connection therewith and the area within 150 yards around and that area which is below the highest point of any attached or detached playground of any school, nursery school or day-care center.
(Nov. 25, 1988, P.L.1082, No.125, eff. imd.; Mar. 29, 1996, P.L.41, No.13, eff. imd.; Dec. 19, 1996, P.L.1442, No.184, eff. 60 days; June 28, 2002, P.L.474, No.79, eff. 60 days; June 23, 2004, P.L.435, No.43, eff. July 1, 2004; July 9, 2008, P.L.920, No.65, eff. imd.)
2008 Amendment. Act 65 amended subsec. (c)(2).
Cross References. Section 2505 is referred to in section 2741 of this title.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Chapter 25 - Protection of Property and Persons
Section 2502 - Chemical test to determine amount of alcohol
Section 2503 - Loaded firearms in vehicles
Section 2504 - Shooting on or across highways
Section 2506 - Prohibitions within burial grounds
Section 2507 - Restrictions on shooting
Section 2508 - Protection of institutions, parks and resorts
Section 2509 - Damage to property
Section 2510 - Littering and restrictions on vehicles
Section 2511 - Damage to trees
Section 2512 - Unlawful acts on commission lands or waters
Section 2521 - Incident reports
Section 2522 - Shooting at or causing injury to human beings
Section 2523 - Rendering assistance after incidents
Section 2524 - Protective material required
Section 2525 - Possession of firearm for protection of self or others