what weapons are legal to use October 24-26?

[Deleted]

This should end the question as to whether or not it is legal to use weapons other than muzzle loaders for hunting bears during the special firearms season October 24-26.  From the game commission's website:

Muzzleloader Bear Season - lawful sporting arms
As we approach the beginning of the muzzleloader bear season, the Game Commission reminds hunters that those pursuing bears with a muzzleloader must leave any archery tackle behind, even if they have a valid archery license and deer tag in addition to their bear license. However, those eligible to participate in the special firearm deer and bear seasons on October 24 -26th, are permitted to use other approved sporting arms, enabling those hunters to be in possession of both a rifle and archery equipment when hunting bear or antlerless deer. We recognize and apologize for the confusion stemming from the overlap of multiple seasons and the addition of the first ever October muzzleloader bear season. If the Board of Commissioners continues authorizing the muzzleloader bear season in future years, the Board may revisit the question of which sporting arms an individual may be in possession of during the overlap of the bear season with archery season. For more information on seasons please check the Hunting & Trapping Digest, which is available online at www.pgc.pa.gov/HuntTrap/Law/Pages/HuntingandTrappingDigest.aspx

www.pgc.pa.gov/Pages/AlertDetails.aspx

[blackbruin]

Yup seniors and juniors everything is fair game but a buck....last three days anyway....lol

[davet]

Wait.....but if your archery hunting for a buck.....

[turkeykiller]

Oct 16, 2019 22:22:17 GMT -5 davet said:

Wait.....but if your archery hunting for a buck.....

Bear archery statewide starts on Oct.28. There are 4 management areas that start earlier.

[Deleted]

Bears are special remember...

[longbeard2372]

So I take it archery equipment would also be legal during this muzzleloader bear season if you choose to handicap yourself even more using a lesser arm ?

[Deleted]

Yes, and also no.  Now that the season in question is over it is a moot point anyway, but here is the relevant part of the blame commission's press release that made it all as clear as mud.

Muzzleloader Bear Season - lawful sporting arms
As we approach the beginning of the muzzleloader bear season, the Game Commission reminds hunters that those pursuing bears with a muzzleloader must leave any archery tackle behind, even if they have a valid archery license and deer tag in addition to their bear license. However, those eligible to participate in the special firearm deer and bear seasons on October 24 -26th, are permitted to use other approved sporting arms, enabling those hunters to be in possession of both a rifle and archery equipment when hunting bear or antlerless deer.

[longbeard2372]

So... If I was out of valid deer tags, had a muzzleloader license, archery license and a bear tag I could of used archery equipment all last week to harvest a bear?

[Deleted]

No, you could not have used archery equipment the whole last week. You could have used archery equipment to hunt bears only during the three days at the end of the early muzzle loader week (that special weapons season for us old and young folks), and then, only if you were either a senior license or junior license holder.  Read the first part of my previous post carefully this time.