Groundhog Hunting (Do I need a License?)

[PA1936MN]

I am not sure if I need a license in PA to hunt Groundhogs. Do I need one? If I do is it a specific license I need to ask for? If I don't are there still requirements to wear 250Sq inches of ORANGE?

It would be conducted on private property.

I couldn't find the info on the PA Game Commission website nor on here.

[Steve in PA]

Yes, you need a hunting license. Yes, you must wear a blaze orange hat.

I don't think you check the PGC website very well;

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal...=726681&mode=2

[PA1936MN]

Thanks for the heads up, but I didn't need the attitude. A simple yes you do would have sufficed.

[R.W.J]

you may also need to take a Hunters Safety Course before you buy a license.

[ishoot4fun]

I'm curious as to how strictly the PGC actually enforce these rules for ground hog hunting. I am in no way advocating anything illegal, I just know a lot of farmers in our area treat groundhogs as pests and just shoot them as they see them. They're not "hunting" in the traditional sense, more less pest control. Does the PGC make a differentiation between pest control and hunting? I just can't see farmers bothering with licenses and hats what all they want is to stop the groundhog from burrowing under barns. Just curious.

[PA1936MN]

Originally Posted by WCO,R.W.J

you may also need to take a Hunters Safety Course before you buy a license.

Took it many years ago. And just bought my license about an hour ago.

[1iarrowking]

Originally Posted by ishoot4fun

I'm curious as to how strictly the PGC actually enforce these rules for ground hog hunting.

This happened about nine or ten years ago but it is true.

My friend Bob, drove to his farm (he doesn't live on the farm, he rents it out) to hunt ground hogs. When he got there he couldn't find his orange cap but he went hunting anyway, on his own property. When he returned to the truck another friend of mine was waiting for him, the Lehigh WCO at the time, who was known as the catch and release game warden because of his low arrest count. They talked for about twenty minutes and Bob was sure the WCO was going to live up to his reputation but before they parted Bob got written up for the violation and paid a $100 fine.

[PA1936MN]

I'll be getting an ORANGE hat for sure. K-Mart just didn't stock them since it wasn't the height of the hunting season.

[Triegle]

Originally Posted by Steve in PA

Yes, you need a hunting license. Yes, you must wear a blaze orange hat.

I don't think you check the PGC website very well;

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal...=726681&mode=2

That wasn't attitude... It was a straight up & to the point answer....

Obviously you did NOT check the PGC site very well because it isn't hard to find... It is also all over your hunting book you get when you buy the license.

[WarDog]

I havent hunted in years since i cant do the hiking anymore. But cant farmers shoot deer out of season for damaging crops or something? Can groundhogs be taken the same way? just curious.