legal to shoot varmints on property?

**mcamp001** · October 11th, 2012, 10:23 AM

I am new to this site and have read a bunch of threads, but please forgive me if this is covered under one I didn't see.

Is it legal to shoot varmints (squirrels) with a BB or pellet gun on your property? I am in Yardley, Bucks County, Lower Makefield Township.

Any comments or direction would be helpful, thanks

**CHEMICAL** · October 11th, 2012, 10:27 AM

As far as I know it's not legal to take any animals with an air gun...unless I read the law wrong.

**R.W.J** · October 11th, 2012, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by mcamp001

I am new to this site and have read a bunch of threads, but please forgive me if this is covered under one I didn't see.

Is it legal to shoot varmints (squirrels) with a BB or pellet gun on your property? I am in Yardley, Bucks County, Lower Makefield Township.

Any comments or direction would be helpful, thanks

No it is not legal

**mcamp001** · October 11th, 2012, 10:48 AM

Thanks for the responses, guess I will find another way.

**firebird.77** · October 11th, 2012, 05:28 PM

There are exceptions to some hunting regulations (seasons) if they are harming your crops, and I believe that this applies to a residential garden. If they are simply 'annoying' this exception would not apply. However, as I understand you would need to be able to prove that the squirrels were doing damage, and take them in a way which would otherwise be legal for hunting (i.e. a .22 or shotgun). It would be best to contact a local game warden on this matter because legal or not, how your local warden interprets the law (and how well your neighbors like you vs the squirrels) is what will determine whether or not you get hassled. Not saying it's right, but it's the truth.

Keep in mind that it is likely that Yardley has an ordinance against discharging weapons in a residential area, and within a certain distance of a highway. If you can't be certain that you are in a safe area to shoot, don't risk it.

Good news is...if you DO have the space to safely "take them out"...squirrel season is about to open and with a valid hunters license (after mandatory safety class) you should be able to take your limit!

Stay safe!

**Fred762** · October 15th, 2012, 11:22 PM

10aC squirrels are stoopider than PA squirrels.....they sometimes scamper right across the firing line while we're target practicing with our Fienwerkbau 124's LOL Yummmmmmmmmmm.......