Animals you don't need a license to kill

[hog45]

Are there any creatures in Pennsylvania that I don't need a license to shoot?

I have a license, and am not trying to "get away with something," it is more of a curiosity to me over just how much domain and authority the PGC has.

[GunLawyer001]

Armed home invaders come to mind.

[Qtrborecrazy]

Mice, rats, mole.

[SHEPHERD321]

BLM?

[Democrat Gun Owner]

Dogs and other domesticated animals...if you own them or they are attacking some of PA's identified precious wildlife.

However, I don't think the situations where such killings are legal include hunting.

[bigandy1966]

no. i'm pretty sure if you are out in the woods with a loaded gun, you are defacto "hunting" regardless of the specie. If you have no said species in your game bag, whats to say that you aren't hunting pheasants, squirrels or any other game animal without a hunting license?
That being said, on some "game preserves" you may not need a license as they are basically allowing you to shoot what equivicates to "livestock", which is their private property. And as such, they can do whatever they please.
We don't have a feral hog issue yet that would allow for hunting the feral hogs without seasons or limits like in Texas, and some southeastern states, But those bastards are spreading like the plague, and have back bred with wild russian boars, so they're extra nasty. Picture a #350 poland mixed with a russian boar, the resultant offspring is a ecological nightmare . They're omnivores, with an especially keen sense of smell and hearing, with about average eyesight. Fawns and young livestock are their favorites, pheasant and turkey poults, agriculture like corn and soybeans take a hit too.

Dogs and other domesticated animals...if you own them or they are attacking some of PA's identified precious wildlife.

However, I don't think the situations where such killings are legal include hunting.

I believe they changed that law as people were shooting trained bird dogs chasing wounded birds/ rabbits on the retrieve. The owners of the dogs may be cited now if their dog is caught chasing deer and other big game, but the game laws says the dog owner should be reported to the game commission. The only time you can actually shoot a dog harassing wildlife is if its in the act of attacking a deer , bear or turkey.

[streaker69]

no. i'm pretty sure if you are out in the woods with a loaded gun, you are defacto "hunting" regardless of the specie. If you have no said species in your game bag, whats to say that you aren't hunting pheasants, squirrels or any other game animal without a hunting license?

I don't agree. I've been out in the woods lots of time with a loaded gun, and at no point in time have I been hunting.

[bigandy1966]

I mean like a shot gun or a scoped hunting rifle. Not your side arm for protection from bears, feral urban yutes, or Amish girls on the rumshpringa

[hog45]

I wonder if mountain lions would be legal, since the PGC says they don't exist.

[Pilot321]

Crows?