Sportsman Permit

[Hersh5317]

Is this actually required to hunt with a handgun, or is it to carry a defensive handgun while hunting? The way it is written in the handbook is ambiguous. I hunt with a handgun. I do not consider this carrying a handgun, but was wondering what the more educated (PGC or those that have dealt with this issue with them) interpret this to mean.

[MARINE DIVISION TWO]

Required while in the act of Hunting whether or not it is used to take game !

[gnbrotz]

Required while in the act of Hunting whether or not it is used to take game !

Unless you already have a LTCF.

[Boondox]

Unless you already have a LTCF.

Which is a far better alternative than the Sportsman permit.
I see no reason at all to go with a Sportsman permit if you can obtain a LTCF

[Hersh5317]

So going out with just a handgun (i.e. T/C Contender) is a no go without at least one of the afore mentioned permission slips. That is bass backwards, but got it. Just moved back from Indiana where such idiocity is not present, but need to get DL and LTCF transferred anyway.

[Steve in PA]

No, it is not required to have the SP in order to hunt with a handgun, unless;

You don’t have a LTCF, or

Are under 21 and therefore cannot get a LTCF.

Also, the SP does not allow you to carry for defensive purposes, only the LTCF gives you that.

I’ve been a dedicated handgun hunter for a lot of years. Can’t tell you the last time I hunted with a rifle.

[God's Country]

Is this actually required to hunt with a handgun, or is it to carry a defensive handgun while hunting? The way it is written in the handbook is ambiguous. I hunt with a handgun. I do not consider this carrying a handgun, but was wondering what the more educated (PGC or those that have dealt with this issue with them) interpret this to mean.

The SP is a revenue generator and nothing more. It gives you safe harbor to transport a loaded handgun (which is lawful to take game) to and from and during hunting/fishing activities. It's issued by the county treasurer with no background check, so it serves no purpose other than to generate money.

It may be idiotic, but we don't require fingerprints, or 90 days to issues a LTCF.

[Hersh5317]

The SP is a revenue generator and nothing more. It gives you safe harbor to transport a loaded handgun (which is lawful to take game) to and from and during hunting/fishing activities. It's issued by the county treasurer with no background check, so it serves no purpose other than to generate money.

It may be idiotic, but we don't require fingerprints, or 90 days to issues a LTCF.

What do you mean by transport? In a vehicle it must still be unloaded per Title 34 and 18. Only a LTCF permits loaded firearms in a vehicle. Title 18 permits transport of unloaded firearms from place of purchase to residence, and residence to ranges or for legal hunting. I still do not understand the need for the SP due to Title 18, except for revenue as you stated. However, Title 34 reads like you are not allowed to hunt with a handgun unless you ask for permission (either with LTCF or SP).

[God's Country]

What do you mean by transport? In a vehicle it must still be unloaded per Title 34 and 18. Only a LTCF permits loaded firearms in a vehicle. Title 18 permits transport of unloaded firearms from place of purchase to residence, and residence to ranges or for legal hunting. I still do not understand the need for the SP due to Title 18, except for revenue as you stated. However, Title 34 reads like you are not allowed to hunt with a handgun unless you ask for permission (either with LTCF or SP).

IIRC a SP is an exception to 6106, firearms not to be carried without a license. FWIR a SP allows the concealed and loaded carry of a handgun which is lawful for the stated purpose along with the appropriate hunting, fishing, ete, etc, license directly to and from and during that activity.

ETA: do a forum search for sportsmen's permit. There are a couple informative threads.

[Hersh5317]

6106(b)(9)**Persons licensed to hunt, take furbearers or fish in this Commonwealth, if such persons are actually hunting, taking furbearers or fishing as permitted by such license, or are going to the places where they desire to hunt, take furbearers or fish or returning from such places.

6106(c)**Sportsman's firearm permit.--

(1)**Before any exception shall be granted under paragraph (b)(9) or (10) of this section to any person 18 years of age or older licensed to hunt, trap or fish or who has been issued a permit relating to hunting dogs, such person shall, at the time of securing his hunting, furtaking or fishing license or any time after such license has been issued, secure a sportsman's firearm permit from the county treasurer. The sportsman's firearm permit shall be issued immediately and be valid throughout this Commonwealth for a period of five years from the date of issue for any legal firearm, when carried in conjunction with a valid hunting, furtaking or fishing license or permit relating to hunting dogs. The sportsman's firearm permit shall be in triplicate on a form to be furnished by the Pennsylvania State Police. The original permit shall be delivered to the person, and the first copy thereof, within seven days, shall be forwarded to the Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police by the county treasurer. The second copy shall be retained by the county treasurer for a period of two years from the date of expiration. The county treasurer shall be entitled to collect a fee of not more than $6 for each such permit issued, which shall include the cost of any official form. The Pennsylvania State Police may recover from the county treasurer the cost of any such form, but may not charge more than $1 for each official permit form furnished to the county treasurer.

6102 "Firearm."**Any pistol or revolver with a barrel length less than 15 inches, any shotgun with a barrel length less than 18 inches or any rifle with a barrel length less than 16 inches, or any pistol, revolver, rifle or shotgun with an overall length of less than 26 inches. The barrel length of a firearm shall be determined by measuring from the muzzle of the barrel to the face of the closed action, bolt or cylinder, whichever is applicable.

By reading this a handgun with a barrel longer than 15" is exempt from the SP requirement. So in my case with a Contender, I would be good without a SP so long as the barrel is over that arbitrary measurement? I guess that since I may just end up getting rid of the handgun barrels and go 16"+ on all of them, it may be pointless to get an answer. Appreciate the info GC. I will keep looking into it offline.