PA Hunting License Information

**riverpirate** · January 17th, 2009, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by ham385

Not trying to start an argument here, but I disagree. The tricky thing about killing people is to not shoot your buddy by accident, or civilians for that matter. Firearms safety is a big part of weapons training, and indiscretions are dealt with swiftly and almost brutally by the chain of command.

As far as fairness goes, you gave up 8 hours to sit through a class. Over the course of my 6 years I gave up a week in basic training, one day/year for qualification, a month of MOUT training, as well as countless hours of rehearsals, and more time than I want to think about doing it for real. All of this involved situational awareness, knowing your target and what is beyond, and muzzle awareness, which I rarely see from someone who just took a hunter safety course.

Hunter safety is a small part of the course. It also teaches you the laws of the state. The different types of hunting and how they are done. It goes over different animals in the state and what is legal for them. Yes safety is the upmost important, but the course offers more than that.
Hunting is totaly different than military shooting. Different tactics , different guns , different "game". My father had a term for guys that just bought a gun and went out to the woods and "hunted". He use to call them "kmart hunters" all they did was buy what they saw on tv and just went to the woods thinking they were going to kill a deer.
Im not saying your not an experienced hunter ,just saying this for those that dont know.

I took this course last year. I have been hunting since I was 12 years old and am now 36. I took it because I had never purchased a PA license and it was "required". I have probably taken a half of dozen hunter courses over my life and sppent time in the military and the police academy, but I took the one up here because it is required and it is great information for you if you have never hunted in PA.

**Gomer Pyle** · May 7th, 2009, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by Siobhra

I have no interest in hunting. Nice skills to have for a SHTF time and the shooting at moving targets that can hide sounds like fun but. But I have no interest in cleaning and gutting the catch. And I hate the taste of wild meat.

That said, hunting is part of the gun culture and if I want hunters to take more interest in protecting my shooting rights and my rights to carry I need to take an interest in theirs.

The world counts numbers. How many hunters are there? Only a handful then why should we listen to them? Small numbers translates to small number of voters so who cares about them? Some might also say if not many people are doing it then it must not be very much fun.

I was thinking about getting a hunting license just to bring up the numbers and urge others to do the same.

What are the draw backs?
Are there enough licenses for everyone or are they limited?
Will having a hunting license make for problems if I carry my handgun while backpacking? (that's the big one)

I am going to have to disagree with you on this one. Although I share you love for target shooting and "shooting" in general (unloading hundreds of shells for fun), I have to say that the "group" of hunters in Pennsylvania is in no way small in numbers.

You are exactly right when saying people count numbers and it could not hurt to go out and support the cause.

PS: Have you ever been hunting? I am fairly new to it, maybe 3 years ago-ish. but the first time I went it was awesome. Every little noise in the woods puts you on edge and fills you with adrenaline. Once you learn to clean your game it is fairy satisfying.

The thought of going out on your own (or with friends) and stalking prey and taking its life. And then the thought of feeding your family, having a possible trophy, and the sheer satisfaction of knowing that when the shit hits the fan you will be able to fend for yourself.

But any way... I cant imagine the number of hunters in PA is in any way insignificant.... But please.... SIGN UP! haha.

**stopphillysmrdrrate** · July 10th, 2009, 02:10 AM

Anywhere to buy hunting lic in Philly?

Joe

**Dredly** · July 10th, 2009, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by stopphillysmrdrrate

Anywhere to buy hunting lic in Philly?

Joe

walmart, most sporting goods stores, or online

**Dredly** · July 10th, 2009, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by Gomer Pyle

I am going to have to disagree with you on this one. Although I share you love for target shooting and "shooting" in general (unloading hundreds of shells for fun), I have to say that the "group" of hunters in Pennsylvania is in no way small in numbers.

You are exactly right when saying people count numbers and it could not hurt to go out and support the cause.

PS: Have you ever been hunting? I am fairly new to it, maybe 3 years ago-ish. but the first time I went it was awesome. Every little noise in the woods puts you on edge and fills you with adrenaline. Once you learn to clean your game it is fairy satisfying.

The thought of going out on your own (or with friends) and stalking prey and taking its life. And then the thought of feeding your family, having a possible trophy, and the sheer satisfaction of knowing that when the shit hits the fan you will be able to fend for yourself.

But any way... I cant imagine the number of hunters in PA is in any way insignificant.... But please.... SIGN UP! haha.

you are correct, there are between 850k - 900k hunters in PA annually.

If you use a PGC firing range you should absolutely buy a license... since you are using the hunters money to shoot on this land

**WWGunslinger** · July 10th, 2009, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by Gomer Pyle

I am going to have to disagree with you on this one. Although I share you love for target shooting and "shooting" in general (unloading hundreds of shells for fun), I have to say that the "group" of hunters in Pennsylvania is in no way small in numbers.

You are exactly right when saying people count numbers and it could not hurt to go out and support the cause.

PS: Have you ever been hunting? I am fairly new to it, maybe 3 years ago-ish. but the first time I went it was awesome. Every little noise in the woods puts you on edge and fills you with adrenaline. Once you learn to clean your game it is fairy satisfying.

The thought of going out on your own (or with friends) and stalking prey and taking its life. And then the thought of feeding your family, having a possible trophy, and the sheer satisfaction of knowing that when the shit hits the fan you will be able to fend for yourself.

But any way... I cant imagine the number of hunters in PA is in any way insignificant.... But please.... SIGN UP! haha.

There are also programs out there that you can donate your deer meat to and it goes to help feed the homeless I believe.

**Dredly** · July 10th, 2009, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by WWGunslinger

There are also programs out there that you can donate your deer meat to and it goes to help feed the homeless I believe.

yeah its called Hunters Sharing the Harvest

http://www.sharedeer.org/

**fragmag** · February 18th, 2010, 11:02 PM

Just wondering. I took the hunters safety course in the mid to late '80s here in PA. I have just moved back to the state and would love to begin hunting again. I don't have a copy of my license anymore, am I still good to get a license or will I have to re take the course?

**knight0334** · February 18th, 2010, 11:14 PM

Originally Posted by fragmag

Just wondering. I took the hunters safety course in the mid to late '80s here in PA. I have just moved back to the state and would love to begin hunting again. I don't have a copy of my license anymore, am I still good to get a license or will I have to re take the course?

Technically you are good to get a license if you did in deed take and pass it, but you should really have that card. ...You can file for a replacement card. They have them on record back to 1987 or so. Before that you have to sign an affidavit swearing to having taken and passed the course.

clicky linky below:
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal...=587168&mode=2

I had the same problem before. I took the course when I was 12yo in 1984, but lost it. Instead of getting a replacement card I just retook the course with a cousin who had just turned of hunting age back in '92.

**fragmag** · February 18th, 2010, 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by knight0334

Technically you are good to get a license if you did in deed take and pass it, but you should really have that card. ...You can file for a replacement card. They have them on record back to 1987 or so. Before that you have to sign an affidavit swearing to having taken and passed the course.

clicky linky below:
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal...=587168&mode=2

I had the same problem before. I took the course when I was 12yo in 1984, but lost it. Instead of getting a replacement card I just retook the course with a cousin who had just turned of hunting age back in '92.

Thanks. I really appreciate the quick reply. I will call them tomorrow.

Oddly enough, I took the course in '87, so I should be on record. I am going over to my parents house this weekend to see if by some miracle it is still somewhere with my stuff from when I was a kid, just in case.

Againg, thank you.