Pennsylvania Hunters Can Now Use Thermal and Night Vision Equipment

Legislation to allow hunters of predatory animals to use thermal and night vision equipment is now law in Pennsylvania however the law doesn’t take effect till August.

Rep. Parke Wentling sponsored House Bill 1188.

“Relaxing restrictions on the use of thermal imaging and night vision equipment has the potential to usher in a new frontier of predator hunting throughout Pennsylvania,” said Wentling.  “As many experts have made clear throughout the legislative process, the legal use of this equipment is a monumental game-changer in ensuring maximum safety for predator hunters and effectively keeping predator populations in check to better protect preyed-upon wildlife, livestock, pets, and personal property.”

The bill amends the Game and Wildlife Code by removing the statutory restriction on the use of a sight or scope that can transmit or project light, infrared, ultraviolet, radio, thermal, ultrasonic, particle, or any other beam outside of a sight or scope onto a target.

“The new law enables the Game Commission to regulate night vision and other previously prohibited optics,” said Travis Lau, spokesman for the agency. “It doesn’t mean that they will be allowed for any particular season, so it will be up to the agency – ultimately the board of commissioners – to decide whether night-vision scopes are allowed and in what capacity.”

Mr. Lau said commissioners don’t have a timeline for regulatory change, but the public discussion is expected at the commission’s next meeting in Harrisburg on July 24-25, barring a scheduling change due to COVID-19 precautions.