Pennsylvania hunters will be able to carry semi-automatic rifles for hunting small game but not big game.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission approved the changes for 2017-18 in any season where manually operated centerfire rifles can now be used.
No changes have been made to the list of lawful sporting arms for big game after a majority of hunters voiced opposition to allowing the semi-automatic rifles for big game.
Game Commission staff conducted a scientific survey of a random sample of 2,000 hunters to get feedback as well as spoke to experts who said that there is no higher incidence of hunting accidents in states that allow semi-automatic hunting rifles. Pennsylvania was the last state not to permit any use of semi-automatic rifles for hunting purposes.
