Night-Vision Hunting Okayed in Pennsylvania

Hunters looking to bag certain animals in Pennsylvania may soon be going “stealth-mode” under the cover of darkness, legally.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is giving the okay to the use of night vision and infrared (thermal) optics in the hunting of furbearing animals that are traditionally trapped or hunted for their pelts.

The Associated Press reports Commissioners gave final approval during a brief meeting September 26 to the change, which will go into effect in six to eight weeks after the regulation is reviewed and published.

State lawmakers earlier this year authorized the commission to regulate such devices, use of which was previously prohibited by state law.

Furbearing species that can be hunted in Pennsylvania are raccoons, foxes, coyotes, opossums, striped skunks, weasels, bobcats and porcupines.