Wow. Usually when the Pennsylvania Game Commission enacts a change, it's done in increments. For example, we got a foot in the door for Sunday hunting when the PGC deemed it lawful to hunt foxes, crows and coyotes on Sundays.

I expected the same approach with the pending approval for hunters to use semiautomatic rifles. I thought that the change would first be allowed for small game, for several years, before it was allowed for big game.But the PGC appears ready to allow use of semiautomatic rifles and shotguns while hunting big game, small game and furbearers. During the most recent PGC meeting, the board gave was unanimous in its preliminary approval of that regulatory change. The proposal will get a final vote during its next meeting March 27 and 28 at the PGC Harrisburg headquarters.Pennsylvania is the only state in the nation that currently has no hunting seasons during which semiautomatic rifles can be used. Prior to a vote, Game Commission staff did a thorough review of hunter safety in states that allow semiautomatic rifles, including neighboring states and states that most resemble Pennsylvania in terms of hunter density. The review uncovered no evidence the use of semiautomatic rifles has led to a decline in hunter safety in any state where they're permitted for hunting.If you'd like to comment on the proposal, you can email (pgccomments@pa.gov) or comment in person at the March 28 meeting. You must pre-register to speak there.Here are the specifics of the proposed rule changes:• Semiautomatic rifles in .22 caliber or less that propel single-projectile ammunition and semiautomatic shotguns 10 gauge or smaller propelling ammunition not larger than No. 4 lead - also No. 2 steel or No. 4 composition or alloy - would be legal firearms arms for small-game seasons.• Semiautomatic firearms that propel single-projectile ammunition also would be legal sporting arms for woodchucks and furbearers. There is no caliber restriction for woodchucks or furbearers.• For big game, semiautomatic centerfire rifles and shotguns would be legal sporting arms.• Full-metal-jacket ammunition would continue to be prohibited for deer, bear and elk hunting.• All semiautomatic firearms would be limited to six rounds' ammunition capacity - magazines can hold no more than five rounds. Semiautomatics would be legal in seasons in which modern firearms can be used to take deer, black bears, elk and fall turkeys.• Air-guns would be legal for small game in calibers from .177 to .22 that propel single-projectile pellets or bullets. For woodchucks and furbearers, air-guns must be at least .22 caliber and propel a single-projectile pellet or bullet. BB ammunition is not authorized for small game, furbearers or woodchucks.Other measures which were preliminarily approved, and are slated for a vote in March:• The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners preliminarily approved creating a pheasant permit that would be required for all hunters who pursue or harvest pheasants. The permit would cost $25 for adults; there would be no additional cost for junior hunters.• Game Commission- owned shooting ranges on state game lands may be open longer, from 8 a.m. until sunset, only on those Sundays within the firearms deer and bear seasons. Presently, regular Sunday hours are noon to sunset, except for the Sundays immediately preceding the firearms deer and bear seasons when the ranges are open 8 a.m. until sunset.• Training dogs on small game could be prohibited on state game lands for about three weeks in the fall, from the Monday prior to the start of the youth pheasant season until the opening day of the statewide pheasant season. The proposal does not limit dog training on any other public or private lands or waters not designated as state game lands.