From the Legal Hotline

By Teri Henning, General Counsel; Melissa Melewsky, Media Law Counsel
Pennsylvania Newspaper Association

Q: An advertiser wants to run an ad saying “Will pay up to $500 for valid deer hunting licenses.” Should we accept this type of ad?

A: No. Pennsylvania deer hunting licenses are not transferable. Possessing someone else’s license and assisting another in obtaining a license illicitly are criminal offenses.

Obtaining a valid deer hunting license involves submitting an application to the Game Commission and is based certification of completion of a Hunter-Trapper Education course as well as investigation by the Game Commission into the applicant’s history of previous violations of the PA Game and Wildlife Code, if any. There are also a number of reasons why a person may be prohibited from obtaining a valid hunting license including court order or certification of mental or physical unfitness.

Section 2711 of the Game Code makes it unlawful to issue or aid, assist or conspire in procuring any hunting license for which a person is not legally entitled. Section 2711 also makes it unlawful to possess any report card, license tag, license stamp or game or wildlife kill tag belonging to another.

This type of ad presents risk to newspapers because of its potential to result in criminal activity. PNA recommends avoiding this type of ad.

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