Erie, PA Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited acts
- Hunt, harm, trap, chase, shoot at birds
- Also banned
- Taking eggs, nests or young
- Weapons banned in parks
- Firearms, air rifles, slings, bow/arrow
- Penalty
- $10-$300 fine or up to 90 days jail
- Enforcement power
- Park attendants/police may eject, seize devices
Summary
Erie's park rules make it illegal to hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease, shoot at, or throw missiles at any bird within a city park. Taking a bird's eggs, nest or young, or possessing a wild bird, is also prohibited.
Hunting. Hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease, shoot or throw missiles at any animal, reptile or bird; nor shall be remove or have in his possession the young of any wild animal, or the eggs, nest or young of any reptile or bird; nor shall be collect, remove, have in his possession, give away, sell or offer to sell, buy or offer to buy or accept as a gift, any specimen alive or dead of any of the group of tree snails. Feedings. Give or offer, or attempt to give to any animal or bird any tobacco, alcohol or other known noxious substances.
Full Breakdown
', bars any person in a park from hunting, molesting, harming, frightening, killing, trapping, chasing, teasing, shooting or throwing missiles at any animal, reptile or bird. The same subsection prohibits removing or possessing the young of any wild animal, or the eggs, nest or young of any reptile or bird, and separately bars collecting, possessing, giving away, selling, offering to sell, buying, or accepting as a gift any live or dead specimen of tree snails. A companion clause bans giving or offering tobacco, alcohol, or other known noxious substances to any animal or bird in a park.
06(b) reinforces the protection for wildlife generally, barring anyone from hunting, trapping or pursuing wildlife in a park at any time, and from carrying or using firearms, air rifles, bow and arrows, slings, paintball weapons, or any device that can fire a blank cartridge or any trapping device, and forbids shooting into a park from beyond its boundaries.
Violations & Fines
Article 955's general penalty, Section 955.99, fines any violator of these park rules not less than $10 nor more than $300 plus prosecution costs, or, in default of payment, imprisonment not to exceed 90 days. Section 955.10 additionally lets the Director of Parks and Public Places, any park attendant, or a police officer eject a violator from the park and seize or confiscate any weapon, trap or device used in violation of the article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hunt birds in an Erie city park?
Is it illegal to take a bird's nest in an Erie park?
Can I carry a BB gun or slingshot in an Erie park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Erie
Compare Erie to another location·View the Pennsylvania animal ordinances overview
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