Pennsylvania repeals longstanding ban on Sunday hunting
Pennsylvanians will soon be able to hunt on more Sundays.
Gov. Josh Shapiro on Wednesday signed House Bill 1431, which removes a ban on hunting on Sundays.
The new law, which goes into effect in September, gives the Pennsylvania Game Commission the ability to add more Sundays as hunting days.
Currently, hunters are only allowed to hunt deer on three Sundays per year: a day during rifle deer season, a day during archery deer season, and a third day at the Game Commission’s discretion.
Pennsylvania’s Sunday hunting ban, which makes exceptions for hunting crows, coyotes and foxes during open seasons, is at least 200 years old.
Legislators hope the law will boost revenue for new hunting license sales, strengthen wildlife conservation efforts, and expand recreational opportunities for hunters.
“At a time when folks in Pennsylvania and elsewhere are busier than ever before – so many hunters are working five, six days a week – this is a commonsense change that gives hunters more freedom to choose when they want to head into the woods,” Shapiro said in a statement. “It also opens up more freedom for moms and dads and aunts and uncles and grandmas and grandpops to introduce younger generations to the tradition of hunting.”
Game Commission executive director Steve Smith applauded the decision to repeal the 152-year-old ban on Sunday hunting.
“The Pennsylvania Game Commission could not be more excited to celebrate this long-awaited moment,” said Smith. “This landmark law effectively will contribute to keeping hunters engaged and performing the valuable public service they provide in helping manage our wildlife populations and ensuring the future of wildlife conservation. Today is a win for wildlife.”
The bill was sponsored by Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny County, who represents Allegheny County. She said the law “marks a truly historic win for the current and future generation of Pennsylvania hunters.”
“Families are busier than ever, work and social schedules are demanding as ever, and this new law provides more opportunity for hunters to participate in one of America’s oldest traditions and be on the front line of conservation here in the Keystone State,” said Steele.
Elliott Mazur, president of the Fairchance Rod and Gun Club in Fayette County, said the change to allow Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania “has been a long time in coming.”
“With the rise in food prices nationwide, I think that opening the season for Sunday hunting will benefit families that enjoy wild game in their diet and as part of their family culture, as well as managing game populations across the commonwealth,” said Mazur. “Our members will certainly appreciate the extra time in the season.”
The repeal could positively impact farmers, whose crops have been decimated by deer and other wildlife, said Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Chris Hoffman.
“These measures will help farmers better control deer populations, protect their crops, and support the long-term sustainability of agriculture in our state,” said Hoffman.
Which Sundays will be added for deer hunting for 2025-26 have not yet been determined.