Outdoorsmen rejoice — Sunday hunting soon to be legal in Pennsylvania

Governor Josh Shapiro has signed House Bill 1431 into which officially repeals the Pennsylvania ban on Sunday hunting.

This empowers the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) to add Sundays to their official hunting seasons which might bring a smile to the face of the Commonwealth's 850,000 licensed hunters.

Since 2020 Pennsylvania hunters have only been allowed to hunt on Sundays three times each year: once during archery and rifle deer seasons and once more on a Sunday of the PGC's choosing. 

"For years, we heard from hunters across Pennsylvania frustrated by the Sunday hunting ban — from young hunters with school obligations to folks working two jobs and parents balancing family time on weekends, all wanting more time outdoors," said Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith.

The law takes effect on September 7 with each new season set by the PGC allowed to include the latter half of the weekend.

The PGC's decisions will continue to be guided by official biological data and hunter feedback.

"By repealing this outdated ban on Sunday hunting, Pennsylvanians can spend more time outdoors, with more chances to share traditions and a stronger future for conservation. I'm proud we came together to bring Pennsylvania's hunting laws into the 21st century and honor the traditions that make our Commonwealth special," says Governor Shapiro.