Pennsylvania’s Sunday hunting ban soon could become a thing of the past.
House Bill 1431, which would fully repeal the ban, passed the state Senate today by a 34-16 vote. Introduced by Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, the bill passed the state House of Representatives June 11. With the Senate’s vote today, the bill now heads back to the House of Representatives for a final vote on concurrence. If approved again, it would go to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.
On behalf of Pennsylvania’s hunters, Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith expressed his gratitude to the Senate, with particular thanks to Senate Game and Fisheries Committee Chair Sen. Greg Rothman, and Sen. Dan Laughlin, who has led the charge on this issue for years.
“Thanks to their leadership and commitment, Pennsylvania hunters are now on the brink of gaining the opportunity to hunt on additional Sundays,” Smith said.
While Pennsylvania long has had Sunday hunting opportunities for foxes, coyotes and crows, and Act 107 of 2019 cleared the way for additional hunting on three designated Sundays, Sunday hunting otherwise is prohibited, one of the last remnants of the state’s “blue laws.”
The initiative to repeal the Sunday hunting ban has a broad base of support behind it. Many sportsmen’s groups back the proposal, as does the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. The Game Commission has been working with this coalition to see the initiative through, which would benefit hunters and ensure the future of wildlife management.
If House Bill 1431 becomes law, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, through its appointed Board of Commissioners, will be authorized to implement additional Sunday hunting opportunities. Further information about when opportunities would be implemented will be released as it becomes available. At present, Sunday hunting is broadly prohibited, except for the hunting of foxes, coyotes and crows during open seasons, and on three consecutive Sundays in fall.
Comments