Pennsylvania House Passes Historic Bill to Repeal Sunday Hunting Ban

June 11, 2025 – Harrisburg, PA – In a decisive 131–72 vote yesterday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives approved House Bill 1431, which would fully repeal the state’s longstanding ban on Sunday hunting and grant the Pennsylvania Game Commission authority to include Sundays when setting hunting seasons.

What’s in the Bill?

• House Bill 1431, sponsored by Rep. Mandy Steele (D‑Allegheny), mirrors Senate Bill 67 by Sen. Dan Laughlin (R‑Erie), aiming to eliminate the Sunday hunting prohibition entirely.
• The current law already allows limited Sunday hunting—primarily for foxes, coyotes, crows—and three designated Sundays under Act 107 of 2019.
• This bill would authorize the Game Commission to set Sunday seasons across various game species and most seasons.

Why It Matters

• Supporters point out that time constraints are a major barrier for hunters. As Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith explained, “One of the biggest reasons hunters stop hunting is a lack of time… removing the prohibition on Sunday hunting holds the potential to add significantly more time to the hunting calendar.”
• A broad coalition—including sportsmen’s organizations, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, and the Game Commission—backs the measure, noting its importance for wildlife conservation and supporting rural economies.

Voices from the Outdoors

On social media forums like Reddit, hunters have long voiced frustration with the current restrictions:

• “Common sense just says stay away to keep everyone safe… adding Sundays is a no brainer.”
• “Way, way overdue!! … Almost all other states allow hunting on Sunday and they have no problems with hikers or farmers there.”

These sentiments capture a strong public desire to modernize outdated “blue laws” dating back to colonial times.

What’s Next

With House approval secured, the bill now moves to the Republican-controlled Senate, where supporters hope it will soon receive final legislative approval (penncapital-star.com+1pa.gov+1). If passed, it would represent a sweeping change to nearly 150 years of law—and likely bring fresh opportunities for hunters, conservation efforts, rural communities, and wildlife management alike.

Overall, the bill reflects both practical and cultural shifts—offering more flexibility for hunters and a nod toward modern wildlife stewardship in Pennsylvania.

For more information on the new legislation, visit the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania website HERE: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/newsroom/sunday-hunting-bill-passes-house.html