Bill allowing Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania passes, heads to governor for signature

Legislation that would fully repeal Pennsylvania’s Sunday hunting ban recived its final supportive vote on Monday and will head to Gov. Josh Shapiro to be signed into law.

House Bill 1431, which passed the state House of Representatives June 11 then passed the state Senate last week, was brought before the House of Representatives again on Monday for a final vote on concurrence. The bill passed by a 142-61 vote.

“Today’s vote again demonstrates the broad support for this bill,” said Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith, noting the bill is backed by the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and sportsmen’s groups across the Commonwealth. “The Game Commission has worked hard on behalf of Pennsylvania’s hunters to help get this bill across the finish line, which now is in sight.”

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.”

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Introduced by Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, House Bill 1431 would remove the prohibition, helping to keep hunters engaged and providing the valuable service they do in managing the state’s wildlife populations. 

If the bill becomes law, the Pennsylvania Game Commission 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 remains broadly prohibited, except for the hunting of foxes, coyotes and crows during open seasons, and on three consecutive Sundays in fall.