HARRISBURG, PA – In a big win for sportsmen and working families, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed a bill to fully repeal the state’s long-standing ban on Sunday hunting. House Bill 1431, introduced by Rep. Mandy Steele (D-Allegheny), cleared the chamber in a strong bipartisan vote of 131-72 and now heads to the Senate.
If signed into law, the bill would end one of the last remaining “blue laws” in the state, finally allowing hunters to pursue game on all Sundays during hunting season—not just the three special Sundays currently permitted each year.
A Boost for Hunters and Conservation
Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith praised the bill as a major step forward for wildlife management.
“Hunters don’t just enjoy the outdoors—they help manage wildlife populations and fund conservation for all species,” Smith said. “Lack of time is one of the biggest reasons people stop hunting. Sunday access will help keep hunters engaged.”
The bill mirrors Senate Bill 67, introduced earlier this year by Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-Erie), a longtime advocate for expanding hunter access.
Laughlin called the Sunday ban “an outdated prohibition” and has pledged to vote yes on Steele’s bill if it reaches the Senate floor.
Working Families and Rural Economies Benefit
Supporters say the repeal is about more than tradition—it’s about fairness and practicality.
“Not being able to hunt on Sundays creates major hurdles for busy families,” Rep. Steele said during floor debate. “It’s a significant barrier for working people.”
The bill also aims to help farmers manage growing deer populations that damage crops, and it’s expected to boost outdoor tourism in rural parts of the state.
A store manager at a local hunting and fishing shop agreed, noting the change may not spike sales, but it gives working-class hunters valuable weekend access.
Safety and Support
Opponents, including some hiking and environmental groups, have raised concerns about trail safety. But so far, according to the Game Commission, there’s been no spike in accidents or violations during the existing Sunday hunts allowed under the 2019 law.
Travis Lau, the Game Commission’s Communications Director, reassured the public that past Sunday hunts have not shown any increase in safety incidents. Hikers are simply advised to wear orange or bright clothing during hunting seasons—standard advice even on weekdays.
The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, which once opposed Sunday hunting, now supports the bill thanks to stronger trespass laws and a new agriculture seat on the Game Commission—two additions built into HB1431.
Political Landscape
Despite growing bipartisan support, the issue still divides lawmakers. All seven Republican House members from Lancaster County voted no, citing concerns from religious constituents and worries about disrupting local recreation. Still, most polls show the public is on board—49% support full Sunday hunting, with only 34% opposed.
The Senate now has a chance to deliver what many hunters have been demanding for years: a level playing field with more access to the woods, more days afield, and a stronger future for hunting in Pennsylvania.
As the legislation heads to the Senate Game & Fisheries Committee, all eyes are on whether this year will finally mark the end of the ban—and the beginning of a new chapter for sportsmen across the Commonwealth.
Connecticut Senate Approves Sunday Hunting on Private Land, Ending a Century-Old Ban
Pennsylvania Recognizes Virginia Concealed Handgun Permits ~ Thanks to Push from VCDL & GOA
The ban on Sunday hunting can be considered antisemitic. Since some sects of Judaism disallow Saturday hunting with firearms (they can’t “make fire” on the Sabbath) they would only be able to hunt on weekdays. Pennsylvania’s Jewish governor should consider this above any thoughts of a veto.