The longtime ban on Sunday hunting, going back hundreds of years, has officially been repealed in Pennsylvania.
Governor Josh Shapiro signed the piece of bipartisan legislation, introduced by Pittsburgh-area Rep. Mandy Steele, on Wednesday ending the ban on Sunday hunting in the commonwealth.
The PA Game Commission will now determine when hunting on Sunday dates will be implemented.
Until now, Sunday hunting was only allowed on three designated dates.
The Game Commission says the current dates for hunting on Sunday this coming season are November 16, 23 and 30,
The Game Board of Commissioners meeting has been postponed until July 28 to accommodate the change in hunting.
“This new law is about real freedom: the freedom to hunt, the freedom for families to pass down traditions to the next generation, and the freedom for the Pennsylvania Game Commission — the experts who know our hunters and our wildlife best — to set hunting seasons that work for today’s Pennsylvania,” said Governor Shapiro. “By repealing this outdated ban on Sunday hunting, Pennsylvanians can spend more time outdoors, with more chances to share traditions and a stronger future for conservation.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.”
Governor Shapiro’s office says hunting contributes over $1.6 billion every year to PA’s economy and helps supportes over 15,000 jobs.