Sunday hunting ban in Pennsylvania under legislative review for potential lift

Some Pennsylvania lawmakers are looking to lift the ban on Sunday hunting.

“Sunday hunting is statutorily prohibited in Pennsylvania,” said Travis Lau, the Communications Director within the PA Game Commission.

Lau tells Channel 6 that hunting game like deer or bear has been prohibited on Sundays since the 19th century.

“There have long been exceptions for foxes, coyotes, and crows," added Lau. "They been hunted for years on Sundays.”

It wasn't until recent years when Lau says hunters were given 3 additional Sundays to hunt.

“Initially they were only for deer and bear, but they been expanded to include most other game that’s in season at that time but were still limited in the number of Sundays that we can offer and there’s like a lot of hunters who aren’t familiar with that process that don’t understand that there is legislative prohibition and it requires new legislation in order to expand those opportunities," Lau said.

Lau tells 6 News that new legislation like House Bill 2106 — that would allow more opportunities — was discussed at a House Game and Fisheries Committee meeting on Tuesday.

“Which the game commission supports and is important for the future of hunting," Lau added. “One of the barriers to hunting and one of the reasons that hunters might stop hunting is a lack of time. Where you know providing an additional day in the week, on the weekend when most people aren’t working would certainly go a long way into providing additional opportunities for hunters and keeping them engaged and keeping them providing that right of public service.”

If you have any concerns, Lau says you should contact your local State Representative or Senator.

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