Pennsylvania hunters may soon be allowed to pursue deer, turkeys, upland birds and waterfowl on Sundays for the first time in more than two centuries. Senate Bill 67, currently being considered in the state Legislature, would amend state statutes to remove existing bans on Sunday hunting and give authority to the Pennsylvania Game Commission to open up Sunday hunting opportunities within designated hunting seasons. The Game Commission would determine which wildlife species are open to seasonal hunting.
Research shows that permitting Sunday hunting not only allows hunters increased opportunities to have successful seasons, but also helps wildlife managers better meet management objectives, offers economic benefits to rural areas, and improves hunter recruitment and retention.
All members of the Pennsylvania Sportsmen & Women Policy Workgroup engaged lawmakers in the last session to request passage of this legislation. That workgroup includes the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen and Conservationists and Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever.
In a busy world when people are working more hours and days, Sunday hunting might be someone’s only chance to spend time afield with their loved ones. The Pennsylvania Legislature should give them that opportunity.
Seth Worthing
Johnstown