By Blake Jackson
On Tuesday, Governor Josh Shapiro signed House Bill 1431 into law, officially ending Pennsylvania’s longstanding ban on Sunday hunting.
This bipartisan legislation marks a major win for the state’s 850,000 licensed hunters and gives the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) new authority to expand Sunday hunting opportunities. The law is expected to boost conservation efforts and benefit rural economies across the state.
HB 1431, sponsored by Representative Mandy Steele, was passed by the House with a 142-61 vote and approved by the Senate in a 34-16 vote demonstrating strong bipartisan support. A companion bill, SB67, was also introduced by Senator Dan Laughlin.
The new law is being praised by leaders across Pennsylvania’s hunting and agricultural communities for its practical benefits and collaborative development.
Dan Sneath, Director of Legislative Affairs for Hunter Nation, commented, “Here in Pennsylvania, we still believe in coming together to get stuff done and that’s exactly what happened with Sunday hunting. We rolled up our sleeves, went to work, and found common ground between the agricultural community and hunters. Farmers were struggling with crop damage, and hunters were ready to help. By working together, we reached solutions that benefit everyone.”
“Pennsylvania Farm Bureau was a proud supporter of House Bill 1431, a key piece of legislation developed in collaboration between wildlife groups and the agricultural community to improve wildlife management and address deer overpopulation,” Chris Hoffman, President of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau said. “These measures will help farmers better control deer populations, protect their crops, and support the long-term sustainability of agriculture in our state.”
“For years, we heard from hunters across Pennsylvania frustrated by the Sunday hunting ban from young hunters with school obligations to folks working two jobs and parents balancing family time on weekends, all wanting more time outdoors,” Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith said. “As a parent myself, I know what it’s like to spend every fall Saturday on the sidelines, wondering when you’ll get to hunt let alone share that tradition with your kids."
“The passage of Sunday hunting is a meaningful step forward for Pennsylvania’s farmers, too. Crop damage from overabundant wildlife continues to take a real toll on farms across the Commonwealth,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “Giving hunters more days in the field helps protect livelihoods, especially in areas hardest hit.”
Photo Credit: gettyimages-imagixian
Categories: Pennsylvania, Government & Policy