Harrisburg, PA – Today, after Governor Shapiro signed historic legislation ending the ban earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced a phased approach to expanding Sunday hunting in state parks and forests, ensuring that the rollout balances Pennsylvania’s rich hunting traditions with the recreational needs and safety of millions of visitors to public lands.
For the 2025-26 season, Sunday hunting in state parks will be limited to three dates: November 16, 23, and 30 — while state forests, which cover 2.2 million acres and generally have larger, less crowded hunting areas, will continue to permit hunting on all Sundays approved by the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC). The Game Commission-approved Sunday dates for 2025 are:
- September 14, 21, and 28
- October 5, 12, 19, and 26
- November 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30
- December 7
“Hunting has always been a cornerstone of Pennsylvania’s outdoor heritage, and it remains one of our most important tools for managing healthy forests and wildlife,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “With the expansion of Sunday hunting, we have a responsibility to roll out these opportunities in a way that reflects the many ways Pennsylvanians use our public lands. As we plan for broader access in state parks starting in 2026-27 season, our team is looking closely at recreational patterns, park layouts, and community needs to ensure hunting can be expanded safely, responsibly, and in a way that maintains high-quality experiences for hunters and non-hunters alike.”
Earlier this year, Governor Josh Shapiro signed House Bill 1431 into law, repealing Pennsylvania’s longstanding ban on Sunday hunting. This new bipartisan law delivers real freedom for Pennsylvania’s 850,000 licensed hunters, empowers the PGC to expand Sunday hunting opportunities, and strengthens wildlife conservation efforts while growing rural economies across the Commonwealth.
Beginning in the 2026-27 hunting license year, DCNR plans to expand Sunday hunting opportunities to most state parks that currently allow hunting, with decisions made on a park-by-park basis.
DCNR’s approach to Sunday hunting in state parks for the 2025-26 season is guided by three priorities: protecting the experience of non-hunting visitors, balancing competing uses in high traffic areas, and giving staff the necessary time to adjust park operations and communications to ensure visitor safety.
Planning for 2026-27 Expansion in State Parks
Starting July 1, 2026, DCNR will expand Sunday hunting opportunities in most state parks where hunting is already permitted. Each park will be reviewed individually to determine how Sunday hunting can be addressed safely, based on park layout, visitor use, and proximity to residential communities.
Hunting in State Parks and Forests
Hunting is currently permitted on about 240,000 acres across 99 of Pennsylvania’s 124 state parks, often with restrictions such as archery-only areas to enhance safety near homes and heavily used recreation areas.
State forests, by contrast, are a major hub for hunting, offering large tracts of land where the activity is an important management tool for sustaining forest health.
Safety During Hunting Season
Hunters are reminded that hikers, bird watchers, skiers, cyclists, and other visitors may also be present in parks and forests and are not required to wear fluorescent orange. For everyone’s safety:
- Hunters should follow all hunting regulations, wear required orange, and use extreme caution.
- Visitors are encouraged to wear orange, stick to trails, and avoid dawn and dusk when visibility is low.
Tips for hikers and other visitors to be safe during hunting season:
- Wear fluorescent orange that is visible from 360 degrees to be easily seen by hunters
- Stick to established trails
- Avoid hiking during dawn and dusk
- Increase your dog’s visibility with a bright orange vest, collar, or leash
- Inform someone of your hiking plans and expected return time
Parks with Hunting Restrictions
Parks that currently do not allow any hunting are:
- Bendigo
- Buchanan’s Birthplace
- Cherry Springs
- Fort Washington
- Fowlers Hollow
- Hyner View
- Laurel Mountain
- Laurel Summit
- McCall’s Dam
- Memorial Lake
- Milton
- Mont Alto
- Patterson
- Penn Roosevelt
- Poe Paddy
- Point
- Prouty Place
- Ralph Stover
- Ravensburg
- Samuel Lewis
- Sand Bridge
- Shikellamy
- Susquehanna
- Upper Pine Bottom
- Washington Crossing
Parks that allow only mentored youth or controlled hunting are:
- Benjamin Rush
- Neshaminy
- Norristown Farm Park
- Presque Isle
- Tyler
For additional guidance and detailed information on hunting in Pennsylvania state parks and forests, visit DCNR’s website.
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