Overview
A ban on Sunday hunting was one of the last remnants of “blue laws” in Pennsylvania, but new legislation ended the ban and brings more opportunity to hunters in the Commonwealth.
House Bill 1431, introduced by Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, fully repealed the ban on Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania and authorizes the Pennsylvania Game Commission to provide additional Sunday hunting opportunities.
On July 9, Governor Josh Shapiro signed the bill into law as Act 36 of 2025.
The Board of Game Commissioners postponed its July meeting to allow more time for public comment before discussion on adding new Sunday opportunities to the established 2025-26 hunting seasons.
On July 28, the Board of Commissioners approved the following Sunday hunting dates for the 2025-26 seasons:
- September 14
- September 21
- September 28
- October 5
- October 12
- October 19
- October 26
- November 2
- November 9
- November 16
- November 23
- November 30
- December 7
On these Sundays, any game that’s in season may be hunted, with the exception of migratory game birds.
To hunt on private land on these Sundays, hunters must obtain written permission from the landowner.
Review the Hunting & Trapping Digest for more details.