female deer hunter in orange

Sunday Hunting in Pennsylvania

July 9, 2025: Governor Josh Shapiro signed House Bill 1431 into law.

Overview

A ban on Sunday hunting was one of the last remnants of “blue laws” in Pennsylvania, but new legislation just ended the ban and brings more opportunity to hunters in the Commonwealth.

House Bill 1431, introduced by Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, fully repeals the ban on Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania and authorizes the Pennsylvania Game Commission to provide additional Sunday hunting opportunities.

Now that House Bill 1431 has become law, the Board of Game Commissioners will determine when additional Sunday hunting opportunities will be implemented.

Further information will be released as it becomes available. 

Contact the Board of Commissioners

For inquiries or feedback to the Board of Commissioners, please click here to send your message.

pgcboard@pa.gov

Sunday hunting had been broadly prohibited, except for foxes, coyotes, and crows during open seasons and most other game on three consecutive Sundays in the fall.

Current Sunday hunting dates for the 2025-26 season:

  • November 16
  • November 23
  • November 30

On these three Sundays, any game that’s in season may be hunted, with the exception of turkeys and 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. 

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