HARRISBURG — Legislation that will fully repeal Pennsylvania’s Sunday hunting ban was signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Josh Shapiro, marking a historic day for Pennsylvania hunters and the future of wildlife conservation in the Commonwealth.

“The Pennsylvania Game Commission could not be more excited to celebrate this long-awaited moment,” Executive Director Steve Smith said on Wednesday. “This landmark law effectively will contribute to keeping hunters engaged and performing the valuable public service they provide in helping manage our wildlife populations and ensuring the future of wildlife conservation. Today is a win for wildlife. Today will forever be remembered.”

Smith offered a plethora of thanks to those who helped get the bill to the governor’s desk.

“We could not have reached this milestone alone,” Smith said. “Many thanks go to Representative Mandy Steele, who sponsored House Bill 1431, which was signed into law today; all supporting members of the General Assembly, including Senator Dan Laughlin, who long has championed this issue; Governor Shapiro; a multitude of sportsmen’s groups who care deeply about wildlife; the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and last but not least, the hard-working staff of the Pennsylvania Game Commission and our Board of Commissioners. All played a huge role in getting us here, and on behalf of hunters statewide, I thank you.”

Smith said the Game Commission plans to implement new Sunday hunting opportunities this fall.

House Bill 1431’s signing into law as Act 36 of 2025 opens a 60-day window for the law to take effect.

The Game Commission, meanwhile, is reviewing the options available to add new Sunday opportunities to the established 2025-26 hunting seasons, and is working to determine how soon they could occur. More will be known in the coming weeks and the Game Commission will share important news when available.

Beyond the opportunities that await this fall, though, there’s a bright horizon that’s free of overarching Sunday hunting prohibition, according to a release from the Game Commission.

Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, said providing more time for hunters is an important step in keeping them involved, carrying out tradition and working for the good of wildlife.

“This new law totally repeals the prohibition on Sunday hunting, which marks a truly historic win for the current and future generation of Pennsylvania hunters,” Steele said. “Hunters have been working on this issue for decades, to allow them more time in the woods, and it’s been an honor to lead on this issue in the House. Families are busier than ever, work and social schedules are demanding as ever, and this new law provides more opportunity for hunters to participate in one of America’s oldest traditions and be on the front line of conservation here in the Keystone State.”

Sen. Dan Laughlin, R-Erie, whose previous legislation brought about the expanded Sunday opportunities Pennsylvania hunters have enjoyed in recent years, credited legislators for their cooperative effort to make this meaningful change.

“The full repeal of this archaic restriction is finally coming to fruition thanks to the bipartisan support of the General Assembly,” said Laughlin, who sponsored Senate Bill 67, which was introduced and also would have fully repealed the state’s Sunday hunting ban. “My advocacy for removing the state Sunday hunting restriction has been unwavering from the moment I was elected to office in 2016. These restrictions will hinder our residents no longer. Pennsylvania hunters, young and old, will now have the chance to fully participate in a cherished outdoor tradition while also continuously building family bonds and enjoying our Commonwealth’s great outdoors. This is a change I am truly proud to have fought for.”

The change will positively impact farmers, too, said Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Chris Hoffman.

“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,” Hoffman said. “These measures will help farmers better control deer populations, protect their crops and support the long-term sustainability of agriculture in our state. We thank the General Assembly for getting this important bill across the finish line, and we look forward to using the tools they gave us to mitigate crop damage and help protect the profitability of our farms.”

Hunters are there to answer the call, and long have been seeking change, said Kaleigh Leager, of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, an organization that works to protect and advance hunting, angling, recreational shooting and trapping.

“The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation has been working to repeal this antiquated legislative prohibition on Sunday hunting for over a decade in the Commonwealth,” Leager said. “The passage of House Bill 1431 finally removes the discriminatory legislative barrier (a ‘blue law’) that has plagued hunters since before the founding of our nation. The enactment of this legislation will finally grant the Pennsylvania Game Commission (the subject matter experts) the ability to fully regulate hunting seasons and include Sundays — a tremendous win for sportsmen and women! I want to thank Rep. Mandy Steele and Sen. Dan Laughlin for their continued dedication and sponsorship, the PA Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and our fellow sporting/conservation organizations for their collective efforts and involvement.”

Senate Game and Fisheries Committee Chairman Sen. Greg Rothman, R-Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry, also noted the collaboration that led to House Bill 1431 being signed into law.

“This law protects private property rights and expands hunting opportunities,” Rothman said. “As Chairman of the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee, I’m pleased that sportsmen and farmers were able to come together,” Rothman said.

House Game and Fisheries Committee Chairwoman Rep. Anita Kulik, D-Allegheny, shared that sentiment.

“This was a true collaborative effort and I want to thank the Game Commission, Representative Steele, Senator Laughlin, Senator Rothman and leadership from the four Caucuses, for realizing the importance and impact this legislation will have on hunting in Pennsylvania,” Kulik said. “This bill is a great example of bipartisan government working for the benefit of our citizens.”

Sen. James Andrew Malone, the minority chair of the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee, agreed.

“I’m very glad to see the ban on Sunday hunting lifted so people in Lancaster and across the Commonwealth have more opportunities on their days off to enjoy this important pastime,” said Malone, D-Lancaster. “Hunting is not only an important tradition here in Pennsylvania, it’s also a necessary conservation tool. I’m proud to have played a small part in making it easier for folks to participate in it.”

Stanley Knick, Jr., the president of the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners, said hunters often must divide their time to accommodate busy schedules at home. Expanded Sunday hunting will help keep them involved.

“It’s been a long time coming, but this change is going to give hunters more opportunity to get out, especially if they work and don’t have the time otherwise,” Knick said. “It’s something a lot of hunters will appreciate. I don’t think there will be a problem with conflicts between hunters and other people either. We’ve already had a few Sundays and we haven’t seen any problems there.”