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Governor Josh Shapiro signed House Bill 1431 into law, repealing Pennsylvania’s longstanding ban on Sunday hunting on Wednesday.

Speaking at the Blue Ridge Sportsman Club in Dauphin County, Governor Shapiro was joined by Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith, Representative Mandy Steele, legislators, hunters, and outdoor advocates to mark this historic change.

“This new law is about real freedom: the freedom to hunt, the freedom for families to pass down traditions to the next generation, and the freedom for the Pennsylvania Game Commission — the experts who know our hunters and our wildlife best — to set hunting seasons that work for today’s Pennsylvania,” said Governor Shapiro. “By repealing this outdated ban on Sunday hunting, Pennsylvanians can spend more time outdoors, with more chances to share traditions and a stronger future for conservation. I’m proud we came together to bring Pennsylvania’s hunting laws into the 21st century and honor the traditions that make our Commonwealth special.”

Since 2020, Pennsylvania hunters have been able to hunt on three designated Sundays each year — and during that time, the Commonwealth has maintained steady hunting license sales even as many other states have seen declines. The PGC has seen that even limited Sunday hunting opportunities have helped keep hunters and sportsmen engaged — and expects that broader access under the new law will further strengthen Pennsylvania’s hunting heritage for current and future generations.

The new law gives PGC full authority to decide which hunting seasons can include Sundays — guided by biological data and hunter feedback. Until now, Sunday hunting was strictly limited to one each during archery and rifle deer seasons and a third Sunday chosen by the PGC.

Hunting contributes over $1.6 billion annually to Pennsylvania’s economy, supports more than 15,000 jobs, and generates millions in state and local tax revenue. Expanding Sunday hunting is expected to draw more hunters from within and outside the Commonwealth — increasing spending at local businesses and helping sustain wildlife conservation efforts funded by license sales. With around 850,000 licensed hunters, Pennsylvania ranks second in the nation, just behind Texas.

The law takes effect on September 7, 2025. After that, the PGC will set new season dates and bag limits, paving the way for expanded Sunday hunting opportunities.