28/22 NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — Pennsylvania's Sunday hunting ban has been repealed, and local hunters say it's about time. Governor Shapiro signed that bill into law.
While certain Sundays have been open to hunting in the past, this is the first time in state history that hunters will be able to hunt all week long.
Governor Shapiro's signing of the bill repeals the state's longstanding ban on Sunday hunting, A ban that dates back centuries. For the first time, hunters statewide will be able to go after game seven days a week in their respective seasons.
"I want to be honest with everyone here. I am not a hunter myself, but I have so much respect for the Commonwealth's hunters and sportsmen. I listen to them. I learn from them. And now, we've acted on their behalf," Governor Shapiro explained.
But the ban on Sunday hunting is not out of the woods just yet. A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Game Commission tells 28/22 News the law won't go into effect for 60 days, on September 7.
The Game Commission is responsible for managing hunting in the state, and with the upcoming season already planned, it's unclear which Sundays, if any at all, will be on the table for hunters this fall.
"This is going to be unlike any other hunting season because usually when we set seasons for the year and finalize them, they're pretty much etched in stone," Pennsylvania Game Commission Spokesperson Travis Lau stated.
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Regardless of how long it takes for sportsmen to reap the benefits of the law, one hunter we spoke to is just happy it was passed.
"They've been trying to get this to go through for years. So, I'm glad it went through. I'm happy about it," hunter Jerry Dering said.
Being able to hunt all weekend is huge for those hunters with a busy work week.
But with more hunters in the woods comes the potential for higher impact on wildlife populations.
Lau says the Game Commission will be discussing options for Sunday hunting this season, but first need to consider factors like conservation.
"All of those types of issues are all in the mix as we deliberate which Sundays to add, how to do it, and work toward hunting season," Lau added.
The Game Commission will be discussing the new law and how it plans to implement it at a meeting on July 28 at its headquarters in Harrisburg.
Lau says they encourage public comment on the changes.
