HARRISBURG, Pa. (EYT) – The Pennsylvania Game Commission on Monday established 13 new days for Sunday hunting, expanding opportunities for the 2025 fall seasons following the recent passage of a new state law.
The decision allows hunting on all Sundays from Sept. 14 through Dec. 7 that fall within an established open season for a given species. The change comes after Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Act 36 of 2025 into law on July 9, repealing the state’s general prohibition on Sunday hunting and granting the Game Commission full authority to regulate it.
The lone exception to the new Sunday dates is for migratory game birds, as those seasons are set under federal frameworks.
The new Sundays authorized for hunting in 2025 are: Sept. 14, Sept. 21, Sept. 28, Oct. 5, Oct. 12, Oct. 19, Oct. 26, Nov. 2, Nov. 9, Nov. 16, Nov. 23, Nov. 30, and Dec. 7.
The board of commissioners directed Executive Director Steve Smith to implement the dates via an executive order, which was necessary to enact the changes before the fall seasons begin.
“Hunters have sought expanded Sunday hunting for decades, but state law limited the opportunities we could provide,” Smith said in a statement. “Now, with the action taken by the General Assembly and the Governor, those restrictions finally have been lifted.”
Smith added that the commission is confident the new dates will not jeopardize wildlife populations and will monitor their impact to inform future decisions.
“We’re proud to offer 13 Sundays of hunting this season,” Smith said. “These aren’t just extra days in the field, they’re a reflection of our commitment to removing barriers, making hunting more accessible, and ensuring that Pennsylvania’s rich hunting heritage is passed on to the next generation.”
Other Commission Actions
In other business, the board approved several other measures:
Mentored Hunters: The board gave final approval to allow mentored hunters ages 7 and older to purchase snow goose conservation permits and agricultural damage depredation permits, known as Ag Tags, for antlerless deer. The change will take effect after it is published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, which typically takes about six weeks.
Land Deals: Commissioners approved four land deals that will add a total of 57 acres to state game lands in Luzerne, Cambria, and Elk counties. The transactions include a purchase, a land exchange, an interagency transfer from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and a boundary settlement. Officials noted the deals are not yet final.
Crop-Damage Program: The board adopted changes to the Agricultural Damage Depredation Permit program. The new rules remove the requirements for farmers to enroll affected lands in a public access program and to supply a deed, allowing them to certify their authority instead.