CONTACT: Hunters United for Sunday HuntingTELEPHONE: 717-350-6741
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEHunters United for Sunday Hunting Applauds Passage of House Bill 1431 by Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Hunters United for Sunday Hunting (HUSH) commends the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for passing House Bill 1431, introduced by Representative Mandy Steele (D–Allegheny County), by a concurrence vote of 142 YEA to 61 NAY. The bill now moves to Governor Josh Shapiro for his signature.
Upon the Governor’s approval, HB 1431 will repeal the outdated “blue law” that has prohibited hunting on Sundays for over three centuries. The legislation grants the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) full regulatory authority to manage hunting seasons and bag limits seven days a week, consistent with the Commonwealth’s commitment to science-based, resource-first wildlife management under the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.
"This bill puts wildlife management back where it belongs in the hands of the trained professionals at the Pennsylvania Game Commission," said Kevin B. Askew, Executive Director of Hunters United for Sunday Hunting. "The PGC's mission is clear: to manage and protect wildlife and their habitats while promoting hunting and trapping for current and future generations."
A New Era for Pennsylvania Hunting
The PGC, with its team of biologists and wildlife managers, oversees all 480 species of wildlife in Pennsylvania, serving both consumptive (hunters and trappers) and non-consumptive (birdwatchers, hikers, photographers) users. While the 2025–2026 hunting seasons and bag limits have already been set, the new law will allow Sunday hunting to be implemented in full beginning with the 2026–2027 season.
“This marks the end of a 343-year-old restriction and concludes a 50-year fight to modernize Pennsylvania’s hunting laws,” Askew continued. “Governor Shapiro’s signature will not only keep Pennsylvania aligned with modern wildlife management standards, it will also bolster the outdoor recreation economy.”
Recognizing Legislative Champions
Askew emphasized the importance of bipartisan collaboration in passing HB1431:
“Much work has been done to get to this point. As one of the lead organizations on this issue, we would be remiss not to acknowledge those who made it possible. Without Representative Mandy Steele’s tenacity and her willingness to work across the aisle with Senator Dan Laughlin, who helped break the Sunday hunting barrier with Act 107 of 2019, this legislation may never have reached the Governor’s desk.”
Respecting Choice and Access
Askew concluded with a reminder that expanding access does not mandate participation:
“There has been nothing lost by offering hunting on both Saturdays and Sundays. As with any other activity in life, if you don’t want to take part, you don’t have to, regardless of the day of the week.”
About Hunters United for Sunday Hunting
Hunters United for Sunday Hunting (HUSH) is a leading advocacy organization committed to promoting equitable hunting access and sound wildlife management policy in Pennsylvania. For nearly a decade, HUSH has been a driving force behind the movement to repeal the Sunday hunting ban and expand outdoor opportunities for all residents of the Commonwealth.
Hunters United for Sunday Hunting Applauds Passage of House Bill 1431 by Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Hunters United for Sunday Hunting (HUSH) commends the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for passing House Bill 1431, introduced by Representative Mandy Steele (D–Allegheny County), by a concurrence vote of 142 YEA to 61 NAY. The bill now moves to Governor Josh Shapiro for his signature.
Upon the Governor’s approval, HB 1431 will repeal the outdated “blue law” that has prohibited hunting on Sundays for over three centuries. The legislation grants the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) full regulatory authority to manage hunting seasons and bag limits seven days a week, consistent with the Commonwealth’s commitment to science-based, resource-first wildlife management under the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.
"This bill puts wildlife management back where it belongs in the hands of the trained professionals at the Pennsylvania Game Commission," said Kevin B. Askew, Executive Director of Hunters United for Sunday Hunting. "The PGC's mission is clear: to manage and protect wildlife and their habitats while promoting hunting and trapping for current and future generations."
A New Era for Pennsylvania Hunting
The PGC, with its team of biologists and wildlife managers, oversees all 480 species of wildlife in Pennsylvania, serving both consumptive (hunters and trappers) and non-consumptive (birdwatchers, hikers, photographers) users. While the 2025–2026 hunting seasons and bag limits have already been set, the new law will allow Sunday hunting to be implemented in full beginning with the 2026–2027 season.
“This marks the end of a 343-year-old restriction and concludes a 50-year fight to modernize Pennsylvania’s hunting laws,” Askew continued. “Governor Shapiro’s signature will not only keep Pennsylvania aligned with modern wildlife management standards, it will also bolster the outdoor recreation economy.”
Recognizing Legislative Champions
Askew emphasized the importance of bipartisan collaboration in passing HB1431:
“Much work has been done to get to this point. As one of the lead organizations on this issue, we would be remiss not to acknowledge those who made it possible. Without Representative Mandy Steele’s tenacity and her willingness to work across the aisle with Senator Dan Laughlin, who helped break the Sunday hunting barrier with Act 107 of 2019, this legislation may never have reached the Governor’s desk.”
Respecting Choice and Access
Askew concluded with a reminder that expanding access does not mandate participation:
“There has been nothing lost by offering hunting on both Saturdays and Sundays. As with any other activity in life, if you don’t want to take part, you don’t have to, regardless of the day of the week.”
About Hunters United for Sunday Hunting
Hunters United for Sunday Hunting (HUSH) is a leading advocacy organization committed to promoting equitable hunting access and sound wildlife management policy in Pennsylvania. For nearly a decade, HUSH has been a driving force behind the movement to repeal the Sunday hunting ban and expand outdoor opportunities for all residents of the Commonwealth.
