Pennsylvania Repeals Sunday Hunting Ban
New law doubles opportunities to hunt for people with busy lives
Delta Waterfowl is celebrating with sportsmen and women in Pennsylvania as legislation to fully repeal the prohibition against hunting on Sundays in the Commonwealth was signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro on July 9.
Delta Waterfowl has long supported efforts to repeal antiquated Sunday hunting prohibitions throughout the Atlantic Flyway.
“We’ve worked hard over the last two years with partners and colleagues around the conservation community as well as leadership within the Pennsylvania Game Commission to provide support for any legislators with specific questions about waterfowl hunting on Sundays,” said Cyrus Baird, senior director of government affairs for Delta Waterfowl. “It’s a big win for duck and goose hunters in Pennsylvania.”
For many younger people engaged in school, organized sports, and work, Sundays might be the only day they could hunt.
“Most people work or go to school Monday through Friday, and many have other activities on Saturdays, so Sundays are the only free day they have,” Baird said. “Opening up Sundays to hunt doubles the weekend hunting opportunities. It’s especially important for young people and new waterfowl hunters who only have weekends to hunt.”
HB 1431, the bill to repeal a ban on Sunday hunting, passed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on June 11 with strong bipartisan support by a 131-72 vote. The Senate approved by a 34-16 vote on June 26. After a June 30 concurrence vote in the House to smooth out language, the approved bill was sent to Gov. Shapiro.
“Delta Waterfowl appreciates the leadership of Sen. Dan Laughlin, Rep. Mandy Steele, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission to advance the bill through the legislature,” Baird said.
Delta Waterfowl has made the repeal of bans on Sunday hunting a key policy issue, always advocating for opportunity and access to quality duck and goose hunting. In recent years, Delta has helped overturn Sunday hunting bans in Virginia, Delaware, Newfoundland, and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.
“It feels like the tide is turning on the issue of Sunday hunting,” Baird said. “Delta will continue to push until all bans and restrictions on Sunday waterfowl hunting are eliminated.”
The PGC released Pennsylvania’s 2025-2026 waterfowl season dates in late May, before the Sunday hunting bill was passed. Migratory bird hunting seasons must comply with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service frameworks, which allow 60-day duck seasons in the Atlantic Flyway for 2025-2026.
As of press time for this magazine, it was unclear whether the upcoming Pennsylvania waterfowl hunting season dates would change to allow Sunday hunting this season. The PGC was slated to meet in late July, when it could consider adjusting the 2025-2026 waterfowl season dates based on the new law, which takes effect in 60 days.
“Because the (2025-2026) season dates are already set and early waterfowl hunting seasons might have already begun when the law takes effect, it might be too late to enact Sunday waterfowl hunting this season,” Travis Lau, PGC communications director, told Delta Waterfowl on July 3. “At this point, we don’t know. Based on precedent, the Board of Commissioners will be reluctant to take any waterfowl season days away to allow Sunday hunting this year. The picture will be a lot clearer by the end of July.”
In any case, Pennsylvania waterfowlers will be able to hunt ducks and geese on Sundays during the 2026-2027 season. — Paul Wait