How Will The Repeal Of The Ban On Sunday Hunting Affect Pennsylvania Hikers? By Jim Foster

Well, it’s finally happened. The ban on Sunday hunting has been repealed in Pennsylvania. I’m going to explain how we got here and how it is likely to affect those of us who like to hike in Penns Woods. Spoiler Alert: It will mean some changes for us, but it does not mean that the apocalypse has arrived.
How did we get here? For decades, hunters have been lobbying to remove the state’s ban on Sunday hunting. KTA has been opposed to this. Another important constituency that has traditionally been against hunting on Sunday are the state farming organizations. This ban was part of the so-called “blue laws” that traditionally restricted activities like the sale of alcohol, sale of new and used cars and hunting. In PA and most other states the blue laws have gradually been repealed or relaxed. Before the repeal of Sunday hunting here, there were only three states with bans on Sunday hunting. Now only Massachusetts and Maine remain.
Many political observers believe that the key to the repeal in PA was getting the farmers on board. The hunters were able to do this by adding provisions to the repeal that give private landowners more rights to restrict hunting on their land and imposed harsher penalties for violations.
The ban came about in a two-step process. In 2019 the Legislature opened up hunting on three Sundays during specific hunting seasons. From 2020 through 2024 this limited calendar was in effect. Meanwhile, hunting organizations continued to lobby for total removal of the ban. This year, House Bill 1431 was introduced. It passed both Houses and was signed by Gov. Shapiro as Act 36 of 2025. 
When Will There Be Sunday Hunting in PA? The new law does not immediately open every Sunday to hunting. What it does is enable the Pennsylvania Game Commission to designate certain Sundays as open for hunting. The PGC recently announced which Sundays will be open for hunting in 2025. They 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. For 2025, these Sundays were added to the game seasons that had already been set by the PGC. It is expected that in 2026 and beyond the PGC will set the game seasons in a unified manner including Sundays.
How Is Sunday Hunting Likely To Affect Hiking In Pennsylvania? I want to be clear that this portion of this article is one hiker’s informed opinion and speculation. You are welcome to consider this and form your own opinions. 
First, it is ALWAYS a good idea to know what game is in season and by what means it can be hunted before you go into the woods. This has always been the case. The main difference is that it used to be if you went out on a Sunday you were pretty sure that MOST game was not in season. I say most because some game has always been available to hunt on Sundays, such as coyotes all year round and crows and foxes much of the year.
One way to know what’s in season is to get the PGC’s printed booklet of game seasons or check on the PGC’s website. But, in this age of smartphones, there is a MUCH easier way. Simply use your Apple or Android phone and download the PGC’s app. Then you can use the app, choose a date and it will tell you exactly which game is in season and by which means. For those not familiar with hunting, this means regular firearms (rifle, shotgun, etc.), archery and primitive weapons like muzzleloader and flintlock. In my opinion every hiker in PA should have this app on their smartphone.
Next you will need to make an assessment of which concerns you or your hiking party has with hiking while hunting is going on. I am going to propose a hierarchy based on my perception of the danger and other concerns. Many hikers, including me, have some qualms about hiking in the woods while hunters are going after the most popular game using long rifles whose bullets can travel a long way. The two most popular seasons like this are rifle deer season and rifle bear season. During 2025, rifle deer season will be Nov. 29 through Dec. 13, including Sunday, Nov. 30. Rifle bear season will be Nov 22 through 25, including Sunday, Nov. 23. I will personally not be hiking in any State Game Land on these days or in any other area where there is likely to be deer or bear hunting.
If you are concerned not just about possible danger, but also about loud noises, consider avoiding seasons where flintlocks or muzzleloaders are allowed, plus small game season (meaning squirrel, grouse, pheasant, turkey, etc.) where shotguns are typically used. Why is the danger much less during these seasons? The range of a flintlock, muzzleloader or shotgun is only 100 to 200 yards, far less than a long rifle.
If you also have qualms about any type of hunting, regardless of danger or noise, consider adding archery season to the list of seasons to avoid.
Let me leave you with a few closing thoughts. First, unless you are 100 percent certain that no hunting of any kind is permitted where you want to hike, always wear some blaze orange while hiking. Remember, something is always in season. This has always been the case. Second, please have some respect for those who choose to hunt. Most hunters are environmentalists too, and you have a vested interest in the continued viability of hunting.  Why is that?  Many of our best hiking trails are on State Game Lands, in whole or in part.  That includes the very popular Appalachian Trail. Hunters allow you to hike on lands that were primarily set aside for their enjoyment. If you happen upon a hunter in the woods, ask her or him if they’ve had any luck.  Who knows, maybe one of them will give you some venison steak.  Trust me, it’s really good.
So, here is my message to my fellow hikers and other non-hunter lovers of the outdoors.  Don’t hide inside on Sundays.  Get a blaze orange hat and vest and keep on enjoying the outdoors. 
- Jim Foster is a retired attorney who thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail several years ago.  He is a life member and active maintainer with Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Keystone Trails Association, Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club and several other trails organizations.  He lives with his wife in suburban Harrisburg.