By Swanny Evans, Director of Government Affairs
As for many supporters of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever's mission, my interest in conservation started at a young age and is rooted in weekends spent afield with my family. Hunting wasn't just about filling the freezer; it was about connection with family and interaction with nature. Weekends were sacred because they were the only time we had to chase game together.
When I started working in conservation years later, I was surprised to learn that Sunday hunting is prohibited in a handful of states. That's half the weekend! Can you imagine cutting your opportunity in half to build memories, harvest wild game, and participate in the conservation system that hunters support and help fund? For my friends and colleagues in Pennsylvania, they don't have to imagine; it is reality.
Despite having one of the strongest hunting cultures in the country, Pennsylvania has lagged when it comes to opportunity. The state ranks second in the number of paid hunting license holders, behind only Texas, which is six times its size. That's a lot of passionate hunters trying to squeeze into fields and forests on a single day. The limitations are felt not just by individual hunters but by families, mentors, youth, and anyone who simply can't make it afield during the work or school week.
The author with his first eight point harvested on a Sunday at camp with his family
The good news? With one signature, that all changed on Wednesday.
After years of effort, House Bill 1431, sponsored by Representative Mandy Steele, has officially passed both chambers of the Pennsylvania General Assembly and was signed into law this week by Governor Josh Shapiro. This legislation fully repeals the longstanding prohibition on Sunday hunting, which was one of the last vestiges of Pennsylvania's “blue laws,” designed to promote religious observance and rest by restricting certain activities on Sundays. With the repeal of this prohibition, the Pennsylvania Game Commission now has full authority to allow hunting on Sundays during designated open seasons.
This follows in the footsteps of Senator Dan Laughlin's efforts back in 2019, when Senate Bill 147 granted three Sunday hunting days. That was a step in the right direction, but House Bill 1431 finishes the job, with help from Laughlin once again.
The legislation was supported by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, many conservation organizations in the state like ours, and the hunters who stand behind us. At PF & QF, we've been assisting on an industry-wide effort to repeal the country's remaining Sunday hunting prohibitions, expanding access and opportunity for America's upland hunters. Last year, we were part of a successful effort to repeal Delaware's Sunday hunting ban, and we're excited to notch a win for Pennsylvania in 2025.
Our Government Affairs team is only as effective as the members behind us. Thanks to those of you in Pennsylvania who responded to our Action Alert and contacted your elected officials. Your voice made a difference, and helped this bill finally make it to the finish line. Action Alerts are not new from PF & QF, but we are doubling down on policy; you will see more alerts from us, and it will be easier than ever to act. We are excited to continue to fight for you at the state and federal level, support our partners in conservation, and look forward to hearing the stories from the full weekends afield from all of you in the Keystone State!