Pennsylvania took another step toward allowing Sunday hunting throughout the seasons as a bill that would fully repeal the ban passed the state Senate Friday by a 34-16 vote.

The bill passed the state House of Representatives on June 11. With the Senate’s vote, the bill now heads back to the House for a final vote on concurrence. If approved again, it would go to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

Further information about when opportunities would be implemented will be released as it becomes available, the Pennsylvania Game Commission stated.

At present, Sunday hunting is broadly prohibited, except for the hunting of foxes, coyotes and crows during open seasons and on three consecutive Sundays in the fall, overlapping the archery, firearms black bear and firearms deer seasons.

PGC Executive Director Steve Smith expressed his gratitude to the Senate, with particular thanks to Senate Game and Fisheries Committee Chair Sen. Greg Rothman, R-Cumberland County, and Sen. Dan Laughlin, R-Erie County, who has led the effort on allowing Sunday hunting for years.

“Thanks to their leadership and commitment, Pennsylvania hunters are now on the brink of gaining the opportunity to hunt on additional Sundays,” Smith said in a statement.

The ban is one of the last remnants of the state’s “blue laws.” Numerous sportsmen’s groups back ending the ban on Sunday hunting, as does the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, which was a key endorsement in the process as agricultural interests had long opposed Sunday hunting.

The legislation eases the regulatory process for farmers to report crop damage by deer as well as handling carcasses of deer that are taken in crop-loss mitigation efforts , while it also tightens trespassing laws, another point that was key to farmers in agreeing to back Sunday hunting. The bill also ensures farmers are represented on the PGC board by requiring one member of the board to be someone actively engaged in agriculture.

“These measures will help farmers better control deer populations, protect their crops and support the long-term sustainability of agriculture in our state,” said Chris Hoffman, president of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. “We thank the general assembly for getting these important bills across the finish line and we look forward to using the tools they gave us to mitigate crop damage and help protect the profitability of our farms.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates from federal crop insurance data that Pennsylvania suffered more than $20 million in losses on corn in 2017 — the highest reported number in the nation. That same study showed that the state’s farmers suffered more than $15 million in losses to soybean crops in 2017.

The Farm Bureau noted that, even off the farm, it’s difficult to drive anywhere in the rural parts of Pennsylvania and not pass a deer carcass on the side of the road, as car accidents directly tied to deer are increasing.

The bureau cited a national study by State Farm Insurance Co. that reported 1.8 million auto insurance claims were filed nationwide between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023. Of those claims, 153,397 came from Pennsylvanians — the highest number in the nation. That same study noted that Pennsylvania drivers had a 1 in 59 chance of getting into an accident involving wildlife — the third highest mark in the country.

PennDOT data from 2024 shows that there were 6,421 accidents in the state that were directly or indirectly caused by deer. At least 1,503 people were injured and 19 people were killed in those crashes.

PGC SEEKS WILD TURKEY DATA

The PGC again is seeking input from the public in surveying wild turkeys this summer. The Annual Pennsylvania Wild Turkey Sighting Survey runs July 1-Aug. 31.

Public participation is important for turkey population management. Survey data allow the agency to determine total wild turkey productivity and compare long-term reproductive success within Pennsylvania and across states, as this is a standard methodology used across the country. Data also are used in the turkey population model to track population trends.

Turkey sightings can be reported through the Game Commission’s website at pgcforms.pa.gov/TurkeySightingSurvey. The mobile app no longer is available.

Participants are asked to report the number of wild turkeys they see, along with the county, township, wildlife management unit (WMU), date and contact information if agency biologists have any questions. Participants may also simply drop a “pin” on the map for the location data to automatically populate.

Location data are used only for the survey, not for law enforcement, and are not shared. Viewers can also access the raw data and reports from previous years.

“The turkey survey enhances our agency’s internal survey, which serves as a long-term index of turkey reproduction and is used in our turkey population model,” said PGC turkey biologist Mary Jo Casalena. “Participants should report all turkeys seen, whether gobblers, hens with broods, hens without broods, or turkeys of unknown sex and age.”

Many factors, including spring weather, habitat conditions, previous winter food abundance, predation, and last fall’s harvest affect wild turkey productivity.

Statewide reproductive success last summer, which is measured by the number of young turkeys (poults) seen per all hens seen, was 3.2 poults per hen, compared to 2.9 poults per hen in 2023 and 3.1 in 2022 and 2021. At the WMU level in 2024, all 22 indices were above the general threshold of 2.0 poults per hen, which is considered adequate for replacing adult mortality. That was the first year since the national standardized survey began in 2019 that all WMU-level indices were above 2.0; from 2.4 poults per hen in WMU 5D to 4.0 in WMU 2E

Like many other states this survey includes input from both agency personnel and the public.

“Thanks to the large sample size from all corners of the commonwealth, we have high confidence in the results,” Casalena said. “Let’s maintain these results in 2025 and even increase participation.”