HARRISBURG (TNS) — The Pennsylvania Game Commission has approved Sunday hunting on 13 consecutive Sundays from Sept. 14 through Dec. 7, starting this coming hunting season.

Previously, there were three Sundays annually when the state permitted hunting.

After decades of attempts to repeal blue laws dating back to the 1700s, state legislation was overwhelmingly approved and signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro on July 9. The commission on Monday afternoon set the schedule for which Sundays would be open for hunting.

“One word we have heard a lot over the last couple of weeks is ‘historic,'” said Steve Smith, Game Commission executive director, during the commission’s meeting.

The board approval caps a bill, and signature by the governor, for eliminating a hunting ban that the agency has adhered to during its 133-year history, Smith said.

“We’ve carefully reviewed these expanded season dates and are confident they will not jeopardize our healthy and abundant wildlife populations. We will closely monitor the impact of these additions to help inform future season dates,” Smith said.

Besides a long-standing desire among hunters to go into the field on Sundays, Pennsylvania farmers supported the measure due to crop damage caused by growing deer herds — a key change in the attitude toward Sunday hunting from agriculture interests in the commonwealth.

Those herds and high deer-vehicle accident rates, some of the highest in the country, were among the factors reversing the hunting ban, said state Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, who introduced the latest Sunday hunting legislation in the House.

Sundays open for hunting fall between the established seasons’ opening and closing dates. For example, firearms deer season ends on a Saturday, Dec. 13, not Sunday, Dec. 14, according to the Commission.

Repealing the ban allows hunters who work six days a week more freedom to get out in the field, said Steele, who is a hunter, hiker and an avid outdoorswoman.

Hunters and non-hunters can share the woods safely, she said previously, noting that incidents between hunters and other outdoor recreationists are rare.

The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources determines which areas are open and closed for hunting, said Joshua Zimmerman, Commission spokesperson.

“It’s really up to individuals to know where they are and where they are going. That way, they will be able to identify who owns the land and if hunting is permitted there,”  Zimmerman said.

Information on hunting locations are available on the agency’s website with specifics on individual park pages.

DCNR recommends that visitors to these lands wear fluorescent or bright colors on at least 250 square inches of clothing that is visible from all angles during fall bear and deer hunting seasons, particularly in areas designated for hunting.

Since the public has been used to very limited Sunday hunting, they might be unaware of the new hunting changes.

“One of my fears is someone not paying attention and maybe putting themselves in a precarious situation,” said Brook Lenker, executive director of the Keystone Trails Association, who voiced opposition to Sunday hunting during the development of the legislation.

“Generally speaking, Sundays are associated with a quiet time in the woods and this is sort of counter to that. Peace and tranquility are a fleeting experience these days,” he said.

While his organization represents a host of trails throughout the state, he couldn’t speak to how each would handle Sunday hunting, specifically rail trails, which traverse some private property.

He advises the public to research a site for hunting activity before visiting.

“Good trip planning suggests that you want to know what activities are occurring. Is it deer rifle season? What kind of hunting is going on?”

He and other outdoor organizations suggest that park, forest and trail visitors — and their pets — wear blaze orange during hunting season to play it safe.

If a hiker wants to visit state game lands Nov. 15 through Dec. 15, they must wear those 250 square inches of fluorescent orange on the head, chest and back combined. Anywhere else, it’s voluntary.

The 13 hunting Sundays fall within established hunting seasons already approved by the Game Commission.

The new Sunday schedule will open hunting for a range of species, depending on license allotments and location. Generally, species include squirrels, ruffed grouse, rabbit, pheasant, turkey, white-tailed deer, bear and — for those who draw a permit — elk.

The previously approved Sundays for foxes, coyotes and crows remain in effect for the 2025-26 season.

Migratory game birds such as ducks, geese and others are the exception to Sunday hunting this season. The Commission is not adding Sunday hunting for those bird species in the 2025-26 season because of the “federal framework,” the agency said in a statement.