HARRISBURG — The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources  announced it will allow hunting in state parks on only three Sundays this year, after the legislature and governor repealed the Sunday hunting ban this summer.

The agency plans to phase in more Sunday hunting in state parks beginning in 2026, per a press release.

After years of trying to reverse centuries-old blue laws prohibiting hunting on Sundays, the state legislature and Gov. Josh Shapiro repealed the hunting ban, which was signed into law on July 9.

Recently, the Pennsylvania Game Commission designated 13 consecutive Sundays for hunting this year, from Sept. 14 through Dec. 7.

However, it was up to DCNR to decide how much hunting is permitted in its 124 state parks and 2.2 million acres of state forest lands.

“Hunting has always been a cornerstone of Pennsylvania’s outdoor heritage, and it remains one of our most important tools for managing healthy forests and wildlife,” DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “With the expansion of Sunday hunting, we have a responsibility to roll out these opportunities in a way that reflects the many ways Pennsylvanians use our public lands.”

Repealing the ban was a milestone for the state’s 850,000 licensed hunters. However, DCNR must balance expanded hunting access in parks used heavily for other recreation.

The number of park visitors surged during the pandemic and has remained high since, said Christina Novak, DCNR spokesperson.

In 2024, Pennsylvania’s state parks saw between 35 million and 40 million visitors, including about 630,000 visits for hunting, she said.

Currently, hunting occurs on 240,000 acres across 99 state parks, with some restrictions including archery-only areas and popular recreation spots.

This year, DCNR will permit Sunday hunting on Nov. 16, 23 and 30 in state parks and regular Sunday hunting in state forests.

DCNR set its Sunday schedule with the three Sundays the agency anticipated before the new legislation, and will review individual parks before expanding more Sunday hunting in 2026.

The agency will review each park’s visitor use, layout and location to determine future opportunities, Novak said.

During fall and winter hunting seasons, DCNR and other outdoor groups urge park visitors and their pets to wear fluorescent or bright colors visible from all angles.

State park maps and information on hunting is available online. To learn more, visit DCNR’s website.