Game Commission opens 13 Sundays this fall, excludes migratory game birds; staff to monitor impacts

The Pennsylvania Game Commission on July 28 voted to adopt a resolution directing its executive director to sign an executive order adding Sundays to most 2025 fall hunting seasons from Sunday, Sept. 14, through Sunday, Dec. 7, agency officials said. The action implements Act 36 of 2025 and adds 10 Sundays to three already scheduled April dates; the commission said migratory game birds will remain closed on Sundays for the 2025–26 license year.

The move is the first major change in the agency's 130-year history to remove the longstanding ban on Sunday hunting, Executive Director Steve Smith told commissioners. Smith recommended the executive order because a full regulatory amendment would likely take 12 to 14 weeks and would not allow timely implementation this license year.

Commissioners said the step is intended to provide hunting opportunity while leaving time next year for a fuller regulatory process and additional public outreach. "This resolution is simple and straightforward. It would open up Sundays for hunting during that time period," Smith said during the meeting.

Why this matters

The change follows the Legislature's passage of Act 36 of 2025, which removed the statutory statewide prohibition on Sunday hunting. Commission staff and hunters told the board they want the agency to manage season dates, bag limits and timing using its expertise rather than leave those details fixed by the Legislature.

Biology, federal limits and public input

Wildlife staff told the board they reviewed harvest and monitoring data for multiple species before recommending the limited Sunday openings. "Our harvest monitoring programs are robust enough to be able to handle modifications like Sunday…