The debate over Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania has taken a new turn this year, with the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau dropping its longstanding opposition to the practice. Farmers, like Mark Duda, have been instrumental in changing the Farm Bureau’s stance, citing significant crop damage caused by deer as a reason to consider allowing Sunday hunting. The state’s near-total ban on Sunday hunting, which is over 200 years old, is now being reconsidered due to concerns over crop loss and the potential benefits of allowing more time for hunting.
The issue has taken on a political dimension, with swing district lawmakers campaigning on the issue in competitive reelection battles. State Rep. Mandy Steele and state Sen. Dan Laughlin have both proposed bills to remove the Sunday hunting prohibition and empower the Game Commission to regulate hunting days. While both bills contain provisions to protect farmers’ interests, Laughlin’s bill appears to have an edge in the legislative process.
Hunters have long advocated for Sunday hunting, arguing that it is a matter of fairness and that it could increase hunting license sales, which fund habitat improvements and conservation efforts. However, opposition from outdoor and recreational groups that support a day free from gunshots for hikers and bikers remains. The political and policy implications of the Sunday hunting debate are complex, as lawmakers balance the concerns of farmers, hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, and their constituents.
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