Pennsylvania history makers: One down, two days left of Sunday hunting
HARRISBURG, Pa. (BVM) — Hunters in Pennsylvania have waited centuries for the opportunity to hunt on Sundays for big game which includes bears and deer. This month is going down in history since new law is allowing for hunting on three Sundays out of this fall season.
A group called Hunters United for Sunday Hunting (HUSH), along with legislators and two dozen conservation organizations, worked together for years to change the Sunday hunting ban in the state and the law is taking effect right now. This past weekend, Nov. 15, was the first of three designated days for regulated Sunday hunting.
“Many Pennsylvania hunters took advantage of that and enjoyed their time afield and making memories that will now continue for years to come,” said Kevin Askew, the Executive Director of HUSH.
So far, archery deer hunters had the opportunity to kick off the first of three Sundays. The Pennsylvania Game Commission has announced that this upcoming Sunday, Nov. 22, is set for bear hunting. The following Sunday, Nov. 29, is for deer hunters who want to use firearms.
With two Sundays left under the current law, many hunters are wondering when or if there will be any more opportunities. Opponents of Sunday hunting have had many arguments, as have the proponents.
“Pennsylvania Senate Bill 147 changed a 338-year-old law from 1682 designed to intrude on religious freedom and liberty,” Askew said. “There are over 300 religions practiced across the United States, not all observe Sunday as the Sabbath. So why restrict hunting on Sunday?”
With the restriction lifted for three weeks, families are having a better opportunity to come together for their sport. Hunters alike have expressed their excitement for this month and also for what lies ahead. “Who’s participating in history this weekend?! Share your story… as we celebrate this moment and gear up for the continued fight ahead!”, shared HUSH on their Facebook page on Nov. 11.
There are no doubts hunters will be proposing for further legislation to be passed. But this ‘fight ahead’ is in regards to issues that proponents have faced.
In 2011, The Keystone Trails Association Executive Director Curt Ashenfelter gave testimony before a House Committee, opposing the idea of Sunday hunting and like many other groups, stating as to why hunting on Sundays could be a bad idea.
“If hikers are hiking on Sundays and hunters are hunting on Sundays, then there is a greater chance for tragic consequences,” he said nine years ago. “The Keystone Trails Association strongly recommends that this committee reject Sunday hunting.”
Arguments like this from multiple groups are the reasons why it took so many years to get a mere three days of hunting in 2020.
But no matter what the future holds for hunters in Pennsylvania, the state has already proven they are willing to answer to both sides, so further expansion on Sunday hunting in the future is possible.
The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau has been outspoken about Sunday hunting, more specifically in regards to privacy concerns. In response, Sunday hunters this past weekend were required to obtain written permission in order to hunt on private land.
This new rule in place is obligatory for the remaining two Sundays too. But hunters are far from being discouraged and by the looks of this past weekend, they are simply enjoying history in the making.