Pa. Game Commission to vote on moving opening day of rifle deer hunting season to Saturday

When the board of Pennsylvania Game Commissions convenes in April, members could usher in a new era of deer hunting in the state.

On the voting agenda will be the option of moving the opening day of rifle season to the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Rifle season in Pennsylvania has kicked off the Monday after Thanksgiving since 1963.

“I think there is more momentum this year because there’s always been talk about this, but this year, there is a real proposal to move it – and there’s a lot of support to move it to Saturday,” said Game Commission Communications Director Travis Lau.

The Game Commission will hold preliminary meetings on Jan. 27, 28 and 29 to consider the options. The Sunday meeting on Jan. 27 is strictly for public comment and will begin at 1 p.m. at the Game Commission’s Harrisburg building.  

It is possible for the board to choose to keep opening day on Monday in the January meetings, but ultimately vote to move it to Saturday in April.  

“I’m not sure how the board will handle the opening day of firearms season this month because I think they’ll still be deliberating it right up until April,” Lau said.

The Game Commission will send out surveys to lapsed hunters who haven’t bought a license in two years to gauge why they no longer hunt and what could bring them back into the woods – including moving opening day to Saturday and Sunday hunting.  

More:Pennsylvania's Sunday deer hunting ban is in the crosshairs: Could it change?

“I’ve seen an increase of people talking about moving opening day to Saturday. The argument is that some people have to work on that Monday and some kids don’t get school off on that Monday anymore,” Lau said. “On the other side, there are people that like that tradition of firearms season starting on Monday.”

Bear season changes

Also on the voting agenda is moving archery season for bear to Oct. 19-26, which would run parallel to early muzzleloader season and the special firearms season for junior and senior hunters for antlerless deer.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see someone support extending the bear season to increase the harvest in some areas,” Lau said.

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