Pa. Sunday hunting bill passes Senate and moves to House, three Sundays specified

The hotly debated Sunday hunting bill (SB 147) in Pennsylvania has officially passed the state Senate by a vote of 36-14 and will now move to the House of Representatives.

The bill would empower the Game Commission to regulate hunting on three Sundays out of the year. 

The bill, amended and passed Wednesday, stipulates: 

• One day of Sunday hunting shall be instituted by the Commission during deer rifle season.
• One day of Sunday hunting shall be instituted by the Commission during deer archery season.
• One day of Sunday hunting shall be instituted by the Commission at their discretion. 

“I was pleased to work with my colleague Jim Brewster to move this bill forward. Today was a historic vote, as it takes a major step toward increasing recreational opportunities for the thousands of Pennsylvania sportsmen and women who enjoy hunting,” said co-prime sponsor Sen. Dan Laughlin, R-Erie in a news release.

“This will remove one of only two ‘Blue Laws’ remaining in the state of Pennsylvania. You can’t hunt and you can’t buy a car on Sunday in Pennsylvania.”

The House could vote on the bill by the weekend or potentially address it in the fall session.

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In its original form, the bill called for 14 Sundays, with 10 potentially occurring in the fall and four in the spring. The bill was amended down to three Sundays in June. 

More:Watered down Pa. Sunday hunting bill passes Senate committee: What's next?

“Weekends are the only free time for many hunters,” Laughlin said. “Those two days are essentially the only time that most working men and women can get out into the woods.

"The same could be said for many young people, the ones who represent the future of the sport. Lifting the ban will give them increased opportunities to pursue the activity that they love.”