Sunday hunting advocates and foes will battle for House support in public hearing

One way or another, there could be a decision on Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania soon.

Before the proposed bill gets voted on in the Pa. House of Representatives, a public hearing will be held by the Game and Fisheries Committee on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. The hearing will take place in Room 60 of the East Wing of the Capitol Building.

The hearing will not be open to public comment but will be open for the public to observe two panels composed of organizations that are in favor and opposed to Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania. Both panels will make their pitches to the Game and Fisheries Committee members.

“The testimonies from these panels will answer a lot of the questions that the committee members may have, and it could determine how they vote,” said Committee Chair Rep. Keith Gillespie, R-Hellam Township.

The panels will include such notable groups as the NRA, Pennsylvania Federation Of Sportsmen & Conservationists, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and the Keystone Trails Association. 

More:Here's your complete guide to the 2019 fall hunting season in Pennsylvania

Gillespie is undecided on the bill and said the testimony could go a long way in his decision making.

“I’ve really been back and forth on it. I’m looking at it from a personal property issue as far as I think people should be able to do what they want on their own land,” he said. “But, a lot of people think Sundays are a day they should be able to walk through the woods and gamelands without disrupting hunters. I’m not 100% sure which way I’m going to go at this point, and that’s why I’m looking forward to hearing these testimonies because perhaps it will help with my decision.”

The hotly debated Sunday hunting bill (SB 147) officially passed the state Senate back in June by a vote of 36-14 and moved on to the House.

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

The bill, as it enters the House, would empower the Game Commission to regulate hunting on three Sundays out of the year.

It 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.

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

Gillespie believes the bill could hit the House floor by the end of September.

“It still has a way to go. Just because it hits the House floor doesn’t mean the leader will bring it up for a vote immediately,” Gillespie said.

If it makes it through the House in its original form, it will go to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk for final approval.

However, if amendments are made to the bill, it will go back to the Senate for approval before going to the governor.