Contact: Brent Miller, Senior Director, Northeastern States
On Monday, October 21, Senate Bill 147 (S 147) was reported out of the House Game and Fisheries Committee with a strong bipartisan vote of 21-4. S 147 would authorize Sunday hunting in the Commonwealth on three Sundays – one during the archery deer season, one during the firearms deer season, and one to be left up to the discretion of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. S. 147 is sponsored by Sen. Dan Laughlin – a Co-Chair of the bipartisan and bicameral Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus – and is co-sponsored by many other Caucus members including fellow Co-Chair Sen. Jim Brewster. Presently, only the hunting of foxes, coyotes, and crows is legal on Sundays in Pennsylvania.
Although significantly amended from the bill that was originally introduced, the enactment of this bill would be a significant accomplishment, and the bill being mere steps away from the finish line is the most significant advancement any pro-Sunday hunting bill has enjoyed in the Keystone State in more than three centuries. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation encourages all Pennsylvania sportsmen and women to contact their representatives to politely encourage them to support S. 147. Sunday hunting will provide additional time for families and friends to enjoy the outdoors; expand private property rights; help to ensure our time-honored traditions are passed down to the next generation; generate economic activity in rural economies; and, protect conservation funding for a variety of game and non-game species and their habit.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
