After Gov. Josh Shapiro signed historic legislation ending the ban earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced a phased approach to expanding Sunday hunting in state parks and forests, ensuring that the rollout balances Pennsylvania’s rich hunting traditions with the recreational needs and safety of millions of visitors to public lands.

For the 2025-26 season, Sunday hunting in state parks will be limited to three dates: Nov. 16, 23, and 30 — while state forests, which cover 2.2 million acres and generally have larger, less crowded hunting areas, will continue to permit hunting on all Sundays approved by the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC). The Game Commission-approved Sunday dates for 2025 are: Sept. 14, 21, and 28; Oct. 5, 12, 19, and 26; Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 and Dec. 7.

“Hunting has always been a cornerstone of Pennsylvania’s outdoor heritage, and it remains one of our most important tools for managing healthy forests and wildlife,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “With the expansion of Sunday hunting, we have a responsibility to roll out these opportunities in a way that reflects the many ways Pennsylvanians use our public lands. As we plan for broader access in state parks starting in 2026-27 season, our team is looking closely at recreational patterns, park layouts, and community needs to ensure hunting can be expanded safely, responsibly, and in a way that maintains high-quality experiences for hunters and non-hunters alike.”

Earlier this year, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed House Bill 1431 into law, repealing Pennsylvania’s longstanding ban on Sunday hunting. This new bipartisan law delivers real freedom for Pennsylvania’s 850,000 licensed hunters, empowers the PGC to expand Sunday hunting opportunities, and strengthens wildlife conservation efforts while growing rural economies across the Commonwealth.

Beginning in the 2026-27 hunting license year, DCNR plans to expand Sunday hunting opportunities to most state parks that currently allow hunting, with decisions made on a park-by-park basis.

DCNR’s approach to Sunday hunting in state parks for the 2025-26 season is guided by three priorities: protecting the experience of non-hunting visitors, balancing competing uses in high traffic areas, and giving staff the necessary time to adjust park operations and communications to ensure visitor safety.