Pennsylvania deer hunters are still arguing over whether moving the opening day of deer season to Monday was a good idea. Some are even going so far as to try to get legislators to force a return to a Monday opener. Now, the Game Commissioners are considering yet another change.

At their next meeting, the Pennsylvania Game Commission Board of Commissioners will determine the 2026-27 seasons and bag limits. Under normal circumstances, this would be of little concern, more of a going through the motions, as little ever changes. However, that changed in 2019 when the opening day of deer season was moved from Monday to Saturday. Now, another proposed change could be just as controversial.

The recently released agenda for the upcoming meeting included two proposals regarding the first day of deer season. The first proposal would maintain the status quo; the first day of deer season would remain the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

The second proposal would move the first day of deer season once again, but not to Monday as some would like. Instead, the first day would remain on Saturday but would be moved one week earlier, prior to Thanksgiving.

With hunters and legislators still infighting about whether deer season should start on Monday or Saturday, why would the Commissioners even consider another move? Well, in the words of Executive Director Steven Smith, participation. In a Commission press release regarding the proposal, Smith said, “This change would give hunters an earlier start and provide more opportunities for families, young hunters, and those who travel longer distances to enjoy opening weekend without competing with the Thanksgiving holiday. Opening the season earlier could improve access for hunters and continue the Board’s focus on structuring the season in ways that maximize participation.”

On the plus side, moving the first day of deer season to the Saturday before Thanksgiving would achieve much of what Smith highlighted. Many schools, at both the high school and college levels, are closed the week before Thanksgiving. This would provide young hunters a week of uninterrupted opportunity. Smith also mentioned less competition with Thanksgiving and, later in the press release, discussed how the change would reduce the conflict of traveling to camp after Thanksgiving. What he did not mention is that this could also allow out-of-town guests and relatives who travel into Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving to hunt while here and build new traditions. Finally, rifle hunters would start closer to the rut and possibly enjoy better weather conditions.

Of course, there are those who will see this as another assault on tradition. While this may not be a scientific reason to oppose change, it nonetheless needs to be considered. The majority of hunting is done out of tradition, not need. Very few hunters depend on their harvest to feed their families. How changes impact tradition must always be part of the equation.

At this point, there is no indication which proposal will be adopted. While the press release listed supporting statements concerning why the proposal is being made, it does not state where the Commissioners stand or which proposal is being endorsed. As it stands, we will just need to pencil in both Saturdays as possibilities and wait and see.