Sunday hunting has expanded this year
Nearly all 2026-27 Pennsylvania hunting seasons include all Sundays within the season, and many seasons that previously ended on Saturday now end on Sunday.
Sundays are closed for migratory game birds
Sunday hunting remains closed for migratory game birds, including waterfowl, mourning doves and woodcock. Migratory game bird seasons are set through federal frameworks with specific rules that apply to Sunday hunting. Seasons would contain the same number of days if Sundays were included, but they’d be more-compact with a greater chance of missing unpredictable, weather-driven migrations. A recent Pennsylvania Game Commission survey indicated a slight majority of migratory game bird hunters wished to keep Sundays closed for 2026-27. The PGC will continue to track hunter preferences and will revisit the decision when setting the 2027-28 seasons. If Pennsylvania opens Sunday hunting for migratory game birds, federal rules prohibit ever going back to seasons without Sundays, so whatever Pennsylvania opts to do will have lasting impacts.
Sunday hunting is limited in some state parks & state preserves
Sunday hunting is limited in state parks and state preserves within Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. On these properties, Sunday hunting is limited to Nov. 15, Nov. 22 and Nov. 29 in areas designated open to hunting. Some state parks span county lines, and hunters with questions about hunting there on Sundays should inquire with the park office. Throughout the rest of the state, Sunday hunting is open in state parks and state preserves on all dates authorized by the PGC. Sunday hunting also is open in state forests.
Written permission is recommended
When hunting on private land on Sundays, it’s recommended hunters carry written permission from the landowner. The requirement within state law for hunters to carry written permission when hunting private land on Sundays has been lifted. It’s important for hunters to be aware of property boundaries when hunting, and ensure they have permission to hunt where they are. Obtaining written permission helps in that process, and allows game wardens to quickly verify private-land hunting has been authorized. The permission slip below includes all of the needed information, including the hunter’s name, address and CID license number, and the landowner’s name, address, phone number and signature. It can be completed and carried in any situation where producing written permission might be advantageous.
