New approach to hunting laws need work

The seemingly endless debate over ending Pennsylvania’s Sunday hunting ban has entered a new phase.

The seemingly endless debate over ending Pennsylvania’s Sunday hunting ban has entered a new phase thanks to legislation the state Senate passed in June.

The legislation, which is up for consideration by the House, takes a decidedly measured approach to expanding the number of days people are permitted to hunt in Pennsylvania.

If the measure passes, hunting would be permitted on one Sunday during deer rifle season, one during deer archery season, and on a third day yet to be determined. It would be up to the state Game Commission to implement the measure.

Under a law that’s been in effect since 1873, Pennsylvania only allows Sunday hunting for crows, foxes and coyotes.

Proponents of the legislation argue that changing the rules will widen opportunities for hunting by making it easier for younger people and others to hunt and that it will bring in more license revenue.

Critics of the current law further note that hunting is allowed in all of our neighboring states.

That means Pennsylvanians wishing to hunt on Sundays have to leave the state to do so, and people in other states are discouraged from making weekend hunting trips here.

Those who favor Sunday hunting also point to the overall decline in hunting’s popularity and argue it makes no sense to prohibit the activity on one day of the week when many people have time to participate.

Allowing hunting on three Sundays a year certainly is preferable to a wider exemption to the ban. But while we appreciate this attempt at compromise, we still have concerns.

Disallowing Sunday hunting frees people who enjoy other outdoor pursuits to do so without worrying about the dangers of bullets or arrows flying nearby.

Activities such as hiking and bird and game watching are growing in popularity and often take place in the same areas where hunters go.

While it doesn’t seem like a major issue to allow Sunday hunting three times a year, it’s questionable how practical the idea is.

Not only will it require that hunters become aware of exactly when they’re allowed to participate in their sport, it will also be necessary to spread the words to others who visit the same areas for other activities.

The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau has a particular interest in this issue, as it represents many land owners who would be affected by the change.

Lancaster Online reported that while the bureau took part in talks that led to the threeday compromise, it still opposes the bill.

The sticking point is that the measure does not require hunters to have the owner’s written permission to hunt on private land.

Groups that represent hunters aren’t thrilled with the measure either, though they are encouraged to see lawmakers move in the direction they’d like the state to take.

Of course those of us who worry about the impact of allowing Sunday hunting fear that this small move could ultimately lead to a much wider expansion.

We urge state leaders to think carefully about what they’re doing as this legislation moves forward.

Any expansion of Sunday hunting must include strong protections for land owners and for other people engaged in weekend recreation on Pennsylvania’s rural lands.

It’s not clear that this latest bill quite achieves that goal.

Disallowing Sunday hunting frees people who enjoy other outdoor pursuits to do so without worrying about the dangers of bullets or arrows flying nearby. Hiking and bird and game watching often take place in the same areas as hunting.