PGC Board Meeting Ushers in Expanded Sunday Hunting Opportunities for 2026-27 Season

Pennsylvania hunters have reason to mark their calendars following the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s (PGC) Board of Commissioners meeting on January 24, 2026. In a move that’s set to transform the hunting landscape, the board gave preliminary approval to the 2026-27 hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits, with a major emphasis on integrating Sundays into nearly all open seasons. This comes on the heels of last year’s legislative repeal of the longstanding Sunday hunting ban, empowering the PGC to broaden access without restrictions (except for federally regulated migratory birds). For hunters juggling work, family, and the outdoors, this could mean more flexible weekends in the field—potentially adding dozens of extra days depending on the species and your schedule.

The meeting, held at the PGC’s Harrisburg headquarters, drew input from staff reports, public comments, and board discussions. While final approvals won’t come until the April 10-11 meeting, these preliminary nods provide a clear roadmap for what’s ahead. Here’s a breakdown of the key decisions and how they could impact your hunts next license year (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027).

Sunday Hunting Takes Center Stage: More Days, More Opportunities

The headline for many will be the full integration of Sundays into the proposed seasons. Under the plan:

• All seasons (except migratory game birds like ducks and geese) will include any Sundays falling within their start and end dates.
• Seasons that traditionally wrapped up on Saturdays will now extend to Sundays, tacking on an extra day of hunting in many cases.
• This builds on the 13 limited Sundays approved for the current 2025-26 season, offering a significant jump in access. For example, if you’re chasing deer or small game, expect Sundays to be fair game throughout the open periods—no more mandatory weekend downtime.

However, migratory bird seasons are still up in the air; the PGC will finalize those later based on federal frameworks, and it’s unclear if Sundays will be included. Additionally, the board preliminarily lifted the Sunday hunting prohibition on commercial regulated hunting grounds, a win for preserve operators and those who hunt there.

Hunter Tip: With more Sundays open, plan for increased harvest pressure. Stock up on blaze orange, review trespass laws, and consider scouting mid-week to avoid crowds. This expansion could boost success rates but also strain populations in high-traffic areas—stay tuned for bag limit adjustments.

Key Season and Bag Limit Highlights

The proposed 2026-27 framework largely mirrors recent years for stability, but with targeted tweaks for sustainability and access. Here’s what stands out:

• Deer Seasons: Firearms deer season sticks to its post-Thanksgiving start (Saturday, November 28, 2026), after the board voted 6-3 to table a proposal shifting it earlier. Antlerless license sales get simplified—no more rigid calendar rounds—with details on allocations (including potential resident preferences) coming in April.
• Ag Tag (agricultural depredation) hunters gain flexibility: Use any legal firearms (with landowner approval), and there’s no cap on permits per hunter.
• Wild Turkey: Spring gobbler season proposes a reduced bag limit of one bird statewide to offset potential harvest spikes from added Sundays. This conservative approach aims to protect flocks amid growing hunter participation.
• Elk: Applications simplify to one per year, with up to five preferences for seasons, zones, and antlered/antlerless. Bonus points from 2003 onward consolidate, resetting if you’re drawn. Great for streamlining your odds without losing historical points.
• Other Species: Trapping sees upgrades, like larger body-gripping traps for beavers/otters and snap traps for weasels. CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) rules ease transport of high-risk parts but mandate proper disposal, and cervid urine attractants are back on the table. Southeast baiting expands with fewer restrictions on sites, materials, and federal lands.
• Youth and Mentored Hunters: A big boost for families—the board unanimously (8-1) approved providing antlered deer and turkey tags to mentored hunters under 7, aligning them with older kids. They can also snag one antlerless license and DMAP permit, though bear hunting remains off-limits. This cuts red tape for mentors and gets more young guns in the woods safely.

Hunter Tip: If you’re mentoring, double-check age-specific rules and fluorescent orange requirements. The Certified Hunter Program also expands statewide, rewarding experienced hunters with perks like electronic reporting—ideal if you’ve licensed consistently over the past five years.

Additional Board Actions: Land, Safety, and Leadership

Beyond seasons, the board greenlit over 1,125 acres in new game land acquisitions across counties like Schuylkill and Indiana, improving public access. A new special wildlife management area at Poquessing Creek in Philadelphia will offer permit-only archery hunting.

Safety gets a nod with game lands rules now including Sundays in “closed” periods for non-hunting activities (October 1–January 31 and April 1–May 31), plus orange visibility mandates for all users during those times.

On the leadership front, the board elected Haley Sankey as President, Allen DiMarco as Vice President, and Bob Schwalm as Secretary for 2026.

What’s Next for Hunters?

These preliminary approvals aren’t set in stone—public input is crucial. Submit comments via the PGC website, email (pgccomments@pa.gov), or attend the April meeting. Final seasons, bag limits, and antlerless allocations drop then, so watch for updates that could refine details like migratory birds or turkey limits.

For the full scoop, head to the PGC’s official site for the detailed seasons release and highlights. Whether you’re a weekend warrior eyeing those new Sundays or a mentor passing on traditions, 2026-27 looks primed for more time afield. Stay safe, hunt ethically, and let’s keep Pennsylvania’s wildlife thriving.