Hunting licenses went on sale Monday across Pennsylvania, and this year brings a change in the flow of traffic to stores that sell licenses.

Anyone who purchases an antlerless license by 7 a.m. on July 14 is guaranteed one for the Wildlife Management Unit of their choice. That’s the same day licenses become available to nonresidents.

The move aims to eliminate the stress of waiting in line and the rush to buy on the first day.

In WMU 3D — which includes parts of Carbon and Monroe counties — more than 3,700 antlerless (doe) licenses were sold on Monday alone, signaling strong interest from hunters. But the most significant shift on the horizon isn’t just about when or where hunters can buy licenses — it’s about when they can hunt.

Legislation that would fully repeal Pennsylvania’s Sunday hunting ban passed the state House of Representatives earlier this month and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Introduced by Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, House Bill 1431 was approved by the House Game and Fisheries Committee on June 3 and sent to the Senate by a vote of 131-72.

Introducing the bill, Steele said, “Some of Pennsylvania’s surrounding states permit hunters to hunt and trap on Sundays. Yet, the commonwealth still upholds its outdated ‘blue law’ that prohibits the practice. This law is at odds with current values and lifestyles.”

Steele said lifting the ban would give working hunters more flexibility, support conservation efforts, and inject revenue into rural communities. Local Rep. Tarah Probst, D-Monroe, was a cosponsor, with Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, voting in favor.

Among local lawmakers voting against the bill were Reps. Jamie Barton, R-Schuylkill; Jack Rader, R-Monroe; Tim Twardzik, R-Schuylkill; and Zach Mako, R-Lehigh/Northampton.

A companion measure, Senate Bill 67, was introduced in March by Sen. Dan Laughlin, R-Erie.

Sunday hunting has faced stiff opposition in the past. Critics often cite religious observance, family time and public safety as reasons to keep the restriction in place. However, supporters argue that times have changed.

While Sunday was once reserved for rest and family, today’s schedules — especially for families with children in youth sports — are often packed with weekend games that start early and run late. Football, soccer, cheerleading, wrestling and softball seasons now stretch family’s schedules nearly year-round.

Public safety remains a concern. Opponents of expanded hunting access cite risks such as trespassing and the possibility of stray bullets or arrows. Recreational users of state parks — including hikers and horseback riders — worry about their safety on trails.

At Beltzville State Park in Carbon County, over 1,700 acres are open to hunting during established seasons, and an adjacent 469-acre Pennsylvania Game Commission property adds more territory for hunters.

The park also features 15 miles of designated hiking trails, raising concerns among some that trail safety could be compromised if Sunday hunting is permitted.

Advocates emphasize that responsible use of public lands must come from all sides — whether someone is carrying a bow or a backpack.

When archery and rifle seasons for deer are open in fall and winter, the days are short, with darkness falling by 5 p.m. Hunters need to stop hunting well before that so they are out of the woods before dark. That means Saturdays and Sundays give the only opportunity for hunting by people who work full time.

Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith said, “One of the biggest reasons hunters stop hunting is a lack of time. While no one can add hours to the day or days to the week, removing the prohibition on Sunday hunting holds the potential to add significantly more time to the hunting calendar and keep hunters hunting.”

He said hunters do more than harvest game — they help manage wildlife populations and help fund conservation efforts through license purchases and related revenues.

MARTA GOUGER | MGOUGER@TNONLINE.COM