You can squirrel hunt on certain Sundays in Pennsylvania, but you’ll need to pay attention to the new rules and the dates set by the Game Commission. The state’s now allowing Sunday hunting on specific dates, so always check the official schedule and get landowner permission for private property before you head out.
If you’re thinking about hunting this weekend, here’s what you need to know about the law change, which Sundays are open, and the key rules and penalties to keep you legal. I’ll break down licenses, bag limits, safety gear, and what happens if you cross boundaries.
Sunday Squirrel Hunting Laws and Recent Updates
You can hunt squirrels on certain Sundays in Pennsylvania now. The rules depend on the type of land and the date.
Make sure you know which Sundays are open, which properties allow hunting, and what paperwork you need to carry.
Act 36 of 2025 and Changes in Legislation
Act 36 of 2025 shook up the old Sunday hunting limits and opened up more legal Sunday opportunities for small game and furbearers. Lawmakers passed House Bill 1431, thanks to Rep. Mandy Steele and Senator Dan Laughlin, and Gov. Josh Shapiro signed it into law.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission updated its 2025-26 hunting schedule to match the new law. You still have to follow the commission’s rules; the act just adds designated Sundays—it doesn’t change other season dates or bag limits.
Migratory game birds still follow federal rules and usually aren’t open on Sundays. Always carry your license and any required tags when you’re hunting under the new Sunday rules.
Approved Sunday Hunting Dates for 2025-26
The Pennsylvania Game Commission picked three specific Sunday dates for the 2025-26 license year: November 16, November 23, and November 30. These dates let you hunt many small game species, including squirrels, and the commission lists these Sunday options in the season calendar.
Check the 2025-26 Pennsylvania hunting & trapping digest for the exact season overlap and shooting hour rules. Those Sundays fall during the fall small-game window and overlap with some big-game seasons.
The daily bag limits don’t change for Sundays. If you plan to hunt on one of these dates, check the WMU rules for your area and make sure you have the right license and tags if you’re after other species.
Private, Public, and Ag Tag Properties on Sundays
You can hunt on private property on approved Sundays if you have landowner permission and the property is in an open WMU. On public land, like State Game Lands, you’ll follow the Game Commission’s calendar—many SGLs allow squirrel hunting on the listed Sundays.
Always check for property-specific restrictions and posted signs before you go in. Ag Tag properties have separate rules. Some Ag Tag parcels open on Sundays for certain species, while others keep Sunday hunting closed.
If you’re planning to hunt on an Ag Tag property, double-check enrollment rules with the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau or the Game Commission. Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith suggests checking local postings and the digest before you head out.
Sunday Squirrel Hunting Rules, Seasons, and Penalties
When squirrel season falls on a Sunday, you can hunt that day just like any other legal hunting day. Stick to season dates, daily hours, land permissions, and license rules to avoid trouble.
Squirrel Hunting Season and Hours on Sundays
Squirrel season dates in Pennsylvania decide when you can hunt on Sundays. If the season includes a Sunday, you’re good to go for squirrel hunting on that day.
Check the current season dates in the Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest or on the Game Commission website before you head out. Daily hunting hours on Sundays are the same as other days—usually 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset, unless the digest says otherwise.
Some state parks might limit Sunday hunting to certain dates, so check hours and approved Sundays for state lands before you hunt.
Required Licenses and Permissions
You need a valid Pennsylvania hunting license to hunt squirrels on Sundays. Non-residents need the right non-resident small game license, too.
If you’re hunting on private land, get written permission from the landowner before you go. For state forests and state game lands, follow posted rules and any special Sunday permissions listed by the Game Commission.
If hunter education is required for you, bring your proof along with your license. Keep your license and permission papers on you while hunting. No license or written permission? You risk fines and could lose your hunting privileges.
Regulations, Restrictions, and Penalties
Bag limits and legal methods for taking squirrels still apply on Sundays, just like any other day. You’ll want to check the Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest for details on species-specific bag limits and weapon rules.
Don’t forget, migratory game birds are still off-limits on Sundays, even if other hunting seasons are open. It’s easy to assume all seasons are fair game, but that’s not the case.
If you trespass or ignore posted land rules, you risk fines and could lose your hunting privileges under state law. The Pennsylvania Game Commission enforces these penalties and might even revoke your license if you commit a serious violation.
Always carry your license and written land permission, and make sure you follow posted rules. That way, you can avoid citations or losing your privileges.
For updates about recent law changes that affect Sunday hunting, check the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s notices.
