Many years ago I was opposed top Sunday hunting. My feeling was if you love something enough you find time to do it. I split vacation time and weekends between family time and hunting and I always had a good time and occasionally harvested something. No one in my immediate family hunts so it was usually me and a friend or two but we almost always had a good time.
Now, flash forward 30 years and my opinion has changed. Since you can do almost anything else on Sundays from shopping, sports, eating out, fishing etc... why not allow hunting? Personally I probably still wouldn't hunt and probably wouldn't allow hunting on my property on Sundays but that's my choice since I own the land. I hunt archery, rifle and muzzleloader and I hunt in many different states as now that the kids are grown and I have more time I do what I love and my wife's ok with it. Most states I hunt in allow Sunday hunting as well as baiting (private property). I typically hunt Public land and most always DIY, no baiting and no Sundays as most states which I hunt only allow Sunday hunting on private property. I don't much care for hunting over bait (piles of feed or feeders), I'm ok with food plots, fields or orchards.
I would like to see PA pass Sunday hunting and have the PGC allow hunting on both private and public land, individuals and agencies could decide if they would allow their property to be open to hunting. Sunday hunting could be regulated by species and weapon and could be changed yearly by PGC as dictated by science and studies (no laughing please), I believe the PGC does an ok job. My recommendations are as follows and let me clarify again I hunt archery, rifle and muzzleloader but love archery most of all.
Suggestions based on deer (because it seems to be most peoples biggest concern.
Archery: NO Sunday hunting, sorry, we already get 6 weeks (6 Saturdays).
Early Muzzleloader: Allow Sunday hunting on 2nd Sunday when Jr's and Sr's can use a rifle.
Rifle: Keep traditional Monday opener and let people hunt both Sundays ending the season on 2nd Sunday.
Turkey: Let PGC set dates since areas vary throughout the State
Bear: Probably don't need Sundays since there aren't as many hunters and the PGC is always adjusting and adding dates.
Small game: Let PGC dictate
With my suggestions what are we talking, about 6 Sundays? What's the big deal? As for non hunters using public land for activities other than hunting, I believe most will choose to stay away during hunting days. But if they want to be on property during hunting, just make sure they're aware that hunting is in and they should wear the appropritley colored clothing (florescent something). I believe most hunters are aware of their target and what's beyond prior to shooting, it's one of the first things we learn when learning to hunt.
Thanks for listening (taking the time to read).
Discussion and opinions welcome.