Can You Hunt Turkey on Sunday in Pennsylvania?

Turkey hunting is a popular pastime in Pennsylvania, but the rules regarding hunting on Sundays can be confusing This article will explain when you can legally hunt turkeys on Sundays in Pennsylvania.

Overview of Sunday Hunting Laws in Pennsylvania

In general, Sunday hunting is prohibited in Pennsylvania except for certain species like foxes crows and coyotes. However, there are some exceptions that allow Sunday turkey hunting during specified seasons.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission sets the rules and seasons for turkey hunting each year. The season dates, Sunday hunting opportunities, and other regulations can vary from year to year, so it’s important to check the current hunting digest for the latest information.

Here is a quick overview of the typical Sunday turkey hunting rules in Pennsylvania:

• Spring turkey season – Sunday hunting is allowed during the last two weeks of the spring season.

• Fall turkey season – Sunday hunting opportunities vary by Wildlife Management Unit (WMU). Some WMUs allow it for the entire fall season, while others prohibit it completely.

So in both spring and fall, Sunday turkey hunting is allowed for at least part of the season in most areas. But the specifics depend on location and season timing.

When Can You Turkey Hunt on Sundays in the Spring?

The exact dates for spring turkey season change annually as the Game Commission sets new season schedules. But the typical season timeline is:

• Early spring season – Runs from late April through mid-May. There is no Sunday hunting during this period.

• Late spring season – Runs for 2-3 weeks in late May. Sunday hunting is legal during this entire period.

So if you want to hunt turkeys on a Sunday in the spring, you need to wait until the late season. The last 2-3 Sundays in May are your only opportunity.

Spring turkey hunters are allowed to harvest one bearded turkey per day, with a total season limit of two birds. This bag limit applies to Sundays as well.

Fall Turkey Sunday Hunting Opportunities

Fall turkey season in Pennsylvania runs from late October through November. The available Sunday hunting days depend on which WMU you are hunting in:

• WMUs 1A, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B, 4D – Sunday hunting allowed for the entire fall turkey season.

• WMUs 1B, 3D, 4C, 4E – Sunday hunting allowed for the first week only.

• WMUs 2A, 2F, 3B, 3C – Sunday hunting allowed for the first and last week.

• WMUs 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E – Sunday hunting allowed for the first two weeks and last week.

• WMUs 5A, 5B – No Sunday fall turkey hunting allowed.

So most WMUs provide at least one week of Sunday fall turkey hunting, mainly in early November. Check your specific area on the Game Commission’s map to know your options.

The fall turkey limit is one bird of either sex per license year. The Sunday limit is the same.

Things to Know Before Turkey Hunting on Sundays

Here are some other key points about Sunday turkey hunting in Pennsylvania:

• You still need a valid hunting license and turkey tag to hunt on Sundays.

• All other turkey hunting regulations and rules apply on Sundays too.

• No rifles are permitted – only shotguns and archery tackle can be used.

• Hunting hours are generally sunrise to sunset on Sundays.

• Private landowner permission is required to hunt turkeys on any private land.

• Be sure to wear blaze orange while moving between hunting spots on Sundays during rifle deer season.

While most Sunday hunting is prohibited in Pennsylvania, there are opportunities to legally hunt wild turkeys on certain Sundays within the spring and fall seasons. Be sure to check the Game Commission’s current hunting digest each year for exact Sunday dates and bag limits in your WMU. With the right preparation and license, you can successfully hunt turkeys on Sundays in most parts of Pennsylvania.