Governor Josh Shapiro of Abington signed Act 36 on Wednesday, fully repealing Pennsylvania’s 300-year-old Sunday hunting ban.

The law, which has Quaker roots that barred certain activities on the sabbath, takes effect on September 7, though it’s unclear how many Sundays will be added, officials said. Steve Smith, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, said he plans to implement new Sunday hunting opportunities this fall.

“The Pennsylvania Game Commission could not be more excited to celebrate this long-awaited moment,” Smith said. “This landmark law effectively will contribute to keeping hunters engaged and performing the valuable public service they provide in helping manage our wildlife populations and ensuring the future of wildlife conservation. Today is a win for wildlife. Today will forever be remembered.

Act 36 opens a 60-day window for the law to take effect. More information will be shared in the coming weeks, officials said.

Pennsylvania is home to some 850,000 licensed hunters, NBC10 reported, though license purchases have dropped 37% since 1980. The sale of hunting licenses generated more than $59 million in revenue for the Game Commission last year, and the industry contributes $1.6 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy.

Previously, the state only permitted hunting on three Sundays a year. Advocates say that the additional day will attract more weekend visitors to the state and will drive license sales.

The law has also increased trespassing protections, a main concern from the opposition.

“This new law is about real freedom: the freedom to hunt, the freedom for families to pass down traditions to the next generation, and the freedom for the Pennsylvania Game Commission – the experts who know our hunters and our wildlife best – to set hunting seasons that work for today’s Pennsylvania,” said Governor Shapiro at an event on Wednesday. “By repealing this outdated ban on Sunday hunting, Pennsylvanians can spend more time outdoors, with more chances to share traditions and a stronger future for conservation. I’m proud we came together to bring Pennsylvania’s hunting laws into the 21st century and honor the traditions that make our Commonwealth special.”

Photo: Commonwealth Media Services, Shutterstock