Can You Hunt on Sundays? MD, PA, WV Sunday Hunting Laws Explained
By admin
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October 02, 2025
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2 min read
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Sunday hunting laws can make or break a hunting lease's value. Here's what you need to know about Sunday hunting in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Maryland: Sunday Hunting ALLOWED ✓
Recent Law Change - Major News!
Maryland now allows Sunday hunting on private land during established seasons for:
Deer (archery, firearms, muzzleloader)
Turkey (spring and fall seasons)
Waterfowl (during open seasons)
Most other game species
What This Means:
Weekend hunters get BOTH Saturday and Sunday
Adds 8-15+ hunting days per season
Makes Maryland properties more valuable than Pennsylvania equivalents
For Landowners: This is a major selling point. Emphasize Sunday hunting in your listings to attract Pennsylvania hunters who can't hunt Sundays in their home state.
For Hunters: You can now hunt both weekend days, making Maryland leases worth the premium price compared to PA.
Pennsylvania: Sunday Hunting PROHIBITED ✗
The Exception, Not the Rule
Pennsylvania PROHIBITS most Sunday hunting with very limited exceptions:
What's Allowed on Sundays:
One Sunday during firearms deer season (designated by WMU)
Sundays during archery deer season (statewide)
Sundays during spring turkey season
Coyote hunting year-round on private land
What's NOT Allowed:
Most general hunting on Sundays
Any Sunday hunting on public land (state game lands)
What This Means:
Weekend warriors only get Saturday to hunt (most seasons)
Significantly limits hunting opportunities for working hunters
Properties worth 10-20% less than equivalent Maryland properties
For Landowners: The upside is only 6 days per week of hunting activity. Some landowners view this as a benefit (less disturbance). Market it as "Sunday rest day."
For Hunters: Plan your season around 6-day hunting weeks. Consider Maryland or West Virginia if Sunday access is important to you.
West Virginia: Sunday Hunting ALLOWED ✓
Full Sunday Access
West Virginia allows Sunday hunting on private land during all legal hunting seasons:
Deer (all seasons)
Turkey (spring and fall)
Bear
Small game
Waterfowl
What This Means:
Full weekend access for working hunters
Adds major value to WV properties
No restrictions compared to neighboring states
For Landowners: Use Sunday hunting as a competitive advantage over Pennsylvania. Target PA hunters who want weekend flexibility.
For Hunters: Combined with low prices and 3-buck limits, Sunday hunting makes WV an exceptional value.
For a hunter who works Monday-Friday:
Pennsylvania lease at $3,000/year:
Can hunt ~25 Saturdays = $120 per hunt day
Maryland/WV lease at $3,000/year:
Can hunt ~50 weekend days = $60 per hunt day
Effectively HALF the cost per hunting day
Bottom Line
If Sunday hunting matters to you:
Choose Maryland or West Virginia for maximum weekend flexibility
Avoid Pennsylvania unless you can hunt weekdays or value the lower pressure
If you're a Pennsylvania landowner, emphasize the "Sunday rest" benefit to farmers and residents. If you're in Maryland or West Virginia, Sunday hunting is a major selling point worth highlighting.
A
admin
Contributing writer at HuntLease