How about a quick hunting trip before heading to Sunday Mass?

The Eagle last week ran a story about a proposal that passed the state House on Thursday over objections about trespassing provisions and new restrictions on hunting in state parks.

Under current rules, there only are three days of Sunday hunting: a day during rifle deer season, a day during archery deer season and a third day at the Game Commission's discretion.

And the three-days-a-year law was enacted only five years ago.

This is progress. Slow, painful, unnecessary progress. This is a Band-Aid that should have been ripped off five years ago. At the most basic level, there’s no reason not to allow hunting on Sundays, but on another level, as the new bill’s prime sponsor points out, there’s been an exploding deer population causing farmers' crop losses.

Pennsylvania is among 12 states that do not generally allow hunting for deer, bear and turkey on Sundays. The state’s prohibition on Sunday hunting dates to the 19th century, although there are exceptions for crows, foxes and coyotes, and for noncommercial private game reserves.

“The Sunday hunting prohibition is one of the last vestiges of our commonwealth’s antiquated so-called Blue Laws which were literally created hundreds of years ago,” said state Senate sponsor Dan Laughlin of Erie, “some dating back to colonial times to prevent certain activities deemed to be inappropriate for a Sunday.

“It’s about respecting the rights of responsible hunters who should have their freedom to enjoy their sport on any day of the week. Hunting is deeply ingrained in our culture, and by lifting this prohibition, we affirm our commitment to preserving our hunting heritage for generations to come,” Laughlin said.

There are concerns about the amount of land in some counties owned by the commonwealth and what that means for tax bases in those counties. There also are concerns about private land owners closing off their lands to hunters, which they have a right to do.

But those concerns existed six days a week before this bill was introduced. This seventh day in a week opens up more opportunities for those who work bankers hours and for those looking to get their children out into the hunting world.

And with so many exceptions to the rules all over state laws, why not streamline whatever we can?

It’s time to bring the state’s hunting laws into the 21st century.

— RJ