State rep. wants to change opening day of firearms deer season
A coalition of hunters and businesses across the state is supporting legislation aimed at returning the opening day of the firearms deer season to the Monday after Thanksgiving, according to state Rep. Brian Smith, R-66th, who said he will introduce legislation seeking the change.
In 2019, the Pennsylvania Game Commission board voted to change the opening day to the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Smith said the change had a financial impact on small businesses and volunteer organizations that relied on the weekend prior to the Monday start for a revenue boost.
“This also meant losing the family traditions of attending fundraising events and of shopping on Friday and small business Saturday,” Smith said in a memorandum to fellow legislators. “The loss of revenue to these small-business owners, volunteer fire companies and other volunteer organizations has been devastating to their bottom line.”
The memorandum also proposes the rifle deer season run consecutively from Monday through the second Sunday, equating to a two-week season with no disruptions.
