HARRISBURG - Rep. Frank Farina is leading a new push to allow Sunday hunting on state game lands and accessible private property and end a remnant of the state Blue Laws that once prohibited most Sabbath activities.

Farina, D-Jessup, said legalizing hunting on up to 12 Sundays a year would boost the economy due to more spending on hunting trips and better reflect hectic modern lifestyles.

"Our schedules and lives have changed," Farina said on Tuesday during a Capitol press conference.

He said the spillover of jobs beyond the traditional 40-hour workweek and other activities has made it more difficult for families to find time to hunt together. Pennsylvania is surrounded by states that have Sunday hunting and this has lured many in-state hunters to go elsewhere, he said.

Farina's legislation would allow Sunday hunting coinciding with the game season schedules set by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

It has support from the National Rifle Association, Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs and a bipartisan cast of lawmakers, including Rep. Marty Flynn, D-Scranton.

Sunday hunting bills have been introduced in Pennsylvania for at least the past two decades. The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau opposes the move and has helped block these bills.

The Blue Laws have been scaled back through the decades so that fishing, target shooting and commercial shopping are allowed on Sundays, supporters said.

"You can fish on Sunday. Why can't you hunt on Sunday?" asked Rep. Robert Godshall, R-Hatfield.

A farm bureau official said Sunday hunting would interfere with the lifestyle of farm families.

Farmers usually work six days a week and like to enjoy their own land on Sunday without interference, said Farm Bureau Counsel John Bell.

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