Gov. Tom Wolf has lifted a prohibition on hunting on Sundays in Pennsylvania.

Wolf signed the much-debated Sunday hunting bill Wednesday. The new law would open hunting on three Sundays: one during the firearms deer season, one during the archery deer season and a third Sunday selected by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

The law takes effect in 2020.

The legislation follows much debate and concerns from farmers about having hunters on their land on Sundays. One condition, which was added to the bill at the behest of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, will require hunters to get written permission before hunting on private land on Sundays.

“This legislation carefully balances the needs of landowners with an expanded opportunity for hunters who work or attend school during weekdays,” Wolf said in a statement.

Several hunting groups lobbied for Sunday hunting for years. About 20 hunting organizations pulled together under the banner, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting. Proponents have argued it will help give a boost to the number of people hunting in Pennsylvania, which has declined in recent years.

Some groups remained opposed to additional Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania, including the Pennsylvania State Grange, Keystone Trails Association and Sierra Club. Some outdoor groups have voiced concerns about hunting making it harder for other people to enjoy hiking and other recreational pursuits.

Farmers have long opposed the idea of Sunday hunting and the Farm Bureau had in the past fought legislative efforts to allow hunting on Sundays. The Farm Bureau took a neutral position on the bill but was glad to see tougher provisions to deter trespassing on private land, including higher fines.

“For example, a hunter caught trespassing for a second offense over a seven-year period, will not only face a fine, but will also lose their hunting license for one year,” Rick Ebert, the Farm Bureau’s president, said in a statement. “It is important for hunters to understand that the new trespassing provisions apply to hunting that occurs on every day of the week, not just on the three Sundays allowed under the new law.”

Pennsylvania has been one of only a few states that prohibit most types of hunting on Sunday. Only crows, coyotes and foxes may be hunted on Sunday. Existing law bans Sunday hunting and exempts those three animals.

Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.

Read more:

Purple paint markings will soon mean no trespassing in Pa.

Pa. raises minimum age to buy tobacco to 21, starting July 1