BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 9, 2025
Over the past 45 years, lawmakers have made at least 39 attempts to either lift the Sunday hunting ban entirely or give hunters half a loaf by allowing limited Sunday hunting in certain regions. Public opinion surveys show hunters strongly support Sunday hunting. The divide is clear: urban and southern Mainers generally oppose it, while rural and northern residents favor it. Opposition to lifting the ban may be softening. Pennsylvania recently repealed its historic Sunday hunting ban under Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro. Only two states still ban Sunday hunting: Maine and Massachusetts. Sunday hunting here will likely become reality sooner or later. ~ V. Paul Reynolds