Northern Snakehead fish. (Credit: Wikimedia, creative commons license, Brian Gratwicke)
While Pennsylvania considers lifting its last major “blue law” on hunting, biologists sound alarms over the spread of a destructive predator in area waterways
Hunters and anglers across Bucks and Montgomery counties are closely watching two major developments that could impact their outdoor activities: proposed changes to Pennsylvania’s hunting laws and the rising threat of a destructive invasive fish species.
According to MediaNews Group, state lawmakers are considering legislation that would eliminate the longstanding ban on Sunday hunting, a move that has passed the House and is now under review in the Senate.
If enacted, the change would give the Pennsylvania Game Commission full authority to include Sundays when setting annual hunting seasons — something that currently only applies to limited species and dates, according to the article.
At the same time, conservationists are raising serious concerns about the northern snakehead, an invasive fish recently caught in the Schuylkill River near Black Rock Sanctuary in Chester County, per the report.
Known for its aggressive feeding habits and ability to survive on land for short periods, the snakehead poses a major threat to native fish and the balance of local aquatic ecosystems, according to officials. Wildlife experts have instructed anyone who catches the species to kill it immediately to help prevent its spread.
The appearance of the snakehead underscores broader environmental challenges facing Pennsylvania’s waterways, as the species has already established a presence in multiple states since first being spotted in the Philadelphia region in 2002.
Meanwhile, the effort to allow broader Sunday hunting has gained traction, with backing from both the Pennsylvania Game Commission and major advocacy groups, reflecting growing momentum to modernize some of the state’s oldest outdoor regulations.
