Deer are on the move throughout Butler County as rifle season swiftly approaches.

Butler County appears hesitant toward new legislation that will likely allow hunters access to their sport on Sundays.

The bill to allow hunting on three Sundays each year passed a Senate vote on Monday after passing in the House in October. Gov. Tom Wolf has 10 days to sign the legislation, and if he does not sign the bill, the law will be accepted anyway.

David Thomas, a hunter from East Butler, said he has heard both sides of the argument.

“In a way, it'd be all right for the person who works Monday through Friday,” Thomas said. “But it also could tick off the farmers.”

Thomas said some popular hunting areas have few deer anymore, and the new law will further cut into an already small population.

“I like the way it always was. We used to give the animals a day break,” Thomas said. “I think they're just going to get slaughtered off more.”

The majority of Butler County's state senators also opposed the measure.

On Monday both state Senators Elder Vogel Jr., R-47th, and Scott Hutchinson, R-21st, voted against the bill, while Sen. Joe Pittman, R-41st, was the sole supporting vote from the county.

Hutchinson said he voted against the measure despite being a hunter himself.

“I am a lifelong hunter, but I believe there should be a day where folks can enjoy the outdoors one day a week without hunters being in the woods,” he said, adding that he believes the bill may create more problems for hunters than it solves.

This is an excerpt. To read more about the local reaction from Butler County's state senators, pick up Thursday's Butler Eagle or subscribe online.