HARRISBURG — A bill to approve hunting on three Sundays per year was sent to Gov. Tom Wolf this week.

On Monday, the state Senate voted 38-11 to approve the bill, which passed in the House by 144-54 in October.

Sens. Elder Vogel Jr., R-47th, and Scott Hutchison, R-21st, voted against the bill, while Sen. Joe Pittman, R-41st, voted for it.

If Wolf signs the bill, as he is expected to this week, Sunday hunting could be available as early as the 2020 season.

The bill would allow for hunting on three select Sundays, including one in rifle deer season, archery deer season and one at the discretion of the state Game Commission.

The Game Commission's website clarifies that regardless if Wolf signs the bill, Sunday hunting will not be possible for the 2019 season.

Chip Brunst, supervisor at the Pennsylvania State Game Commission's Northwest office, said even if the bill is signed immediately, the legislation won't take effect for 90 days after its passage due to a clause in the bill.

“This hunting season, it's out,” Brunst said. “No matter what happens.”

Brunst said there also has not been any indication or favored use of the third Sunday the bill allows.

“For right now, I have no information on the Sunday that's left up to us,” he said. “It could go to the upcoming spring gobbler, or it could wait until next year.”

Brunst said the third Sunday for legal hunting will likely be determined by the Game Commissioners board or a committee that could be formed to handle the decision.

Brunst said hunting on a Sunday that is not open will result in the same penalty.

He said the government also introduced amendments to the bill to allow for more enforcement of trespassing, which was an area of concern for many landowners who spoke out against the bill.

Brunst said the bill likely won't affect the Game Commission officers' work schedule much. He said the biggest impact for officers' schedules will likely come during deer season.

“A lot of our officers do work some Sundays anyhow,” Brunst said. “In deer season, they were almost always given Sunday off because all six other days people were out to hunt.”

Pennsylvania is one of three states that currently bans hunting on Sundays.