LifeNRA Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 The Truth About Sunday Hunting: Why Hunters Shouldn`t Be Treated as Second-Class Citizens In the early days of America, so-called blue laws restricted many activities on Sunday. In recent years, however, state governments have recognized that the people`s right to choose for themselves what they do, or don`t do, on Sunday is more consistent with America`s founding principals. Present day bans on Sunday hunting are the last holdouts of these blue laws, and hunters are questioning why they are being treated differently from their fellow citizens. The majority of hunters will agree that the biggest obstacle to hunting, and the biggest obstacle to recruiting new hunters, is lack of access and opportunity to hunt. By restricting Sunday hunting, states are not only limiting opportunities for today`s hunters but are making it harder to recruit new hunters to carry on our proud heritage. Anti-hunting groups understand this, that`s why they oppose lifting Sunday hunting bans--they don`t want a new generation of hunters to enter the field. This opposition to Sunday hunting is in fact opposition to the future of hunting itself. Restrictions on Sunday hunting treat hunters as second-class citizens. Other outdoor activities are allowed on Sunday, including fishing, hiking and golf. By restricting hunting and not other activities, state governments are sending a not so subtle message to hunters and non-hunters alike that there is something wrong with hunting, that it isn`t as legitimate an activity. This message ignores the fact that hunters contribute billions of dollars to the benefit of wildlife, both through license fees and excise taxes paid on firearms and ammunition. There are compelling reasons why Sunday hunting should be allowed: Sunday hunting has no detrimental effect on wildlife populations. The 43 states that allow some form of Sunday hunting have healthy wildlife populations in those areas that can sustain them. In fact the states with the most abundant game populations allow Sunday hunting. Those states that have recently removed prohibitions on Sunday hunting have not seen a negative impact on game populations. Allowing Sunday hunting will give state wildlife agencies more flexibility in managing populations. The extra day a week for hunting will give the agencies the ability to increase hunting in areas of overpopulation by encouraging hunters to go afield. The most common reason that hunters stop hunting is lack of hunting opportunity. Hunting opportunities are largely decided by two factors: accessible land and available time. Since most hunters work Monday through Friday, a ban on Sunday hunting cuts their available hunting time in half. Sunday hunting is an excellent way to recruit new hunters. Many young people have school or athletic obligations on Saturday. Allowing Sunday hunting means that parents can spend time hunting with their son or daughter, passing on a heritage that is so important to America. With the myriad of activities that compete for the attention of young people today, a restriction on Sunday hunting means many of them never take up the sport. Sunday hunting will bring an economic benefit to many rural areas. Every day that hunters are in the field, they spend money on gas, food, lodging and the dozens of other incidentals that go along with a day`s hunt. The ripple effect of this spending can have a major impact on a rural town or county. Out-of-state license revenue can grow as a result of Sunday hunting. Few hunters will take extended hunting trips to a state that won`t let them hunt one day of the week. These out-of-state hunters pay higher license fees that benefit the game department and also spend even more money on incidentals than in-state hunters. Current Sunday hunting bans: Currently seven states entirely prohibit hunting on Sunday for wild game; they are Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey and Connecticut. All of these states have considered legislation to lift the bans in recent years. Repealing the Sunday hunting bans has been actively supported by the wildlife agencies in Maine and New Jersey. Four states allow limited Sunday hunting: Maryland allows hunting on two Sundays during deer season; South Carolina allows Sunday hunting on private land only; North Carolina allows Sunday hunting on some federal installations; in 2001 West Virginia enacted legislation that allows Sunday hunting on private land, but each county can hold a referendum to ban Sunday hunting; currently 14 counties allow it. Recently several states have recognized the folly of Sunday hunting bans: New York: In 1996 New York opened Sunday hunting on three Sundays during deer season. Within five years the law was changed to allow all Sunday hunting, except on specifically designated lands. Ohio: In 1998 Ohio passed a bill allowing a test of Sunday hunting on public lands for a period of three years. In 2002 the legislature made Sunday hunting permanentÐwithout opposition from groups that had concerns when the test began. The state wildlife agency supported the change. Michigan: Sunday hunting was banned on private land in certain counties, but in 2003, all Sunday hunting closures were repealed. The bill was supported by the state wildlife agency. None of these states have experienced the horror stories forecast by opponents of hunting. The states continue to have healthy wildlife populations. Hunters continue to behave in a responsible and safe manner. Church attendance remains unchanged. Landowner-hunter conflicts have not increased. In sum, Sunday hunting has had nothing but a beneficial impact on these states and the future of hunting in them. Posted: 3/14/2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Re: The Truth About Sunday Hunting I'm glad we have Sunday hunting, especially since so many people can't do alot of hunting till the weekends! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedicast Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Re: The Truth About Sunday Hunting We are trying to get legislation through in Connecticut right now to allow Sunday hunting. I see absolutely no reason to not allow it. But unfortunately in this state hunters are a severe minority. As of now, they are trying to get approved, Sunday hunting, on private land only, during archery season. I'll take it, it is a start. Rumor has it that you will need to buy a $14 Sunday hunting permit, and have written permission from the landowner, on you while hunting, thats states they give you permission to hunt on Sunday. The $14 fee is B.S., but I'll gladly pay $14 to get 11, or 12 more days to hunt during our archery season. Chances are, this will not pass here in CT, but here's hoping! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest outdoorgirl Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Re: The Truth About Sunday Hunting tg your right...people have jobs and schooling that don't allow a lot of hunters to enjoy hunting during the week....i am all for sunday hunting....gives that extra day to hunt. i grew up in south jersey and we couldn't hunt on sundays in nj .....i really like it up here in ny with a extra day of hunting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedicast Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Re: The Truth About Sunday Hunting NY is looking better ,and better!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimT Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Re: The Truth About Sunday Hunting They are trying to pass sunday hunting here,,,except for the firearms season on deer. Makes no sense to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Re: The Truth About Sunday Hunting [ QUOTE ] The majority of hunters will agree that the biggest obstacle to hunting, and the biggest obstacle to recruiting new hunters, is lack of access and opportunity to hunt......... The most common reason that hunters stop hunting is lack of hunting opportunity. Hunting opportunities are largely decided by two factors: accessible land........... [/ QUOTE ] I know the following will ruffle some feathers..........and rightfully so. I know there will probably be many comments condemning the logic or rationalizing it away. But, once again, I will pose the dissenting viewpoint on this discussion. I believe what I've written below is a complete and coherent thought. So I won't post any further comment. Speaking from only what I know to be a fact in the small area of Pennsylvania where I am at............there are A TON of folks who own land...........land that is now quite gladly open to hunting 313 days every year.............who will, en masse, close that same land to hunting 365 days a year if this state allows the passage of Sunday hunting. I'm talking thousands of acres of woods and farmlands that I, personally, know of. I guess that doesn't matter to the guy who owns his own hunting land. But to the rest...............watch out what you wish for, 'cause you just may get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinsonovagun Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Re: The Truth About Sunday Hunting I think we should send all the liberals to France and then nuke that whole country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slugshooter Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Re: The Truth About Sunday Hunting Yep, thats right, this issue is all about liberals, but, considering where some of these no sunday laws are still in effect, it most likely is because of people who felt that people shouldn't do anything on Sunday except go to church. Well, thats great if you go to church, there are still some counties in North Carolina that are dry, is it because of the liberals, nope, it's because of the people who felt the drinking was bad or wrong, is it, not to me, but it is to some people. The county I live in I can't buy beer until noon on Sundays, which, it doesn't really matter to me cause I bought a 6 pack over a month ago and still have 2 left, only drank 1, the other 3 were used for boiling shrimp. Show's you how much I drink. Blue laws and more specifically No Sunday hunting laws weren't established by liberals, they were established by the more Godly citizens of certain states that felt people should be going to church instead of killing animals. I would very much like to have Sunday hunting here in NC but being here in the bible belt I am surprised that church attendance isn't mandatory with fines levied to those who don't comply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinsonovagun Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Re: The Truth About Sunday Hunting Nice way to make it sound like the liberals don't want hunting banned...... You're lieing to yourself and I believe you know it. I go hunting before church every Sunday morning, but will NOT miss church to go hunting!!! Unless it is a RARE occasion, which happened once last year............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slugshooter Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Re: The Truth About Sunday Hunting [ QUOTE ] Nice way to make it sound like the liberals don't want hunting banned...... You're lieing to yourself and I believe you know it. I go hunting before church every Sunday morning, but will NOT miss church to go hunting!!! Unless it is a RARE occasion, which happened once last year............ [/ QUOTE ] There's plenty of liberals that want hunting banned, and if I were a liberal I would probably want it banned also, but to blame liberals for blue laws is like saying a cartoon character is gay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Re: The Truth About Sunday Hunting i am definetly all for sunday hunting. some parts of Ontario allow it, some parts dont. in the county that i live in and hunt in, we are allowed to hunt on sundays. i definely see no reason why we shouldn't be allowed to hunt on sundays. i do not understand on why some areas of both Canada and the US have laws against hunting on Sundays not everyone can get time off during the week to go hunting, and some people work six days a week, meaning that they only have the opportunity to go out in the woods on sunday. the way i see it, sunday hunting should be legal everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Re: The Truth About Sunday Hunting Dont see any reason why poeple should not be allowed to hunt on any day of the week. Not allowing hunting on Sunday has nothing to do with religion. Seems to me that some of those northern states like Massachusettes and Connecticut are some of those same states that are not allowing Christians to keep their freedoms, why would they not let kids sing Christmas songs in school if they are concerned so much about religion? As for the farmers/landowners you mention gobbler, all they have to do is explain to the hunters that they do not want them there a certain day. If the hunters or persons do not respect and obey the landowners rules they should get what they deserve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Re: The Truth About Sunday Hunting I could not agree with you more LifeNRA! I will not pay out of state fees to hunt PA anymore. My money will go to a state that looks out for hunters. The only reason I hunt VA is, as of now, its my state of residence. If all goes as planned, that will change next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Re: The Truth About Sunday Hunting [ QUOTE ] there are A TON of folks who own land...........land that is now quite gladly open to hunting 313 days every year.............who will, en masse, close that same land to hunting 365 days a year if this state allows the passage of Sunday hunting. I'm talking thousands of acres of woods and farmlands that I, personally, know of. I guess that doesn't matter to the guy who owns his own hunting land. But to the rest...............watch out what you wish for, 'cause you just may get it. [/ QUOTE ] I know you said you would not discuss this further but I'm confused. Why will these landowners post their land if Sunday hunting is passed? Is it Amish country that you are hunting? I don't hunt Sunday's because I am in church. After church we have breakfast then I drive for about 2 hours north to go home. To be honest I rarely see anyone hunting. I can count all the hunters I have seen on my Sunday drives in the last 5 years on one hand. Trust me I'm looking too because I am always scouting for new locations to hunt. I doubt many of you see little change. MHO Ranger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Re: The Truth About Sunday Hunting Thankfully Ohio got rid of this blue law about 5 or 6 years ago. It makes a huge difference in my weekend hunting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted March 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Re: The Truth About Sunday Hunting [ QUOTE ] I agree with Strut. There are some people around here that allow people to hunt on their land. And like you said farmland and mountains. BUT, if Sunday hunting comes to this state, They will post it year around! I got the word straight from their mouths. [/ QUOTE ] WHat I cant see about this is. Why would the land owner post their land seven days a week! If they already let you hunt 6 days, then just post a sign that says, "No Sunday Hunting"!!! Being a printer, I will bet my paycheck that somebody will make these signs! I work 5-7 seven days a week, so I will embrace the seventh day to hunt! I dont go to church anymore so its not religious thing either. I dont see any reason why I cant hunt on Sundays. This piece came to me in a NRA email alert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billygoat Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Re: The Truth About Sunday Hunting Folks, Sunday is a day of rest! Always has been, always will and should be... of course I do my best restin' in my tree stand (lol) GOAT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckbuster11 Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Re: The Truth About Sunday Hunting I'm all for it. I'm not sure what the effect would be here because it would definately be a bit of a change, but only getting to hunt once a week stinks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarvDog Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Re: The Truth About Sunday Hunting I'm all for allowing Sunday hunting in Virginia. If not, maybe I'll just move back to Ohio... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alisha Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Re: The Truth About Sunday Hunting I really REALLY wish they would lift the law on this for our state. It's so frustrating to work all week and then get one day on the weekend to go hunt? Bah hum bug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornaddiction Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Re: The Truth About Sunday Hunting "wow".........no hunting on sundays!............personally I have never heard of such a thing, I am glad that I live out west. We have been able to hunt on sunday always! Sorry to here some of you can't! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Re: The Truth About Sunday Hunting [ QUOTE ] Speaking from only what I know to be a fact in the small area of Pennsylvania where I am at............there are A TON of folks who own land...........land that is now quite gladly open to hunting 313 days every year.............who will, en masse, close that same land to hunting 365 days a year if this state allows the passage of Sunday hunting. I'm talking thousands of acres of woods and farmlands that I, personally, know of. I guess that doesn't matter to the guy who owns his own hunting land. But to the rest...............watch out what you wish for, 'cause you just may get it. [/ QUOTE ] I have the same questions and comments Don? I know (or at least knew) you would post the other side of this. And you know what, thats fine, everyone is entitled to their opinion. As it stands right now...you get what you want (No Sunday hunting) but I don't even have an option. If Sunday hunting were allowed...you still would have the choice not to hunt. I don't understand the logic of the folks posting their land that they already have open to hunting. What is their reasoning for doing this? They could post it "no Sunday hunting" if they wish. Sorry, but there is no real good reason for not allowing Sunday hunting in today's times! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreeStandBowHunter Posted March 16, 2005 Report Share Posted March 16, 2005 Re: The Truth About Sunday Hunting I am all for it. If people want to go to church, then they should go. If people want to rest on that day, then go rest and leave us hunters alone. Alot of folks out there (not me...usually) that work on Saturdays to makes ends meet or just because they have to that do not have many oppurtunities to hunt during the season because of having to work. I think it would be great for all of us if they opened Sunday hunting....especially in PA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted March 16, 2005 Report Share Posted March 16, 2005 Re: The Truth About Sunday Hunting Everything goes on Sundays anymore. If some landowners don't want to allow you to hunt on that day so be it. I highly doubt there will be a coalition of them started to ban Sunday hunting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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