Report says Sunday hunting would generate revenue

[LifeNRA]

Report says Sunday hunting would generate tax revenue

6/15/2005, 3:16 p.m. ET

By MARTHA RAFFAELE

The Associated Press

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania would receive an additional $18 million in state sales and income taxes if a ban on Sunday hunting was repealed, according to a legislative study released Tuesday.

The report by the nonpartisan Legislative Budget and Finance Committee assessed the economic effect of and public sentiment toward rescinding a hunting ban that has been in force since 1873. But the study did not recommend whether state lawmakers should repeal it.

The current law allows exceptions for hunting foxes, coyotes, crows and hunting on noncommercial regulated hunting grounds.

Pennsylvania would also see a net retail-sales increase of nearly $322 million annually and gain more than 5,300 jobs if Sunday hunting was allowed, the report found. The economic-impact statistics took into account a survey of hunters who said they would hunt about five additional days a year on average if the ban was lifted.

The study was requested by Rep. Robert W. Godshall, a committee member, who said lawmakers needed to consider economic data and other statistics, rather than letting personal prejudices influence them.

The House Game and Fisheries Committee is considering a bill that would allow the Pennsylvania Game Commission to authorize Sunday hunting.

"You can participate in any other kind of activity that we have (on Sunday), except for hunting," said Godshall, R-Montgomery.

Pennsylvania is one of nine states that prohibit Sunday hunting for wild game, according to the study. Thirty-eight states allow unrestricted Sunday hunting, and three allow it on a limited basis.

The study also found that while a majority of hunters would like to hunt on Sundays, the demand isn't overwhelming. A mailed survey completed by 486 licensed hunters in March and April — a 45 percent response rate — showed that 53 percent favored Sunday hunting, 43 percent opposed it, and 5 percent had no opinion.

In a separate survey with a similar response rate, 80 percent of farmers and other landowners said they opposed Sunday hunting, citing privacy concerns and religious reasons.

[Guest BuckMaster058]

Re: Report says Sunday hunting would generate revenue

I don't know how you feel but obviously if it's been banned that long. Our four fathers weren't for it. It would give a bigger opportunity but what if the resource isn't there. There would be no reason to unban Sunday hunting. To tell you the truth hunting is getting way to political and as hunters we got to take it back before they run it into the ground. What do the rest of ya think.

[HarvDog]

Re: Report says Sunday hunting would generate revenue

I would be for this if they opened it up on Sundays here in Virginia. I'm not even sure that they are talking about it here though.

[Jeramie]

Re: Report says Sunday hunting would generate revenue

Man that just seems odd to me. Id like to read into the reasons. We have always been allowed to hunt sundays. For religious reasons I agree 100% (I dont miss church) but if you hunted in between, no problem.

Was that the principle it was founded on? Was it to limit kills? Anyway... Still seems a little outdated.

[horst]

Re: Report says Sunday hunting would generate revenue

A friend of mine is a good example of why Sunday hunting should be allowed.His job requires him to work 10 or 12 hrs a day, 6 days a week traveling all around NW Iowa.He only gets 1 day a week off.Hes also got 3 kids.

Hes already had to give up bowhunting because he doesnt have the time for it.That means his kids also wont likely take up bowhunting.He still shotgun hunts but only gets to do it 2 days outta the season.I took his oldest son last year with me so he could have the chance to hunt deer after his dad had to go back to work.

This is actually a pretty common scenario all across the country anymore.Everythngs expensive and people are having to work longer hours and more days a week just to make ends meet.If there was a ban on Sunday hunting here people like my friend wouldnt be hunting at all, there would be no point in spending that much on a license.And likely his kids would never take up the sport, so youve lost a whole family of hunters and not just one.

The Sunday hunting being banned for religous reasons doesnt make a lot of sense either IMO.If an individual feels hunting on Sunday would be against there religion it should be up to them to decide, not mandated by the state.It pretty much shots the concepts of freedom of religion and seperation of church and state in the butt when they use this argument.

[snapper]

Re: Report says Sunday hunting would generate revenue

I personally haven't heard any "good" reason not to open Sunday's for hunting. If you choose not to...then don't, its really that simple.

These old blue laws are a joke...back when they were wrote, folks hunted to feed their families...I highly doubt if someone didn't have a good week hunting...they would sit around and be hungry on Sun.

As far as politics are concerned...until we PA hunters can get hunting listed in our consitution as a right and not a privlige...there isn't a whole heck of a lot we can do about it.

[buckbuster11]

Re: Report says Sunday hunting would generate revenue

[ QUOTE ]

I personally haven't heard any "good" reason not to open Sunday's for hunting. If you choose not to...then don't, its really that simple.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. I'm also surprised that 80% of farmers/landowners would be against it. Every farmer I have ever met wants anything and everything that messes with crops dead. I was really shocked to see that many against anything that had to do with extra hunting.

Anyway with that said, I would be really surprised if I see Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania in my lifetime. Just aint happenin'

[Strut10]

Re: Report says Sunday hunting would generate revenue

[ QUOTE ]

I'm also surprised that 80% of farmers/landowners would be against it...........I was really shocked to see that many against anything that had to do with extra hunting.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think it has a lot to do with farmers/landowners who are good and fed up with dealing with the attitude of a growing group of slobs. It's bad enough having to run guys out of your safety zone (and yard) six days a week. It's becoming more & more of a hassle for guys to allow hunting on their property. I personally know of 1000's of acres of ground open to hunting now that will go permanently closed 7 days a week if Sunday hunting goes through. I'm not asking or expecting anyone here to agree with it. I'm just stating what I know to be true should this thing pass. Again.............

Watch what you ask for. You just may get it.

[christsavedme]

Re: Report says Sunday hunting would generate revenue

This is strange to hear ..... I know there are states out there that don't allow Sunday hunting, but both states I hunt in (TN AND MS) allow Sunday hunting and have never had a problem with it that I am aware of.. Just kindof shocks me!

[wtnhunt]

Re: Report says Sunday hunting would generate revenue

Always been able to hunt Sundays here. Dont think allowing Sunday hunting would hurt anything.

[LifeNRA]

Re: Report says Sunday hunting would generate revenue

[ QUOTE ]

I personally know of 1000's of acres of ground open to hunting now that will go permanently closed 7 days a week if Sunday hunting goes through

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, and if they are farmers, they will CRY big time once the deer start eating thier crops really bad! I want Sunday hunting. Like I said on huntingpa.com, I am quite sure signs will be made saying, "No Sunday Hunting". I can only hunt on Saturdays with the way I work. I only have two weeks vacation as well, so the use of that is limited since I also feel I need to use some of that for my family! This BLUE LAW needs to be changed. You can do everything else on a Sunday, why not hunt? I also think its funny how some people are using the religion as a way of de-railing the Sunday hunting. Other states that allow Sunday hunting seemed to be doing just fine! I say times change and now its Pennslyvania's turn!

[pa_sportsman]

Re: Report says Sunday hunting would generate revenue

I agree with snapper. Opening Sundays to hunting would provide sportsmen and women with an additional option. Those who choose not to hunt [or allow others to hunt on their property] on a Sunday would certainly not be required to do so.

[Turkeygirl]

Re: Report says Sunday hunting would generate revenue

NY allows Sunday hunting but I remember they didn't always use to. It would be great for you PA hunters to hunt on Sundays because not everyone can hunt during the week or even Saturdays. I'm sure for some people work 6 day weeks! I know when I'm in the woods on Sunday, being in the woods anytime is like being in church because I find it easier to worship God in His creation. Good luck to you guys in PA

[too_pointer]

Re: Report says Sunday hunting would generate revenue

I don't have a clue why farmers are so against it, most of them probably charge hunters to hunt or lease their land anyways, should be extra income for them

too_

[Guest tunkhannockbowhunter]

Re: Report says Sunday hunting would generate reve

I am all for sunday hunting because i am away at college during hunting season and any extra time i could hunt would benefit me a lot. as it is now i only get to hunt one day when i make it home for the weekend. One reason i think they dont want sunday hunting is to give people who like to hike, camp, bike, and walk in the woods a day to be out there and not have to worry about getting shot or disturbing hunters.

[stevebeilgard]

Re: Report says Sunday hunting would generate reve

i've always had sunday hunting, and would greatly miss it if it were taken away