The Roanoke Times: RoundTable

Comments

# 1

[November 18, 2007 7:25 AM]

Will

Christian...

Having grown up in the country, I can tell you there is nothing more aggrivating than listing to the sound of gunfire early in the morning and continuing throughout the day. My father was an avid hunter having bagged many quail in his time.

He was, however, mindful of the fact that even people need a break from the sounds of gunfire. Sunday, not because it is a day normally set aside for the observance of faith in many denominations, is a day that can give people a rest from the drone of dogs and the sounds of high-powered weapons.

What you can't bag Monday through Saturday, you surely won't be able to make up for on Sunday.

Give it a rest.

# 2

[November 18, 2007 7:53 AM]

Henry

My first impression of the article was "They have run out of things to write about". Obviously, Christian doesn't live in the woods. Sunday is the day you can go into the woods without worrying about being shot.

# 3

[November 18, 2007 11:29 AM]

Josh

OK, everybody. This is another one of Christian's efforts to garner 100+ responses by ridiculing residents of southwest virginia hoping for angry responses.

Today it's a twofer. Religion and hunting. This, from a guy who abandoned his childhood religion once he found out it required effort; and who likely doesn't know which end of a firearm to point outward.

# 4

[November 18, 2007 11:46 AM]

C Ramsey

This was a very informative piece. From it, I learned that the writer and the Roanoke Times dislike Christianity and its traditions, or as they like to call them, "silly superstitions", even more than they dislike guns, and that really says something.

# 5

[November 18, 2007 1:18 PM]

fred gerald

I wonder if Christian (he sure doesn,t live up to that name!) Trebal has ever read the Bible which evidently he has no interest in or what it says.In

# 6

[November 18, 2007 4:18 PM]

C. Trejbal

Fred, I have read the Bible, some of it multiple times.

# 7

[November 18, 2007 4:57 PM]

Henry

Then obviously you saw that passage on hunting on Sunday.

You should do a study of Sunday laws. They were very popular with women who got tired of their husbands and boys heading off to the woods to hunt instead of going to church. Or fishing. Or drinking. or bowling. etc. Most of the Sunday laws were against "things men like to do without women".

# 8

[November 19, 2007 9:37 AM]

Jaske

Trejbal,
If you don't like Virginia's
"religeous righteousness"
Laws - keep YOUR comments to
YOURSELF - WE VIRGINIANS DO !

# 9

[November 19, 2007 10:38 AM]

TJ

Wow Christian,

You manage to state something I like, and then completely insult the heritage that's based on.

I agree, it's past time to open hunting to Sundays. Some of these silly Blue Laws are still on the books. For those that don't want to open hunting on Sundays, do the rest of us a favor and simply stay at home. No need to force your views on us.

However, when it comes to the history of hunting, you have it simply wrong. Humans have been hunting since the dawn of time, always have been, always will. The Hunting and Fishing amendment was added to the State Constitution by an overwhelming statewide referendum several years ago. So, there's no way that it was "snuck in". I remember reading about it for months before the election.

Somehow you manage to make an important point in your editorial, but then manage to slander, insult, and denigrate the citizens of VA with your tripe. It's time you apologized. We're also still waiting for that apology for you publishing all those Concealed Handgun Permits too.
I am not holding my breath.

# 10

[November 19, 2007 11:15 AM]

Brenda

As a landowner boarding Natinal Forrest, the only reason I do not want to see hunting on Sundays is because it is one day I can go onto my land and not worry about stray bullets from trespassers. I hear plenty of gunfire even on Sundays...target practice most likely.

# 11

[November 19, 2007 11:33 AM]

Will

TJ...

I'll fight very hard to keep hunting off limits on Sundays. Not for religious reasons but for the reasons stated in my original post.

If you can't bag it, kill it, or trap it in 6 days, then having at it on the 7th day tells me you shouldn't be out there in the first place.

Give the residents of the country a little peace and quiet for one day.

# 12

[November 19, 2007 11:34 AM]

Brenda

Dear TJ....for those of us who DO stay home...and have land boarding National Forrest on two sides...what else would you like for us to do other than stay indoors?!

Maybe you should get a clue. This blue law needs to stay in place.

# 13

[November 19, 2007 12:25 PM]

Lara

Keep no hunting on Sundays, please. Hikers, horseback riders, bikers, kayakers, and dog walkers all appreciate no hunting days. We've got to share the woods and I don't think asking for a day off is that big of a deal.

# 14

[November 19, 2007 1:03 PM]

Josh

"If you can't bag it, kill it, or trap it in 6 days, then having at it on the 7th day tells me you shouldn't be out there in the first place."

Will, that's the stupidest piece of illogic I've read in awhile. It has nothing to do with anything.

# 15

[November 19, 2007 5:51 PM]

Will

Josh...

You simply amaze me. Even when I agree with you, you find reason to berate, belittle and degrade someone.

My point is that if a "hunter" can't get the limit of whatever it is he/she is hunting Monday through Saturday, then giving them a Sunday to do it won't help any.

Get off your conservative soap box just long enough to realize that sometimes someone might even agree with you.

# 16

[November 20, 2007 8:16 AM]

Brenda

Josh...you should have typed "that is the stupidest piece of LOGIC"...if indeed you are concerned about using proper English and getting your point across. The way you put it out here is what I would perceive cancelling out what your are trying to say.

Using the term "illogic" is already stating you feel the comment was stupid...so in essence, you are saying what he said was very, logical indeed.

Example for you: "He don't have no sense" actually means a person DOES have sense. Get it?

# 17

[November 20, 2007 12:31 PM]

P. Davis

I strongly disagree hunting on Sunday. Where I live there are 400 acres that people can hunt if they have a permit. All they have to do to get the permit is show a ID. Hunting season is a bad time of year in our household. I understand the need to hunt and not all hunters are bad. There are a few who should not be allowed to have guns. My children have had shots fired over their head, my pets have been shot at, and my house has been shot at. Sunday is the only day we can feel comfortable to go out and enjoy our space. We also have to deal with hunters that do not dispose of the deer carcus properly. When I bought our property we had over 75 deer carcus on our land. That is just NASTY!!!!!

# 18

[November 20, 2007 1:46 PM]

Brenda

OOoooh. Just had a thought (amazing enough). Don't the DEER need a day of rest?

:>)

# 19

[November 20, 2007 9:13 PM]

Josh

Will,

It's just that hunting is recreation. It's not something one has to do; it's for fun. It would be like saying if you can't watch a football game or eat out or go shopping or go hiking or go for a drive Monday through Saturday, then you have no business doing any of those things on Sunday. That makes no sense whatsoever.

Brenda,

No, I can't call it 'logic' because it isn't. It's akin to saying 'stupid nonsense' or 'stupid tripe'. Nothing is canceled, sweetie.

# 20

[November 21, 2007 8:25 AM]

Will

Josh...

To a very large degree, everything we do could be considered some form of recreation. Even to some, work is recreation.

That being said, I still believe (as did my father, who I respected very much) that hunting can and should be limited to 6 days a week.

Frankly, after all this holiday hoopla about stores opening at the pre-butt crack of dawn for shopping, I've concluded that this whole business has gotten way out of hand.

Weekends used to look slightly different from the typical Monday through Friday grind. Now, there is very little difference and soon one day will be just like another.

Toward what end? Seems to me the folks that got along without shopping on Sundays, hunting on Sundays and all the other things that people seem hell bent on doing on Sundays got along just fine.

I sure don't remember any major catastrophies in our lives because my Dad wasn't able to hunt on Sunday.

# 21

[November 21, 2007 9:32 AM]

Stephen

Good topic CT. Hunting on Sundays is an interesting conundrum for sure. I was reared in the mountains of VA, grew up hunting/fishing, and I helped fill the pews on Sunday mornings. By my teenage years I realized that I could better celebrate life and all that had been provided by being on the banks of a trout stream. What a wonderful place to give thanks and ask for forgiveness and guidance. And in my youthful autumn spirit, on several occasions I was tempted to slip out the back door into the woods for a bit of Sunday hunting. Virginia is a great state, but we are a backward bunch for sure. I have not followed the Sunday hunting debates. And I must admit confusion on the opposition. Is it the Sunday church goers, is it the non-hunting folk that share the forest, or is it the handful of residents that happen to live near popular hunting areas? Or as Henry alluded, could it be a ploy by our beloved females to keep us at home at least one day a week? No, it ain’t our wives, girlfriends, mothers, and grandmothers that are keeping us from hunting on Sundays. That would demonstrate a novel, almost visionary, idea by a segment of our VA population. And I have not observed much of that in our wonderful state. I think I’ll go trout fishing this Sunday.

# 22

[November 21, 2007 9:34 AM]

Michelle

We have a problem with the hunters on the land that adjoins ours. Every morning during deer and turkey season, we are awakened (sometimes before dawn) by the sounds of gunfire and hunting dogs. If that isn’t enough, lost and starving hunting dogs often roam around our yard. They eat our dog’s food and terrorize our children. A few used the doggie door in our garage and ripped our garage apart trying to find a way to open the trash cans to get to the dog food stored in the cans. Hunters frequently ignore the no trespassing signs and drive or walk onto our property to look for their hunting dogs. We have caught them stomping around in our flower beds and searching through our garage and outbuildings.

I look forward to Sunday. I enjoy the break. It is the one day of the week that we can play outside with our children, hike our own land, and ride our horses without fear of getting shot or eaten alive by a starving hunting dog. As Lara pointed out, we need to share the woods. The hunters already have six days a week. They can give my family one - that is not a lot to ask.

# 23

[November 21, 2007 11:30 AM]

K.J.Light Jr

Perhaps a test of Sunday hunting? Open bow season on Sunday and see how it goes. Nobody is disturbed by gunfire that way. If the world order is not shaken to it's foundation, maybe gun season on Sunday won't either.
Quiet on Sundays will only be effected what, four days out of the year?

# 24

[November 21, 2007 12:56 PM]

Other John

How about this for an idea (and I apologize if someone else mentioned it earlier, I didn't bother reading every single comment here). What is instead of taking Sunday off, let's make Monday the no-hunting day. That would allow the local workers and out-of-staters to have a full 2-day weekend for hunting purposes, and would also still give local residents who live near hunting grounds a day of rest from gunfire. Perhaps the numbers of hunters on a Sunday compared to a Monday would be higher, but I don't really see a downside to making that kind of a change. It's worth a look anyway I think.

# 25

[November 21, 2007 1:03 PM]

Other John

I've got a second comment after taking the time to read everyone else's: If you don't like having the atmosphere of hunting going on around your house, perhaps you may want to consider moving (and did you not have the sense enough to expect that you'd have to deal with that when you bought/built a house in the forest??). In a lot of ways, that kind of whining is no different than the people who build a brand new house on an airport runway approach and then complain about the noise. You made the decision to live there, so you need to live with EVERY aspect of that choice and quit complaining about it.

# 26

[November 21, 2007 1:15 PM]

C. Trejbal

That's certainly an idea worth exploring, Other John. Moving the ban to Monday (or better, Wednesday) would at least open up the weekends and encourage travel. Alternatively, at least life the ban from private lands.

One thing everyone should keep in mind, as KJ observes, we are only talking about a few Sundays per year. The firearm hunting season doesn't last forever.

# 27

[November 21, 2007 2:03 PM]

Will

Other John...

The only thing wrong with your theory is that some people have been living in the same place for well over 40 years. To have to move out for "recreational sake" make no sense at all. That's close akin to the government taking your land without your consent for public use.

Not gonna work.

# 28

[November 21, 2007 2:08 PM]

Cecelia

Other John,

What a crass comment.

How do you know they moved into the forest. Maybe there home has been handed down through generations. As far as the "airport runway" comment well let me tell you that realtors don't disclose when a house you are buying is near or in a flight path to a runway - especially to out-of-towners unfamiliar with an area.

I used to live in a subdivision in Franklin County where MANY children lived and they hunted through the subdivision.

I feel sorry for those putting up with these inconsiderate rednecks.

It has nothing to do with religion.

The experiences of those "survivors" of hunting season who have commented here have my deepest sympathy.

# 29

[November 21, 2007 3:16 PM]

Other John

But how long have people been hunting in the forests Will? I'm willing to bet that hunting wasn't just invented less than 40 years ago. It's been going on for thousands of years...maybe the last 150 of which guns and rifles have taken over as the weapon of choice. The point I'm making is this: people need to take responsibility for the choices they make. When someone moves out into the woods and country, away from the city, they have to accept that certain things may occur. Those things are wild animals, possible run-ins with bears, hunting, the wonderful odors of livestock manure, and increased risk of wildfires. For someone to move out in to those rural places and expect nothing to happen is plain lunacy. They chose to live in places where those things occur regularly, and they should stop complaining that low and behold, they do occur! Do people in this society just have no common sense anymore?

# 30

[November 21, 2007 5:45 PM]

Will

Other John...

Perhaps you might be right; however, under current conditions the people who live in the country have either been there for generations or moved there on their own accord with current hunting laws in place.

To change the laws is not the fault of the land/homeowner and consequently the land/homeowner shouldn't have to feel the inconvenience of a few people who for whatever reason can't get enough hunting Monday through Saturday but also have to find a way to do it on Sunday as well.

I simply don't see it as the right thing to do.

As for common sense? No...it is indeed a fleeting commodity especially for those who think they can do or should be allowed to do whatever they want whenever they want without regard to the health, well-being and peace of others.

# 31

[November 21, 2007 6:44 PM]

NRVHokie

No hunting on Sunday is one day of the weekend (or week!) you can go hiking this time of year and not worry about getting shot. This tradition may have religous roots but nowadays it's nice to have one day of the weekend set aside for quieter outdoor pursuits.

# 32

[November 21, 2007 9:26 PM]

bluejohn

Bicker, Bicker, Bicker,
You folks miss the point. We won't be able to hear the leaf blowers on Sunday with all of the gunfire.

# 33

[November 21, 2007 10:02 PM]

Other John

Cecelia, maybe the realtor doesn't discole those things, but if I'm buying a house, I know I'm going to want to look at it, tour it, and see what the area is like. I'm also going to look at a map to see where it is in relation to busy roads, industrial plants, airports, and hunting grounds. Maybe I'm one of the few people who actually considers those things, I don't know. But what I do know is that it's pretty darn hard to conceal a jumbo jet flying overhead of a house...so people who were foolish enough to buy need to suck it up. With hunting, perhaps they have lived there for years and got the house handed down. But did hunting not occur in the past either? Just asking here, because I know that hunting is not a new pastime.

# 34

[November 24, 2007 12:38 PM]

bean

they should allow deer lovers to shoot hunters on sunday

# 35

[November 25, 2007 2:39 PM]

Tony

The right to hunt on Sunday isn't really about hunting. It's about equal rights for all citizens. Virginia code 29.1-521 designates Sunday as a day of rest for ALL wild bird and animal life. I've researched this code on the Virginia General Assembly website and can find no reference to 29.1-521 other than with hunting. The law is unfair, especially in a state where the Constitution guarantees equality for all it's citizens. Code 29.1-521 reads ALL wild bird and animal life. It should read ALL wild bird and animal life that hunters may potentially cause unrest to. Let's look at the law from a different perspective and a different viewpoint. Let's assume that the state decides that it's time to enforce this law fairly across the entire state. They make an earnest effort to protect the right of rest that this law provides for ALL wild bird and animal life. I would assume that would include ALL. Included in ALL would be the birds and squirrels at the shopping malls and shopping centers that could possibly be run over by an automobile. ALL would most definitely include the wild birds and animals that golfers may cause unrest to with a wayward tee shot. ALL means the wild birds and animals that live in our state parks doesn't it? All has a different meaning when it affects the activities of ALL citizens instead of just ALL hunters, All Sundays, ALL year long. Sunday hunting isn't about another weekend day for hunters to pursue what they enjoy. Sunday hunting is about what's legally right. What's legally fair. Most people that have never had an interest in hunting don't even realize hunting is banned on Sunday. Most people that don't hunt have never been affected by hunting any day of the week. I listen to the outdoor activists that claim they want a day in the outdoors without fear of being shot. There are thousands of acres where hunting is prohibited seven days a week. There are also thousands of acres where hunting is allowed. I feel both groups have ample public land access. I feel that if the Sunday as a day of rest restricted everyone equally we would all have to agree the law really has no real purpose any longer and benefits none. I would like to be treated equally and just have the choice to hunt Sunday if I want to. I think that people are so concerned that our state will collapse if Sunday hunting was permitted. I assure you none of the other 40 plus states collapsed.

# 36

[November 26, 2007 8:27 AM]

Brenda

Dear Little Joshi-poo...I am NOT sweet in any way...Where do you get off using pet names? You think women are nothing but creatures to be belittled?

If you are foolish enough to believe hunting is only for "fun", think again. My husband has taken 4 this year and ALL of it will be used to suppliment the food bill this winter. Not only that, we donated one to a family who could use the meat.

Get a clue, we'd all appreciate it.

# 37

[November 26, 2007 8:48 AM]

Brenda

Tony...thanks for posting in reality what I was only joking about previously (day of rest for the animals).

For the poster who actually mentioned those living up against national forest should consider moving...I am almost at a loss for words on that one.

The land we own has been in my husband's family nearly 100 years. The ONLY reason we boarder national forest is because one adjoining landowder died (I think in the early 50's) and DONATED the adjoinging land to national forest. IT DID NOT boarder national forest when my husband's great-grandfather purchased it.

As for allowing bow hunting on Sundays, that still does not allow for hikers, those who wish to go horse back riding, etc. to feel safe in the woods. If you think a bow is not dangerous, think again!

Now onto leaving Monday as the off-day for hunting, that messes up the majority of the world that is off on Sat. and Sun.

I say leave all as it is. NO reason to change anything.

# 38

[November 26, 2007 8:50 AM]

Fred Gerald

Christian,
I didn't get to finish my comments on November 18th. It really suprises me that you SAY you have read the Bible several times. Evidently you missed the part that says that man and beast are suppose to rest on the sabbath and keep it holy and be a day of worship. However it dosen't suprise me that you would profane the sabbath since I remember you were also agaisnt prayer at supervsiors meetings in Floyd County. I think you need not only to just read the Bible but study it. If you do I think Jesus will open your eyes to honor His word. If you have read the Bible you know you should love Jesus more than anything or anybody. Look up the scripture that says "If you love me keep my commansments" This includes keeping the sabbath day holy! I'm still praying for you!

Fred Gerald
Floyd County

# 39

[November 26, 2007 9:41 AM]

Henry

Heh heh

You complain about pet names but you call him "Joshi-poo"? OK.

I would say that hunting deer is less about food and more about hunting. It would be a lot easier and probably cheaper to just buy that meat at the store.

Tony, I have never heard anyone say that the state would collapse if we allow Sunday hunting. I doubt I ever will.

# 40

[November 26, 2007 9:54 AM]

Brenda

Yes Henry, I was being a smart-butt. Trying to get my point across.

Too bad you didn't get that one....

And no, it is NOT cheaper to buy meat at the store. It is alot cheaper to by a $40 license and work up the deer one's self (as my husband and I do) and now have about 200 pounds of meat in the freezer. What store do YOU shop at where you can purchase 200 pounds of meat for about $40...ALL OF US would love to know!!!

# 41

[November 26, 2007 10:29 AM]

Henry

Did he kill it with his bare hands? Let's see, there is a license, gun or bow, ammunition, clothes, tree stand, shelter, equipment, gas to get to and from the hunting location, etc. This doesn't include the various luxuries like an ATV to lug the deer out of the mountain or a cabin or targets for practice.

Hunting is pretty much a sport. If you are hunting for food, you are better off hunting at the Kroger and getting a second job to eat up that time you spend sitting in a tree stand.

# 42

[November 26, 2007 10:36 AM]

Brenda

No...he used bow and arrows. I gave him the bow for Christmas about 15 years ago...and he had plenty of arrows.

ATVs are a luxury? Well, good thing he doesn't need one or use one to hunt. Parks and hunts right near to the truck...or within sight of it and drags the deer back himself to the truck.

So...now hunters are better off getting a 2nd job? Obviously, you do not have children you care to spend time with.

Next question? (Dear God...please let it be one that makes sense.)

# 43

[November 26, 2007 1:29 PM]

t

I think its funny that christians articles show how many cry baby's and drama queens are really out there. For the hikers and campers hunters are who pay for the up keep of public land and national forest camp sites not you, so they should be able to hunt any day. They are the reason you don't pile your car up every day trying to miss a deer on the road. This article has attracted about as many cry baby's as the concealed weapons one. If you don't like hunting move into the city with your tree huggin hippie friends.

# 44

[November 26, 2007 6:00 PM]

Scott

I keep hearing people say that we need to "share" the woods.

I have a question, how come YOU non-hunters do not pay for the national forest?

Hunters and fishermen have to pay to use the National Forest. Hikers, dog walkers, bird watchers and bike riders do not.

On top of that Hunters pay an excess tax on their equipment which gives the government the money to buy and upkeep the National Forest.

I guess if you can not walk your dog, ride your bike or watch a bird in eight months then you proably won't get it done in four months.

Wow, I like how that can be turned around so easy.

# 45

[November 26, 2007 6:11 PM]

C. Trejbal

Actually, Scott, everyone pays for the national forests with federal taxes. They are the property of everyone. Hunters have no special claim on them. Same goes for state lands.

On top of that, there are a number of specific fees to use particular areas or park in particular places. If you want to see the direction things are going, check out the Northwest Forest Pass.

# 46

[November 27, 2007 6:37 AM]

Scott

Actually Christian, hunters pay for most of it.

What I was trying to say is, if non-hunters want to share, then let's share.

Hunters are taxed via the Pittman Robertson Act. Lets place an excess tax on bicycles, dog leashes and bird watching equpiment to help the National Forest.

"In 1937, Congress passed the Federal Aid in Wildlife Resoration Act, better known as the Pittman-Robertson Act. This law placed an 11 percent excise tax on rifles, shotguns and ammunition.

In 1970, Congress amended the act to include a 10 percent tax on handguns and archery equipment.

Pittman-Robertson revenues do not go into the general treasury; they go directly to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service where,
by law, they must be apportioned to the states according to a formula that depends on the amount of land a state has set aside for conservation purposes
and the number of hunting licenses the state sells.

It is estimated that nationwide, less than 10 percent of the budgets of state wildlife agencies comes from income taxes, general sales taxes, or other forms
of across-the-board taxation. A minuscule amount comes from donations, bequests, product sales, and other limited sources; while the remainder comes from licenses fees and revenues from the Pittman-Robertson Act and a companion law relating to sport fishing."

http://www.alabamawildlifeadvocates.org/PittmanRobertsonAct.html

So let's do some math. If hunters and gun owners along with fishermen pay for 90% of the bill and non-hunters pay along with the rest of us the remaining 10 % (not counting donations from hunting and wildlife conservation groups) and rifle season is only in for two weeks out of 52 weeks..... Giving up two weeks of Sundays for what little they pay is not much to ask for is it.

Plus, I never said hunters have a special claim. What I am saying is... everyone should have to pay to use this wonderful resource. It's the best money I spend every year. However, I have always found it unfair that I pay alot more then a $2.00 parking pass or donation to use it.

# 47

[November 27, 2007 8:20 AM]

Brenda

Dear T...I am one who does not wish to see hunting on Sundays although I LOVE to go and watch my husband hunt. (yes, I can be very quiet). Nor am I a tree hugger...unless you count when I am helping my husband cut them down for firewood and carrying the cut pieces to load in the truck :>)

I grew up in the Tampa Bay area, he grew up here in NRV. No way in the world I'd EVER move back to any city. I'm more likely to be the "hunted" by the all too common criminal.

Please understand that federal funds for the national forests and other public lands come from everyone's paycheck. You stand corrected on the "hikers and campers" not paying for any of the funding. Just go to Gatewood and see if you can camp there for free? (you can't). Go to the New River Trail and see if you can park and hike for free? (you can't). Oh yeah, and by the way, you CAN'T hunt at either of those parks....so...hunters pay for none of that independently from anyone.

One thing I do agree with you on is that Trejbal does a wonderful job putting topics out there for us to either complain about or discuss in an adult fashion (the former more the case). He used to annoy me, but I see he is not the one doing any annoying...it's the uninformed posters handling all of that.

# 48

[November 27, 2007 10:04 AM]

Butch Ammon

Wow... I am actually replying to this, considering the unforgiveable article on concealed handgun owners.

To not have Sunday hunting in this day and age is ludicrous. If someone wants to hunt their own land on a Sunday, they should be able to do just that. I don't own land in VA, but if I did - I'd be out there on a Sunday!

Hunting is a dying sport, to be honest... People work hard M-F and can't take days off work. Sometimes they work overtime on Saturdays too. Other times they try to get their sons/daughters involved in hunting, but yet on Saturday they have sports or other school activities. If we want to save the sport of hunting, we need Sunday hunting!

Lastly, can someone please explain this (the picture in the link) to me?

http://www.nraila.org/images/sundayhunting.jpg

Why do 43 other states in the nation not have issues with Sunday hunting?

# 49

[November 27, 2007 11:09 AM]

Virginia Hunter

Don't you just love it when the state tells you what God you should warship?

# 50

[November 27, 2007 1:12 PM]

Chas

One of the best ways I've ever seen this expressed...

"Virtually NOTHING that is LEGAL, both moral and immoral is banned on Sundays in Virginia....except the legal and moral sport of Hunting. This is a disgrace, and it is prejudice."

I have yet to hear the first anti-Sunday Hunting argument that was based on fact. The VDGIF biologists have publicly stated that Sunday Hunting would have no negative impact on wildlife. Theres nothing saying someone couldn't hunt BEFORE church or after.

As far as those that contend they like to walk in the woods on Sundays...I'm out there scouting and I can tell ya, most of you are at home sitting on the couch watchin the ball game or race.

# 51

[November 27, 2007 1:39 PM]

Al

For those who posted, "I hear plenty of gunfire even on Sundays...target practice most likely." or "Hikers, horseback riders, bikers, kayakers, and dog walkers all appreciate no hunting days," you're only fooling yourself. From what I've observed, the Sunday hunting ban is already largely ignored, particularly on private land. For all the other reasons above, as well as this, I say allow Sunday hunting on the public's land, and let private owners limit theirs as they wish.

# 52

[November 27, 2007 7:58 PM]

Jorge

My favorite part of the article is the point where he says that the state's job isn't to fill the pews, but to bring money to the state so as to better serve our lands and waters....

People, if you can argue that keeping the ban to Sunday hunting will increase revenue to the state, then maybe I'll listen. But I'm sorry, it doesn't. We all know, well, maybe not all of us, that the state of Virginia needs this revenue that can be collected from having Sunday hunting.

# 53

[November 28, 2007 8:32 AM]

Henry

Christian's two most popular articles have been on racism and hunting. Great. We are a stereotype.

# 54

[November 28, 2007 12:00 PM]

jerry

What happened to seperation of church and state? Why doesn't any attorney want to take this blue law ban on as a client? Why can the religous community tell us not to hunt on Sunday when they won't let the rest of the community tell them what they can do? I will give up Tuesdays for a day for the animals to rest and people to commune with nature. Get real people the laws should apply to all not just a few or special interest groups. when was the last time a hiker or biker shot by a hunter. There are areas set aside for these non fee paying activities.

# 55

[November 28, 2007 12:46 PM]

C Ramsey

"when was the last time a hiker or biker shot by a hunter."

Eight days ago, actually. Of course Howard Bowers was not a hiker or a biker, he was simply driving a truck on a public roadway when he was shot by hunter(s) who carelessly fired toward a roadway. Would driving down the road count as one of those "non fee paying activities?"

Before I get labeled as "religious right" or anti-hunting, I am neither. I just wish some hunters would be a little more responsible because the careless few give the rest a bad name.

# 56

[November 28, 2007 12:51 PM]

Chuck

LOL...some silly stuff here..
Its simple to me..I own land in Virginia bordered on two sides by NF..Bought it for the sole pupose of hunting deer. Dont need a license.. I'm a landowner. Save that money to step over the line into TN,KY,WV,OH,Maryland etc..I can hunt my Sunday butt off over there, if I so choose. Would like the option to stay at home, take my family to church and then out to the treestand in the evening. Cant believe we have seen our way to getting rid of all the blue laws but one.

What happens if we call in the ACLU?

consider this...If you have ever gone to a resturant, driven a car, watched a football game or Nascar on Sunday and will deny me the opportunity to hunt because of religious reasons?
You've got to be a hypocrit anyway you dress it up.

# 57

[November 28, 2007 2:36 PM]

T

I think it is funny how all the people that was complaining about Sunday hunting and giving reasons why it should not be allowed has shut up now that people are arguing why it should be allowed. The benefits out weight the few complainers. Some people think the world revolves around them. The fact is unless somebody is shooting right beside your house it is not loud in your home or outside. Ridges and distance muffles the sound. For hikers and anyone else who wants to be outdoor in the woods during hunting season where blaze orange and follow the law and you will be safe. Besides in most areas rifle season only last 2 weeks some a couple more, so that is only 2 to 4 Sundays a year that we would be out there, big deal.

# 58

[November 28, 2007 5:00 PM]

Henry

Oh yeah. If you wear orange, a bullet will bounce off of you.

What good is orange going to do? Aren't hunters identifying what they are shooting before they shoot it? Or do they just see something move and shoot at it?

# 59

[November 29, 2007 3:02 AM]

Scruffy

Noise problem ... Hey, I'm all for "Silencers on Sundays"; let's put em on those noisy big NASCAR's and Mother-in-law's too. LOL

Ya'll saw just how fast it took the Legislature & Gov. to repeal the injunction against having to work or get a compensority day off in Virginia a year or so back when they pulled the that boner whilst trying to remove some old antiquated laws, didn't ya? LMAO

Perhaps it's time Hunter's only had to pay 1/7 of their Virginia State Taxes, since they alone as a group are being singled out and discriminated against !!

# 60

[November 29, 2007 6:59 AM]

Other John

Jerry, having a blue law on the books does not get into a "church & state issue." Besides, if you actually read the Amendment, it only governs Congress passing laws to establish a religion or prohibit the free expresssion of a religion...it really doesn't even apply to a state having this kind of law. I wish folks who keep throwing this separation of church and state thing out there would know what the heck it really is and how it really applies.

# 61

[November 29, 2007 10:41 AM]

PL

Well!!! Been reading several of these comments and have some of my own...First, Christian, i don't like you or your stories, but this reply is for the other readers to consider.

I hunt on a combination of Private Land (owned by my family) and the National Forest which borders/surrounds it. I have to pay about $40 each year to hunt. While i'm hunting, mostly on National Forest, i am usually bothered or disturbed by the hikers, bikers, etc. Now, I'd love to hunt on Sunday. I arrive at camp on Fri evening, hunt on Sat, sit on my hands Sun, and then hunt on Monday...Guess what, i then have to return to work...I have bills to pay like most other folks i guess. Having another day to hunt WOULD make a difference in the meat that i eat each year, and the time that i get to enjoy in the woods. Looks like to me that a hiker or biker could at least yeild a few weeks per year to the hunters. We have to pay for Nat Forest land access. Why don't they? !

Comments welcome!

# 62

[November 29, 2007 11:25 AM]

jerry

Other John, My point exactly. The blue laws WERE created by religious groups to prevent activities they didn't condone from being coinducted on THEIR day of worship. Seperation of church and state onle says that no law shall be made that indicates support of government for any certian religion. It is being used for purposes that it was not intended for it to be. Please ask all those people who prevent me from doing things by thes recent court decisions to follow this same advice. If I pay to participate in a sport I ought to be given the same consideration as other people who pay to particip[ate in some other sport. Lets be consistant in making and enforcing the law. No Sunday hunting is blatant state supported discrimmination of hunting license holders. They don't even stop people who fish.

# 63

[November 29, 2007 2:41 PM]

Other John

I'm not a hunter so I haven't had to experience the trouble the blue laws pose to you folks...but I will say this. I'm also not dumb enough to go hiking through the woods during hunting season, whatever the day happens to be. If I did, I'd probably wear blze orange and have a boombox strapped to my back to make noise so I wouldn't get shot...and what good would that do? I think this highlights a possible need for some lands to be designated for certain uses only. Like make some portions of the forest off-limits to non-hunters during the hunting season, and likewise place other areas off-limits to all hunters year round. And then drop the blue laws and make most everyone happy. Or is that too difficult to implement?

# 64

[November 29, 2007 10:43 PM]

Scott

Other John,

There are some areas for non-hunters already. There are two in this area that I know of.

Noticed No Firearms signs around the Pandapas Pond the other year. Signs go all the way to the top of the mountain.

# 65

[November 30, 2007 6:45 AM]

Other John

Oh ok Scott, I wasn't aware of that. Not being a hunter or someone who regularly goes to those areas, I'm not very familiar about those kinds of things. Let me ask this: how long is the hunting season anyway? I thought it was only a month or 2 long in the fall, so we're talking about what, 4 or 5 days in a whole year?

# 66

[November 30, 2007 8:17 AM]

Jerry

Hunting season, for deer, is usually as follows: Archery the entire month of October, Blackpowder the first two weeks in November, Regular firearm rest of november to the 1st week of January. this is east of the Blue Ridge. I am sure someone can give the information on west of the Blue ridge. Yes there are already areas in county, state and federal forests that are posted Ho Hunting for various safety reasons. No one is arguing this is not needed. Some of these areas expad each year for various reasons. Again no one is arguing this. What is being discussed is being able to participate in a sport that a fee was paid for but has restrictions not experienced by other users of different sports. Again I say it is blatant state supported discrimination of holders of hunting licenses. Can this be defended by anyone?

# 67

[November 30, 2007 8:41 AM]

Other John

Thanks Jerry. Now this is making more sense, and yet less sense at the same time. If hunting is limited to roughly 3 months of the year, 2 of which are firearms only...and they also happen to be in some of the colder months of the year too, I'm sure a lot of the recreational use drops off a bit. Maybe not all of it since I know hiking in the fall can be a lot of fun. As for the noise deal, if the residents near the hunting areas have 9 months of the year with no hunting, and only 2 of the 3 hunting months with firearms, how does the Sunday rest really make much of a difference? I'm not really seeing it.

# 68

[November 30, 2007 10:12 AM]

Jerry

Let me throw a scenerio at you that is becoming more common place in the US as well as VA. I am an avid hunter and have been since I was a child. I wish to pass this tradition on to my children. My employeer now requires me to work 6 days a week in order to stay in business/meet his business needs. How do I as a father pass on my family traditions to my children IF the state says I can not carry out these traditions on the only day I hav off? Again I ask how does anyone defend this pratice in this era of civil rights and defense of the Constitution is so prevelant? should I be required to change my means of support in order to satisfy these state requirements, this before anybody comes up with that classic reply?

# 69

[November 30, 2007 12:07 PM]

please

get a life, be thankful you have a job, if you would rather be hunting then quit someone would be glad to work 6 days a week !!

# 70

[November 30, 2007 3:01 PM]

Brenda

Dear "T"...we have not shut up (the correct English is HAVE for plural..not HAS).

We have simply already stated our feelings. Any more incorrect observations you'd like to argue about?

# 71

[November 30, 2007 3:10 PM]

Brenda

Dear Please...what an earth are you talking about? Telling someone to get a life because they WORK? The poster did not say he hated or wanted to quit his job...said it made it difficult to hunt and pass down a tradition he loves.

I'll say this. If hunting winds up permitted on Sundays, so be it I won't fight about it. But for those of you who want it, get ready to pay more for your hunting licenses (or possibly a special Sunday permit) because the game wardens will be pulling extra shifts and/or hiring more to compensate for that busy hunting day.

To the man who hunts private land boardered by National Forest and runs into hikers, etc...if they are on private land, CALL THE GAME WARDEN and have them CHARGED! I can promise everyone in here that my husband and I put up with nothing when it comes to trespassers. We have a court date coming up after early next year due to one relentless trespasser who couldn't understand "stay off our land".

I disagree with blue laws always being religion based. Either way, no matter what the law, someone is always going to complain.

As for the person who says many ignore Sunday hunting ban and that much of the gunfire is hunters..yes..that IS possible, but I hear alot of it coming from behind the subdivision across the field. I already know which teenagers are doing this...so in my case at least, it IS target practice. Thankfully, my husband has no need as he is a deadly shot. Glad I'm not a deer :>)

# 72

[November 30, 2007 3:12 PM]

Brenda

Chas..I must disagree. See if you can get the ABC opened up on Sunday? Better chance you'll get hunting season to allow such on Sunday.

I for one wish the liquor store was open on Sunday. That way if we run out, we don't have to drink beer to watch the race or game!

# 73

[December 1, 2007 2:33 AM]

Ann

"Silly sop"? "religious righteousness"? Man, God loves you even if you don't care.

# 74

[December 6, 2007 12:30 PM]

PL

I agree w/Jerry. I too (as stated before) have a strenuous work schedule..and love to take my two sons hunting...w/school and work, it limits the days that i have avail to do that. I grew up in a Christian home and still practice those beliefs. I can however, assure you that i would miss Church for a couple of days a year to hunt. I feel that the Lord would forgive me for trying to teach my kids to live off the land, as well as putting food in my freezer. I don't see a problem w/that.