Sunday hunting bill easily defeated in Senate committee
A Virginia Senate bill to allow hunting on Sundays not only failed on Monday, it failed spectacularly.
Senate Bill 850, which would have overturned Virginia’s longstanding ban on Sunday hunting, was defeated by a 13-2 vote today in the Senate’s Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources committee. That means Virginia remains one of 11 states with a full or partial restriction on Sunday hunting.
Sunday hunting proponents might have felt a little hope this year as, for a change, big lobbying players such as the NRA and National Shooting Sports Foundation were actively campaigning for the bill.
But the dismal showing by the proposal seems to indicate that the lobbying efforts didn’t do much, if any, good.
Was that because the Sunday hunting ban is so ingrained there is no hope for a change? Or because the lobbying efforts came so late in the game?
I suspect there’s a little of both at work here. I think there are certain politicians who won’t ever change their opinions on Sunday hunting. I also think there are probably some who could be persuaded to reconsider their support of the ban, but it’s going to take more than just e-mail blasts in the week before a vote.
For pro-Sunday hunting lobbying efforts to have any chance of working, they need to focus on facts and statistics, such as those that address what I suspect politicians consider the most compelling argument against change: safety concerns of non-hunters.
As we have seen from some comments on this blog, there is concern among some non-hunting outdoors enthusiasts that they are risking their lives any time they go outdoors during a hunting season. There is ample evidence to the contrary. After all, if hunting and other outdoors recreation weren’t compatible, there wouldn’t be Sunday hunting in whole or partial form in 43 states. But until pro-Sunday hunting advocates can clearly show Virginia politicians that hunters and non-hunters can safely co-exist, few senators and delegates are going to go out on a limb on this issue.
I wonder if this small bit of momentum will continue and this effort will continue with an eye toward next year’s General Assembly. Or, in the wake of this resounding defeat, will lobbying groups such as the NRA and NSSF write off Virginia as a no hope state and put their resources elsewhere?
January 31, 2011 - 2:49 PM
I wonder if the 13 ‘no’ votes coming from the committee are truly the reflection of thier constiuents, or if they are simply voting thier own agenda. I believe it would be worthwhile to find out the member’s names and investigate the reasons they have voted in opposition.
Andy — Here’s a link to the committee: http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?111+com+S01
The only members who voted for the bill were Petersen and Marsden.
Just click on the senator’s name and it will bring up all of their contact information.
It’s funny that the non-hunting public is worried about hunters interfering with their time in the outdoors. This year I was sitting in my climber next to a lake on a new property I’d never hunted before. There was a nice feeder creek going into the lake, oaks everywhere, a nice pine thicket off to one side, and it just looked like a dream place to hunt.
Well I set up on what looked like a nice little game trail leading to the lake at around 2:30pm. Around 4:00pm I heard what I thought was a deer coming down the trail so I stood up took my bow off my hanger and anxiously waited for the deer to come into view… The only problem is that instead of a nice buck coming from the pine thicket, 4 girls wearing Liberty University shirts came jogging down the trail. They passed me and about 5 mins later ran back by…
Did I ever think of flinging an arrow blindly? Where these girls ever in danger? Did they even know that they ran by a guy 20′ up a tree and only about 5 yards away?????? No, they had no clue. I didn’t whistle, shout, or anything. There is one thing I did do in response to this incident… I didn’t hunt that spot anymore this past season…
The argument that hunters and hikers / riders don’t mix is bs. We hunters don’t like to hunt in the hangouts of the nature walkers and outdoor free-loaders. This ban is stupid and in all honesty unconstitutional. If they want a day of rest for the animals and the tree-huggers, make it Monday or Wed. Let them have to take off work every fall to enjoy the outdoors and the activities they love.
I’ve heard it said that the bill keeps getting defeated due to “archaic religion.” I hope we haven’t fallen that far. If God’s commands ever meant anything, they still do. The Word has not weakened or lost its meaning due to man’s moral decline. If the Sunday is the Sabbath, we’ve no business spilling blood and pursuing violence on that day. Hunting is nothing if not bloody and violent. I say this as a hunter. I was raised hunting and I will hunt as long as I’m able, but not on Sunday. So many argue that we can buy liquor and conduct other “archaic religious” activities on Sunday, but we can’t go hunting. To that flawed reasoning, I say that one or a thousand wrongs do not justify another.
Mike – There are some who, like you, oppose Sunday hunting for religious reasons, but I don’t know that I’ve heard much talk that it’s the primary reason Sunday hunting bills continue to be defeated. Were that the case I believe we’d still have many more bans in place on Sunday. I think the primary reason is out of concern for giving non-hunters a weekend day for outdoors recreation.
You make an excellent point about religion, though. Were the ban to be lifted it wouldn’t force those who don’t believe in hunting on Sunday to suddenly start hunting. The constitutional rights afforded to us grant us the freedom to practice our faith as we see fit. Within the law, of course.
Mike,
You can still NOT hunt on Sunday when it is made legal, you know?
How this passes constitutional muster is beyond me. It is a clear violation of the separation of church and state.
Why should I, who owns private land on which I hunt, be denied that because some horseback riders and hikers want to do their recreation on PUBLIC land?
I don’t get it and never will.
BTW, my Bible says to “keep holy the sabbath”. And Peter was told “Kill and eat” (Act 10:13). Explain to me how hunting violates keeping Holy the Sabbath.
And if so justified, then why is playing golf and fishing and horseback riding and hiking get a special waiver (from the state) for not being a commandment violation…..
I just don’t see how the government gets off telling me what days I can hunt my own land. If people want to utilize public land one day a week without hearing kabooms everywhere, I can relate, we all have to share. But I pay the taxes on my 165 acres and I should be able to trot off after church and put a deer in the freezer If I want to. Idiots, the lot of ‘em.
If use of public land by non-hunters was a primary consideration by the committee, as mentioned in the breaking news article, a beginning step could be to lift the ban on private land.
Whhooooooo Hooooooo! Now I can still relax at deer camp on Sunday. Not that it really mattered to me either way the vote went.
I was there this morning and, honest, I have never seen such a lop-sided, one-sided, debate/discussion on Sunday hunting! We supporters had the cards stacked against us even before we walked in through those doors!!!
Also, if I could boldy state: Thank you, Senator Ticer, for shutting me down – not once, but twice – when I wanted to come forward and express my support. All I wanted to do was, mention how I went up to upstate New York to my sister’s horse farm over Thanksgiving and went hunting on a Sunday up there. NY’s dairy farmers, land owners, horse owners, and other private citizens don’t have a problem with hunting on a Sunday – why does Virginia?
*sigh* I guess I’ll just continue to go up to New York and hunt up there instead.
It seems it will take a lawsuit to overturn this outdated law. It will need a lot of money. In the meantime I think we should organize protest hunts on Sunday. Its our own land and the government should not be allowed to restrict us. Just food for thought.
Butch — By the vote it’s pretty clear the panel was pretty one-sided. What about those who showed up? How did the pro- and anti- Sunday hunting sides compare? And who was allowed to speak?
I say we hunters should stick together and not purchase licenses this year and maybe the game commission and our legislators will get the hint, we can take a year off so to speak.
I realize this is an extreme measure but it may take this sacrifice to get things changed! I am thinking about not purchasing any licenses this year and just hunting on my own land.
Besides, according to the Bible the Sabbath is on Saturday, not Sunday (the first day of the week, according to God’s Word.
The heck with giving the animals a rest! I’m the one needing a day of rest after hunting and working all week! There’s going to be many arguments on each side of this subject. I agree with the statements for those that own their land and should be able to hunt on Sunday.
Maybe the next bill introduced should be to allow Sunday hunting on privately owned land and leave public land as-is.
I just can’t believe we aren’t allowed to hunt on Sundays in VA. A man or woman works hard Monday-Friday and sometimes having to work on Saturdays too which leaves little time to hunt. I’m lucky enough that I live on the State Line that I can go down to NC and hunt on Sundays but I’d much rather be hunting my leased farmland in VA! It’s just not fair and there seems to be a hidden agenda as to why they won’t pass this bill. They could move one step forward and allow bow hunting on Sundays like NC did which would be fine by me so folks wouldn’t have to worry about the noise of guns or accidentally shot.
Come on VA – hear our pleads to hunt on Sunday!
you know what is funny? Ticer voted against this bill and is sponsoring a bill for food stamp assistance for convicted drug related felons! How about we give’em some deer meat from Sunday hunts instead!
What do we expect from individuals that would vote to keep control of a fishery (menhaden)instead of charging that task to professionals who can actually identify a menhaden from a sardine. I think what bothers me most about it is that they are being bought so cheaply. In most cases Omega protein is only donating around 2k per campaign.
Mark,
This is off topic, but today’s Groupon coupon offer in Roanoke offered discount fly fishing lessons through Willis-based New River Fly Fishing. The offer states that “Since fly-fishing lessons take place on a private stream, no Virginia freshwater fishing license is required for this location.” According to Virginia DGIF’s fishing regulations, this is against the law. Looking for your input here on whether I’m misinterpreting as it doesn’t appear that any of the exceptions for no-license fishing are met, unless they consider the paying customers tenants?
Im with Randy. Boycot the 2011-12 hunting season and lets all get paintball guns and run around shooting each other every sunday . We just have to find where all the people that use the national forest on sunday to scare the crap out of them while we’re playing .LOL. The only problem is I hear about all these people that use the mountains on sunday but i’ve never seen any.They must be out there taking pictures of the mountain lions that I haven’t seen either.It’ because for every person in the woods on sunday (if it were legal) there would be at least 100 hunters and I don’t know about you but if what I was doing interfeired with what 100 people were doing id find somewhere else to do it. And for the farmers why does the government give them money and damage stamps for daage game animals do when the farmers wont even give hunters permission to hunt.If there gonna give them money they should have to allow hunting instead of letting there buddies have the damage stamps to go out and slaughter.Its all about the christians the ploiticians dont want to lose there vote so they vote against sunday hunting thats all it is. Virginia mite as well let the most radical preacher make all the laws and rules . I dont worship and this is why they always contradict themselves and word the bible to suit them . HIPOCRITS.what we need is a CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT.
“Butch — By the vote it’s pretty clear the panel was pretty one-sided. What about those who showed up? How did the pro- and anti- Sunday hunting sides compare? And who was allowed to speak?”
Hi Mark… The people who showed up seemed to be an even split. But what was rather poorly managed, was how the general comments were handled. The Sunday hunting supporters were hardly given any time, while the opposition was given more time, and they were even asked if there were any more comments! They did not do that for the Sunday hunting supporters!
Pro Sunday hunting speakers: NSSF, NRA, Delta Waterfowl, VCDL, and the Govenor’s office sent a rep.
Anti Sunday hunting speakers: VA Farm Bureau, VHDA, a couple of equine organizations, a mother from NOVA who is scared because her yard backs up to public hunting land, ..numerous other citizens. But most alarming was a grandfather who spoke out that he has to keep the grandchildren inside from Sept 1st until around 2nd week of January, not including Sundays, to keep them safe. My honest opinion? When that grandfather stood up and said that, it was all over…
I have been in Richmond to lobby some issues before and I have sat thru commitee and sub-commitee hearings just like this one. This whole issue was decided before the commitee ever met. Listen to the way Butch describes the lop sided speakers and you will hear how OUR politicians REPRESENT us in Richmond. This is not just a sunday hunting issue but an every bill issue. This is how our Commonwealth’s leadership likes to conduct bussiness. One of the few bi-parisan agreements in Richmond right now is how bussiness is conducted. The will of the few seems to always prevail. We as Citizens not just hunters, need to remember this when you vote. Also, go see you rep. at their home office when the Assembly is not in session. Term limits and recorded commitee/sub-commitee hearings would help the problem. With these measures in place it wiould easier to hold our rep. accountable. When you go to church on sunday pray for some true statesmen to lead our Commonwealth and Nation, not professional politicians.
To Butch and everyone else that was in Richmond fighting for us THANK YOU!
I think this is a bunch of hog wash. Let the people of Virginia vote yes or no. Why can’t I hunt on sundays if you can fish,water ski,play football or baketball. Lets make it all equal. It’s no worst letting us in the woods then it is having race cars run the track and drag strips
We need to replace these people who DON’T vote the way we ask. Remember next election its not Rep or Deoc it’s who voted to keep this ban on Virginia.
Mark,
Y0u mention that the lobbying efforts may have started too late; I also wonder if using a National organization like the Sunday Hunting Coalition is the correct approach? Virginia, especially its lawmakers, have never been very embracing of “outsiders” and even less embracing of outside pressure to change (even if it is in keeping with the other 40 or so states who allow Sunday hunting). I wonder if a Virginia based lobbying effort, with consultation with a professional lobbyist may not be a better route to move this cause forward?
Very dissappointed in the “status quo” approach of our lawmakers. The only two issues that truly influence politicians: money, and votes. Until we begin to impact these areas that directly impact the politicians I fear Virginia will remain one of the backward few who continue to offer lame arguements in opposition to Sunday hunting.
Thank God our goverment did something right. They voted for the people of the state of Virginia and not a bunch of special interest groups.
I like what Scott had to say way up in the beginning. Obviously when he saw the joggers on his “deer trail” he made the decision not to hunt there anymore as most would. Thinking of areas in and around the Roanoke Valley that are used on Sundays by non-hunters I can think of Carvin’s Cove, McAfee’s Knob, Dragon’s Tooth, etc. For one, Carvin’s Cove is protected like a city park and no hunting is allowed there, and I am sure there are laws about how far off the AT path hunters must maintain. The truth is, hunters don’t want to be around a bunch of squealing kids (and adults) out putting their new $500 North Face gear to the “test”. I think it would be a safe bet that most if not all hunters would steer clear of such public use areas. I would also think that the game commission could fork over a few dollars for signs to post at all trailheads encouraging non-hunting outdoor enthusiasts to wear bright colored clothing and be aware that there are hunters in the woods.
I think the obvious solution is to allow Sunday hunting on private ground. That way, the landowner can dictate what activities he/she wants to allow on their land any given day of the week. Now to address the religious side of things. I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and it has truly changed my life and I would not trade it for anything. I regularly attend church and small group on Sunday mornings not because my wife makes me, not because I feel guilty or obligated, but because I truly want to be there. Being a M – F employee like most on here I would appreciate the opportunity to have the freedom to hunt on Sunday afternoons if I so choose. Just because I am a hunter, there would be no one forcing me to hunt on Sunday. It should be my choice and oddly it isn’t. Activities should be left up to the individual to make a decision not up to the government that does not listen to those that elected them. Time to send the politicians home and elect some that listen.
I was there also, and encourage all to go when any legislation that affects us is brought forward. It’s quite interesting to see what takes place. One bill that would seem to affect each of us dealt with fertilizer regulations. Sen. Watkins did us all favor when he asked that the bill be amended to exclude homeowners. If he hadn’t, each homeowner would have been required to file reports, and possibly subjected to fines of $250.00.
What concerns me about SB 850 is that it was presented too late in the day, and without any pre-introduction awareness. Support had little opportunity to organize. That’s not really true, we’ve had decades to organize. But it was obvious that support wasn’t prepared to address the stated safety concerns of others…..which is what most effectively kills each of our Sunday hunting bills. The national support testified about the economic, and social value of Sunday hunting, but failed to demonstrate hunting’s very positive safety record.
My testimony touched on the fact that there is not a Sunday during the year when hunting is unlawful, nor did we recognize any day of rest. I stated that there is no ban to lift, and that supportive hunters only ask that our Sunday hunting regulations be less retrictive, based on our history of safety. I also asked that, if Sunday hunting was as big an issue as we are led to believe, why have we never seen any legislation that would truly ban all Sunday hunting? I stated that it seems that each session we find it appropriate to expand Sunday hunting opportunities, and that there were other Sunday hunting bills this session that would most likely pass. I asked that SB 850 be passed just like the other Sunday hunting bills.
While it felt good to say my part. I knew that it would have little impact on the outcome. It was interesting though, when I sat back down, several people around me said that they thought that hunting on Sunday was illegal. I said no it’s perfectly legal, yet highly restrictive.
I am confident that if we want to see generalized Sunday hunting we will have to examine the lawful Sunday hunting that has always existed. We may have to challenge why our code declares a day of rest, yet allows hunting and trapping each Sunday, and statewide. I’m sure Sunday hunting isn’t going to go away.
I am one that was totally against it….I love to trailride and hike and during hunting season we can only go into the woods safely on Sundays, so glad they didnt’ take that one day away from us…I called every senator on the list to voice my opinion….
I am very happy that it did not pass…love my only safe day in the woods on Sunday, would like to have another day in the woods during the week, but we will never get that…Not all hunters are safe, some shoot at any noise they hear….w/out confirming what they are shooting at…these are the ones that scare me and I am even afraid to take my dog w/ me during hunting season…wish there was more blaze orange available for dogs and horses
As with most changes to existing laws and the politics that are involved, this is only one of many rounds that will be offered on this topic in Richmond. Numerous variations of legalized Sunday hunting are possible and have been demonstrated by over 40 states nationwide. Private land Sunday hunting should be the right of every land owner and is the case in many states. Thousands of acres of public land are available in Virginia for all nature lovers (hunters and non-hunters) that do not permit hunting any day of the week much less on Sundays.
Removal of this last Virginia Sunday Blue law is only a matter of time and arguements against will fade away just like the historical restrictions on other Sunday activities did approximately 30 years ago….
Kim
For the better part of the year people like yourself have the woods to yourselves, hunters have the woods sparingly throughout the hunting season.
Wonder would you feel the same way if they pass a bill that requires the casual forestry stroller to purchase a Forestry Stamp before entering the woods for a stroll or face a $400.00 fine?
Far as people shooting at noises… How is that 45 states get it and 5 don’t?
Education maybe?
Kim, as much as I believe we should have the right to choose to hunt on Sundays, I’m not sure that the bill was entirely fair. I agree that it’s too much to ask that we seek Sunday hunting access on public lands at this point.
What isn’t too much to ask is that the State study the impact of Sunday hunting and learn how it could be effectively implemented. In fact, a bill just to study Sunday hunting was introduced to the GA years back, and it even failed. I feel that VA has enough hunting data, and especially enough Sunday hunting data(since Sunday hunting has been lawful for as long as we all have been living) to do what’s needed to provide additional Sunday hunting opportunities that are fair to both the hunter, and non-hunter alike. I would like to see Virginia adopt a “Share the Resources” program that influenced respectful use of all of our natural resources between all outdoor enthusiasts. We see some of this already taking place in areas that restrict dog, and horse access, for example.
Sadly, the responsible ethical hunter is prejudged, regardless of how respectful that may have always been. I went to the GA yesterday, and purposely wore a camo jacket to demonstrate how hunters can be prejudged. It was quite amusing to see the looks, and hear the comments because of my attire. There is a way to work together. About 90% of all states have figured out how to do so, and none wishes to change back to Sunday hunting prohibition.
Kim,
You obviously do not understand hunting. See hunters like success. Animals don’t like people. The more people around, the fewer animals, and the less likely your chance for success. People would simply not hunt those areas with heavy use.
I too would love to know why it didn’t pass. If by golly it is because of Sunday being the sabbath day, they had best back off the Giles County issue right quick. The thing that gets me about east of the blueridge is the crying about how there’s too many deer and the season is shut down for two blasted weeks. For those who have to work, they can only enjoy the weekend and that my friends is just one day, (saturday). For the money that we spend to hunt it’s kind of a shame. Too many deer, not enough days to hunt em. Sunday would be an ideal day to hunt as it is for fishing. I aint much for lobbyists and I wont hang it on them for not getting it passed but I will flat look at who didn’t vote for it and see can we put a NOVEMBER on their backsides the next time election time comes around.
Sammy, Can you tell me if it’s people that make up the NRA or just a name? I don’t belong to the NRA but if they are trying to get something done that would benefit me, I have no objections. Politicians certainly don’t have their constituants in mind. It should be put on a ballet and let the chips fall where they may.
Kim Bevins, How safe do you feel when you drive that ton and a half of hurling metal and people texting? Everyday is dangerous. Please!!!
Kim,
I never run my dogs in the woods without blaze orange no matter what the season. Try Cabelas.com for some options for blaze orange for your pup. Also, have you actually been exposed to “unsafe” hunters or are you just reciting what you have heard? I’m not disagreeing that they aren’t out there, but let’s call a spade a spade.
I got the following note today from Larry Keane of the National Shooting Sports Foundation. He gave me the OK to share it:
“The Sunday Hunting Coalition is for real and we are not going to stop until we get the bill passed in VA and the other states that still ban or restrict hunting on Sunday. We are considering running ads in the 13 districts to ask their constituents why their senators stood with HSUS and PETA and against sportsmen and hunters and 4,000 new jobs for Virignia and $300M in economic activity.”
To clarify my comments on the lobbying effort, I certainly don’t think they deserve blame for this bill failing yesterday. The organized effort just didn’t have the time to make the needed impact on this issue, over which feelings and opinions are deeply ingrained.
Sunday hunting advocates should be encouraged by Keane’s pledge to keep the effort going in Virginia. The next 11 months will give the NSSF and others in the coalition ample time to put together the most compelling, data- and statistics-based case to overturn the ban.
Another name I’ve seen associated with the coalition is Rob Sexton of the U.S. Sportsman’s Alliance. I saw Sexton speak a few years ago at the NWTF national convention and I don’t know if there is a smarter debater on the hunters’ side. The guy is sharp as a tack and doesn’t let himself get caught up in the emotions of an issue. He focuses on data and facts. Again, Sunday hunting advocates should be glad to have him as an ally here.
Be certain, too, that supporters of the status quo are likely to step up their efforts to match any efforts from the pro-Sunday hunting side. And not just the HSUS and PETA. The Virginia Farm Bureau is quite powerful and has already made its position clear. Being that they represent private landowners it seems certain they will protest a private-land only removal of the ban. Other recreation groups also are likely to get involved. Again, there will be ample time for pro-Sunday hunting groups to meet with opponents to discuss this and maybe reach an accord.
Thanks to everyone for their comments. I think it helps to see the reasoning behind the feelings on both side of this issue. Listening to those with whom we disagree is how we all get smarter.
What these folks that want the ban on sunday hunting do not realize is that without the $$$$ from the hunting licenses they would have no trails to ride. Places to hike or roads to go leaf watching. The $$$ from the hunting license sales is the biggest part of the budget for the DGIF. The easy solution has already been mentioned. Just band together and have a boycott so to speak for the purchase of licenses. Sure the conservation police will give tickets to those of us who get caught but in reality most will not and those that do should all just go and have their day in court. The courts will get bogged down and there will be a hot shot lawyer or 2 out there that will try to get it overturned. In the meantime the DGIF will have to go to the general assembly and ask for funds to continue operations or shut down. This will have a snowball effect and make the people more aware of just how much the hunter’s license $$ pays for. True the cost of the license is a bargin for what you get. It is a deep up front cost and there are alot of folks who frankly cannot afford it. With the declining numbers of hunters these days the budget is already shrinking and the DGIF is doing little to help to increase the number of these license sales. They are simply raising the price of the popular licenses that do get sold. Seems as though that is not a really good option in my opinion. I’d be willing to bet that Virginia is one of only a handful of states that does NOT contribute yearly budget funding to it’s Game and conservation department. So it’s these licenses that are declining and the regulations on those that purchase the licenses that really should be at the forefront of the argument and NOT how we have a few folks who SAY they are scared to go hiking on any day that is during hunting season. I think I might have to stop swimming this year at the lake since i’m afraid of getting caught with a fish hook.
Ritchie I understand your frustrations. Actually all taxpayers fund the VDGIF through federal grants. So the non-hunter pays too. They pay for our National Forest lands through their taxes too. They don’t buy a N/F permit because their use is considered nonconsumptive….I believe.
And, sure we could all go out and renegade hunt on Sundays….but once the stories hit the newspapers, TV’s, and the internet, instead of just Virginians not trusting us, we’d have the entire country against us.
If you’re mad about Sunday hunting think about why you don’t have it. I heard lots of folks talk yesterday at the General Assembly that were against Sunday hunting. What keeps us from hunting on Sunday is our image. We were portrayed by the non-hunter as unsafe, and disrespectful…..all of us were. If you want to make a difference in Sunday hunting we all will need to address those two issues more than any other.
Maybe if enough of us get to know the landowner next to the property where we hunt, and ensure them that we’re good people and that we care, we’ll make a difference. Nothing could do more for our Sunday hunting chances than each of us getting to know the people next door. Maybe we agree to give them a call a day or so before we plan to hunt…..just to let them know. Maybe they’d have time to move some livestock from one pasture to the next, and be glad you called. Maybe, they’d ask you to hunt with them….who knows? Maybe if they knew where, and when we were hunting they’d feel better about where they were riding that horse that they love. Maybe if we looked at the people that our hunting may come in contact with as family, we’d take the approach that we need to, in order to change the minds of those that fear us.
If we really want Sunday hunting we need to recognize the great privilege it offers, but more so the great responsibility it brings with it.
You do what you feel is best. I will say that I’ve heard that next year the people that will be trying to gain Sunday hunting for us want to use hunter accident, and violation data. I don’t think it’s going to do much good if we have any accidents, and lots of violations.
We all just need to find it important enough to work together. Shake some hands and let folks know that you care about them, and their property. It will do wonders…..I promise.
29.1-100 Code of VA “Hunting and trapping” includes the act of or the attempted act of taking, hunting, trapping, pursuing, chasing, shooting, snaring or netting birds or animals, and assisting any person who is hunting, trapping or attempting to do so regardless of whether birds or animals are actually taken; however, when hunting and trapping are allowed, reference is made to such acts as being conducted by lawful means and in a lawful manner. The Board of Game and Inland Fisheries may authorize by regulation the pursuing or chasing of wild birds or wild animals during any closed hunting season where persons have no intent to take such birds or animals.
If you wonder why it’s only legal to hunt with dogs on Sundays….there’s why. 29.1-521 prohibits Sunday hunting, but 29.1-100 grants the VDGIF the regulatory authority to allow hunting (chasing) on Sunday because there is no intent to kill the animal. So in reality in VA, Sundays are declared a “day of chase”, and not a “day of rest”. I’m all for chasing, but I’d also like to have a choice. That’s all any of us asks for is a choice. So the VDGIF controls all Sunday hunting, but has no authority to allow hunting on Sundays as most of us think of hunting. No wonder we see so much opposition from certain groups.
This is my thinking…..we have it pretty good today, and have had for the past few decades. But when the change of command gets younger, and less tolerant of hunting, we’ll all look back and wish we had supported expanding Sunday hunting. If hunting on Sunday wasn’t good we’d have none of it, but we have it every Sunday, and statewide.
Good decision! Hunters have access to hunt 6 days a week. I suspect more vacation time is taken during “hunting season” than maybe any other time of the year so there is a lot of people in the woods during the work week. Does Craig county still close the schools on opening day??? How many hunters really are denied hunting opportunities because of this regulation…very few I suspect.
I was saddened to hear that it was shot down so quickly. Butch, thank you for making the attempt to express your opinion. I wouldn’t give up hope on this, all of those on the agriculture committee do have to be reelected. I see this as a great opportunity for us that would like to see this passed to lobby there opponents in upcoming elections (revenue, revenue,revenue!) in 2012 and 2014. Unfortunately this is one topic where we will have to play the game and let these legislators know that our voice will not go unheard. I was reading Bill Cochrans online column and I found it ironic that the Virginia Farm Bureau is behind speeding up the process for a landowner to obtain kill permits for crop damage, but was adimently against Sunday hunting. I counted the Sundays during the archery (early/late), muzzleloader (early/late) and general firearms seasons and it adds up to 2 whole weeks of untapped hunting opportunities that can help keep our deer herd under control. I wonder what impact the kill permits really have when compared to the number of deer killed by hunters during a two week period during the fall, just curious. Also how many of these deer are shot by a landowner w/ kill permits and left where they were shot to feed buzzards, coyotes, etc. I think it is time that everyone stepped into the 21st century and stopped living in the past.
Al
Don’t belittle yourself with the comment “there is a lot of people in the woods during the work week”.
I’ve found during the work week is the most time hunters are at work trying to support their families by maintaining a steady income. Besides the average hunter use what they harvest as a means to supplement their income.
Even some College students hunt and fish as a means save money. So why cut short those days to hunt for those days to sit around a Television watching football games drinking beer?
Still 45 States have come to terms with it and can manage it very well.
Where as 5 States remain undeveloped in Sunday hunting as a sand dune in the Middle East.
With the potential for seprate licences for Bear, Deer, Turkey the increase in cost to the hunter is likely to continue; however, increased access, via Sunday hunting, is not considered. Clearly the only way to have a chance to overturn this law is to increase awareness and visability. Would it be able to put this law to a referendum vote? How about make it an issue come election time?
I hear everyones arguement but for the people against it there are just as many people shooting on sunday as any other day of the week. Just step outside and you will hear it.So allowing people not to be able to hunt is just another way to gripe about hunters
AR-Constitution: Proposed Amendment 1, Arkansas Hunting Rights Amendment (2010)
http://www.bluehogreport.com/2010/11/02/ar-constitution-proposed-amendment-1-arkansas-hunting-rights-amendment-2010/
Not surprisingly, the revenue from hunting and fishing licenses makes up a great deal of G&F’s funding. (Prior to Amendment 75, passed in 1996, which levied a 1/8 cent sales tax for conservation and of which G&F receives about $25 million per year, licenses fees were more or less all of the money G&F had.) The reason I think Proposed Amendment 1 could be a big deal is because, should it pass and establish a right to hunt and fish, an argument could then be made that the state (via AG&FC) should not be able to charge for that right. If so, they would remove some chunk of funding from the fiefdom of Game & Fish.
EASING KILL PERMIT SYSTEM GETS MIXED REVIEWS
Landowners currently can get a permit from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to deal with wildlife that is damaging their crops and property, but it can take time. Senate Bill 868 would speed up that process.
Rather than waiting for a kill permit, which farmers say can take up to several weeks, the landowner simply could report the damage to DGIF and the agency without delay would have to authorize the killing of nuisance animals for the next 12 months. Those animals include deer, bear, elk and geese.
The bill is making progress through the General Assembly with the support from the powerful Virginia Farm Bureau. Many hunters say the current kill permit system is open to abuse and they aren’t likely to be happy with attempts to ease restrictions.
___with some slight revision passed Senate 40-0. Farm Bureau is no friend.
We are gathering supporters to allow Sunday hunting for all hunters at the facebook group.
Please join us here, there is strenth in numbers:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=291807261572
Is there a petition somewhere to get this on the ballots as an initiative? If it were worded for private property I would think it would probably pass.
I am all for NOT purchasing a hunting license this year and take a year off…or better yet, go to another state where my hunting is appreciated!
The “Situation Analysis or the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries”, dated 2/16/2010, states that the number of license sales in 2009 totalled 469,554. Let’s do the math! So simple even a politician and “non-Sunday-hunting” activist can understand.
469,554 x $120 (avg cost of obtaining license) = $56,346,480.00 Take that kind of money out of the state DGIF budget and see what happens?
If a non-hunter wants to enjoy the outdoors just like us hunters, they should have to purchase a license. Let them have Sunday but make them pay a user fee. Let’s just say for argument sake that there are 469,554 folks who want to enjoy a walk in the woods. Charge them a license fee to do so in the amount of $120. You guessed it, an additional $56,346,480.00 added into a much needed budget.
Then, let’s go a step further and establish seasons for when these non-hunting activists can take their stroll through the woods and if they are caught participating in their pasttime outside of their season then they are cited!
I can climb higher on this soap box but the anti-hunting folks don’t deserve anymore of my time.