Sunday hunting ban just one of interesting political topics
Virginia’s General Assembly session got started this week.
Who cares, right? I mean, it’s just a bunch of politicians trying to repay their campaign donors and friends with special favors, isn’t it?
Well, maybe sort of.
But since I started really paying attention to the General Assesmbly — and, admittedly, it wasn’t until I had to keep up with their proposals that affected my beat — I’ve become pretty fascinated with the General Assembly. Some of the GA’s antics can be pretty interesting. Even downright entertaining.
This session many folks expect the topic of Sunday hunting to be a big deal.
We all know that the Sunday hunting ban comes up every session in some way, shape or form. And it quickly gets killed.
There was some thinking that Sunday hunting bills might have a little more momentum than usual last year when influential groups such as the National Shooting Sports Foundation put a public lobbying effort, albeit a last-minute one, behind efforts to lift the ban. Alas, Sunday hunting was shot down as quickly as usual.
This year the NSSF, NRA and other groups got started earlier. And sportsmen against the ban are more organized than ever. Even the DGIF’s board finally took a stance, saying it’s time for the ban to ride off into the sunset.
A couple of bills to overturn the ban have been introduced so far. Senate Bill 151, introduced by Sen. Phillip Puckett, D-Tazewell, completely lifts the ban. Senate Bill173, from Sen. J. Chapman Petersen, D-Fairfax, would allow Sunday hunting on private land only.
I’m working with our Richmond reporter on a piece on the Sunday hunting ban, efforts to overturn it and efforts to keep it in place.
One thing I need is to talk to some private landowners who are in favor of the ban, as well as some who would like to see it lifted. If anyone has a suggestion for a landowner who has particularly strong feelings either way, please e-mail the info to me at mark.taylor@roanoke.com.
Of course feel free to post your own thoughts on the Sunday hunting ban below.
I’d also like to hear opinions on House Bill 150, one of the more interesting proposals to come out yet. This one would direct the DGIF board to establish policies that would forbid conservation police officers from hunting or fishing in their area of patrol.
I have a call into the office so Del. Margaret Ransone, R-Kinsale, the bill’s patron, to inquire about the rationale behind the proposal. Having not heard back I can only speculate for now, and I suspect it has to do with concern about potential conflicts of interest. By that I mean there could be a perception that a landowner who gives a CPO permission to hunt or fish will get special treatment by that CPO. You know, extra patrols, etc. I could see why there could be a concern about that, but this bill seems pretty extreme and I would be shocked if it gets very far.
I’ll be touching on a few of the bills in a notebook on tomorrow’s Outdoors page in The Roanoke Times. You can find a full rundown of hunting-, fishing- and boating-related bills on the DGIF web site.
January 12, 2012 - 11:48 AM
Bill 150 is ridiculous. You might as well not have regular law enforcement not shop in their home cities/counties. I mean they might shop at ABC more then XYZ and it could be considered a favor to the ABC store owner.
Speaking of ABC, then no ABC agent would be able to buy alcohol anywhere in the state.
I know that is not in the bill but just so outrageous examples to go along with an outrageous proposed law.
I have very mixed emotions regarding hunting on Sunday. While I may not completely support the idea, I understand the position of those who favor Sunday hunting. There are many sportsmen who only have weekends off from work, and another day to enjoy their chosen sport would be welcomed. If private landowners do not support Sunday hunting on their land, then it is within their power to not allow it. If the land has a hunting lease, and the landowner does not approve of Sunday hunting, then have that clause in the lease. If you lease land, and want to hunt on Sunday, but the landowner says “No”, you may not choose to renew your lease. Public land presents a whole other set of issues. Some sportsmen only have public on which to hunt. So only allowing it on private land would negatively affect them. I know there are some politically powerful groups against Sunday hunting, so we’ll see what happens…
I fully support the lifting of the ban on Sunday hunting, but only on private land or private land being leased by another party.There are alot of non-hunters who want to have safe access to public lands on Sundays during the hunting season and I respect their right to use it so to me it should be the exception. But if a landowner wants to use his property for a Sunday afternoon hunt or allow his friends or neighbors to do the same he should have that right. I believe we have far too many government restrictions on what we can and cannot do with property that we own and continue to pay taxes on each year.
I fully support Sunday hunting, many years ago when this was put into law we had “blue laws” in effect. Nobody complains about stores being open on Sunday now do they. The “others” and I have heard this many times before who support a Sunday ban state that we need to give wildlife a day of rest. Well I have only seen in cartoons where wildlife actually uses a calendar to keep track of hunting season. Lift the ban it will increase the states income in all aspects, people who only get 2 days to hunt will be spending more dollars. I am a land owner and I would like to see it lifted across the state. If you don’t support it do not allow Sunday hunting it’s that simple, BUT on the other hand I would also want it open on public lands due to the simple fact that my license fees go to support such lands. IF it were not for the Sportsman of Virginia and other states there wouldn’t be any public land. THAT is a fact plan and simple, no other sports equipement is taxed to support such lands and access to such. So if it’s going to be passed I want it across the board!
Sportsman fund all public lands state and federal so if Sunday hunting is passed and private land owners do not want it then pass it and allow it on public lands.
I would strongly encourage you to reach out and do some reporting in Northern Virginia on this. While most folks in the Roanoke Area can easily get out of town after work (or before work) to get some hunting in during the week, if you live in Northern Virginia (where the vast majority of the Virginia population does) you are generally looking at a minimum 1 hour drive to get out to a place where you can hunt with a rifle or muzzleloader (bow hunting’s a bit different – but even then its VERY tough to find landowners or their neighbors who welcome you).
Add in, Rush Hour traffic, and it means I have to take 1/2 a day off in order to get in an hour of hunting in the evening.
Saturday’s are generally not available – between scouts, baseball, football, soccer, and other kid stuff.
As a result, many children who might otherwise have an interest in hunting, are effectively prevented from hunting because while I can cut out of work, I’m not pulling my son from school.
In addition, the idea that I should be in Church on Sunday is ludicrous. What if I were Jewish or Muslim, and I went to church on a Saturday. What If I go to Sunday evening services? Or Saturday evening services? Or don’t go at all?
As far as a day of rest – that’s just an asinine argument propagated by PETA wackos and their enablers in the Virginia Farm Bureau.
THE SUNDAY HUNTING BAN IS A RIDICULOUS, ANTIQUATED LAW!!!!!!
Why should the government tell me what I can or cannot do on a certain day of the week?! It absolutely makes no sense. a legal activity should be legal ALL the time! And to lift the Sunday hunting ban on only certain lands is even more ridiculous! The ban should be off everywhere, not just select lands or private lands! where’s the fairness in that!?!?!? So the public land hunter is to be penalized?!?!
And If the law ties back to religous origins shouldn’t that be an individual’s choice?!? If I choose to keep the sabbath holy by not hunting or skip hunting to attend worship services than it should be MY decision NOT the Governments! And even though I probably would not hunt on Sunday I don’t think the State should make that decision for me!!!
I have never understood the Sunday Hunting Ban?! Why is it that you can do so many other things on Sunday that could be percieved as much worse… more sinful… less holy… etc. etc. You can drink, smoke, hang out at bars, fish, shop, gamble, work, attend sporting events, visit the Hooters gals, and the list could go on and on.
Bottom line…. the ban should be lifted
It is time for this throwback to the rule of the British Crown law to go the way that all of the other blue laws have gone. Imagine if someone said you can’t fish on Sunday because the animals need a day of rest, absurd.
The law change that we seek would not say that anyone MUST participate in Sunday hunting. Virginians are only seeking the freedom and liberty to choose what we do with our Sunday. The woods can be shared equally and safely just the like the vast majority of the rest of the nation has proven.
The doom and gloom sayers are just that, doom and gloom sayers.
You can join in on the effort here:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/vasundayhunting4all/
This ancient and archaic Blue Law has been on the books decades longer than any other. It simply has no social or biological reason to be imposed upon those of us who have to work for a living Monday through Friday. If there are people who don’t want to hunt on Sunday, that’s their choice. When the ban is removed, no one will make them hunt on Sunday. When the ban is removed, I will not hunt every Sunday but I will have the choice to do so if I wish. Hunting will then join the list of every other activity that is allowed on Sunday… worship, shopping, fishing, golf, work, mowing, leaf blowing, purchasing alcohol, political campaigning, etc. Can anyone provide a list of other activities that are BANNED ON SUNDAY in the state of VA?
I fully support lifting the ban but it needs to be all or nothing on the private versus public land. It would not be fair for the public land hunters especially on land that borders lots of private land. I think we should be pushing for bow hunting only on Sundays to start with to soften up everyone’s stance. Just think how good those early November Sunday bowhunts would be!!!
I have been a die hard hunter for 40 years and I still say HELL NO TO SUNDAY HUNTING…………You have 10 weeks or more to hunt deer. If you can not manage your time off you have personal issues. Deal with it.
i agree with countertop.the only day i can plan a hunt with my kids and know school or sports wont get in the way is sun.as of now you can bow hunt on sun. in north carolina and if you ever go out west there are no sunday bans.
Sammy — Thanks for the comment. I think it’s important for us to realize that there are hunters who favor the status quo. Could you please tell us why you favor keeping the ban in place? Thanks.
I see a lot of comments in favor of lifting the ban on Sunday hunting. I’m going to go out on a limb by opposing it. During hunting season, Sunday is the only day that I feel safe walking or driving our golf cart through our beautiful woods with our young grandaughter. I love living in the country, and I truly respect those who enjoy hunting. However, we non-hunters need one day a week where we can feel safe being outdoors on our properties.
I know to many of you it would seem unfair to lift the ban on private land only, and to a certain extent I agree that it would be to those who only have access to public lands for hunting. But if we approach this issue with an all or nothing attitude, I’m almost certain that’s what we will accomplish…nothing. We all know that change comes slowly and begrudgedly especially when there are many with the attitude of “that’s how it’s always been done and it should stay that way”. To expect those in power in Richmond to lift this antiquated blue law across the board in my opinion is a little far reaching, especially when there are many more like Sammy Bass who irrationally support leaving the ban in place. Some folks can’t see when freedom and liberty are being denied to them. As some of you have posted here, what other enjoyable outdoor activity is banned on Sunday in this state?
Has anyone tried to challenge this law in court? Mark, can you see if there are any constitutional law experts in the area that would be willing to comment on this? It would be great to see a post of some Q&A about this issue with a constitutional lawyer.
I am a turkey hunter and am moving into the area this summer. Because the spring turkey season is so short and the sport has such a low percentage success rate per hunt, every day that you can go is very important. I really considered this factor when making my decision to move back to Virginia. Hunters are conservationists and many generously provide food for their community. Virginia should be encouraging hunters, especially private landowners, to move to Virginia.
I hunt… I also hike and mountain bike. I’ve always appreciated being able to do other outdoors activities on Sundays without interfering with someone’s hunt. I support allowing Sunday hunting on private land, because landowners can always ask hunters to not hunt on Sundays. However, on public land I would expect Sunday hunting to cause a lot of tension between hunters and hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, and anyone else who’s out in the woods on Sundays. And that’s not good for anyone.
A few years back, a friend of mine was walking his dog in the woods on public land, and didn’t notice a bowhunter in a treestand overhead. The bowhunter was annoyed that his hunt was “ruined”… so he shot the dog. Right in front of my friend. I’m afraid that Sunday hunting on public land would lead to more incidents like this.
Mark
I find HB 150 rather humorous. Is a politician really trying to say that connections and cronyism may result in a conflict of interest? I will support HB 150 as soon as Del. Margaret Ransone proposes a bill that campaign contributions should not be allowed because they may cause a conflict of interest.
As for Sunday hunting I believe that many are addressing this issue in the wrong manor and in a way that invites polarization as well as social issues and values to the discussion. It does not matter if individuals believe
• the animals need a day of rest,
• People need a day of rest
• People do not feel safe around hunters, or
• that people should be in church.
I believe the strongest argument is that individuals (hunters) are being discriminated against. There are not any other activities in the state of Virginia where an individual’s rights are restricted to specific days of the week. This argument does not take into account religion or safety so any issues pertaining to religion or safety are non-relevant. Including religion and safety in the argument only muddies the waters. I believe the best way to attack this ban is to ask the state of Virginia and the courts if necessary if they believe this is a form of discrimination? I think the answer is pretty clear that it is. Furthermore the voters in the state of Virginia about 8 years ago declared it is a state constitutional right to hunt and fish in Va.
Take the feelings out of the argument and the law is in the favor of hunters.
Huntersdad, I like how you tout “freedom and liberty” but then say to “a certain extent” this wouldn’t be fair to people who don’t have acess to private land and hunt National forest. That is not some exclusion that is
100% exclusion. Same old song and dance, what is good for me is what is best and who cares about the rest. I have land I can hunt on but I say if this doesn’t include ALL hunting forms and groups then it is unfair.
Yes Sammy explain to us why you feel banning hunting on Sunday’s and not all sporting activities as well?
As well as banning all sporting activities from television viewing as most programing was done until cable and satellite increased. So please enlighten us.
Please explain Sammy. Some of us can’t hunt but on Saturdays and most of us have families to spend vacation with as well in the summer months.Not to mention some Saturdays in early season I have ball games to attend. I get 3 weeks vacation a year and 1 week goes to family while other 2 is for hunting. I manage it well, but with Sunday as an option to hunt, I can use some of that “hunting” vacation towards a long weekend a few times with my family.
I am all for Sunday hunting, and can not for the life of me understand why people want a day of “REST” in the woods. Don’t you get that during the week???? When I hunt during the week, I hear nobody in the woods. So for you guys to say you want rest, thats a bunch of crap.
Plottdogs, which to you is more of an infringement on your liberties and freedoms, denying you hunting privledges on land THAT YOU ACUALLY OWN or the so called public land that’s in the control of the polititians in Richmond? I have a bigger problem swallowing the former myself is the point I was trying to make. I admire yours and others all or nothing stand on lifting the ban, but I’m convinced that with that approach it’s never gonna happen. Do like Andy’s take that it needs to be challenged in court on its constitutional merits…where’s a damned ACLU lawyer when you could actually use one?
Mark
I’ve posted this topic on the bowhunting.com blog and the responses are great from around the country.
I will try to splice some of them together but if you guys want to know what others think. give me an hour or so or follow the below link..
http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?30033-Hell-no-to-sunday-hunting
Thoughts on Sunday hunting Ban from around the country….
1) JustDad1520 “We have archery and private land only hunting on Sunday in NC and I enjoy it a lot. So to answer the question, I disagree”.
2) tynimiller “In my opinion it’s unconstitutional to tell people they can’t at-least hunt their own land on Sundays….thank goodness Indiana has no such law”!
3) Dan the Moderator “Sammy Bass is a moron”. Or to tell people they can’t hunt their own public land that their tax dollars help fund.
Differentiating between public and private is absurd.
4) Sticknstringarchery Its no different than doing anything else on any other day of the week. Yes I feel it is for a day of rest and as for me and my family, we go to church on Sundays and I didn’t hunt many Sundays this year but, if someone wants to, they should be able too.
I agree with Dan about public or private. It is Private only archery here and I am lucky enough to be able to hunt on my property but, I think others who pay taxes just as I do, should be able to do the same. Archery only, whatever. That’s all I hunt anyways but, all hunters should have the same opportunities.
5) ArcheryAddict21 “i live in PA and we have the same rule and they are talking about changing it.. i hope they do cause i dont have much time to hunt with college classes on the weekdays. STRONGLY DISAGREE”
6) Selfbros “I’m in IL, and I’m surprised that they don’t have a Sunday ban here. A lot of counties or townships ban alcohol sales on Sunday. This is because some religious group believe they are right and everyone else should follow their beliefs.
It boils down to one thing. Separation of church and state. This ban can only be in due to certain religious beliefs. I lived in Lawrence, ks for 3 years and they didn’t allow alcohol sales on Sundays, it took me about a month of driving to KC to pick up beer for the NFL games before I would remember to purchase extra beer Saturday night.
Stupid Sunday bans.. (extra because I would drink most of my beer Saturday. Hehehe.
Go Jayhawks!
7) Preacher Tony “You can’t legislate “morality” ….. let those that want to hunt, hunt …. I go to church on Sundays too, but I hunt before and after church ALOT …. I guess I am evil ….
Before someone takes my post wrong …. I do NOT think it is immoral to hunt on Sundays … but apparently some people do …. so they shouldn’t ….. just don’t try and tell me I shouldn’t …..
The Amatuer I moved to Virginia in 2003 and they been talking about lifting the Sunday hunting ban way before then. And I still don’t believe it will ever happen….
Because the right politician hasn’t the courage to do what 43 other states that allow some form of hunting on Sundays.
Or have been paid enough money to do so.
Lift the ban on Sunday huntin’?! Well that means the preacher won’t be able to see me at church cause I’m gonna be wearin’ my camo suite. I would hunt before and/or after church if I could, but I would still be at church, personally. If its lifted, it has to be allowed on ALL land, public and private. I say lift the ban and let people decide for themselves. Next up, a lottery system to allow hunting at Carvins Cove….think of the revenue that could bring in!
That whole 150 proposal is garbage……
So Amateur, do you want this passed only for bow hunters? Only private land?
As I have said before, “Why is this fair to only one group, bow hunters (where you posted this for comments) or just private land? If it is unjust, it is unjust for all groups,rifle hunters, dog hunters, National Forest hunters, and any hunter, othwerwise it is not equitable. Huntersdad wants to get the ACLU involved. God forbid any hunter wants to get them involved in anything.What sucks with our game laws now is the VDGIF dictates to specific groups.Start a season for everyone and hunt with whatever you want to hunt with and see how many people choose what weapon they hunt with, rather than getting prime choice and first chance for weeks and weeks to select groups.
Plottdogs, You are worried about discrimination, but limiting Sunday to hunting by activity does not really discriminate by the “type” of individual. Any of us can hunt using a bow, a muzzleloader, a shotgun or a rifle. Moreover, there are very good reasons to discriminate by hunting method and location. One of the most compelling arguments against Sunday hunting is that non-hunters won’t feel safe in the woods. This is just not a plausible argument when applied to archery as arrows don’t fly far and archery hunters are usually shooting downward. It is also less compelling when applied to private land because the landowner can ensure that hunters and non-hunters are not mixing. However, if the landowner is reckless, a bullet he fires can travel to the next property. Would you ban urban/ suburban archery hunting because a city or county doesn’t want dogs chasing deer through the streets and hunters firing their shotguns from the sidewalks?
This is off the topic of Sunday hunting but is related to possible legal changes. Every year I am struck by the fact that sporting goods stores sell “Deer Corn” and other bait during hunting season – and only during hunting season – despite the fact that baiting is illegal. This makes me worry that some hunters will buy and use the bait because they assume that it is legal. I also feel like a sucker and in my more paranoid moments I am convinced that everyone around my hunting spot is baiting and drawing the deer away from me. Don’t get me wrong, I would favor a change in the law to legalize baiting. However, if we are going to ban it, doesn’t it seem like the stores shouldn’t sell it?
Lift the ban.Enough said…For more information go to nrahuntersrights.org or check out the coalition to end the ban on Sunday hunting.
I’m not exactly a fan of lifting the ban but it’s not as though there will be much I can do to prevent it or pass it. The general assembly will make that decision. I like having the one day,especially at camp to kick back and relax and yes,I can still do that if the ban were lifted just as any other day,but that would be a hard fight with my emotions knowing everyone else was out there while I was kicking back. If they ever lift it then I guess I’ll have to deal with it and if it never passes then my feelings will not be hurt. Do what they will and I’ll adjust as needed.
It’s all about opening the door.We aren’t going to get it all on the the first go around.If bow hunting on private property is what opens the door, that’s a big chunk for all of us.We might not get all we want now, but hopefuly are kids will.If are parents fought for it we might be hunting on Sundays now.
It’s Sunday morning. Calm, overcast, 30 degrees. I would like to hit a patch of woods with the boys and some air rifles. Squirrel population control would be the challenge. If I did so in one of 43 states I would be within my legal rights. But in Virginia I will be treated like the guy who shoots robo deer from the road. I will be no better than the guy who kills 2 turkeys over the limit. I will be fined like the guy who is caught hunting out of season. A criminal.
Instead I’ll have to be satisfied checking cameras and pulling a stand or two. And I’ll continue waiting for Virginia legislators. Will Virginia finally come in 44th place or eventually come in last place years from now?
@Alfie
43 States allow hunting of some sort on Sunday’s. Are we going to continue to segregate those that pay for higher fees for those that don’t pay at all. Hunters and fishermen always kick in their fair share with no end in sight.
How long do we have to be monitored and told we can and can’t do if we pay taxes and the stewards of the land and those being controlled what they can hunt on their own property.
This nothing more than political and religious Chimposity at it’s worst.
Plottdogs, You are worried about discrimination, but limiting Sunday to hunting by activity does not really discriminate by the “type” of individual. Any of us can hunt using a bow, a muzzleloader, a shotgun or a rifle. Moreover, there are very good reasons to discriminate by hunting method and location.—from Rich
Rich, you say first “type of activity does not discriminate” then go on to say there are good reasons to discriminate. If this law is passed I feel it will be for private land and for bowhunting.Only a select few will be affected.I do not see this as being equitable.
As far as the selling of the commercial baits during deer season, is anybody naieve enought to think they are not USED during deer season?
How this Sunday issue plays out is going to get very interesting for sure.
@Plottdogs
No it should be opened and expanded for everyone. I posted the comment there because I like the blog as well as posting it on the Outdoor Channel Blog.
Hunting in which ever style you prefer should not be limited to one certain group of people. It should be opened to all that enjoy the chase and the thrill of hunting.
Saying that only bowhunters should have the woods on Sunday would be hypocritical of me…
Just as some private land have treated me as a race and instead of a man. It’s time for Virginia Politicians to shrug off years of oppressing hunters and let the Virginia Board of Game and Inland Fisheries and the wildlife experts and biologists them manage it.
Honestly if the forest was some frat boy fraternity of debauchery we wouldn’t be having this discussion at all.
@Rich
You are so on point on that observation. Here’s a *thought* Baiting deer will spread disease, but don’t they ban together in bachelor groups of deer and groom and carouse one another?
If you plant new plants don’t they destroy over $3 million dollars of newly planted vegetation in the Christiansburg area along? Isn’t that in some part baiting and running the risk of gathering and spreading diseases?
I’ve driven through Brush Mountain area and seen people throw something on to their property during hunting season. Yet I’ve only seen the deer come out to it near dusk when I’m leaving the area.
So what does baiting really do? Maybe we should get some advice from the hunters in Texas whom of which have been doing it for years.
Last *thought* if you put a scent wick and a deer sniff it and taste it didn’t you just bait the deer in with a food source?
How hypocritical is that!?
Virginia’s Sunday hunting ban law can be traced back to the early British colonies in Virginia.
Modern science confirms the Virginia ban on Sunday hunting serves no biological purpose and is counterproductive to matters of game management; and
WHEREAS, those states that have removed prohibitions on Sunday hunting have not experienced any discernible impact on the desirable health or vibrancy of game populations.
Wildlife biologists with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries state that there is no biological reason to continue a ban on Sunday hunting. States that have lifted the ban on Sunday hunting have seen no impact on wildlife populations.
Forty-seven states have some form of Sunday hunting. Some limit hours, locations, or species. Of the remaining hold-out states – Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia – all were part of the original 13 colonies which shows how far back these “blue laws” go. For many hunters, allowing them to pursue their passion on Sunday is no different from allowing people to fish.
It remains to be seen what the Virginia General Assembly will do if Sunday hunting is raised during the 2012 session.
Talking about about holding on to the past….
Hey lets ban SUNDAY fishing, golf, exercising, hiking, yard work, sports events, skiing, and any thing else that might offend evangelicals and take money out of the collection plate. Don’t tread on my property rights on my 200 acres, and don’t tell me how to worship a higher power – hypocritical Christians…..This blue law is ridiculous.
Sunday hunting is a win/win for the state–economics–etc. It’s a win/win for hunters who work 5 days a week and could double the amount of hunting by adding a day –and you know–if the animals really need a day of rest-(except raccoons–really-read the law)-lets make it Wednesday–(Biology does not support this idea)–Senator Ralph Northam introduced this bill recently–he voted against it last year–but as a land owner and a registered voter in Virginia-he has just assured me in an email that he will fight for the bill this year–we shall see–check out the website WhitetailArmy.org–it is time to change Virginia.
Many believe that our governor is a top candidate for VP running mate to Mitt Romney.
Maybe we as sportsman can use this to our advantage. In the past two presidential elections there was a fair amount of focus on the “Cabela’s Vote”. This may be an opportunity to stress to the potential VP candidate that his outdoor record is not exactly strong and does not look good on the national level. He does not support lifting the ban on Sunday hunting in Va while 88% of the country allows Sunday hunting. He has recently threatened to pull money raised through sportsman licenses (saltwater fishing license) to fund not sporting endeavors.
If McDonnell has aspirations of higher office lets be sure he is aware that his current outdoor voting record will not sit well with the Cabela’s Vote but he still has some time to fix his resume.
Well put Andy.
Bravo Zulu!
Some people are so wishy washy. This is about revenue, plain and simple! hunters purchase licenses to be legal to use the very land that is ours to use. NON-hunters do not purchase licenses, or contribute funds to the national forests unless they pay for access/parking at state parks,etc (where hunting is not allowed). I get infuriated when someone says that NON-hunters should have access during the hunting seasons. Hello? they have the rest of the year to utilize the land. Hunters only have a precious few months in the Fall/Winter, and 6 weeks or so in the Spring. Why is this FACT overlooked? When you boil down the hunting seasons farther, the fact that the whitetail rut encompasses such a short time, a deer hunter may only have access to 1 or 2 tremendous days worth of hunting each season….and that depends on the WEATHER! The blue laws were lifted because of revenue and the additional sales tax the state would gain. I have heard every argument for prohibiting sunday hunting, from religion to PETA. Truth is, no one has EVER been shot attending church by a hunter near the church shooting at game…EVER. The reason this gets no traction, is that hunters continue to pay for their 1 day a week hunting. While the NON-hunter continues to fund nothing. Who would support the National Forest Lands if hunters did not purchase hunting licenses? Would the NON-Hunter stand up and pay $130.00 a year for parking and hiking? What about the local economy? On average, a hunter will spend $600.00 a year in hunting related accessories. Hikers and other users also contribute to the economy, but are they prepared to spend an additional $700.00 a year. Then this brings about the over population control problem. Who will fund that agenda when it develops? I have neighbors down the lane that allow no hunting on their 150 acres, yet the lady is terribly distraught because deer are starving in her front yard…..because there ar approximately 20-25 deer around her house everyday. I just wish for the benefit of all (Deer, other animals that compete for food when deer over-populate,local economy,young hunters, old hunters that need more than one day of exercise,etc.), politicians and the NON-hunter would think this whole agenda completely through.
Oh, a pissing contest. The righteous bunch have spoken. PLEASE…..half
of you loud mouths are the same people that shoot deer all year, shoot them out of your vehicles, hunt with rifles during bow and black powder season, spot light deer, shoot more than your legal limit, use your son,daughter,or,wifes tag, don’t check deer, call in fictious does in the
earn a buck counties, have to have slaughter permits to get your deer, hunt over bait, steal people’s stands, destroy property and the list could continue. I don’t know what state you people hunt in but half the deer killed in Virginia are shot illegally. You people need to get you
a chain and tractor and pull your heads out of your butts. You people think its some monumental task to shoot some dumb ass deer.It takes about
half ounce of knowledge, half ounce of effort and a brain the size of a pea. Which I am gather you people don’t have any of the three. Pete’s sake, you all have vacation and personal days, learn to manage them to hunt. You have more than 60 days to hunt. If you can’t kill a deer in that time a extra few days is not going to make a difference in your pathic hunting lives. I suggest you spend your time off honeing your hunting skills or better yet just take up golf or honkn a bobo, same sport. FYI unless you are paying my bills or sleeping with me I really don’t give a flying pig what any of you think. Ever……………………………………..
Finally someone that speaks the truth from the field. Way to go Sammy Bass. You did leave out the scum who use their son’, dauthter’s, wife’s
and less not forget grandma on the porch deer tags. I hunt all most every day of the season and I kept a tally this past year, 17 rifle shots bow
season, 27 rifle shoots black powder and 5 late black powder. That’s
49 illegal deer killed just in one county. Most of them likely were posted
on Marks blog. Look at me the big deer hunter. Mutiply the 49 by all the
counties and you dont’ need a Phd to know at least half the kill total is
bogus, but our state counts those. You people want to give these dirt bags
another legal day to do this sh**. There is nothing like educated idiots
running the show. Just step back and look at our country.
@sammy
Gave you a link to expand your thoughts and the best you can do is throw rocks and hide your hands.
It’s time to man up.
http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?30033-Hell-no-to-sunday-hunting
Headshot. Interesting screen name. I wonder what that says about you? Anyway, I think it’s interesting how you can divine the number of poached deer by shots heard off in the distance. I especially like the part about hearing the difference between a rifle and muzzleloader. What about shotguns? From a shot you hear, I suppose you can also tell if they were shooting at squirrels, rabbits, targets, etc. I suppose after the shot, if you didn’t hear someone yell, “oh sh!t”, you assume that was a hit deer.
I am sure some people hunt illegally, but I follow all hunting regulations and everyone I hunt with does as well. You and Sammy are painting with a really wide brush for people that are a few bricks shy a load.
Headshot, how do you know what the intended targets of those 49 shots were? Could they have been targets other than whitetails? An occasional groundhog hunter perhaps? Maybe a coyote or two? An islamic terrorist group randomly shooting into the air on the property next door? You can just never tell…some folks need to THINK before hitting the submit button. Geez……Ever heard of sighting in your rifle?
Headshot — I figured someone would eventually come to Sammy’s defense. That was nice of him to let you borrow his computer to send the above comment.
You know, this might surprise you, but I’m going to agree with you, to a degree. There are some deer killed illegally in Virginia. Probably even more than 5,000 a year (that’s about what you get when you multiply 49 shots times 95 counties, which is 2 percent of the average kill of 225,000, which I was able to figure that out even though I don’t have a PhD).
Illegal kills are a bummer. I don’t like poachers any more than you do. But, and it pains me to say this, the system takes illegal kills into account. Remember, the DGIF is trying to stabilize and even reduce the deer herd in many places. (I realize that is not the case where you and your buddies camp in the national forest.)
You fear that legal Sunday hunting will increase poaching, which I take it to mean that you worry that you will not see as many deer while you’re out nearly every day of the season. But poaching is not why you are not seeing deer in the national forest. The habitat is just generally poor for deer.
But I maintain that if someone is a poacher, they are a poacher. Legal Sunday hunting isn’t going to make them a poacher. In fact, if I were a poacher, under today’s rules Sunday would be my preferred day to get out there and do illegal things because there wouldn’t be any legal hunters out there to catch me and turn me in. I might even adamantly fight against legal Sunday hunting.
Not that that’s your motivation, of course.