Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

From the NRA-ILA

The Truth About Sunday Hunting:

Why Hunters Shouldn't Be Treated as Second-Class Citizens

In the early days of America, so-called blue laws restricted many activities on Sunday. In recent years, however, state governments have recognized that the people`s right to choose for themselves what they do, or don`t do, on Sunday is more consistent with America`s founding principals. Present day bans on Sunday hunting are the last holdouts of these blue laws, and hunters are questioning why they are being treated differently from their fellow citizens.

The majority of hunters will agree that the biggest obstacle to hunting, and the biggest obstacle to recruiting new hunters, is lack of access and opportunity to hunt. By restricting Sunday hunting, states are not only limiting opportunities for today`s hunters but are making it harder to recruit new hunters to carry on our proud heritage. Anti-hunting groups understand this, that`s why they oppose lifting Sunday hunting bans--they don`t want a new generation of hunters to enter the field. This opposition to Sunday hunting is in fact opposition to the future of hunting itself.

Restrictions on Sunday hunting treat hunters as second-class citizens. Other outdoor activities are allowed on Sunday, including fishing, hiking and golf. By restricting hunting and not other activities, state governments are sending a not so subtle message to hunters and non-hunters alike that there is something wrong with hunting, that it isn`t as legitimate an activity. This message ignores the fact that hunters contribute billions of dollars to the benefit of wildlife, both through license fees and excise taxes paid on firearms and ammunition.

There are compelling reasons why Sunday hunting should be allowed:
[ul][*]Sunday hunting has no detrimental effect on wildlife populations. The 43 states that allow some form of Sunday hunting have healthy wildlife populations in those areas that can sustain them. In fact the states with the most abundant game populations allow Sunday hunting. Those states that have recently removed prohibitions on Sunday hunting have not seen a negative impact on game populations. Allowing Sunday hunting will give state wildlife agencies more flexibility in managing populations. The extra day a week for hunting will give the agencies the ability to increase hunting in areas of overpopulation by encouraging hunters to go afield.
[*]The most common reason that hunters stop hunting is lack of hunting opportunity. Hunting opportunities are largely decided by two factors: accessible land and available time. Since most hunters work Monday through Friday, a ban on Sunday hunting cuts their available hunting time in half.

Sunday hunting is an excellent way to recruit new hunters. Many young people have school or athletic obligations on Saturday. Allowing Sunday hunting means that parents can spend time hunting with their son or daughter, passing on a heritage that is so important to America. With the myriad of activities that compete for the attention of young people today, a restriction on Sunday hunting means many of them never take up the sport.
[*]Sunday hunting will bring an economic benefit to many rural areas. Every day that hunters are in the field, they spend money on gas, food, lodging and the dozens of other incidentals that go along with a day`s hunt. The ripple effect of this spending can have a major impact on a rural town or county.
[*]Out-of-state license revenue can grow as a result of Sunday hunting. Few hunters will take extended hunting trips to a state that won`t let them hunt one day of the week. These out-of-state hunters pay higher license fees that benefit the game department and also spend even more money on incidentals than in-state hunters. [/ul]
Current Sunday hunting bans:

Currently seven states entirely prohibit hunting on Sunday for wild game; they are Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey and Connecticut. All of these states have considered legislation to lift the bans in recent years. Repealing the Sunday hunting bans has been actively supported by the wildlife agencies in Maine and New Jersey.

Four states allow limited Sunday hunting: Maryland allows hunting on two Sundays during deer season; South Carolina allows Sunday hunting on private land only; North Carolina allows Sunday hunting on some federal installations; in 2001 West Virginia enacted legislation that allows Sunday hunting on private land, but each county can hold a referendum to ban Sunday hunting; currently 14 counties allow it.

Recently several states have recognized the folly of Sunday hunting bans:

New York: In 1996 New York opened Sunday hunting on three Sundays during deer season. Within five years the law was changed to allow all Sunday hunting, except on specifically designated lands.

Ohio: In 1998 Ohio passed a bill allowing a test of Sunday hunting on public lands for a period of three years. In 2002 the legislature made Sunday hunting permanentÐwithout opposition from groups that had concerns when the test began. The state wildlife agency supported the change.

Michigan: Sunday hunting was banned on private land in certain counties, but in 2003, all Sunday hunting closures were repealed. The bill was supported by the state wildlife agency.

None of these states have experienced the horror stories forecast by opponents of hunting. The states continue to have healthy wildlife populations. Hunters continue to behave in a responsible and safe manner. Church attendance remains unchanged. Landowner-hunter conflicts have not increased. In sum, Sunday hunting has had nothing but a beneficial impact on these states and the future of hunting in them.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Published 3/14/2005 by:

NRA - ILA
www.nraila.org]www.nraila.org

The Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the “lobbying” arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is committed to preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

I agree 100%

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

Time for the northeastern states to come into the 21st century.

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

More propaganda and scare tactics from the NRA-ILA, Maine dosen't have Sunday hunting and we don't need it or want it.
The NRA has no business telling any state what it's laws should be.

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

Could the reason you don't want it stem from the fact that you are a guide and you use Sunday as a change out day for your hunters in camp?

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

Righ on jbc, usually any hunter against Sunday hunting is typically a guide, from what I've seen anyway.

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

Maineguide...Amazing how you can speak for an entire state.

Man, you know everybody in Maine? LOL

Sounds like the attitude in WV. If it suits me, it suits everybody![:@]

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

One arguement Ive heard that was not mentioned in the letter was, in Maryland we have alot of public land that doubles as hiking, biking and camping resources. So they want to give people a chance to do those things one day a week without the fear of getting shot. My counterpoint to that is, ok, by why punish the guys who hunt on private land?

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

Mossy< another thing to think about is, how much money do we as sportsmen give to the lands that these hikers and bikers use for free. Our seasons are short.

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

True!!! Im right there with ya Charlie!!! I would be tickled to death to get on average 16 more days a year to hunt!!!!

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

Mossy,
Maybe if I type real slow(i do anyways) you can understand this. We have almost no public land, we hunt on private land. You don't need permission or a lease or anything else. It's the law...if it ain't posted against hunting you can hunt it.

Now these landowners want to use their land one day a week without getting shot at, if they can't do that they will post it and that includes myself.

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

You shoot at your land owners the other six days a week? No wonder they need Sunday's off.[8D]

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

So...Maine....If it's somebody's OWN private land, they sure as hell should be able to use it however they want. I agree.

What if that particular landowner wants to hunt? You're telling him that he can't.

If they do want that privlege of having people out of there on Sunday, they should tell them so. That's how it works if they don't want anybody there at all.

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

Yep, that's similar to PA Maineguide. Trespassing isn't a crime unless land's posted, fenced, or you're given notice and they've been using that same lame excuse for years.

Now we've got over 70% of our land posted by the last survey and the anti-hunting on Sunday crowd is still using the same excuse. They heard it in NY and OH as well and they lifted their Blue law anyway... and guess what.... yep, their was no significant increase in posted property in either state.

With almost 40 states already treating Sunday hunting like any other activity on any other day of the week, there continues to be a complete lack of any evidence to support any of the fears and concerns that keep this law in place.

NRA says: "This opposition to Sunday hunting is in fact opposition to the future of hunting itself."

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

If you poll the entire state, you probably will find most agree with you. If you poll just those that hunt, I think you'll find that you are in the minority. Hard working men and women who work 5-6 days a week should not have the government be telling them they can't hunt on Sunday, especially if it's on their own land.

A similar thing happened in WV. The state slipped Sunday hunting through very quietly. Once passed, the Farm Bureau campaigned in every county to ban Sunday hunting. They were able to get it on the general election ballot in most counties in the state. The ballot simply said "Do you think there should be Sunday hunting?..Yes......No......" Hunters are a minority. When you allow everyone to vote (non-hunters included), it is no surprise that Sunday Hunting failed in every county it was voted on. Thank god I still live in a county that still allows it.

NO ONE can give any good reasons why hunting should not be allowed on Sunday. It works without problems in the 40+ odd states that it is allowed in. It should be personal choice.

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

MaineGuide,
you are about the most negative person I have ever read a post on. what if the NRA wasn't there to help you and no guns, I guess your guide business would be done. I don't want to pound on you or anything everyone is entitled to there opinion, but all yours are negative. Don't start the tough guy stuff with me either, I go to Maine, I see the nice people hunt with men from all over the country. In the east Maine is the big one, I guess but, travel go to Alaska you'd s@#t your pants it's truly rugged.

Till our trails cross,

Ryan

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

The paper, timber and lumber companies only work on Sundays. Please give me a break.

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

Practice gun safety and know one gets shot right! I walk around the gun range every Sunday and I haven't been shot in my life. Type slow, think slow. Step out on the hiway my freind the backroads are full.

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

Nope but they do post NO HUNTING signs around their operations or close roads under some circumstances to general traffic when working in the woods during November.

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

Maybe you should stay away from your computer when you're drinking. Where did you find that written?:eek:

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

Only thing I was drinking at 3:45 in the morning was coffee. I understand they( timber companys) post when working. Also, I realize they work during the week.

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

Perhaps you can tell me what a timber company has anything to do with this, they could give a damn what day you hunt. I'm talking about private landowners like me, or farmers etc.

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

I can't speak for others but when you said private landowners I thought you meant ALL private landowners. As you know maineguide, you, farmers, and myself are not the only class of private landowners in Maine. A good chunk of northern Maine, as I'm sure you are well aware of, is privately owned and its not nescessarily by farmers. While timber companies may not care what day you or I hunt, they certainly do care where we hunt, especially when they have cutters around.

Maybe if you were a little clearer about what you are thinking, these little pissing contests wouldn't happen.

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

I didnt see anywhere that the NRA demanded that any state do anything. What they've done is publish some facts that could be used by hunters ain any state to help generate change. They make some convincing arguements. Sunday hunting is simply a throwback to old ideals that are now being selectively applied to hunting only. Stores do business on Sunday, restaurants do business on Sunday, bars sell booze on Sunday.

It's pure BS that landowners need a day "to use their land without getting shot at"
If thats a problem it isnt a one day a week problem and anyone with any sense would post for all 7 days.

I wouldnt wish to step on any landowners rights, especially if they truly have a religous objection, but, if they dont want Sunday hunting, they simply say no or post "no Sunday hunting"

If I want to hunt on Sunday and the landowner wishes to give me permission to do so, it's ridiculous that it's prohibited in this day and age.

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

He pissed me off with this reply. I stooped to his level sorry fellows.

RE: Sunday Hunting - NRA issues Fact Sheet
 

Release #046-05




GAME COMMISSION TESTIFIES BEFORE HOUSE GAME AND FISHERIES COMMITTEE ON SUNDAY HUNTING LEGISLATION



HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Vern Ross today delivered the following prepared statement at a House Game and Fisheries Committee hearing on House Bill 904, sponsored by Rep. Edward G. Staback (D-Lackawanna). Rep. Staback, House Game and Fisheries Committee Democratic chairman, introduced the bill to remove the current prohibition in state law for Sunday hunting, which would authorize the Game Commission to establish what species may be hunted on Sundays. Rep. Bruce Smith (R-York) serves as the House Game and Fisheries Committee Republican chairman.



"Good morning, Chairman Smith, Chairman Staback and members of the Committee," Ross said. "It's a pleasure to be here and we appreciate the opportunity to comment on HB 904.



"On Oct. 15, 2004, we were asked by Chairman Staback to comment on HB 2779, similar legislation that he sponsored last session. At that time, I responded to him in the following manner:



"The Game Commission has been using the following position statement when asked to comment on the issue of Sunday hunting: 'The Pennsylvania Game Commission does not oppose legislation to legalize Sunday hunting. Our Board of Game Commissioners is split -- some supporting and others opposing -- on this issue, which reflects the current difference of opinion held by many in the General Assembly and the public at large. Over the years, the Game Commission has surveyed hunters on this issue. Traditionally, they have been split 50-50 but support seems to be increasing in recent years particularly among younger hunters. The whole issue of Sunday hunting is a matter that must be decided by the Legislature, landowners, hunters and citizens of the Commonwealth. If the legislation is enacted, the agency will seek to implement Sunday hunting when and where appropriate.'



"We recognize that HB 2779 takes a slightly different tack and gives greater regulatory authority regarding seasons, including Sundays, to the Game Commission. This concept is very intriguing and warrants much greater discussion and consideration. As a broad statement of philosophy, I can say that anytime the General Assembly wants to give greater authority to the Game Commission, that we would welcome that responsibility.



"Mr. Chairman, after talking this over with staff and Commissioners, I can say that we would welcome the authority HB 904 would give to the Commission. We feel that with input from our biologists, the public and thoughtful consideration by our Commissioners that we can make all decisions regarding seasons and bag limits including what species could possibly be hunted on Sundays and which species may not be appropriate to hunt on that day.



"Again, our position is that anytime the General Assembly wants to give greater authority to the Game Commission, we would welcome that responsibility.



"Although we need to think about what impact Sunday hunting would have on our Farm-Game, Forest-Game and Safety Zone programs, in which we have several million acres of private lands signed up to provide public hunting and trapping opportunities. Many of these landowners have said that if Sunday hunting is approved they will leave the program and post their land. I would like to point out that nothing in HB 904 would change the fact that the landowner has control over who hunts on his or her land and when they hunt. Landowner control of private property remains exactly as it is today.



"On a positive note, with additional time given to hunters, we may see an increase in license sales such as we've seen with muzzleloader sales in the past few years. Also increased opportunities may help with retaining the hunters we currently have and should further our efforts at recruiting new hunters.



"Lastly, let's not forget that hunting in Pennsylvania is big business. The latest study done by Southwick Associates within the past couple of months shows that there were $1.16 billion in retail sales in 2001 with a total impact to our economy of more than $2.28 billion.



"In his letter to me, Chairman Staback had some kind words to say concerning our national reputation as leaders in wildlife management throughout the United States. We will continue to strive to be a leader among wildlife agencies nationwide, and with support from people like you on this committee, we believe it is possible to remain a respected leader in the field of wildlife management for years to come."