VAhuntr

Personally I don't know if I would hunt on Sunday or not, but it would be nice to have that option. I hope it happens but at the same time I surely won't hold my breath waiting for it!

Aught Six

I wrote several letters about Sunday hunting to my delegate and senator, but they didn't even bother writing back (which they usually do on the major issues). I don't think the General Assembly gives a hoot either way. They're out chasing after other constituencies.

Virginia's reallyshooting itselfin the footandlosing out on additional license salesand fees. And that's nothing compared to the loss of retail and outfitting business to other states that are more attractive to non-resident hunters.

ButchA

Aught,

That is what I am going to do also. In Richmond, my local delegate is "Jack" Reid and local senator is Walter Stosch. I will write them both and see if I hear anything back.

Butch A.

Aught Six

I have Parrish and Colgan as delegate and senator, respectively. The first is a left of center RINO, and the other is a left of center Democrat. Yippee for me....

Rebel Dog

Guys Va. is not going to loose out on any revenue (At least what they are use to bringing in) and are being creative about generating more. It is scary to think how much the department started making when they started charging for Fish Citations and now we have to buy a mandatory Waterfowl stamp this year at $9.75. Hunting on Sunday wouldn't bother me one way or the other but I don't think the commenwealth will change. Good Luck

BUCKDIESEL

OK, I asked VDGIF where we stood on this issue and this was there responce,

Mr. Hewitt,

Thank you for your inquiry on Sunday hunting. This issue is probably one of the more controversial issues in both the hunting community and the general public. Since the prohibition on hunting on Sunday is a part of state law, action by the General Assembly would be needed to change it. The hunting community is almost evenly divided on the pros and cons of Sunday hunting, and most surveys actually show a little more support for continuing the ban than for removing the prohibition. In the past 20+ years, the General Assembly has considered legislation that would have changed some aspect of the Sunday hunting law in no less than 10 Sessions, with the most recent being this past 2005 Session. Except for federal and state-owned public lands, most hunting in Virginia takes place on private property. In survey responses, private property owners have shown strong support for keeping the Sunday hunting ban. A change in the prohibition may end up being disadvantageous to the hunting community since some private land owners could very well disallow hunting all together on their property.

I believe it is fair to say that hunting in Virginia on Sunday is a cultural issue, a sociological issue, and an issue tied directly to Virginia tradition. Given that, it becomes quite complex and not subject to easy change or resolution.

Since it will have to be changed in state law, I can only suggest that you present your views to your State Senator and/or State Delegate. I hope this information is helpful and trust that we have answered your questions. Again, thank you for letting us hear from you.

Charlie Sledd
Program Development Director
Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries
804-367-6481
[email protected]

I'd like to see if there was a way for them to propose sunday hunting on state or dept. owned lands. I think that would be a good medium for everybody. Maybe we could start a flood of intrest in this matter to the to our Senator or State Delegate.
Thanks BuckDiesel

ButchA

Excuse me?Survey? What %*&#@ survey! Never heard of one orreceived one in the mail! [:@] Everyone I talk to is FOR allowing Sunday hunting. Heck, even the non-hunters in my office think the ban on hunting on Sunday doesn't make sense!

I have already looked into the states of Ohio and Kentucky for out-of-state hunting on Sundays. I received a package from Kentucky's "Dept of Fish & Wildlife" and it has all the info on land, maps, hunting, fishing, rules & regs, etc...
Looks great! Out of state license in KY:$115 Deer permit: $50 Elk draw: $10 As you can tell, I am looking at taking a trip this coming season and going hunting versus dealing with 900,000 people on a crowded WMA...

Butch A.

P.S. I'vesaid it once and I'll say it again, It is going to take an act of God to allow Sunday hunting in VA!!! [:@][:@][:@]

Butch A.

VAhuntr

Igot a survey in the mail from VDGIF late winter/early spring. It covered everything from deer huntingto small game hunting and bird hunting. But I honestly do not remember one question concerning Sunday hunting.

Butch I understand your disgust as I hunt North Carolina as a non residentand VA. However you have got to remember there is a lot of public land in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests that you could hunt if you can't find some good private land.

ButchA

Oh I know that.... The national forests and state forests are great areas. I'll be hunting them this coming season for sure.

My whole thing is that, see, I was on this other board and talking to other hunters from other states and stuff. You know like duck hunters and other kinds of hunters... Guys who take a pack of beagles into the thickets for rabbits, etc...etc... Some of the comments I heard from these guys (legally able to hunt Sunday in their state) were things like, "Oh man, you are getting robbed!" Or something like "You're kidding...wow... if someone told me I couldn't hunt after church on Sunday, I'd move to another state!" .....stuff like that. And, I guess I just let it get to me.... [:-]

Butch A.