I'm not up to speed (or want to be) like some here, and was not even aware that there was a group called the Virginia Bear Hunting Alliance? I'm not surprised that they would be in favor of a separate license to improve the quality of the bear population. I guess it's a little like Bowhunters wanting a separate license to hunt with archery equipment.

I'm not sure why either but here is my guess.....greed! They do not want the average deer hunter killing a bear. My guess is a lot of bear are killed by hunters while deer hunting when a bear happened to come by their stand. Their reasoning is the average hunter who deer hunts, won't spend the extra bucks on a bear tag when they hardly ever see one. By doing this it leaves more bear for them. Just my hypothesis.

I guess that makes sense in their line of thinking, but I hope they realized it's a two way street? Now they will also have to purchase a separate deer tag if they plan to kill deer along with bear.

I am quite sure the legislation to have a seperate tag for bear failed last year as it should have. Don't think it has been submitted again.

You are spot on with your reasoning. The bear guys went on record saying they were tired of deer hunters killing their bears just because the opportunity presented itself.

The Board of Game & Inland Fisheries already has the authority to separate the bear tag under VA Code 29.1-305. They(the Board)considered doing it last year but did not do it. The new bill(HB 338) would authorize the Board to separate all the tags on the big game license.

Got it.

I also think folks need to be concerned and need to contact the legislators concerning the following. It would allow bear gun hunting using dogs during the entire season including archery season.

HB 311 Hunting bear; Board of Game and Inland Fisheries establishes an open season.

Anne B. Crockett-Stark

Summary as introduced: Open season for hunting bear. Provides that when the Board of Game and Inland Fisheries establishes an open season for the hunting of bear any legal hunting method, including the use of dogs, may be used for the entire season.

Very good point and surely something to think about. Last year the VDGIF asked for comments from hunters concerning separating the bear tag. Myself and quite a few others I know spoke out against it and even suggested that if this were to pass, then the dog runners should have to buy a special license for their dogs.

We are one step closer to this being passed in the Senate. Tomorrow is the finalvote in the Senate. Then the battle in the House.

Everyone be advised the Sunday Hunting Bill now goes to the House. I heard tonight on the local news that some members of the House committee want to water it down even more...such as: no hunting before 1PM, landowners & immediate family only(this would exclude people who lease land) or limitations on the type of weapons used.

All - I've been offline for a while but please read this and contact the House Sub Committee today! they gather tomorrow!

I wanted to provide you with a brief update on the Sunday hunting legislation working its way through the General Assembly.

The Senate passed SB 464 which permits hunting on Sunday on private lands, no deer dogs, and must be 250 yards away from a church. The bill passed 29-11.

The House is taking up House Sunday hunting bills THIS WEDNESDAY at 5:30 PM in the Natural Resources Subcommittee of the Agriculture Committee. This will be a key vote for us. Please look over the counties below, if you have ANY contacts – family, friends, business associates, in these localities, cash in a chit – ask a favor, and have them call and email their Delegate in support of Sunday hunting. They can also visit www.virginiasundayhunting.org to compose their letter. Of, if you would prefer to send me their contact information, I am happy to contact them.

The Subcommittee is:

Delegate Lee Ware [email protected] (804) 698-1065
Counties of Chesterfield, Fluvanna, Goochland, and Powhatan

Delegate Tommy Wright: [email protected] (804) 698-1061
Counties of Amelia, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, and Nottoway

Delegate James Edmunds: [email protected] (804) 698-1060
Counties of Campbell, Charlotte, Halifax, and Prince Edward

Delegate Tony Wilt: [email protected] (804) 698-1026
County of Rockingham; City of Harrisonburg

Delegate Matt Fariss: [email protected] (804) 698-1059
Counties of Albemarle, Appomattox, Buckingham, Campbell, and Nelson

Delegate Ken Plum: [email protected] (804) 698-1036
County of Fairfax

Delegate Lynwood Lewis: [email protected] (804) 698-1000
Counties of Accomack and Northampton; Cities of Norfolk and Virginia Beach

Thank you for your continued support of this issue, and any help that you are able to give. Please contact Andrew Vehorn (contact info below) if you would like to come to Richmond for the hearing, or have any other questions.
Andrew M. Vehorn
Capital Results
50 Pear Street
Richmond, VA 23223
804-771-5307
[email protected]