Sunday Hunting in VA....

[rocksandblues]

i think it is not so much a religious belief (although that was its original purpose) here in VA but now a day of quiet. Most opposition speaks of being able to walk in the woods with out a fear of getting shot. I know that is what my wife says. It has come up every year for awhile now and I have a call in to see who is sponsor this year.

To make any headway the hunters do have to form some kind lobbying effort. Without serious lobbying it will not get any traction. I know lots of attention this year will focus on abuser fees and immigration.

[SAXIS ISLANDER]

The number of hunters in North America is down again this year according to the latest DU mag. Their average member is 50. I would expect that, when compared to 20 years ago, the number of teenagers who hunt is down drastically. I'm sure that Gameboy and mom's tree hugging roots may have some bearing on the numbers, but I'd wager that busy weekday/school schedules and Saturday chores severely limit youngsters availability to be exposed to hunting.

Sunday hunting could foster growth of various kinds, economic and family based, and it's surprising that the Commonwealth supresses both with this archaic law.

[Glenn W]

Originally Posted by SheLuvs2Fish

The sponsor last time caved because of 'pressure' in his local area.

Originally Posted by rocksandblues

idea has merits... but will never pass in near future.

Not exactly correct. House Bill 1639 was refered to subcomittee where it was "passed by indefinatley".
This is a polite way of saying--- "don't bother us with such a proposal (bill) for a while".
I'm affraid rocksandblues is probablly right. I will be very suprised to see a Sunday hunting bill introduced in the House this upcoming session as the tradition is to let an unfavorable issue sit idle for a few years after being "passed by indefinatley". However, with enough pressure and support anything is possible.

Although the public interest arguement for a "day of rest" for non hunters to enjoy the outdoors seems to have most weight on maintaining the status quo, I question the legality of this theory for private property. That is, if one owns his own property and no one but the landowner is allowed on the property, the fear of being shot while "enjoying nature w/o a weapon" is moot. Then again, Blue Laws were deemed unconstitutional, so I still cannot understand holding onto the Sunday ban even for the tree huggers on public lands.
Keep plugging and chugging.

[stonebuster]

NJ has tried ,and the vote among sportsmen supports no Sunday hunting. I believe that to many guys work saturday now and miss out.Good luck with the fight....

[SheLuvs2Fish]

Glenn,

This was what/who I was referring to-

http://www.roanoke.com/outdoors/billcochran/wb/99555
(snip quote)
In recent sessions, bills endorsing Sunday hunting have been introduced in the General Assembly but quickly have been shot down. The sponsor of a measure slated for the 2007 session backed away from his bill, which would have allowed hunting on Sunday afternoons, when he encountered opposition in his home area.

r&b, Let me know what you get on the reply to that call...

[Glenn W]

I was not aware of the DGIF sanctioned survey--- Good News---- Very good news, for the pro Sunday hunting lobby.

[Dave Sikorski]

Just to throw my $.02 in here.

I support Sunday hunting for everything but migratory waterfowl.

Good luck with the battle. MD is slowly allowing hunting on private land in some counties.

-D

[rocksandblues]

we will call again this week. do not know why we have not gotten a return one. i will follow up.

[SheLuvs2Fish]

r&b's don't put yourself out over it...

Dave,

Why not waterfowl (for the sake of discussion)?

[anthony]

Originally Posted by SheLuvs2Fish

Dave,

Why not waterfowl (for the sake of discussion)?

I'm curious as well...again, just for the sake of discussion or to open my eyes to something I haven't thought of. Personally, I would be more than willing to give up a couple of days during the week for a Sunday morning duck hunt.