Bill Cachran's "Thou shalt not hunt on the sabbath"

STRIKER1300 · Wed Dec 14, 2011 2:42 pm

http://www.roanoke.com/outdoors/billcochran/wb/302078

Bill Cachran's "Thou shalt not hunt on the sabbath"

The Virginia Deer Hunters Association is surveying its members—again-to see how they feel about Sunday hunting, an issue destined to grab a lot of attention when the 2012 General Assembly convenes in January.

In similar surveys conducted in the past, members have opposed repealing the ban that for decades has kept hunters out of the woods on Sundays. But the gap has been closing in the ranks of the association and elsewhere.

While Sunday hunting is far from a done deal, it stands its best chance ever of being approved, although that might be two or three years in the future. Hunters themselves will need to come together, and they remain polarized at this point.

“Those who support lifting this ban say it’s long overdue,” said Denny Quaiff, executive director of VDHA. “However, many Virginians are satisfied with the Sunday hunting ban and welcome a day of rest for wildlife and landowners. Along with hunters that support the ban, horseback riders, bird watchers, mountain bikers and the like are also against changing the law.”

The VDHA survey, which went out to 5,000 members, poses six questions on the issue. The big one is: “Would you support Sunday hunting for the entire season?” In other words, do you want Sunday to be like any other day when it comes to hunting?

Other questions invite input on partially opening the door to Sunday hunting, such as allowing it during the bow season only, or just on private land, or on Sunday afternoons, or anytime but opening day of the bow, muzzleloading and general firearm seasons.

Members are being asked to reply by Dec. 30 so the information can be compiled in time for the General Assembly. The findings are certain to have an impact on the debate, no matter which side gains the most support. VDHA doesn’t plan to endorse either side, Quaiff said. The purpose of the survey is to provide information, he said.

“The VDHA has never taken a formal stance on the issue, since there has never been an overwhelming consensus on either side,” he said.

Quaiff said he believes the vote will be close, but the majority of members will continue to oppose Sunday hunting.

Until now, the effort to end the ban often has been carried by people who have been poorly organized and funded, and who lack an understanding of how to work within the system. They get clobbered when they go up against opponents like the Virginia Farm Bureau and Virginia Hunting Dog Alliance. But there are some big new guns digging in this time.

In June, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries passed a resolution supporting Sunday hunting, following a long history of being neutral or opposed to the concept. That’s going to make a significant difference when DGIF board members appear before legislators with the full backing of the agency. They will tout benefits that include more license revenue for the DGIF and twice the number of days to hunt for sportsmen limited to weekends.

The battle still comes down to a vote of individual delegates and senators, and many of them are having difficulty deciding how to deal with an issue than can cause lots of hard feelings.

The Martinsville Bulletin contacted legislators in its coverage area and found modest support for Sunday hunting, but not enough to lift the ban, the newspaper reported.

“I just don’t think it is going to pass,” said Del. Danny Marshall, R-Danville. Marshall submitted a bill to end the ban several years ago, but pulled it when constituents said they opposed Sunday hunting.

State Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Glade Hill, and Del. Don Merricks, R-Pittsylvania County, told the Bulletin they may be willing to support compromise legislation, such as allowing Sunday hunting during the bow season or on private land only. Both said they didn’t expect to see the full ban lifted.

Legislatures in Northern Virginia and the Tidewater area can be expected to provide greater support for Sunday hunting than found in rural areas. Like hunters, lawmakers are sharply divided on what they see as a sensitive issue.

Bill Cachran's "Thou shalt not hunt on the sabbath"

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