The baiting thread got me thinkin about this va just recently legalized sunday huntn on private land only (finaly) I've never understood this law. Some say its bible belt laws and my answer to that was - is . So its ok to sit in a boat and drink beer and kill fish on sun but its not ok to hunt ???????? How do you feel about sunday hunting

I also remember when the big fight over dove hunting happened here. "it was a bird representing peace, angles etc." Of course it was legalized. Tenn was hunting them long before Ohio, and they are good folks :)...I love wrapping those little angles in bacon!

I don't care. Most states have allowed Sunday hunting for years. I grew up in Texas, and don't ever remember a time you couldn't hunt on Sunday. Lived in Ohio for a while and Sunday hunting was legal then when I was there.

It kind of goes to what some folks used to call the "Blue Laws" that existed years ago. Basically certain types of business couldn't be open on Sunday, and certain products couldn't be sold.

I can remember when I first started working in the sporting goods business years ago, we couldn't sell guns or ammunition until after noon on Sunday.

Before anyone gets to vocal about how "dumb" it is consider this; farmers and private land owners in our state allow hunters to use their land for no fee. Several million acres alone are set up in game cooperative programs that allow public hunting. Many of these same landowners, including family farms, do not want Sunday hunting, and they never have. So do you force a bill through on Sunday hunting and have a lot of those gazillion acres closed to the public? It's a fine line here in the Quaker State...people do cling to their guns and bibles and if you don't respect that, that's a reflection on you...not them.

Here in our state it is more likely to happen on State Forest Land and SGL's if it is to happen as far as deer hunting on Sunday goes. It is legal to hunt coyotes seven days a week, and crows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I don't make the rules, but I respect them as I mostly know from where they emanate. That's simple courtesy for the law and for the landowners who allow us the opportunity.

I've only done it a few times since the law was changed a couple of years ago. It is much nicer not having to deal with the dogs for a day during gun season.

Connecticut Blue Laws, becoming obsolete now. NY established Sunday hunting years ago. We used to have to travel to the southern tier around Morris and Oneonta to hunt deer on Sundays. It was kind of a good motivator to go somewhere new actually.

In MD it's on private lands only. It's a good thing for those who have to work all week and on Saturday.

It took a lawsuit before SC finally allowed Sunday hunting - and that is on Private land only. The vast majority of working age hunters can only, regularly, hunt on the weekend. If you take Sundays out of the equation, that leaves one day a week that most hunters can hunt. My state talks about recruiting more hunters, but limits actual opportunities.

PA Nun caught some flak for posting her kill!

I've never lived in a state that didn't allow hunting on Sunday's (MN, WI, & MI) and I have a hard time understanding what purpose that would serve. George suggest protecting landowners that don't want hunters on their land on Sunday's... but if you are the landowner can't you decide when to allow hunters on your land? The only purpose I could potentially see would be if game managers are trying to give the animals a day of rest from hunting pressure, similar to only allowing goose hunting until noon so the birds can feed and go to roost undisturbed in the afternoon. I do agree with George that whatever the rule, it should be followed and respected even if you don't agree with it.

George, it's worse than dumb. It's selfish, disrespectful, and unjust.

What about all of the families and friends that WANT to hunt their farms, camps, or properties on Sunday. They bought it, pay the taxes, care for it, etc, but aren't permitted to use it when and how they want because others feel differently. That's not right.

Public land? State parks and forests, national forests, game lands... what's their use have to do with family farms, co-ops, the Farm Bureau, or religion? Separation of church and state? Why should they have any say whatsoever about what is allowed on such property? Or for that matter, any private property other than their own?

Respect folks who cling to guns and bibles? I certainly do... and there should be full reciprocity. I'm not telling THEM what they have to do, or not do, on any given day of the week.

Sunday hunting was stopped for decades by the Ohio farm bureau. They said the farmers didn't want to have to listen to guns going off on the sabbath. Ohio passed a law requiring written permission to hunt making it easier to control hunters on your property. Sunday hunting came the next year on private property but the propertys together had to be over 100 acres combined. Then 1 year later it was statewide. Farms that didn't like it posted no Sunday hunting.

I've heard people use the "give the animals a day of rest" argument before. My reply is that the animals get Monday - Friday to rest.

We're predators - we have eyes in the front of our heads. SOOOO, on the day of our Lord, we're not supposed to be what we are???

Lowcountry x2. Most big game animals have become nocturnal esp. during hunting season, so they have all day to rest, every day. They can pretty much dictate their own rest periods, and don't need us to help regulate their sleepy time. The Blue laws are for people, not animals.

To clarify, I didn't say that I agreed with the "day of rest" bit, especially for deer hunting... it may have its place for other species as a game management tool, but not for deer IMO.

I respect game laws, all laws for that matter. That does not mean I have to agree with them. It also does not mean I can't take a stand to have them changed. I've never lived where there was a Sunday law on hunting but was raised in Texas and vividly remember the blue law. I couldn't buy a pipe fitting to fix my water line one Sunday so had to go without water till Monday. These laws do not make sense to me because in most instances you can hit the local beer joints and get wasted but you can't take your family out hunting????

I've read the Bible front to back several times and have yet to see where God says not to hunt on Sunday.

it should be a personal choice not a Government decision.

tradmt, I doubt you'd be alone... :)

I don't consider New England to be in the bible belt and you cant hunt Sundays in CT, ME and MA (in CT they allow private land archery in certain zones only.

PA allows Sunday hunting for coyote, doesn't make sense that everything else is closed.

Tobywon, The Puritans resided in New England. Just a different 'version' of the bible. Methodists and Catholics up north and Baptists down south.

Coyotes are evil! Arnt they?

Pretty sure the Bible says grab your bow and quiver and hunt my game. I don't remember reading in parentheses (But not on My Day) If you allow someone to hunt your land you tell them you can hunt any time but Sunday if they cant respect that then they don't get to hunt. We don't need the Government telling us what we can and cant do on our private land. If you cant control who is hunting your woods you shouldn't let anyone hunt.

In Maryland it's both private and WMA areas open to public. It's great to hunt on a Sunday if you have to work 6 days a week.

I had permission to hunt a local farm a number of years ago. I could hunt and come and go as I pleased except they asked that I not hunt Sunday. That was family day. I totally understand that. Their property. Theirs rules. They were great folks by the way. I can't say I agree with state law telling me I can't hunt something in season on Sundays. As stated before Sunday is the only day some people have free time.

The argument that people own their land and should be able to do what they want with in including hunt does not take into account they own the land but the state owns the wildlife on it.

I used to enjoy the Sunday off during the rifle season. It was a time to skin and butcher the deer from opening day. It also was a day to sleep in, eat a big breakfast, watch football and play cards.

I dont think the state should have the authority to tell private land owners what days they can hunt their land.

As much as I respect the worship of God it's another example of the state over stepping it's bondaries.

I love the Lord and live everyday with him first. I have killed many deer on Sunday and don`t feel bad a bit.If I gun hunted I would respect the peoples wishes if I were on their land or close enough to bother them. Its all about respecting other people. something we have got away from.

Maybe they don't have the right to tell you that you can't hunt on your own land but as Reddogge said they do have every right to tell you that you cannot kill their animals. If you want to control game in your property put a deer proof fence around it n keep dnr's deer out.

The blue laws force nobody to go to any church, hence the separation is already there. Believers in an earlier era were protected by the blue laws from unbelievers who would violate their rights to free exercise of religion, and greedily work them seven days a week.

The state recognized godly people as moral, ethical and upright citizens who were an asset to the population. The day of rest was seen as a benefit to the physical well being of working people. I am certain that we all bemoan the fact that people in general have become more crude, rude and impolite. On the site here we are upset when someone steals a treestand, or trashes a hunters parked vehicle. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you", isn't such a bad thing to put in peoples heads. If the state were to be teaching morality then they would be doing the churches job.

Having had a two day weekend routine for so long, many simply do not know what the alternative really means. The union where I work has already given up Saturday and Sunday as a normal work day for straight time pay. Once people of faith are made fun of and slandered, demonized as do gooders out to spoil your freedom, and deprived of their "day of rest", everyone will live with the consequences. In case you haven't heard, the Christian religion is under attack in America.

You may have Sunday available now, but don't count on it lasting. Struggling to earn your bread began with Adam and Eve. Wanting to do things your way without God is as old as Cain.

Separation of church and state was a phrase used by Thomas Jefferson meaning that the state could not endorse any one particular religion, or, subject itself to the dictates from a particular religion. Many unbelievers want freedom FROM religion and solicit the state to do all sorts of things, under the guise of separation.

Federal holidays on Thanksgiving and Christmas are not a violation of separation, just as blue laws are not. Those are recognition of the fact that people of faith have a right of freedom of expression. As I said before, when believers lose, we all lose. And we will lose.

I doubt that today any religious organization would/could object to repeal of blue laws, based on their beliefs. If anyone knows of such an organization I would be interested in hearing who they are. I do believe those opposed to hunting would use a religious objection as a pretext/excuse, but that's not being honest.

We cannot hunt here in MA on Sunday as pointed out already. Between work and kids sports I really wish Sunday was an option. The state ought to rethink this rule.

2nocks, I'm from Mass. too. The Sunday hunting bills get introduced every year, and die in committee. Not enough $$ involved.

I used to travel out of state to hunt full weekends, and will do so again when I retire. Upstate New York has a lot of public land and fair numbers of deer, plus the folks there are friendly.

What about Jehovah Witness, Seventh Day Adventists and Jews? If a state does not allow Sunday hunting and their religion does not allow them to hunt on Saturday, they can never hunt on the weekends. Good thing I belong to the Latter Day Longbow Shooters Of America, my church holds its services in the woods.

NJ allows bow hunting Sundays on F&G land and private. Been that way for only a few years. Hopefully it will gradually nudge open the door to overall Sunday hunting. License purchase would increase as a lot of guys who only get to hunt Saturdays can't rationalize the cost.

As for the game cooperative in PA, all the landowners have to do is keep their property closed to Sunday hunting. That way public land would still be available. Simple.

Good post Wild Bill. I appreciate your well thought input.

Federally 'named' religious holidays are fine, as long as they don't FORCE folks to celebrate them. And that's a bit different than blanketing/requiring all to abide by outdated religious based laws to the penalty of law.

In places like where I work, not only do folks of all beliefs work 7 days a week, 365 days a year, we hit it 24 hours a day, swing shifts, all holidays, straight through every minute, all year... and it's been this way for generations/eras... since mid/late industrial revolution.

Back when, the gub-ment may have recognized (more, or only?) god fearing people as moral, ethical, upstanding citizens, but now, at least, there are a lot more folks who don't believe in god(s), yet are at LEAST as moral, ethical, and upstanding as those who do, but I will digress, for the sake of civility if nothing else. This isn't the place ;^)

Sunday hunting, or not, should purely be a personal choice. Any argument or justification the game commission has for not hunting on Sunday should be as equally justified on an other day.

Good discussion.

Saturday and Sunday is all I have for hunting. I don't think I'd give up half of what I have without a fight.

If your not for hunting your against it, plain and simple. The Sunday hunting debate is that cut and dry in my eyes.

I'm in PA. I hate the no sunday hunting law. When I had a young child and was much busier than I am now I actually considered hunting on Sundays on private property. I was willing to deal with the consequence. I never did it but I should have. I missed a lot of good rut seasons. What a ancient selfish law. It's not that eliminating the sunday ban isn't popular...the state's system is to complicated to change the law! It takes way too much political effort to do anything. They have been trying to change the blood tracking dog law for years. It has no opposition. Still can't get it done.

No Sunday Hunting? Not a big deal? Why? Cuz you got yours? Cuz it won't affect you? Cuz it's just hunting? Cuz hunting means less than God, to you?

How about no Sunday worship for anyone in the state? Oh, now what?... civil liberties are worth preserving all of a sudden? For whom? Some? All?

c'mon

It took a lot of try's before it pasted here in VA about 3 years ago. I didn't think it would ever go through here in the bible belt. This is the first time I have ever had the opportunity to do it. Usually only went when the weather had been bad Sat. It is only for private property here though.

to whom it may concern? blue laws and other such things are not about religion, its about politics. one business don't want to close on sunday or any day ...because a rivel might open and get ahead of them. ect. now everything is wide open and has been for years. just like tax rebates they buy your votes with your money lol..I know lots of people who go to church and could care less if you hunt on sunday. we are not the enemy. politions done it for votes and as Ted said...they don't know how to fix it lol...jmo...ron

Only four months and five days until bow season opens here. It's going to be a long summer unless somebody can think up something new to discuss.

I grew up in Maine. Never understood there to be any GOOD reason to the blue laws.

Since when hunting doesn't exclude other uses of the land. Hiking and stuff isn't illegal on Saturday (or the rest of the year), is it?

Bow season starts here Oct 1. Gun season starts the middle of Nov. So, with luck I would get 5 or 6 days out of the entire year to use the woods?...by government edict?

Sorry that should have read...Since when does hunting exclude other uses of the land?

Sunday hunting is a pretty heated subject here in PA Why should it be?

I have seen plenty of signs over the years that landowners put up NO SUNDAY FISHING! I suspect if they allow Sun hunting you will see the same. And why not? it's their right.

The problem with religion.....is for many that's all it is, just a religion and it comes in many different mindsets and beliefs and it is all man made.

There was a point in my life when I realized...I could never be perfect, no matter how hard I tried, no matter how many rules I followed , guess that's what the old testament was all about...Gods way of showing us law and rule and regulation never bring perfection, in fact it often produces the opposite. Like white washed sepulchers.

religion often turns to war...to hate.

But the true way the only way.. never does.

When I stand on a mountain at sunrise and look upon all I can see I know in my heart that there is something far greater than man out there.

And despite all mans failures, all his hate and envy and wars. He allowed man to administer hatred he allowed man to be cruel, he allowed man to to be man... and we hung him on a cross.

And he gazed down from that cross and uttered.."father forgive them for they know not what they do"

That's love. That's the only way

I don't fuss and fight about Sun hunting, There are a whole lot worse things we could do. And if some Sun morning someone should look out across the mountains and realize what I have seen and felt.....Then I'm glad you were there.

And should we never meet in this life....I'll meet you on the other side.

If it is truly a Bible thing then what about Genesis 27.3? Should we amend it to say ' Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison, EXCEPT SUNDAY?!!! If enough hunters do not like this law, then petition, with signatures to the Fish and Game? Might listen.

I'm all for fussing and fighting over Sunday hunting.

Jeff Durnell and Wild Bill probably have the best post on here thus far.

Everybody wants to quote "Old" testament.... Lets not forget, That's done and over with. And we should be living after a "new" testament.

We do NOT practice the Sabbath ,anymore. There is nothing morally wrong about hunting on Sun. Whether its beneficial though could be questionable.

It would be silly to argue against a true moral and ethical New testament lifestyle.

Lots of people want to fault Christianity because of the wrongs people do that profess it.

That is blind....the problem isn't Christianity the problem is people don't live out there profession.

I personally don't think hunting on Sun is or should be a religious issue. But the well being of all should be considered.

Want good advice? Go to church with your family often, hunt with your family, and try to do what you know in your heart is right as much as you can.

It's not a Bible thing...it's a BS thing. It's just one small example of the nonsensical garbage that we get out of government.

Monkeyball. Why would other users of the forests and woods of PA have to worry about hunters? Hunting might just be the safest outdoor pursuit there is. I live next to a NJ state forest and worked in same for thirty summers. Many hikers, campers, birders, bikers, etc. utilize(d) this forest Monday thru Saturday during our hunting seasons and there has never been any incident involving hunters that I'm aware of. What difference would one more day make?

I live in Pa. And a lot of the arguments were that the kids were involved in school and sports and Sunday was their only off day. The less kids involved the less licenses you sell. I'm glad my hunting is about over, between posted property and slob hunters it's more trouble than fun.

Its not like the sunday hunting thing is anything new. That was one of the first game laws in the more populated farm states when states started hunting seasons. Most states have since gotten rid of it. I don't see anything like that ever coming back but in some states the money doesn't want it so it'll stay till enough people pressure them. Yeh when I was young I hated only getting to hunt 1 day a week.

It is an antiquated law. It has not kept up to our modern times. I know some high school kids that only have the chance to hunt on the weekend. That limits them to one day. Sports and school keep them out of the woods. That sucks! Shawn

"I used to enjoy the Sunday off during the rifle season. It was a time to skin and butcher the deer from opening day. It also was a day to sleep in, eat a big breakfast, watch football and play cards."

So if that's how you prefer to spend your Sunday, go for it. Just don't force the guys who had to work on the opener to do the same.

It's about Choice and Freedom - two things which we're supposed to have in abundance in this country. And to say that any one form of recreation should be prohibited on any given day when people are free to do whatever else they want is absurd.

It was a BLUE LAW...but Sunday hunting has been authorized recently in SC through entire state on private land....still not able on Public Land though. Was just a way to try and keep people out of the woods and in church back in the day my grand father told me...

keep em sharp,

ron herman

I can shop and drink beer and gamble on Sunday's , imma hunt deer.

"We're predators - we have eyes in the front of our heads. SOOOO, on the day of our Lord, we're not supposed to be what we are???"

Actually we are frutarians, who dropped down out of the trees, neither carnivores, nor omnivores. predators, that might be behavioral, and as such no justification for anything.

Bowhunting is a game changer relative to these laws. On the one hand, when these laws were first put in place, guns were the rule, and seasons were generally short. Bowhunters don't disturb anyone, but they already have long seasons.

Two things that don't seem to come up anymore are whether Sunday hunting forces wardens to work when they would rather not. And that whole thing about people getting drunk on Saturdays and still being impaired and killing people, as supposedly happened once. Maybe that is an old wives tale. Good deal today is we have people intoxicated 24/7.

WE could drink beer until we were drunk

WE could gamble until mortgage was gone

We could go to a strip bar and watch the sites

We could not do the immortal and go hunting

THE STATE FINALLY DID THE RIGHT THING AND PASSED IT !!!!!

So much for separation of "church and state". In Michigan we can hunt 7 days a week.

Bowlim...." we are fruitarians that dropped down out of trees" ?

LOl...Man you must have had some weird ancestors.

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