NC Wildlife Resource Commission Punts
What happened today some of us are still unsure about. The Governor last year ordered NC Wildlife Resources to look into the issue of the Sunday Hunting and they set this study process in motion. Today was the report out day and there was much anticipation on both sides of the issue.
I’m not a supporter of changing Sunday hunting ban nor am I adamantly opposed to hunting on Sunday. My view is that we currently have a long season (4 months for deer) and I don’t see a need to rock the boat so to speak. When hunters themselves are about evenly split it makes it a much steeper uphill battle.
The report is close to 400 pages so needless to say I haven’t read it all. From what I have read it appears that 65% of the people surveyed were opposed to lifting the band while few where opposed to hunting in general. The major issues identified if the band was lifted include; religious, landowner opposition, other recreational users, and impact on NC Wildlife Resources.
While these are all issues that can be overcome the fact that a not an overwhelming percentage of the current hunters have an interest in this happening I’m not sure the will is there to make it happen.
On the initial release of the report this morning the Commission was all set to recommend the changes. Then came the recess and when the reconvened it appears they backed peddled and will now send it to the legislators without a recommendation.
Does this mean the subject is dead as the WRAL article suggests? I think not the legislators can act on their own after they receive the report. Will they? I’m not sure remembering this has been an issue that has floating around for a while without legs till the Governor gave it life.
The actions or backtracking by the Commission this morning did none of us any good and is a excellent example of why game management should be void of politics.
Earlier Post About Sunday Hunting Ban
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Sunday hunting is not allowed here in Virginia either, and it doesn’t look like it will be any time soon. Interesting that the proposal to lift the ban did not receive overwhelming support in your state; it’s probably the same way here and the reason the ban has endured.
I personally support Sunday hunting, primarily because it would make it easier to introduce youngsters, who are often busy with athletic events on Saturdays, to the sport.
Can you elaborate on the impact of Sunday hunting on duck season, which you mentioned in your earlier posting?
Comment by Matt — December 7, 2006 @ 7:48 am
Hey Matt
Introducing kids to hunting is great and noble, I try to do all I can to get them involved. I understand where you are coming from with your sentiments about having another weekend day to get them out there however in the states that currently have Sunday hunting there is no up tic in youth hunting that I can see. Our sport is losing hunters faster then we can replace them and the lack of land is the leading culprit. Adding Sunday Hunting may increase the pressure on land especially down east, where prime duck hunting and bear hunting areas are with drastic increases in leases.
As far as the duck hunting season goes every year the Feds set the framework up for the season and the state plugs it in. North Carolina because it does not have Sunday hunting gets to make those days up at the end of the season by extending it. As many duck hunters know over the past few years milder winters up north have delayed the birds flying down here thus the last few days of the season has been some of the best hunting.
Anyways thats my view on it.
Comment by Moose — December 7, 2006 @ 6:55 pm
[...] The Sunday hunting issue continues to dominate the conversations of many hunters across the state. Today I was part of a group that was interviewed by News 14 Carolina on the subject. Despite the fact the study shows that close to 3 out of 5 hunters support the restriction on Sunday hunting I was the lone voice at the gathering that supported the current law. Granted the interview was set up for 9am on a Sunday morning and many of my fellow supporters were probably in church or on their way to church. Many believe that the only reason to oppose changing this law is based on a religious view but that is not my biggest concern. As stated in earlier posts ( NC Wildlife Punts, & Fallout ) the biggest obstacle for me is the fact that we would be blocking a lot of other land users out. North Carolina enjoys some long deer season in the majority of the state. Firearm season runs most of Oct till Jan1st for the eastern third of the state the middle portion has November till Jan1st, the mountains has the shortest season running about a month. Adding Sundays will in effect deny many other land users ( Hikers, Bikers, Horsebackers, etc.) the opportunity to enjoy the land without fear of encounters with hunters. Land deals like we just recently saw with International Paper maybe jeopardized if other land users, that make up a good portion of non profit groups that partnered with wildlife, decided not to in the future. Those who support over turning the law will cite that much of the monies used are generated by hunters which are partially true. Excise Taxes collected on the sale of firearms and ammunition are given back to the state wildlife to support these types of projects. I know that not all those firearms and ammunition are bought are purchased by just hunters. [...]
Pingback by Moose Droppings » News 14 Covers the Sunday Hunting Ban — December 10, 2006 @ 11:26 pm
[...] Sunday Hunting Ban is still being batted around despite the torpedo the NC Wildlife Commission I believe inadvertently put through the bow. Opposition to Sunday Hunting continues to be focused on the religious aspects which I think is the wrong approach. Those who support over turning the ban have some very valid points when it comes to this argument. LUMBERTON - Robeson County hunters are gun-shy about a proposal to lift the 137-year-old ban on Sunday hunting in the state. “I’m opposed to it,” said William Stone, former director of the county Inspections Department. “I probably hunt as much as anyone, but I don’t think it’s right … it would disrupt church services, and Sunday is a time to rest.” Stone is not alone in thinking that Sunday is a time for reflection and rest, not rifles. [...]
Pingback by Moose Droppings » Robeson County Hunters Oppose Lifting 137 Year Ban — January 2, 2007 @ 11:20 pm
[...] This is the Bible Belt and the religious aspect is getting over played by the media and even getting picked up by outdoor blogs including the Black Bear Blog. Getting some Christian organizations to give news organization a sound bite was easy but if you think that is the only strong objection to this proposal you are wrong. This is a follow up to my initial post yesterday. [...]
Pingback by Moose Droppings » Sunday Hunting Fallout — January 2, 2007 @ 11:26 pm
[...] the ban I certainly support the right of those who want to have it heard to be heard. I thought the actions of the Wildlife Commission at the December meeting was spineless. I’m afraid that for many the debate on Sunday Hunting died that December day and the topic can [...]
Pingback by Moose Droppings » WRENCH and Sunday Hunting — March 26, 2007 @ 9:14 pm
[...] as much fanfare as the Sunday Hunting study had this one was released and for the most part it mirrored the earlier report. Although hunting in [...]
Pingback by Moose Droppings » Sunday Hunting On Game Lands Study Released — April 10, 2007 @ 11:43 pm