Our fine Delegate R.L. Ware, and his retired counterpart from Gloucester, back in 2005 or 2006 co-patroned a bill that was passed, revising code 29.1-521 (VA’s Sunday hunting code), making it legal to be at a place where you would hunt, and on Sundays, while in possession of a firearm, and not be charged with hunting on Sundays. In the Eastern part of VA, the “word in the woods” is that this revision was sought by constituent landowners that were looking for a owned property Sunday hunting legal loophole…..and “out” if you will, if or when they got caught hunting their own land. And many of you wonder why I'm pissed. Because once again our loyal public servants sticks it to us once again. In the form making it legal to hunt on his privately group owned land in Eastern Virginia? Why do that area of Virginia sound familiar to Virginians? Simple it's a area of Virginia were they have been trying to stop people from using dogs to hunt deer and bears. (VAHDA) Virginia Hunting Dog Alliance supported by Kirby Burch. group representing hunt clubs opposed to Sunday hunting said.. “A majority of hunters in Virginia simply don’t want Sunday hunting.” That’s a blatant lie and it’s frustrating to me that the reporter even used the quote. Actually, I support using the quote, just wish it would have been followed with a paragraph stating the results of those scientific surveys. Burch still has pull with some influential legislators, but his influence will continue to erode as the education process about the realities of Sunday hunting continue. But for now Burch and his Political cronies have a private space at tax payers expense. And yet private land owners in other regions are fined, exuberant fees for hunting on their own land. So Regardless of whom you are and you live in one of those states that don't allow Sunday hunting you can rest assure your loyal politicians are had a hearty laugh while you sat at home on those Sundays. If you support me as a fellow hunter of Virginia or your own state I urge you to do as I am send your previous hunting license to your representative and tell them that you will no longer participate in Virginia's hunting until the No Hunting on Sunday Ban is lifted and that you will venture to a state that allows Sunday hunting. Thank you The Amatuer SB464 was tabled 4-3. Ayes: Del. Plum — [email protected] Del. Lewis — [email protected] Del. Wilt — [email protected] Nays: Del. Ware — [email protected] Del. Wright — [email protected] Del. Edmunds — [email protected] Del. Farriss — [email protected]
Comment by Tony Rutherford I guess what frustrates me more than the outcome of our past 20 years of pro-Sunday hunting bill failures, has been a complete failure over those same 20 years on the part of our legislature to take even the slightest action to address any of the objections that were voiced 20 years ago, and again voiced this year. Number one complaint in the eastern part of the State…..hounds and trespassing hound hunters. What’s Virginia’s reaction been to that complaint. Well, we’ve seen chase increases, including Sundays, for bear hound training twice, and two raccoon chase increases….and VA continues to dscriminalize trespass for hound retrieval. I am very pro-hound, and very pro-Sunday. But let’s address our hound hunting objections so that Sunday hunting has a chance for adoption. Safety…..let’s see, other than failing a muzzleloading, blaze orange requirement bill. I can’t recall anything regulatory that may have an impact on safety. Our animals need rest……see the first comment. Our people need rest…..see the first comment. SB464 did more to address objection than anything any legislator has brought forth in 20 years…..but it was still too dangerous, too trespassy, and too unrestful……but what it really was, was it was Sunday. Who in the world is going to put up with 6 days a weeks of abuse, and for 20 days, just to have one peaceful day? If something bothers me…..it always bothers me. I wasn’t born with a Sunday on/off switch.
Hunting Regulation: Code 29.1-521 A. The following shall be unlawful: 1. To hunt or kill any wild bird or wild animal, including any nuisance species, with a gun, firearm or other weapon on Sunday, which is hereby declared a rest day for all species of wild bird and wild animal life, except raccoons, which may be hunted until 2:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings. However, a person lawfully carrying a gun, firearm or other weapon on Sunday in an area that could be used for hunting shall not be presumed to be hunting on Sunday, absent evidence to the contrary. Many may see the above listed code (29.1-521) as a “No Sunday Hunting” law, when it’s actually exactly the opposite. What this code does, is guarantees that hunting on Sundays shall remain lawful, so long as that hunting doesn’t involve weapons, and removes all intent for wildlife mortality. It actually guarantees through law, exclusive Sunday access for hound chasing activities, and does do by prohibiting hunting with firearms. Chairman Ware who voted against Sunday hunting but owns a hunting preserve. For those in the know, is hunts on privately owned preserves on Sunday? How can he hunt on private property and those that own land privately can't???
