Author Topic: Hunting on Sundays (Read 7447 times)

shotgunner · « **on:** June 14, 2007, 07:32:32 AM »

I hunt in NY and PA. I don't everything about either state but I think it is time for Sunday hunting. In PA, if you don't take time off of work or school there are only 2 hunting days of deer season, the 2 Saturdays. In NY with the Thanksgiving vacation and Sundays there are 8 or 9 days to hunt, and not miss school. This is all gun season. I have heard that there are land owners that do not want hunting on thier land on Sundays for religious reasons. If you own the land you don't have to have hunting on it on Sunday, or Tuesday or any other day for that matter. Sunday hunting would give more kids a chance to hunt more days, something the future of the sport needs. Shotgunner

manofthe45 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 15, 2007, 01:01:40 AM »

I'm torn to this subject as see both sides of the coin. It does make it easier for me to get out alday saturday when my wife nows I am stuck with nothing to do on sunday. She just doesn't understand that sunday is for repacking, restocking and replanning for the next week of hunting. Either way I think that like crossbows statewide for everyone this is just something that is gonna happen whether it should or not.

This like many topics (crossbows, inlines, etc) is one that quickly gets out of hand. I sincerly hope that we can all be adults here and keep it clean and honest. Your opinions are wanted, any attacks on someone elses opinions are not

JerryKo · « **Reply #2 on:** June 15, 2007, 09:33:24 AM »

I say allow it,... if you feel you should not be hunting on Sunday, then stay home, or attend to your Sunday obligations. But if you just want to hunt, crows, groundhogs, and coyotes are all Sunday hunt able, right?

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #3 on:** June 15, 2007, 09:44:22 AM »

the state should not dictate who goes to church , how ever noise is a concern that could be addressed with a distance or time rule !
for the record , i like church ! but do not need to be told to go ! it should be choice !

buckbeast · « **Reply #4 on:** June 16, 2007, 04:15:18 PM »

I don't like the idea of hunting for deer on Sundays. I think the deer deserve a rest too. The fact that we have a 2 week concurrent rifle season (12 days) should be enough. I save some of my vacation to hunt every year, so getting out is not a major problem for me, but I see how it could be for others. But, in my opinion, every hunter that doesn't save vacation and can't get out, ensures that there will be more deer in the woods for future years. They are getting hard enough to find now, without those 2 extra (Sun)days.

just my thoughts,
Buck

The Gamemaster · « **Reply #5 on:** June 16, 2007, 06:06:31 PM »

Hunting is a privilege and not a right...

When you hunt, you have to have priorities.

Either you are going to spend part of your vacation time hunting or you can spend Saturdays.

If you don't have vacation - then you have to figure out when you are going to go hunting.

If watching tv and going out with your significant other is more important than going hunting - then you are not a hunter.

If you are a kid and you cannot decide between school sports and hunting - then you are not a hunter.

If playing video games and hanging out at the mall is more important to you - then you are not a hunter.

It's born into you - not something that you can pick up like Golf.

If you look out the window and say that you are not going hunting today because it is raining or snowing or cold or too hot or what ever - then you do not want to go hunting bad enough to be a hunter.

Hunting isn't easy, if it was - everyone would do it.

Since most people do not have to hunt to live, it is not a important part of their lives.

When you live in a old coal mining town where all the people hunt or have hunted in the past, it is not hard to become a hunter. Dad or Uncle Bob or grandpa will take you anytime you want to go.

When you are a city slicker that doesn't have a dad and mom is not from a hunting family - then chances are you are never going to be a hunter either.

So why cater to special interest groups that really do not want to hunt, they just want to hunt when it's convient for them to do so.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #6 on:** June 17, 2007, 11:34:35 AM »

the deer have the other 50 weeks to rest ! If its the rest thing then should anything be done on Sunday ? golf ? base ball ? lunch ? how about the people who go to church on sat. I consider myself a hunter , i had a daughter born in hunting season , does that make me not a hunter ? I have buried several family members during hunting season does that count me out ? and one year i was confined to bed ! i don't live in coal land ! so we have 7 weeks of gun season , 2 BP and 5 bow ! course our priorities were a mix , since we don't shut down for a couple weeks !

shotgunner · « **Reply #7 on:** June 18, 2007, 05:26:11 AM »

Gamemaster

You have issues that go far beyond hunting on Sundays. I am glad that it is not you who gets to decide who hunts and who does not. I live on a farm outside of a very small town. I am not only concerned with when I get to hunt, and I hunt on Sundays in NY, but with all kids all over the state. I don't think it is good for the future of the sport to exclude people who you might think measure up. I take kids hunting every season. Maybe you should do the same. Shotgunner

davem270win · « **Reply #8 on:** June 19, 2007, 10:39:17 AM »

I take vacation days during hunting season, so I don't really need Sunday hunting, but I'm not opposed to it. I think most landowners and neighbors appreciate a 'day off' from the noise and commotion, but I think everyone will get used to it sooner than we think.

"You're not a REAL Hunter" is another topic. Yes, there are "hunters" out there who probably shouldn't be hunting, but as long as you're doing it right, obeying the law, showing other hunters proper courtesy, if you decide to stay out for two hours until you get cold, that's fine with me. As mentioned already, this is particularly true with kids. I have a buddy whose Dad would put him on a deer stand in 20 degree weather at 5:30 in the morning, and heaven forbid he should go back to the car to get warm before Dad came back for him. It's nice to have hunting spots all to yourself, but politically, we need the numbers. Hunting may be in us, but it may have to eased out, not ripped out. Let's face it, hunting is a much about luck as skill ("I fell asleep, and when I woke up, there was an 8-pointer standing in front of me, so I shot it!")

I'm getting older, and frankly I now enjoy getting outdoors, away from civilization, as much as the excitement of the hunt. And yes, I bringing along someone younger when I can.

Bingo · « **Reply #9 on:** June 19, 2007, 11:23:47 AM »

First, the State is not telling anyone they have to go to church.

It also seems to me that to many folks are hung up on deer season. I have a beagle. I only get to hunt him one day a week unless I get home a little early and can run him for a few hours in the evening.

I also have a young boy at home and I could really use a little more time in the woods with him. By the time he gets home from school, it's to late to get out.

The No hunting on Sunday is the last vestage of the Blue Laws. When I was young, nothing was open on Sunday. No stores no gas stations, NOTHING!!! But back then, Moms stayed home with the kids, Divorse was almost unheard of and life in general was a lot simpler. I'd give up hunting on Sunday for that!!!!

shotgunner · « **Reply #10 on:** June 19, 2007, 02:29:28 PM »

Bingo

You hit the nail on the head. I have a NYS lifetime sportsman's license and I save my NY small game spots for Sundays. I can do this because 20 years ago I planned it this way. I quit a secure job and moved away from my home town to a place that had lots of opportunity. How about small game hunting during the deer season? NY does it and does not seem to have much problem with it. Shotgunner

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #11 on:** June 20, 2007, 01:24:51 AM »

if other activity is allowed then so should hunting !

NYHunter · « **Reply #12 on:** August 25, 2007, 04:05:32 AM »

Pa. needs to update some of its thinking. It's tough for young hunters to get out and its even tougher for the guy who works 6 days a week and only has off on Sunday. Not all people get paid time off, vacation, and they just can't afford to loose a days pay. This is still the USA, you should be able to go to church, hunt, work, stay in bed, or anything else you feel like on Sundays if you want.

In this day and age when it costs so much to live, you'd think the working man would catch a break and be able to hunt 2 days, Sundays, for some, out of the entire year. Seems like the people who make the rules have off on Saturdays, get paid vacation and personal days. Just doesn't seem right to me.

Flash · « **Reply #13 on:** September 06, 2007, 02:57:59 PM »

Quote from: shotgunner on June 18, 2007, 05:26:11 AM

Gamemaster

You have issues that go far beyond hunting on Sundays. I am glad that it is not you who gets to decide who hunts and who does not. I live on a farm outside of a very small town. I am not only concerned with when I get to hunt, and I hunt on Sundays in NY, but with all kids all over the state. I don't think it is good for the future of the sport to exclude people who you might think measure up. I take kids hunting every season. Maybe you should do the same. Shotgunner

Well said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BCB · « **Reply #14 on:** September 07, 2007, 11:59:45 AM »

I own several dozen acres of woods and fields that is open for the neighbors to hunt. We all just hunt on each others properties and there has never been a problem. On one of the tracts I have a 400 yard shooting range. I spend much time there, both during hunting season and during non-hunting times. I don’t want Sunday hunting…Period. I spend time on these properties relaxing as well as shooting at my range as well as shooting with a camera. I don’t want hunters in there on Sunday when I might be there just observing nature—putting up a flying squirrel box—rearranging rocks in a spring I have developed for crayfish and insect larvae—trimming a few select wild plum trees—mowing the range—walking with my Chocolate Lab—just forgetting about the work week that has just past or the one about to begin.

I started hunting that same property when I was in high school during the 1960’s. I had part-time jobs on Saturday’s so I had to hunt whenever I could—damned if I didn’t shoot plenty of bucks and does and rabbits and squirrels and grouse and…Then I went to work full time and the industry I worked in worked 6 days a week. Yet, I still hunted when I could and still got a few buck and doe and whatever. I had to plan and take full advantage of days off. Now I work 5 days a week, but I don’t hunt that much anymore. Mostly just walk about and observe. Back years ago, the seasons were short and specific. Today, it seems a deer can be shot for months on end—surely a person can get a day off during so many days of season?

Nope, no hunting on Sunday’s on my property and I suspect the neighbors will be the same. I guess if PA hunters are so much into Sunday hunting, they can just purchase out-of-state licenses for NY or OH or whatever state that borders us that allow Sunday hunting. Guess that’s why we work so we can spend some money on leisure—right? And so it goes…BCB

manofthe45 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 07, 2007, 05:28:37 PM »

Quote from: BCB on September 07, 2007, 11:59:45 AM

Nope, no hunting on Sunday’s on my property and I suspect the neighbors will be the same.

The problem some have is that with YOUR property you can put more restrictions than the PGC. So why restrict it for everyone.

I would like to see it TRIED on small game,dove, etc. and then down the road after feedback and studies can be done a decision can be made about game animals.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #16 on:** September 09, 2007, 07:11:56 AM »

BCB , sounds like you want the state to do your work ! if it is your land post it and admit who you want when you want !
or is it if you do it you could loose some hunting of your own ? and you want to let the state be the heavy ?

BCB · « **Reply #17 on:** September 09, 2007, 07:58:31 AM »

SHOOTALL,

I shouldn’t have to post my property to keep people off…Should I? I assume you own some property—maybe you have a front yard you mow? If it isn’t posted, can I come into your yard and do as I wish, within reason? Would I be welcome just because it isn’t posted?

Therein is part of the problem with the Sunday hunting also. Many hunters just assume that if the property isn’t posted it is an open range. Nope, that isn’t the case. If it isn’t yours, you got no business being there…Period.

I damn straight don’t expect the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to do my work for me! And, why because I have been responsible and purchased some property, should I have to WORK to keep people off of it if I don’t want them there? If people are courteous and responsible, I shouldn’t have to worry about Sunday hunting on my property, should I? Yet we both know differently. Open the State Game Lands to Sunday hunting if it is that important and the majority of the hunters feel it is necessary. But, I suppose if these lands are not completely maintained by hunter’s money that might be a problem also. I don’t know who pays for State Game Lands, and I don’t really care.

But, in all honesty, I am not really sure that Sunday hunting would bother me either way. It would probably be just another inconvenience I would have to accept as far as little or no privacy is left anymore—even on one’s own lifetime investments that were paid for by two people going to work everyday and being responsible. Oh by the way, I still managed to shoot a few deer during all those grueling hours of work—not a single one on Sunday either. So, if Sunday hunting was put to a vote, I would vote “NO”…BCB

Bingo · « **Reply #18 on:** September 09, 2007, 11:09:08 AM »

Everyone talks about the decline in the numbers of young hunters. In my opinion it is because of divorces. Dads just don't get the time to spend with their kids. To many dads get their kids from Friday night till Sunday afternoon twice a month. The rest of the time they spend with Mommy and I'll give you a 99.99% chance she doesn't hunt and could really care less if junior does.
Opening Sunday to hunting will give Dads more time to teach their kids to hunt and pass on the values and haritage that we as sportsman love and hold dear.
Hopfully he will take the kids hunting AFTER CHURCH!

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #19 on:** September 10, 2007, 08:14:04 AM »

I have a bit more than a front yard ! in VA. if you come on some elses land it is trespassing plain and simple ! and i have no problem telling someone to stay off ! i do hunt my land ! and don't mind the state helping keep my land mine

K.K · « **Reply #20 on:** October 17, 2007, 02:19:09 PM »

My in-laws live in PA, and I have been hunting there for 8 years.They are devout Catholics and go to CHurch every Sunday. Your state has great hunting, and I enjoy the time spent afield there. However, I pay over $100.00 for a license, which is fine with me. But when I come out for a visit, this no hunting on Sundays robs me of at least one day of hunting. I live in NY, and we enjoy a long hunting season. I can live with other states having shorter open seasons, but to dictate which days of the season? Why? The working man only gets 1 day to hunt all week! How about the kids that play scholastic sports during the week, and have games on Saturdays? I, for one, think that it's an antiquated law, and needs to be changed. If you want to go to Church, mow the lawn, watch football, whatever, on Sundays, fine. But I should be able to spend my family time as I choose as well, and for me that's hunting with my kids, and that includes Sundays.

DDelle338 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 18, 2007, 06:13:03 AM »

Make my vote to keep Sunday the way it is.

shotgunner · « **Reply #22 on:** October 19, 2007, 05:46:44 AM »

KK make some good points. 20 years ago I bought a lifetime NY sportsman's license and moved to PA. I quit a steady job, took a big pay cut and moved away from friends and family. What I don't get in one state I tend to get from the other. It is impossible not to compare the two however. I still don't understand why PA has to close small game when deer season opens. I don't see why NY can't have a dove season. The Sunday issue is the most important however. Last week I hunted so hard on Saturday that I needed a rest on Sunday, but that is because I am recovering for hip surgery. Give us the Sundays, even if it is small game to start. Shotgunner

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #23 on:** October 19, 2007, 09:06:15 AM »

you don't have to vote to keep Sunday the way it is , if that's what you want don't hunt , just don't make the rest be like you !

DDelle338 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 29, 2007, 04:27:29 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on October 19, 2007, 09:06:15 AM

you don't have to vote to keep Sunday the way it is , if that's what you want don't hunt , just don't make the rest be like you !

That was a just comment. And I believe that is the same point I was making when I posted what I guess hurt some feelings because what I had posted was modified by someone!!!! I don't think that I stated anything that was against ANY forum rules, why was it edited?
My point was the same as yours. Don't make us (the state of PA.) be like you. Or like you want us to be. If you can hunt in your home state on Sunday, fine. Please don't moan about not being able to hunt on Sundays in the state you are a guest in. That was my point.
There are other points to consider also, about land use by none hunters on Sundays. I like to ride horses but won't during hunting season. Both for our safety and for respect of the hunter out there. I would hate to find that perfect spot where that perfect buck is going to come through only to have someone come riding through on horses. Same thing has happened to me by mountain bikers. I had just shot a buck and was tracking it. Just then a biker comes through, I am a VERY safety conscious hunter and if I wasn't, that may have been a horrible accident. He wasn't wearing orange, he didn't know better. He was paralleling along just over the crest of this hill, looked allot like a deer running! I contacted the State Park office about closing the trails during hunting season and that was denied, they wouldn't even put signs in the parking area that warn people that hunting season was open. People that know, and have the consideration stay away the other 6 days of the week. Hear about the Golden Retriever shot while being walked....... on a leash!!? There are allot of other activities that take place on the same lands we hunt. Yes you may say, "well they have the rest of the year to do that stuff”, But allot of people don't have any idea when hunting season is open.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #25 on:** October 29, 2007, 04:41:20 AM »

guess that's why they say ID your target before you shoot !
as far as others using the land , well how long is hunting season ? they have it the rest of the year !
as far as whining the out of state hunters pay more to hunt than in state hunters do .

manofthe45 · « **Reply #26 on:** October 29, 2007, 07:47:55 AM »

Your second comment was only an attempt to start an argument about keystoners vs. nonresidents.
I can and will remove any comments that I feel are an attempt to start a fight or take a subject off topic

Feel free to restart that opinion under a seperate thread. I will then keep that one clean of trolling and make sure it stays on topic.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #27 on:** October 29, 2007, 08:05:32 AM »

sorry you feel that way , i only stated a fact ! If it is public land that others feel the need to use they need to weigh how much money hunters supply to keep said land open for all to use and decide if its worth letting the hunters have it the few days that hunting season is open ! if its private the the owner can rightfully choose to do as he wishes !
if you wish to surround yourself with like opinions and throw the control card when someone states a fact you wish not to hear please let me know and i will avoid your post altogether !

manofthe45 · « **Reply #28 on:** October 29, 2007, 05:56:45 PM »

Not sure what that is about but the only comment I removed was a comment to non-residents to mind their own business whether they pay the large fee to hunt here or not.

Yes I do believe that game lands should be open to sunday hunting and that private land owners can choose as they please how and when THEIR lands are hunted. I have access to a small parcel that I cannot hunt on wendsdays. The owner has his grandkids over and while he encourages hunting their mother is a bunny hugger and won't let the kids come if he has people hunting on his property that day. So I hunt it hard tues and thursday. If they made sunday hunting legal but he said no I would simply hunt elsewhere.

If i had a nickle for everytime I was modified due to comments made that where not meant to cause a fight but did I would not be rich but I would have a few new guns.

Oppsosing views are fine. Immflamatory comments whether intended or not will be removed or modified. I would rather have GB tell me I am to strict than not strict enough

Any more comments on this I will gladly answer in the PM system.

Please keep it clean and friendly and most of all happy and safe hunting to everyone!

DDelle338 · « **Reply #29 on:** October 30, 2007, 05:52:40 AM »

I work ALOT of hours. I've worked several 75-79 hr weeks this year, I also LOVE to hunt, and the wife and daughter both expect to see less of me during the season. Would I like more time in the woods? You bet! But I think I'd like some more vacation time to take for hunting instead of Sunday hunting. JMHO, for me.
There is more to look at than private land vs. "game lands".
Hunter Supported "State Game Lands" are just a VERY SMALL amount of "Public Use" land that is used by hunters in the state. State Forests, State Parks, and County Parks etc. etc. etc. These areas get hunted hard also and are not really monetarily supported by hunters. Except by the DMAP Fiasco and taxes. There really are allot more people out there now than there was in the past. People are doing allot more camping hiking, biking, horseback riding etc. There are also allot more un-safe hunters out there also. Making it more difficult as hunters to keep our good reputation in the eyes of the "anti's"
But hey; "we" don't get to decide what is best for or what hunters want anyway. Do we?