LETTER TO THE EDITOR: VOICE IN FAVOR OF SUNDAY HUNTING

Photo courtesy of DTP.

As published by: delcotimes.com, March 4, 2019

Letter to the Editor: A voice in favor of Sunday hunting Written and submitted by:
Ron Grzywacz, Royersford, Pa. Letter to the Editor: A voice in favor of Sunday hunting

To the Times:

I’m writing in to express my disappointment to Pennsylvania Grange President Wayne Campbell’s article regarding the Sunday hunting ban.First, I think it’s misleading to not identify Wayne’s position in the Pa. Grange organization, and the Pa. Grange’s stance on Sunday hunting (Against).  

While providing lots of statistics about economic impacts of hunting and outdoor activities, he’s really just trying to say the Grange organization is afraid of hunters and accidents. If you look at the safety statistics on hunting, it’s incredibly safe, and getting safer.

Forty-seven other states have legalized Sunday Hunting in some form, and there is no data showing increases in hunting-related accidents. Opponents would certainly be citing data, if it existed. The current ban is an outdated Pennsylvania blue law, and possibly the last one on the books. It’s time to go.

Wayne’s article talks a lot about “sharing” the outdoors, but talks about needing a day excluding hunters. Sounds like he needs a refresher on the concept. The Pennsylvania Game Commission manages 1.5 million acres of game lands, paid for by hunters, that are open to all people, free of charge. Hunters are willing to share. It’s time the Grange is willing to share Sundays!

Why do hunters want Sunday hunting so badly you may wonder. Hunters cite lack of free time, as the overwhelming number one reason that they stop hunting. PGC Executive Director Bryan J. Burhans testified to this in 2016 saying, “contrary to some rhetoric that is floating around out there, the No. 1 reason that people stop hunting is lack of time. The overwhelming majority of hunting takes place on Saturdays; people work during the week, don’t get a lot of time off, have other commitments, etc. For a lot of hunters the only option is Saturday.”

Let’s give some liberty back to the hunting community, and open Sundays! Thanks!

Editor’s Note: The tagline on the column from Wayne Campbell clearly identified him as president of the Pennsylvania Grange.

Ron Grzywacz, Royersford, Pa.