SUNDAY HUNTING, BIBLICALLY? - NEITHER COMMANDING NOR FORBIDDING.

"I see no other Biblically supported response to the issue of hunting on a Sunday, neither commanding nor forbidding. God’s commandment to rest (even for beasts of labor) is widely

understood as protection from being forced to work on a day set aside for rest, which further confuses the issue as many describe hunting as recreation not work."

Writes - The Rev. Dr. Nathan Corl Minnich, STS

Read Full Letter - In response to your questions regarding hunting on Sundays

Excerpts: 

"Defining Sabbath is nearly impossible if it is intended to apply to all people, and in this particular case, all Pennsylvanians. For the state, any attempt at defining such a day would violate the separation that must exist for people’s religion and their government in this country."

"...there are legislators arguing that the state must protect Sunday as a Sabbath day, on the issue of hunting. I fear they neither understand the history, meaning, nor significance of Sabbath, and have completely failed to recognize that it is not within the boundaries granted them by their public office to define such a term. If this is the primary reason for restricting hunting activities, then those holding legislative office must seek to protect the Sabbath of all Pennsylvanians per their various definitions; a futile task at best."

"The basis of this argument is distressing to me and begs for more questions which, in my humble

opinion, will further erode the false foundations upon which the legislator’s opinions are formed.

If this Commonwealth seeks to keep sacred a Sabbath day, why are they not arguing against

Sunday sporting events which pull our children away from church activities where their own faith

is being vitally formed? Can this argument be held to only one Sunday activity in Pennsylvania?

How can any elected official seek to argue for one segment of his or her constituency and not for

the faiths of all people by whose election they serve?" 

VIRGINIA'S EXPERIENCE WITH SUNDAY HUNTING

I can say that Virginia's experience so far with Sunday hunting is that of additional opportunities for sportsmen and women in the field without unacceptable impacts upon our wildlife resources, notable increases in citizen complaints, or other serious law enforcement concerns. We look forward to the coming seasons and to our hunters continuing to have this additional day available to them.

Robert W. Duncan Executive Director

Statement Link: 

COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA

Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

DELAWARE - EXPANDING HUNTING ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY

DELAWARE - EXPANDING HUNTING ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the legislation, and it was supported by many in-state and national conservation partners as well.

According to Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) Mid-Atlantic Coordinator, Brett Stayton, expanded Sunday hunting opportunities should also positively impact hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation efforts in the state. "With many of the state's hunters working Monday through Friday and many families participating in extracurricular activities like youth sports and other interests on Saturdays, opening up Sundays to deer hunting throughout the season creates additional opportunities for hunters to participate during the hunting season and to share in those traditions with their friends and family," said Stayton. 

Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation Press Release -
Governor-Carney-Signs-Sunday-Hunting-Bill-into-Law--Expanding-Hunting-Access-and-Opportunity-.html?soid=1109196647225&aid=_q78V7U0pqM

NRA - received overwhelming support in the General Assembly, passing the Senate by a vote of 17-2 and the House of Representatives by a vote of 39-2.
https://www.nraila.org/articles/20180713/delaware-governor-signs-bill-legalizing-sunday-deer-hunting

Prohibitions on Sunday hunting are old blue laws left on the books in just a handful of states.  They deny hunters access one day per week despite the fact that each year, hunters pump millions of dollars into habitat restoration and conservation through Pittman-Robertson funds.

PA RESIDENTS SPENT $4 MILLION ON NEW JERSEY LICENSES

Initial Blog Post: SUNDAY HUNTING ALLOWED IN NEW JERSEY, PA RESIDENCE BUY LICENSE
https://huntersforsundayhunting.blogspot.com/2018/06/sunday-hunting-allowed-in-new-jersey-pa.html

From: Jahred Klahre, Leadership Group, Hunters United For Sunday Hunting– Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

Here is how the math [based on current cost] works out regarding Pennsylvania residence purchasing New Jersey non-resident hunting licenses because of Sunday hunting opportunity.  PA residents have spent almost $4 million on licenses since 2010. This is a powerful number.

Read Facebook Comments: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1786682918085922&set=gm.511707645953034&type=3&theater

I LOSE - FREE TIME VS LEGAL HUNTING TIMES

From Evan: 
I am interested to know more on what I could do to help support a push to include more Sunday hunting. The main reasons for me wanting it included is I’m a father of a 2 year old son with another child on the way. We are also a single income family that being of my income so I pretty much have no time to hunt Monday through Friday do to being at work all day usually start before the sun comes up and get done before it goes down. This leaves me to only Saturday and Sunday to hunt. I also work some Saturdays to keep bills paid which leaves only Sunday many weeks. I came from a family that doesn’t hunt and I always had wanted to and didn’t get the chance to learn until I joined the military and learned from guys I served with. I really hope to be able to pass what I have learned and came to love to my own children. But fear it might be tough to do with the limitations on free time vs legal hunting times. Much appreciated for the time taken to read my email and I hope to be able to be of help to aid in more open times for hunting and hope to pass a fun outdoor hobby onto the next generation that I have going to be able to keep hunting going on for more years to come. 

IT WOULD BE VERY NICE TO INCLUDE SUNDAYS

Teresa -  It would be very nice to included Sundays if you work M-F you get 2 deer hunting days without taking time off from work.  And people of low income might not find it worth the cost of a hunting license.  PA has some of the best hunting in our country and I am happy the Game Commission supports its customers request.  But especially small game on Sundays would be awesome.

I HUNT NEIGHBORING STATES. THEY OFFER SUNDAY HUNTING

Scott - PA resident here and I only hunt Ohio Sunday’s and every day straight through. Season never stops for archers. The way it should be. To hell with PA laws if they can’t do something for the hunter. I give my money to Ohio. No more PA hunting  for me. Douglas - On the east side of the state, I hunt NJ only because they have Sunday bow hunting.  I joined a club and buy licenses there and don't bother in PA.  I'd love to keep my money here, but not having Sunday hunting kills 1/2 of my hunting days.  I don't blame the PGC though....its out of their hands.

WHY CHANGE PA TITLE 34 GAME LAW

Question from Adam: 

Ok so why would you give all the power to one group . O because you think it would benefit your own agenda . Plus in we are second in the nation why fix what's not broke.

Response from Hunters United for Sunday Hunting:

Adam – you are correct, the Pa. Game Commission earned second in the nation in spite of all the “hand tying” placed on them by Pa. politicians.  How did they do this? Because the PGC ARE THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS – not legislators.  Legislatures make laws, not manage wildlife.  

Our mission is actually as stated - remove the prohibition of Sunday hunting in PA Title 34 Game Law through education, and influence legislatures to change the law accordingly. 

I can only speculate on what your preconceived notion of our “agenda” is.  I assure you the reality is much different, as a group of sportsmen/women and conservationists. it is for the 480 different species of wildlife in the state of Pa; all of which the PGC is responsible for.  

You very well may believe [as others do] that the act of hunting on Sunday will become immediate and without consideration, on the impact, it will have on huntable wildlife in the state.  This couldn’t be further from the truth.  The Pa Game Commission would first have to study and then decide if and how Sunday can be used in their management and conservation efforts.  Just as they have with allowing foxes, crows and coyotes to be legally hunted and trapped on Sunday. 

The false belief that Hunters United for Sunday Hunting wants something different is just that – false belief.  We will support whatever decision Pa. Game Commission makes in regard to Sunday hunting.  We are just asking that they are allowed to decide what is best for Sunday hunting.  Right now, they do not have that option, the law forbids it.

Legislatures have given the Pa. Game Commission specific powers and duties as outlined and found on pages 15-16 of PA Title 34 Game Law, subchapter B, section 322 (c).
 (1)  Subject to section 2102(b) (relating to seasons, possession, bag limits and devices), fix seasons, daily shooting or taking hours, and any modification thereof, and daily, season and possession limits for any species of game or wildlife.
(2)  Remove protection, declare an open season or increase, reduce or close a season.
(3)  Increase or reduce bag limits or possession limits.
(4)  Define geographic limitations or restrictions.
(5)  Fix the type and number of devices which may be used to take game or wildlife.
(6)  Limit the number of hunters or fur takers in any designated area and prescribe the lawful methods of hunting or taking furbearers in these areas.
(7)  Govern the use of recorded calls or sounds or amplified calls or sounds of any description for taking or hunting game or wildlife.
(8)  Add to or change the classification of any wild bird or wild animal.
(9)  Prohibit the possession, importation, exportation or release of any species of birds or animals which may be considered dangerous or injurious to the general public or to the wildlife of this Commonwealth.
(10)  Manage and develop its lands and waters and other government or private lands and waters under agreement with the owners as it considers advisable and, by proper action and proceedings, enact and enforce regulations to insure the prudent and proper use of these lands.
(11)  Collect, classify and preserve such statistics, data and information as in its judgment will tend to promote the object of this title and take charge of and keep all reports, books, papers and documents which shall, in the discharge of its duties, come into its possession or under its control.
(12)  Take any necessary action to accomplish and assure the purposes of this title.
(13)  Serve the interest of sportsmen by preserving and promoting our special heritage of recreational hunting and fur taking by providing adequate opportunity to hunt and trap the wildlife resources of this Commonwealth.

The problem is there are four words that keep the PGC from performing their full duties; they are – “Hunting on Sunday prohibited”, (section 2303, page 53).   

Adam - It is obvious that you are a conservationist and or a sportsman that is concerned about wildlife, hence your comment on our Facebook page and press release.  I encourage you to see and think beyond your bias, ask yourself, what are politicians doing for wildlife and our hunting heritage?  Or, are we better served by the subject matter experts in the Pa. Game Commission?  You are the only one that can decide these answers for yourself.  As for Hunters United for Sunday Hunting, our trust is in the Pa. Game Commission, not politicians.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - HUNTERS UNITED FOR SUNDAY HUNTING SUPPORTS THE PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION CHANGES AND UPDATES TO THE LICENSE YEAR 2018-19 HUNTING AND TRAPPING SEASONS.

CONTACT: Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

TELEPHONE: 717-350-6741

EMAIL: huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com

WEBSITE: facebook.com/HuntersUnitedForSundayHunting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HUNTERS UNITED FOR SUNDAY HUNTING SUPPORTS THE PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION CHANGES AND UPDATES TO THE LICENSE YEAR 2018-19 HUNTING AND TRAPPING SEASONS.

    

PA GAME COMMISSION 2018-19 SEASON CHANGES, UPDATES, AND APPROVAL CAN BE VIEWED AT:

http://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Game-Commission-Details.aspx?newsid=208

https://read.nxtbook.com/pgc/huntingtrapping/20182019/index.html#update

Halifax, Pa. July 5, 2018 – Hunters United for Sunday Hunting recognizes and supports the Pa. Game Commission in their wildlife management efforts.  Their science and biological-based wildlife management programs have proven effective year after year earning a second place ranking in the nation as written in the journal Science Advance. https://www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaGameCommission/posts/1819133508118533

Pa. Game Commission modifications approved for the 2018-19 seasons include: extending the statewide archery deer season to Monday, Nov. 12 to include the Veterans Day holiday; eliminating the hen pheasant restriction in WMUs 2A, 2C, 4C, and 5B; implementing a new four-day extended black bear firearms season in WMUs 4A and 5A; increasing from four days to six days the length of the extended black bear firearms season in WMU 3A; extending hunting hours for mourning doves from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset in all season segments; and opening WMUs 4B and 4C to fisher trapping.

The Pa. Game Commission has been managing Pennsylvania's wildlife for over 100 years.

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting asks:

• All hunters, sportsmen, sportswomen, outdoor enthusiasts, conservationist and all other like-minded people to trust the PGC as the subject matter experts and to understand without them, we would not be able to enjoy nature and our sport as we know it.
• Pa. legislatures to recognize and understand that you as lawmakers have no experience or expertise in the arena of wildlife management, non-hunted or hunted species. We encourage you to support legislative action to transfer full regulatory control to Pa. Game Commission and strengthen PA Title 34 Game Law.  Streamlining of the law puts full management and conservation in the hands of the experts - Pa. Game Commission. The transfer of full regulatory control to Pa. Game Commission is the best solution for game management in Pa.

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting is asking for the removal of the prohibition of Sunday hunting in PA Title 34 Game Law and allow the Pennsylvania Game Commission to decide what is best for Sunday hunting, not the Pa. legislatures.

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting is a conservation group that supports all conservation efforts for all wildlife in Pennsylvania, both hunted and non-hunted species.

Mission Statement - Remove the prohibition of Sunday hunting in PA Title 34 Game Law through education, and influence legislatures to change the law accordingly.

# # #

For more information about this topic, please contact Hunters United for Sunday Hunting at 717-350-6741 or email at huntersforsundayhunting@gmail.com.  View our Blog - https://huntersforsundayhunting.blogspot.com/

Executive Director Harold Daub, Communication Director Kevin Askew