Education series: why this mission is important, why the law needs to be deconflicted, and what it would mean to people.
Education Series 1 of……
What Harm Does Sunday Hunting Do?
This article was originally written for Pa. Outdoor News.
“It’s always been that way, why do we need Sunday hunting now?” This is a comment and question I get frequently from those who don’t understand or support removing the legislative barrier to Sunday hunting and conservation efforts. So, starts the education and why removing the prohibition of hunting on Sunday in Pennsylvania actually will do.
Here are some of the common objections: All game will be shot off; Pa. Game Commission will be hit with higher costs; trespassing will be a problem; poachers will have another day to wreak havoc in Pa.; non-hunters need a day too; animals need a day of rest; the land will be posted; Sunday should be only for church activities.
Fortunately, there are facts that address these concerns.
The health of the 480 species of wildlife found in Pa. and their habitat is why we need to consider Sunday hunting. Both depend on a strong conservation commitment from all Pennsylvanians, hunters, and non-hunters. Hunters foot the bill for wildlife management. It is referred to as the North American Model of Game Management. Here in Pa. 62 game species are hunted, but yet monies from sportsmen and sportswomen support all 480 species.
Unfortunately, we are facing a big threat to that model's success. The most common reason people who want to hunt can't is TIME. Work schedules, youth Saturday activities, single/shared custody parents are some of the reasons we aren't hunting. We need more TIME.
If our legislators remove the prohibition, the PGC can consider adding TIME [Sunday] using resource first science-based management to ensure our game species remain healthy and are not ‘shot off’, as some say. Proof of this is the recent recognition earned in the journal Science Advances on April 2 by the PGC for their species management plans. https://www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaGameCommission/posts/1819133508118533
On the concerns that costs will increase. Valid point, but the PGC already operates seven days a week. And what better way to deter poachers and trespassers than to have legal hunting on Sundays, more eyes to spot and report law violators.
For all the non-hunters who are already sharing Penn’s Woods with us hunters. We know you are there, the law permits you to be there, just keep doing it safely to limit problems.
The argument that animals need a day of rest. Animals live in the wild, their instincts keep them alive, just ask any hunter. Of all the game I have observed over the years, I have not seen a single animal carrying a calendar.
Those who say the land will be posted if Sunday hunting is permitted. Farmers need hunters, hunters need farmers. We assist with crop damage and predation of livestock. Do you truly believe a farmer that permits hunting during the weekdays would stop all hunting if the PGC implemented management efforts on Sunday? As a private landowner, post it, don’t post it. This is a conservation and a management effort for Pennsylvania wildlife, not a land war on private property.
Lastly, to the cliché argument. Sunday should be only for religious activities. This is a ridiculous, laughable and insulting statement that doesn’t deserve a response. What they are really saying is 'there is an entire group of people who do not know what is important in their lives, nor do they know how to manage their time.'
As the author of this article, what is the harm in giving more TIME for people to enjoy the activity that they love? Is there irreparable harm in removing the prohibition language in Title 34 Pa. Game Law ‘Hunting on Sunday Prohibited’ and changing it to ‘Hunting on Sunday’?
Written by Harold Daub, Executive Director, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting
