IN A SIGNIFICANT reversal of sentiment from a decade ago,
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries sent a statistically valid, 14-question survey to 5,000 licensed, randomly selected hunters statewide in November. Fifty-nine percent responded.
VDGIF board member Jimmy Hazel, chairman of the Wildlife and Boating Committee, stated: "This survey was a necessary first step in determining the importance of this issue to Virginia hunters. Getting a response rate of almost 60 percent is impressive on any survey. In this case, it suggests that hunters have strong feelings about this issue and want to be heard."
In 1996, slightly more hunters opposed Sunday hunting (48 percent) than supported it (45 percent). Of 62 percent supporting Sunday hunting in the latest survey, 53 percent were strongly supportive. Of 34 percent who opposed it, 28.5 percent were strongly opposed.
Virtually every region of the commonwealth had a majority of hunters expressing support, with Northern Virginia leading at 66 percent. The south-central Piedmont area was the lowest at 58 percent.
Over the last decade, I have heard from many hunters for and against Sunday hunting. I don't take a strong position on this, but consistent themes merit addressing as both sides work this issue.
First, Sunday hunting supporters effectively stress that past Virginia legislators seemed interested in preserving only two "blue" laws banning certain things on Sunday: hunting and bottled liquor sales from the state-run monopoly. Everyone else can now fish, play golf, shop, have soccer tournaments, attend concerts, see the Redskins, even go to big NASCAR races, etc. But hunting--well, that's just wrong.
They have a point.
Some opponents have, apparently, capitalized on confusion about the ability of land owners to restrict hunting on their property should Sunday hunting be permitted. One Stafford County reader, Joseph Hirtz, wrote to implore me to address this myth following the announcement of the survey results.
Land owners always can prohibit Sunday hunting on their property even if the state authorizes it. They could limit hunting to Wednesdays and Saturdays; after all, it is their land. Even federal properties could choose to opt out of Sunday hunting. Some currently opt out of current seasons adopted by the state.
A few landowners in the eastern half of the state where hunting with dogs is allowed aren't crazy about hounds being dropped on adjacent properties during a Sunday hunt. A majority of hunters (59 percent) apparently agree with them, opposing hunting with dogs on Sunday.
Some scuttlebutt alludes to Sunday hunting adding to the expense of law enforcement, yet Sunday fishing still takes place. Others note that eastern Virginia's deer season is already very long. If Sunday hunting occurs, perhaps season lengths could be adjusted to compensate.
Some believe the VDGIF determines this issue. It doesn't. It is set in state law enacted by the General Assembly.
One bill already has been filed in this year's short session that would permit Sunday hunting in the afternoon. Del. D.W. Marshall has offered House Bill 1639, which would allow hunting on Sundays from noon until one-half hour after sunset. Gov. Tim Kaine indicated in an interview during his candidacy that he supports Sunday hunting.
VDGIF director Carlton Courter, was quoted in a VDGIF release announcing the survey results as saying: "As Sunday hunting is considered by the General Assembly in this session and in the future, we will certainly gather additional input from other constituents, including land owners, other outdoor enthusiasts and state residents in general."
The rhetoric appears poised to position the argument for another year (or two) extension. Any inference to tossing the issue to some sort of statewide survey or referendum, though, is troubling.
Virginia and North Carolina are among a dwindling number of states prohibiting Sunday hunting. North Carolina's Wildlife Resources Commission recently backed down from earlier support of Sunday hunting following a study that showed nearly two-thirds of the general population opposed it.
That result probably shouldn't have been too startling. Urbanites who believe "Bambi" is a legitimate documentary will have a disproportionate voice if this is how policy is made. A "majority rules" perspective on wildlife management and hunting issues could be expected to go against the hunter.
Tune in to major metropolitan-area television news reporters as they gush wide-eyed about an uptown criminal wielding a "semiautomatic hunting rifle." They tar the hunter with the same crappy brush as the villain with such innuendo. The uninformed and the inexperienced buy it hook, line and sinker.
Anti-hunters will always oppose hunting. A big challenge would be getting most nonhunters to sufficiently understand the survey question to make an informed decision. Absent adequate knowledge of an issue, research shows people almost always vote for the status quo.
Consult bona fide stakeholders for sure; they're the only ones with a dog in this hunt. But avoid any policy dilemma that could be confused when people who have absolutely no connection or even understanding of the land, wildlife and habitat, no concept of putting a meal before their family that wasn't procured in an asphalt jungle supermarket, drive wildlife management decisions.
The Fat Lady is far from singing on this one.
Here's a thought. Maybe the General Assembly should get out of managing Sunday hunting and transfer the authority to the VDGIF board. After all, they are the appointed officials who should be best able to make a policy decision related to the natural resources at issue and the needs of the constituents they serve and who fund their agency.
To see the full results of the survey, see dgif.virginia.gov.
KEN PERROTTE can be reached at The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia Street, Fredericksburg, Va. 22401; by fax at 373-8455; or e-mail at
Email: outdoors@freelancestar.com.