Our opposition is mobilizing - EVERYONE NEEDS TO EMAIL THIS WEEKEND AND CALL ON MONDAY. Tonights action alert from our opposition, the VA Farm Bureau...of course its full of the usual lies designed to keep you and your kids out of the woods on Sunday: Take Action Notice from Virginia Farm Bureau Sunday Hunting Heads to Senate Floor Vote Take Action! Please contact your Senator NOW to oppose SB154! SB154 (Puckett), which would allow Sunday hunting on private lands, passed the Senate Ag Committee yesterday with a 9-4 vote and is now headed to a Senate floor vote as EARLY as Monday or Tuesday. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SENATOR TO OPPOSE SB154!! SB154 (Puckett) will allow hunting on Sundays on private land. While this appears to be a harmless compromise, we recognize that on especially small tracts of land, the neighboring property has an effect on one another. So if one landowner allows the practice and their neighbor does not then the potential for conflict rises significantly. Virginia Farm Bureau, through our “grassroots” policy process, holds a longstanding position— “We oppose hunting on Sunday.” Representatives of a vast majority of our farmer members have annually discussed and voted for such a position since 1993. In the discussions, our members cite faith-based beliefs as well as the ability of horse owners, riders and landowners to use the outdoors one day a week without worry from hunters. Frequently Asked Questions/Farm Bureau’s Response: Will allowing hunting on Sunday increase the number of hunters? There is no definitive evidence that indicates allowing hunting on Sunday will increase the number of hunters. The same number of hunters will simply adjust their schedule to hunt when the conditions are suitable to their individual desire. Shouldn’t Virginia follow other states by allowing hunting on Sunday? Other states allow a variety of methods and practices for hunting that are not allowed in Virginia (i.e. baiting and others). There is no reason to conform our laws to other states and no reason to turn away from traditions like family, farming and the use of the outdoors by all citizens in favor of an expanded opportunity for a few. Will allowing hunting on Sunday impact the number of wildlife? DGIF staff has stated that hunting on Sunday will not impact the population of wildlife; which also means, there will be no significant relief of crop damage from wildlife by hunting on Sunday. DGIF staff consistently cites that there is no biologic reason not to hunt on Sunday because wildlife has no concept to the day of week; however, wildlife learn habits of hunters and avoid them by feeding at night and other times. Will allowing hunting on Sunday increase tourism or economic activity? It is impossible to judge whether hunting on Sunday will lead to more tourism and economic activity; most traveling hunters are willing and have the means to take time off from work to do so. Will this encourage more youth to start hunting? We question the assertion that there will be an increase in youth hunting as a result of Sunday hunting. With an ever increasing demand on their time for youth activities (school, sports, religious, etc.), it is not likely to increase the number of hunters. Currently, the core of the hunting season is dictated by school holidays in November and December and, therefore, will not lead to a significant increase in youth hunting. Please contact your Senator today and ask them to oppose SB154 (Puckett). Once you click on Take Action, you can write an email asking your Senator to oppose SB154 (Puckett) in the space provided. Then fill out your name, address and zip code and hit send. The system will automatically recognize your Senator by your address and zip code and send it to the appropriate legislator. Note: Take Action link does not work in Facebook. Use link for Who’s My Legislator is
Posted on: Sat, 01 Feb 2014 04:15:38 +0000
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