Stop Sunday Hunting in Virginia.

Hunting is only allowed on specific state parks.

Hunting is prohibited in all National Parks in Virginia. For current information related to any permitted hunting activities view Park specific websites or contact via Park public information telephone lines. (example: Blue Ridge Parkway or 1-828-298-0398).

I'm very sorry to hear that you are having to deal with a criminal and unethical element but I certainly wouldn't call what those people are doing hunting. When a bank robber goes into the bank we don't call it banking. There are criminals in just about every activity and the law should get involved and it will be solved.

The other 44 states that allow Sunday hunting have proven that the horse riders and hunters exist peacefully and without strife.

The other irony is that chase hunting with dogs is already happening all over Virginia. Essentially the General Assembly has singled out deer, turkey, waterfowl and said none of those types of hunting.

I didn't know there were less bugs on sundays? They must go to church, too. Like I said, you're whining about 12 days out of 365. Why ban dogs? Hunting with dogs is the most safe way to hunt. Dogs aren't going to chase the horses. The idea that horses and hunting don't go together is a new one to me. I know lots of people who do both. But like I said, you have an agenda and you've already stated that you see no reason to compromise.

have you even read the thread ?
I'm not whining about anything , I was refering to the Sundays during hunting season, And yes I do have an agenda, continuing the ban on Sunday hunting. I also am familiar with VA law, and lots of hunting goes on on state and national forests, and other public lands paid for by all taxpayers. I don't see the issue with hunters getting 6 days a week and the rest of us getting 1. Luckily so far Va state legislature agrees.

I can tell you are not a hunter, you are an anti pushing an agenda. You know how I can tell?

1. You start the post with you credentials to gain credability, my experience is those who have to do that don't deserve any.
2. You describe Virginia woods like they are a wild wild west style lawless war zone. Flat out a lie and anyone who is a hunter knows it.
3. You don't describe any legal recourse or compromise except No Hunting on Sunday. Archery hunting would be less dangerous than the fox hunting that is already happening on Sunday.
4. Your last post was written as us/me vs. them.

You're no hunter, no reasonable person, and only pushing an agenda. Go back to your HSUS or PETA meeting group hug session and tell them your cover was blown. Better luck next time...

The rules are quite different here in Ontario. No dogs. Most hunters sit up a tree on a stand near well worn deer trails. This gives them a better view and don't shoot each other by not walking around. It's been done this way on my land for 10 years and every year one or two American hunters go home with a nice 10 pt buck. Now, if our ministry would also let them take does. Only residents can so far but they are few and far between. The deer population has exploded here also.

I really don't have any reason to lie about anything, and have been perfectly honest about my agenda, continuing the ban on Sunday hunting. Some of the circumstances in my area make it harder to enjoy the woods at the same time than it may in other areas.
1 lack of trespass enforcement,
2 use of dogs and the large group road hunts, not the single guy every now and then in a treestand. Creating the perception (I'll admit that it may be just a perception of a less than safe place to be riding around on a four legged brown animal
3. The length of the deer season.
4. I strongly feel that having 6 days of hunting followed by 1 day of none is a great situation for all concerned.
Callng me names wont change that and I really have nothing to prove or defend to anyone.
If you would like to see the status quo remain I encourage you to contact your state reps. If you would like to see it change you are free to do the same as well, obviously I don't encourage you to do so.
I hope everyone stays safe this fall and enjoys their favorite pastimes, I plan to ride on Sundays.

I'm confused.....hopefully someone can explain? When I read comments made in opposition of expanding Sunday hunting it always seems that equine enthusiasts base their opposition on a fear of being shot by hunters. VA licenses about 250,000 hunters each year. All hunters are required to take hunter/firearms safety training. How many horse enthusiasts have been shot by hunters? I know the answer so please don't post anything that's inaccurate. There are about 2,000,000 gun owners in VA, and all of them are permitted to shoot, essentially without restriction on Sundays. Why does it seem that we completely ignore the majority of gun owners, and the true risk, when we stress the importance that Sundays remain hunt free? Actually, hunting on Sunday is quite legal. In fact, there isn't a minute of any Sunday, anywhere in the State when, or where hunting is unlawful. Hunters that ask for Sunday hunting, are only asking to have the right to choose what happens on privately owned property. Is having the right to use one's on property as they sit fit unreasonable? Removing hunters from the outdoors on Sundays doesn't remove the risk of being shot.....which incidentally is ultra low. Actually, you are far more apt to die from a horse riding injury than you are any accidental firearms discharge including that of a hunter.

Huntssundays, thank you for your civility,
Looks like there were 9 hunting fatalities last year, 5 self inflicted gunshot wounds, 2 treestand falls, and 2 people shot by someone who though it was a deer or turkey, there were also some injuries cited but not a total. There was only one horse riding fatality last year to my knowledge. (I know not really relevant) and as you stated probably lots more shooters and hunters.
No riders being shot could just as easily mean nobody on a horse goes in the woods during deer season.
I seriously have no issue what happens on private property, however as I stated above, property lines are not respected, and trespass laws unenforced.
People that don't want Sunday hunting are only asking for one day out of the week to enjoy the woods without fear, of being shot. The hunters can have it the other 6.

BTW, I believe, but have no specific evidence, that the current practice of not hunting on Sunday is a vestige of Virginia's "blue laws" and the state's conservative, religious mindset.

HuntSundays, the reason I avoid the woods during regular firearms season is not due to my fear of being shot, it's due to my fear of my horse spooking at the sound of gunfire. It is just not a whole lot of fun to spend the entire ride riding defensively in case your horse spooks out from under you. Also, in my county, it is legal to hunt deer with rifle, not just shotgun, so there is an increased risk of an accidental shooting.

If there's actually a bill or proposal to allow hunting on Sundays, which I don't think there currently is, I would oppose it, because I do enjoy my one day a week in the woods worry free. However, I think horsepeople do themselves a diservice by adopting the us versus them philosophy. It's important in terms of safety and land conservation for hunters and riders to be allies as we share the same threatened resources - open land.

I ride a big tract of land that's leased to a hunt club. And they hunt with dogs and keep a kennel on the property. They pay a yearly fee to have exclusive rights to hunt the property, and they do an amazing job maintaining it as well - trails are always cleared; most are graded. I ride the property for free, and other than the occassional favor to the landowner, do no maintenence. I go out of my way to be polite and respectful to the hunt club and NEVER, EVER interfere with their hunting.

Joe4d, I am still confused about exactly what your beef is and exactly what action or postion you're advocating. With the deer population down, and the prevalent attitude in Virginia about respecting the sabbath, I truly doubt we'll see Sunday hunting anytime soon.

This makes it sound as if your real issue is certain irresponsible hunters, but I'm still confused - if you have no issue with how private land is hunted, then we're talking about state or national parks and wildlife management areas. How can property lines and trepassing be an issue for hunters on government land?