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needs day off
While a slim majority of North Carolina hunters favor Sunday hunting, a larger majority of citizens oppose it. We only hope the legislature listens to all the voters, rather than their study group.
Six days a week is enough time for even the most avid sportsman. Families, friends, and even some employers already see their hunters disappear between October and Jan. 1 – we don’t need pastors filing missing persons reports, too.
It’s interesting to note that those who responded favorably to the study were more likely to hail from areas with shorter hunting seasons; hunters in the southern and eastern portions of the state, according to the study, were generally against the idea.
Still, the Wildlife Commission initially recommended sending the study to the legislature with a favorable endorsement. This was passed nine votes to five. After some re-consideration, however, they unanimously voted to forward the study with no recommendation.
The politicking going on with the commission, while interesting, isn’t as important as the simple point that most folks, hunters and non-hunters, oppose Sunday hunting.
Opposition to hunting wasn’t really an issue in the study – 81 percent of the state’s population approves of hunting as a pastime and a conservation measure. At the same time, 65 percent of the general population respondents oppose lifting the ban on Sunday hunting. Most cited respect for the Sabbath day as their reason.
On the other side, proponents say the decision on whether or not to hunt on Sunday shouldn’t be a governmental decision. Others would appreciate the chance to have more time to take to the field.
While we respect the independent thought of the former, we have to doubt the high-toned philosophy. The latter is more likely the truest reason, and even it is disingenuous.
If you truly want to hunt more, you can find a way. After all, we have a hunting tradition in the South and this state, and families and employers are often pretty good about understanding such things.
We fear the average Sunday hunter might not be the true sportsman, but the game hogs who damage the public image of hunting as well as the private property of others. People shouldn’t have to worry about their Sunday being disturbed by that small but noticeable minority of hunters who refuse to respect others’ property and rights for six days a week.
Even the animals deserve a day off.
Whether they support a day of rest or a day of worship, we hope the legislature will decide that six days a week is enough, no matter what the season.