Sunday hunting ban stands, but debate continues

By Matt Irvin, Staff Writer

Sunday, December 17, 2006 — Even though a bill to lift the ban on Sunday hunting in North Carolina is dead for now, the debate over the controversial change rages on.

North Carolina is one of eight states in the U.S. to ban Sunday hunting.

The bill sponsored by N.C. Rep. Wilma Sherrill, R- Asheville, will not carry forward unless it is re-introduced in the next session of the N.C. General Assembly.

“I am retiring from politics,” Sherrill said. “I entered this due to concerns of one of my constituents, The bill would have some teeth to it.”

Sherrill said the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission (WRC) could lift the ban on its own, but her constituent wanted a more powerful law on the books.

The state has banned Sunday hunting for 137 years, dating back to 1869.

Some local hunters voiced opinions on both sides of the issue.

Willian Hatley said he would like to see hunting on Sunday allowed.

“I have to work six or more days a week,” he said. “Hunting is no kind of work, that is a recreational activity.”

Hatley did not see hunting and other recreational activities having conflicting interests.

“You are not supposed to be hunting around hiking trails or picnic shelters,” he said. “Even if hunting was only allowed on private lands, that would be good.”

Other hunters said that six days a week was good enough for them and Sunday hunting should not be allowed.

“My momma would whip my butt (for hunting on Sunday)” Randy Almond said.

Seth Burleson felt Sundays were meant for a day of rest.

“I don’t think they ought to allow hunting on Sundays,” he said, “It’s the Lord’s day.”

Jimmy Dick is the executive director of the Freedom Outdoors Foundation.

Dick, who lives in Stanly County said the organization follows the prevailing law in each state.

“Whatever the state law is we abide by the law,” he said. “We don’t have any formal stand on the issue.”

Dick said Freedom Outdoors Foundation is a nationwide organization that has members in each state.

God’s Country Outfitters leads outdoor adventures in the Uwharries and Nathan Davis, owner of the company, said he didn’t have a strong stand either way.

“I have a strong stand on scripture and keep the Sabbath holy,” he said. “I don’t feel strong that hunting runs strongly against the Sabbath.”

Davis said hunting can be a relaxing activity.

“I can see it could be disruptive to family life,” he said. “Like most issues, there are benefits each side.”

Davis said a lot of his company’s opinion about Sunday activities are reflected by his store being closed Sundays.

Steve Schrapper is a resident of Badin and a avid hiker, usually hitting the trails at Morrow Mountain State Park.

“I don’t think they should allow hunting on Sundays,” he said. “There are six other days in the week to hunt. I see Sunday as a day of rest.

“It’s only one day. It wouldn’t hurt for people stay at home on Sundays.”

Brian Bristol of Middle Ring Cycles said public lands have many uses. Allowing hunting on Sundays would discourage biking, hiking, horseback riding and kayaking. He often spends time biking and leading groups on trails in the Uwharrie National Forest.

“No one wants to say hunters are not responsible,” he said.

“The reward does not outweigh the risk.”

N.C. Rep. David Almond, R- Stanfield, said he believes the ban should stand.

“I would be opposed on lifting the ban,” Almond said. “It’s going to conflict with religious views of a lot of people.”

Almond said families who want an outdoor experience in the national forest or other recreation areas would like to have a day where hunting is not a worry.

“There are six other days people can hunt,” he said.

The National Rifle Association does not have an official stand about the proposal in North Carolina.

“We are generally supportive of the position (Sunday hunting), but we haven’t had a chance to review any language of a bill,” Ashley Varner, media spokesperson for the state NRA, said.

During the debate on the possible bill, Gov. Mike Easley instructed the Wildlife Commission to study the issue and report back to the 2007 General Assembly.

The commission hired a consulting agency, Responsive Management of Harrisonburg, Va. It conducted a study iusing direct mail and phone surveys of North Carolina residents.

Phone surveys showed 65 percent of polled people opposed Sunday hunting, 81 percent of those surveyed approved hunting overall.

The most convincing reason for opposing hunting on Sunday included use of Sunday for other outdoor activities without concern about the presence of hunters.

Other reasons were Sunday as a day of rest, 70 percent, interference with church activities, 65 percent, and concern the hunting on Sunday would strain the resources of the WRC.

Only 25 percent polled supported Sunday hunting.

The report found there would be increased costs for the WRC. Any increase in the sales of hunting licenses would be offset by the need to hire as many as 72 additional game wardens, he said.

Joan Troy, media spokesperson for the state’s Wildlife Commission, said there was confusion about the directive the governor gave to the WRC.

“The commission had not been asked to take a stand on the issue,” she said. “The governor only asked the commissioners to conduct a study.”

Matt Irvin can be contacted at snaponline26@yahoo.

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