Thursday, December 21, 2006
Sunday hunting gap is closing
Bill Cochran
Recent columns
Hunters continue to be sharply divided over Sunday hunting in Virginia, but the latest survey on the issue reveals that the gap may be closing.
When the Virginia Deer Hunters Association recently asked more than 5,000 of its members: “Would you support Sunday hunting for the entire season?” The reply was 43 percent yes; 57 percent no.
“The last survey we did was February of 2005, said Denny Quaiff, editor of the organization’s Whitetail Times. “It was 62 percent opposed then. That’s pretty significant when you think about it — a 5-percent change in 20 months.”
You might think that if Sunday hunting were cushioned somewhat, say if it were permitted afternoons only, or on certain dates, or maybe for youth only, that the acceptance rate would go up. Right?
Fact is, the survey showed that it did just the opposite. Examples:
“Would you support Sunday hunting following the Saturday opening day of archery, muzzleloader and general firearms only?” Yes, 40 percent; No, 60 percent.
>How about after noon on Sunday? Yes, 33 percent; No. 67 percent.
>On private land only? Yes, 35 percent; No, 65 percent.
>For young people only? Yes, 23 percent; No, 77 percent.
“What I am seeing, the people who want Sunday hunting either want all of it or nothing,” Quaff said.
Some participants who indicated that they were opposed to Sunday hunting said they didn’t intent to stay home and boycott it should it be approved. Like it or not, 54 percent said they would take advantage of Sunday hunting. Fifty-six percent said they belonged to a hunting club that probably would open its facilities to Sunday hunting.
“That right there is a 54-46 [in favor] vote in my eyes,” said Butch Ammon, a leading Sunday hunting advocate who lives in Richmond.
The Virginia Deer Hunters Association received about a 20 percent return from its survey. That is good, but nothing like what the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is experiencing. It sent 5,000 questionnaires to licensed hunters asking opinion on Sunday hunting and the response as of last week was about 40 percent, which is huge.
The DGIF survey results are scheduled to be posted in early January and legislators are expected to consider them as a best source of information. The DGIF cannot end the Sunday hunting ban. Only the General Assembly has authority to do that. Last session, three bill addressing Sunday hunting were introduced and all failed.
The Virginia Deer Hunters Association survey reflected the graying nature of hunters. Eighty-two percent of the participants said they had been hunting for 25 years or more. Only one percent had hunted for five years or less. A scant eight percent were in the 18-to 35-age bracket, while more than 70 percent were age 46 and above. Just 3 percent were females.
Quaiff said the survey results would be made available to state wildlife officials and legislators who are interested, but he added “We are not out here campaigning one way or the other for it.”
Some of the association’s members have been critical of previous questionnaires, saying they have been worded in a way that encourages a negative response. In an effort to counter that, the association’s most recent survey contained 11 questions on the issue, where there has been one in the past.
“I’d still like to have seen the results of a question worded just the opposite: ‘Are you opposed to Sunday hunting?’” said Penn Riggs, a member from Norfolk who supports Sunday hunting. “How many of those [surveyed] would have responded differently? I don’t think Sunday hunting should be compromised; it should be allowed—period. I say, make it legal, and let those that don’t want to hunt on Sunday stay home.”
Check Bill Cochran’s Field Reports for additional data from the survey.
