By Cory Boothe
Coryboothe@hotmail.com
Sunday hunting on private land only, was just recently signed into law for the entire state of Virginia. This is almost the exact proposal that citizens of Braxton, Calhoun, Gilmer, Lewis, Nicholas, Webster, and Wirt Counties will be voting on this May 13th. The only difference is Virginia is including public waterways. With the addition of Virginia, 44 states now have Sunday hunting.
Fourteen counties in West Virginia have had Sunday hunting since 2001 without any incident. In fact, our neighbor, Clay County has had Sunday hunting for thirteen years. The entire state had Sunday hunting in 2001 without a single incident on Sunday.
Church and Sunday hunting can coexist. In fact, nine of the ten highest church attendance states have Sunday hunting. It is perfectly acceptable to hunt before or after church. As a matter of fact, preachers across America take to the woods before or after church during hunting season.
As for a day of rest, I find it interesting that deer need a day of rest on Sunday but horseback riders use it as a day to ride. Surely that is not rest for the horse. It is interesting that slaughter-houses are also legally allowed to slaughter on Sunday. Stores are open. Eating out after church is a common activity. Mom's Place Two is open on Sunday and routinely serves many people after church. Surely, no one tells their server that it is a sin to be serving them on Sunday. Fishing is legal on Sunday. Predators still pursue prey on Sunday.
If you do not agree, simply do not participate. Do not allow your land open to Sunday hunting and do not practice it yourself. However, do not make the decision for others to not be able to do an activity on their own land on Sunday that is legal the other six days of the week.
This is a vote for the hard working men and women that might only have one day off a week. Why should they be punished for their hard work?
| 
