Sunday hunting would help long heritage

To the Times:

Senate Bill 147 sponsored by Sen. Daniel Laughlin, R-49 of Eric County, would expand hunting opportunities for hunters by eliminating the prohibition against hunting on Sundays.

Prohibitions on Sunday hunting are old blue laws left on the books in just a few states. They deny hunters access one day per week despite the fact that hunters pump millions of dollars into habitat restoration and conservation through Pittman Robertson funds.

Many hunters are prevented from introducing their children or friends to hunting because they are competing against organized sports and other activities on Saturday, which is currently their only opportunity to hunt outside of the work or school week.

Countless hunters stop hunting because of the lack of opportunity both in time and accessible land. The addition of an extra day in the field, especially on the weekend, increases the opportunity to enjoy our hunting heritage. Allowing hunting on Sundays will invigorate essential hunter recruitment and retention. Steve Gerace, Ridley