Maine and Massachusetts Push to Overturn Bans on Sunday Hunting
Some states are making strides towards lifting longstanding bans on Sunday hunting, and there is now a concerted effort to overturn these laws in Maine and Massachusetts, the final two states with full bans.
In Maine, the state’s highest court is currently examining a lawsuit that questions the necessity of a 19th-century law preventing hunting big game animals such as deer, moose, and turkeys on Sundays. In Massachusetts, hunters are also actively lobbying to change state laws that forbid Sunday hunting.
Currently, 40 states have no prohibitions on hunting on Sundays. The bans originated from blue laws that not only regulate which businesses can operate but also restrict the sale of alcohol on Sundays.
However, animal welfare groups, conservation organizations, and others are rallying to defend the prohibitions. Despite this, the days of Sunday hunting bans may be numbered, as several other states, including Virginia and South Carolina, have recently relaxed their own limitations on Sunday hunting.
Opinions among residents of states where hunting is deeply rooted in the culture are divided. Some hunters argue that the bans protect the rights of private landowners, while others feel that the rules limit hunting opportunities or are simply outdated.
Opponents of these laws see them as remnants of the blue laws from the 17th century that aimed to restrict citizens’ activities on a day designated for prayer. The argument for lifting the bans includes the opportunity for people to harvest their own food, especially in poor, rural communities where grocery costs are high.
States along the East Coast, where hunting is a popular activity during the fall, still have either full or partial bans on Sunday hunting. However, South Carolina and Virginia have recently made progress in opening limited hunting on public lands on Sundays. Similar changes have also been seen in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Delaware in the past few years.
Maine’s ongoing court case regarding Sunday hunting involves a couple who have filed a lawsuit arguing that the state’s right to food amendment in the constitution should allow them to hunt on any day of the week. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court has heard arguments in the case, but the timeline for a ruling remains uncertain. Maine initially banned Sunday hunting in 1883.
In Massachusetts, where the ban on Sunday hunting is believed to date back to the Puritan era, a campaign to repeal the ban gained traction but stalled in the state legislature in 2014. However, a new proposal to authorize Sunday hunting using bows and arrows was introduced earlier this year, raising hopes among supporters.
Efforts to overturn Sunday hunting bans along the East Coast face opposition from various interest groups, including animal protection advocates, state wildlife management authorities, and private landowners.
For example, Maine Woodland Owners, a group representing rural landowners in the state with the highest percentage of forested land, argues that the ban is crucial for maintaining private lands open for hunting access on the remaining days of the week.
Sportsmen’s groups, such as the National Rifle Association and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, have long advocated for overturning Sunday hunting restrictions and have achieved significant success over the past three decades. They argue that removing these laws would eliminate regulations that have no basis in wildlife management and would boost the economy, creating jobs and generating millions of dollars in economic activity.
However, wildlife managers in states where Sunday hunting is permitted have sometimes opposed efforts to lift the bans. In Maine, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife testified against a proposal earlier this year that would have allowed Sunday hunting with bows and arrows or crossbows. Agricultural, landowner, and conservation groups also voiced their opposition, emphasizing the importance of having one day of rest without disruption for landowners.
While debate over Sunday hunting has been ongoing for years, it remains a contentious issue in states where hunting is deeply ingrained in the culture. Whether the bans will ultimately be rescinded or maintained depends on the courts, legislatures, and public sentiment.
Overall, the push to overturn bans on Sunday hunting in Maine and Massachusetts highlights the ongoing debate over private landowner rights, hunting opportunities, and the relevance of these blue laws in the modern era. As the discussion unfolds, proponents and opponents of Sunday hunting will continue to voice their perspectives on this divisive topic.
