On Wednesday, the Delaware House Committee on Agriculture approved House Substitute 1 for House Bill 289, sponsored by Representative William Carson (D-28). The substitute language for HB 289 will allow for the hunting of deer on Sundays during each deer season, on both private and public lands. Please contact your state Representative and politely urge them to SUPPORT the House Substitute 1 for House Bill 289.
Currently, Delaware prohibits any form of hunting on Sunday except for trapping, and hunting red foxes with dogs. Saturday is the only day that many are able to hunt due to being busy with work or school between Monday and Friday. This unnecessary time restriction forces countless hunters to stop hunting and prevents them from introducing their children to hunting because they are competing with organized sports and other activities on Saturday. Opening hunting on Sundays is vital to preserving Delaware’s hunting heritage for future generations to come.
Other outdoor activities are allowed on Sunday, including those that take place on public and private property, such as fishing, hiking and golf. Restrictions on Sunday hunting effectively treat hunters as second-class citizens and tacitly endorse the view of animal extremists that there is something wrong with hunting. Such a view ignores the fact that hunting is part of America’s heritage and hunters contribute billions of dollars to wildlife and conservation programs, through license fees and revenues generated through purchases of firearms, ammunition and archery equipment.
On Tuesday, May 10, the Delaware House of Representatives is scheduled to consider HB 289. Please click the “Take Action” button above and politely urge your state Representative to support House Substitute 1 for House Bill 289 when it comes up for a vote.