Think hunting on Sundays is a good idea?

[MTBME]

Think its a good idea to share the woods with hunters on Sundays? I didn't think so. It wouldn't take much effort to drop a quick email to let them know how you feel.

"For years Massachusetts sportsmen have been cheated with the current ban on Sunday hunting. Now there is another bill sponsored by Rep. Anne Gobi that will make it legal to Sunday hunt right here."

State Rep. Anne Gobi's phone number is 617-722-2210. Her e-mail address is Rep.AnneGobi@hou.state.ma.us

http://www.lowellsun.com/sports/ci_5412621

[off piste]

Sent off a note.....

[jh_on_the_cape]

send notes! i send one every year. my rep. said that this bill is introduced every year and has never made it past committe for a vote. so sending letters should hopefully keep it that way.

[Slappy]

I don't see the big deal. Wear your orange one more day a week and let 'em hunt on Sundays. It should be hanging right there with the rest of your riding gear anyway at that time of year. They only get a few weeks anyway, it's in the "off" season, and legal hunting on Saturdays hasn't cut into my riding any.

[DVRider]

I have to agree with Slappy here. To expound, there are also places to ride that don't allow hunting. Just go there instead. I'd rather see a good sized healthy heard of deer than a huge heard of sickly ones. If you want to stop something from happening. Stop the sprawl of the McMansions that continue to go up every year despite a downward trend in the market and hundreds of vacant properties. I have seen more of my favorite riding spots ended by this than I have by hunters.

[kernel crash]

I don't know. Is it too much to ask, during hunting season, that we can get 1 day a week when we don't have to worry about getting blasted off the saddle or if were wearing enough orange. If the heards are too big, then expand the hunting season by another couple of weeks.

[jh_on_the_cape]

I don't know. Is it too much to ask, during hunting season, that we can get 1 day a week when we don't have to worry about getting blasted off the saddle or if were wearing enough orange. If the heards are too big, then expand the hunting season by another couple of weeks.

Yup. I don't take my kids into the woods during hunting season. everyone else gets one day a week during season. lots of wildlife management areas are heavily used by both hunters and walkers.

but this is why nemba doesnt take an official stance onit, which i think is cool.

[storkula]

It may not be a great idea for non-hunters, but I don't think it's a bad idea. I’m out quite a bit during hunting season and don't mind sharing the woods with hunters. Yeah I feel more at ease on Sundays, but I wouldn’t try to stop it from happening. We can ride a lot more than they can hunt.

Maybe we shouldn’t be allowed to ride in the woods on Sundays.

A couple other articles found:
http://www.newsobserver.com/811/story/523678.html
http://www.huntingsense.com/sunday-hunting-bans/

[off piste]

I don't know. Is it too much to ask, during hunting season, that we can get 1 day a week when we don't have to worry about getting blasted off the saddle or if were wearing enough orange. If the heards are too big, then expand the hunting season by another couple of weeks.

I don't think it's a big deal. I always carry at least one "signaling device"
with me when riding during hunting season:

http://home.comcast.net/%7Ewi1w/ctac.jpg

[BG]

That's what he's got in his baggy shorts (among other things)

This is what the front of his rig looks like

[Slappy]

:
http://www.huntingsense.com/sunday-hunting-bans/

They should change the name of that site to huntingNONsense.com.
:har:

I figure if I was into hunting (I have friends that are) it would suck to wait all year for that little time you get to do something you really love, then figure the majority of people have to work all week and you're limited to one day on the weekend. Lots of us know how tough it is to get out when you've got all the other stuff going on...not to mention, it's necessary, nondestructive, and we'd be sure to have a lot less places to ride if it hadn't been for hunters.

Course, first time I have a close call I'd change my tune completely. :rolleyes:

[robdesigns]

I used to be a hunter, but stopped hunting and shooting not long ago. I have never seen a hunter when I ride, and never saw a rider when I used to hunt. I do not think that the wilderness areas that draws good game animals would make the best biking anyway. That is not to say I have never seen sign when I ride, but I should see a lot more deer signs if I were to hunt the same area.

I can understand the concern that many of us have over getting hurt or killed in a hunting "accident". There are a lot of yahoos out there, but most of the hunters left around are a little more experienced (OLD). There are also far fewer places safe to hunt on. I can remember deer hunting in Hopkinton, MA when I was a kid at my gram's between College Rock and Chestnut Street. I would never imagine doing that now, even with a primitive bow and arrow.

Would it be fair if we were forced to buy a licence to ride? What if we could not ride on Sundays because of a quaint tradition of not recreating when you should be in church? I am sure there are some who are more upset about not being able to buy beer on Sunday.

I am not sure of the financial details, but I would be willing to bet that there would be fewer wilderness areas around were it not for the fees paid by people who hunt and fish.

Not trying to be political or confrontational, but do try to see both sides.

Rob

[BigMac]

Done deal!

[heckler]

[QUOTE=robdesigns;146096
Would it be fair if we were forced to buy a licence to ride? What if we could not ride on Sundays because of a quaint tradition of not recreating when you should be in church? I am sure there are some who are more upset about not being able to buy beer on Sunday.Rob[/QUOTE]


I would rather be riding, thinking about God, than sitting in church thinking about riding.

[MTBME]

I think an issue like this can mean different things to different people depending on your perspective. Here in the Merrimack Valley, I'm looking at it from the perspective of the Lowell Dracut Tyngsboro state forest, which is probably a bit odd that hunting is even allowed in there. We have 1100 acres completely surrounded by the towns of Dracut, Tyngsboro and the city of Lowell. Here's a link to the DCR map which is a little outdated as far as some of the newer trails added in recent years.

http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/trails/lowell-dracut.gif

Its not hard to see that many homes and backyards spill right into the forest. I have a hard time figuring out why hunters would even want to hunt in there. It's not what you would call wilderness.

[off piste]

Well, looks like you have an entirely different problem there, Norm. Rather than an entire ban on Sunday huinting everywhere, I think you should be adressing this problem as the local one that it is. I have to agree -- even as pro gun rights as I am, I find it incredible that LDT is open to hunting. I would say there's a real need to close off that area to hunting PERIOD! Firing off a gun there makes about as much sense as in a residential neighborhood -- there's just no reliable backdrops and the "civilian" factor is off the scale on any given day.

However, there's plenty of venues -- Townsend, Willard Brook, Leominster, etc., where hunting can easily co-esist simultaneously with other users. I frequently bike solo in those areas during hunting season, and the only evidence of their presence is vehicles at the trailheads. Given enough real estate, they're nowhere near trails -- they've followed a compass or GPS waypoint and bushwacked out.

[TA]

In my area Batchelor St. and Facing Rock in Ludlow are two areas that are Mass Wildlife Properties which is money from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses. We should consider ourselves lucky to be able to use these areas.
There are only about 4 weeks at the end of the year for shotgun and primative firearms. I think we should be able to live with 4 Sundays.
I have also talked with hunters that are not happy about us riding in these areas during hunting season and we wouldn't want them to try to keep us out.
We all need to share the woods and make some sacrifices

Terry

[AA]

I dont think that riding during hunting season is a big deal at the popular mt biking spots. If there are hunters there they know that they have to co-exist with other users. I do avoid lesser used trails in my area (Stow MA) during hunting season. There are connector trails from my neighborhood to the local conservation property that are only used by me, hunters, and the local animal population. If an "incident" were to occur it would most likely be in a place where the hunter didnt expect to encounter anyone else. For the short duration of shotgun and primitive arms season (4 weeks I believe) I avoid these places, not a big deal. If huting is allowed on Sundays I'm sure we can all find safe places to ride during that time.

[hogboy]

the deal with sundays is, it gives homeowners and landowners a break. they get one day a week during season they can be on their own land and expect to not be shot by a dumb hunter

[off piste]

the deal with sundays is, it gives homeowners and landowners a break. they get one day a week during season they can be on their own land and expect to not be shot by a dumb hunter


Isn't that what "No Trespassiing" and "No Hunting" signs are for? Once again, this brings us back to localizing the action needed on a case by case basis.

[CouchingTiger]

Sunday bans are simply for co-existence. Say what you will but in most areas, people who are not hunting stay the heck out of the woods when its hunting season. I know we see hunters (bow) frequently right in Burlington, MA. They never look too pleased to see us but they are typically camped out on a bike trail. I know that when I lived in VT you just stayed away out of common sense. In ME, our snowmobile club only does trail work on Sundays in the fall (ME has Sunday bans also) out of respect and again, common sense.

In terms of revenue generated by the sale of hunting licenses, it doesn't pay for the gas that Fish & Game goes through patrolling in their trucks. Its exactly the same with snowmobiling. Registration funds don't go far. The reason that states have hunting is simple, herd control. If there is no overpopulation of wildlife, they will be no hunting. Pure conservation. The real revenue generated by hunting, at least in rural areas like Pittsburg, NH and Rangeley, ME is from the flatlanders heading up and spending a week in premium wilderness lodging (http://www.bosebuck.com/ or http://www.cabinsatlopstick.com/) and then buying lots of gear, ammo, food and real necessities (http://www.budweiser.com/). Just like most activities, that's where the real money is.

-Couch

[splat]

I don't have any Problem with it, while I may not be pleased when I run not them , I can understand there point of View.

every hunter I have run into have been courtous and Polite . and One even Lectured SloMoJo and My self for being in a fish and wildlife area during hunting season with no orange on. ( he was right )

and a Buch of the hunters who I have talked to say they love to see the Mt bikers around because a) make the deer a little less skittish of humans because they see us all the ime , and B) we can help drive the deer to them. and c) or stench hides the hunters scent.

I even had one set of hunters ask me if I could take there picture with there Kill. I obliged

[Jisch]

I try to avoid hunting areas when riding in hunting season, though sometimes, there's no choice. I have bumped into a few hunters, most of the time they are curteous, though somewhat perturbed that I spooked whatever they might have been after.

The weirdest encounter was with bow hunters up at Bigelow. I was riding down a fire road and they stepped out onto the road. They were both in full on camo and I honestly did not see them at all until the stepped out. It was like they suddenly appeared from nowhere - like some strange magic trick.

As far as the orange - I do put orange on my bike and Camelbak during hunting season, in fact I still have some hanging off my seat now. I have also gotten the "you are stupid to be riding during hunting season" lecture both from a hunter and from a DEP guy. I find it a bit ironic that I would be the one getting the lecture considering I'm NOT THE ONE WITH THE GUN! I put faith, however misplaced, that the hunter (THE ONE WITH THE GUN) will know that he's pointing at a biker and not a deer. I live in CT, not upstate ME, people are EVERYWHERE. I think hunters know this.

<edit>I guess I didn't answer the original question. Just give me Sundays to ride my bike without fear and I'm good.

John

[xcslowpoke]

Hunting, hunting, hunting. Do I like it? No. Am I opposed to it? No. Sunday's? Have to agree with the others that stated, what if a law was passed to have no MTBing on Sundays. I wouldn't like that. So I can live with hunting.

As for hunting is necessary to thin the heard, yes because or ancestors killed off the animals that hunted deer. I lived in CA and would see downed deer from Mountain Lion's all the time. I actually encountered, within 20 ft, a mountain lion while MTBing. He was right in San Jose within 1 mile of my house. BTW, SJ is the 9th largest city in the US. There is no hunting in the bay area and the deer population isn't out of control. Why? Mountain Lions! Now, Wild Pig's, totally different story! They pay people to come collect and slaughter them. So I am for hunting and not banning it entirely. Do I like the idea of no hunting on Sunday? Sure but its a selfish reason. If they allowed hunting, I would do what I did when I lived in VT - stay out of the woods entirely. I'm willing to give up a part of my season if someone else gives up a part of theirs. How many weeks a year is hunting season anyway?

[geezer]

They should make hunting legal 24-7, 365 days a year, but make it HUNTING!!, no wepons or firearms, just your sharp senses and maybe a sharp stick, put everything on an even playing field. During the fall and winter, clothing should also be banned. Part of the population would enjoy that! The great white pickle hunters!

[hogboy]

Isn't that what "No Trespassiing" and "No Hunting" signs are for? Once again, this brings us back to localizing the action needed on a case by case basis.


show me buckshot or a bullet that can read signs.

no no no it isn't going to be just 'any hunter', it is going to be 'some other hunter' that ends up shooting someone else. that's how it always goes.

sundays are staying hunt-free

[Jisch]

They should make hunting legal 24-7, 365 days a year, but make it HUNTING!!, no wepons or firearms, just your sharp senses and maybe a sharp stick, put everything on an even playing field...

...but if we did that, then only the sick and weak animals would be culled - the big, strong deer would get away... Oh wait...

john

[off piste]

show me buckshot or a bullet that can read signs.

no no no it isn't going to be just 'any hunter', it is going to be 'some other hunter' that ends up shooting someone else. that's how it always goes.

sundays are staying hunt-free

If they're not going to obey said signs, what makes you think they'll obey the "No Sunday's" rule? It'll just effect the law-abiding types who'll know their target and backstops to begin with. The poachers will be out there regardless. The anti-gun crowd has been passing laws for years, and all it does is affect the law-abiding folks. Criminals and ignoramuses just go on, business as usual.

[xcslowpoke]

They should make hunting legal 24-7, 365 days a year, but make it HUNTING!!, no wepons or firearms, just your sharp senses and maybe a sharp stick, put everything on an even playing field. During the fall and winter, clothing should also be banned. Part of the population would enjoy that! The great white pickle hunters!

Now this reminds me of another post where someone happened across a few men entangled at HP. Although I doubt those men would carry guns, seems to go against the very liberal agenda. But maybe they were Log Cabin Republican. Not that there is anything wrong with any of that. Okay, I'm surely on a tangent now.

[hogboy]

If they're not going to obey said signs, what makes you think they'll obey the "No Sunday's" rule? It'll just effect the law-abiding types who'll know their target and backstops to begin with. The poachers will be out there regardless. The anti-gun crowd has been passing laws for years, and all it does is affect the law-abiding folks. Criminals and ignoramuses just go on, business as usual.

it is far easier to nab -anyone- with a gun in the woods, coming out of the woods, parking alongside the woods, on a sunday... than to nab someone who crossed a property line somewhere. it's more enforcable. sheesh

sundays are out. period. it's breaktime for landowners.

[Slappy]

Maybe some landowners would like to hunt on their own property on Sundays. End of story. Period. Final word. No one else talk anymore. Cuz I said so. :rolleyes:

[off piste]

Heh! They can't even nail ATV's and dirtbikes, when I call them in on my cellphone and tell them EXACTLY where they are and where they can be intercepted. Think they're gonna nail a few guys who's whole game is stealth and know the woods better than the authorities?

Yeah, let's pass more laws, that's the answer! What's a few more freedoms -- It's for the children!!!!

[BG]

"Let them eat cake....and venison"

[ohmagoo]

Hunting on Sunday's would bring more money into the state, but would also make the woods a lot more crowded. I hunt 3 months out of the year, so I spend a ton of time in the woods other than when I am biking. I believe that everybody should have to wear some sort of orange during hunting season, not because the hunter isn't responsible enough, but for everybody's saftey. yeah i am going to get flack for that because somebody is going to say it isn't my responsibility. Hunters are required to wear 500 square inches of orange during hunting season, I don't see what the big deal is to just put some on so it gives the hunter that is watching 4-5 hundred yards of woods at once waiting for a deer to come by a little heads up would be a good thing because the hunter would know where it isn't safe to shoot if a deer did step out.

[Muddawg]

anyday during hunting season everyone should wear a orange vest, and have a whistle with you so you can be heard.

[priss]

I'm still on the fence about this issue. Perhaps one of the fine internet reaserchers here can take a break from hunting down every contrary word about the other party and find out how many non-hunters have been injured by hunters in the last 10 years or so in the state of Ma. You can look back for as long as you want actually.

Check that against how many pedestrians have been injured by cyclists.

I would like to make an informed decision.

Thanks,
priss

[off piste]

I'm still on the fence about this issue. Perhaps one of the fine internet reaserchers here can take a break from hunting down every contrary word about the other party and find out how many non-hunters have been injured by hunters in the last 10 years or so in the state of Ma. You can look back for as long as you want actually.

Check that against how many pedestrians have been injured by cyclists.

I would like to make an informed decision.

Thanks,
priss

Oh yeah -- we'll get right on it for you, ma'am!

:har: