During a recent edition of West Virginia Outdoors, a number of callers raised the issue of allowing Sunday Hunting in West Virginia.    During past years as we headed into the deer season, such calls would have been the equivalent of setting off a stick of dynamite in the middle of a fairground.    However, this is an issue that has been hashed out and completed in West Virginia.

I was frankly surprised that anybody was unaware of the history of the Sunday hunting issue in the Mountain State.   I guess over time, memories of biting issues tend to fade.  Then, I suppose everything comes full circle and starts all over again.  Whatever, the reason, I highly doubt we'll hear much change to the Sunday hunting issue in West Virginia ever again. 

I was among those who advocated hunting on Sunday.  I, like most of those who pushed for the idea, have one day off a week.    We live in an age when the six day workweek is becoming more and more routine.   That leaves only Sunday as the one day many West Virginians have to enjoy the activity they love.   

A few years ago, several sportsmens groups got their collective heads together in a powerful lobbying body and pressed state lawmakers to approve Sunday hunting statewide.   The issue passed, despite heavy opposition from groups like the West Virginia Farm Bureau.    One should never underestimate the power of the Farm Bureau lobby.  Although they lost in their bid to completely block the idea, the Farm Bureau was able to get a provision into the bill that allowed counties to put the matter to a vote, should there be enough interest.  Those opposed to the idea would have an opportunity to vote out the Sunday hunting question.  

During the next election, that happened in landslide fashion as voters in 41-counties rejected the Sunday hunting idea.    The rest of the counties, where there was no vote, now have Sunday hunting.  

It wasn't the outcome all hunters wanted, but in the end it was the outcome the people of West Virginia were seeking.  I have a hard time arguing with that.   West Virginians, as a whole, are very accepting of hunting.  However, the idea of doing it on Sunday doesn't sit well in some places.    The Sunday hunting prohibition is one of the last of the state's "Blue Laws"--restrictions on certain activities on Sunday. There was a time that by law, you could do very little on that day.    The biggest push for the change came in the southern coalfields, where many hunters are working in the mines six days a week.  Those are the counties, along with the northern panhandle, where the allowance is largely still in place. 

Boone, Brooke, Clay, Hancock, Jefferson, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Marshall, Mingo, Ohio, and Wayne Counties all have Sunday hunting. The rest of the state does not.  

It's an issue that was controversial, but it's also an issue that has been decided and those involved seem to have accepted the outcome and moved on. Don't look for it to be brought up again anytime soon -- if ever again.