Bowsite.com

I'm creating this thread to post points to write in your own testimony either in favor or against (I read them all once posted so I know who you are). Please fell free to add any points for other people to use if you choose to.

Please e-mail your testimony to: [email protected]

It doesn't have to be a letter. It can be just an email.

If you are from another state and would hunt CT if we had sunday hunting but won't because you won't travel to hunt just one weekend day and want to help, you can send your testimony to the same address.

you should also CC your legislators. If you don't know who they are you can find it here: http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CGAFindLeg.asp

We need to do this today.

February 19, 2014

Environment Committee Connecticut General Assembly Legislative Office Building 300 Capitol Ave Hartford, CT 06106

Re: H.B. No.5080 AN ACT CONCERNING DEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY AND AUTHORIZING BOW AND ARROW HUNTING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY ON SUNDAYS

Distinguished Members of the Environmental Committee:

I am writing in support of H.B 5080. Connecticut's Sunday hunting ban is simply an antiquated blue law that needs to be repealed.

Employment or school requires most hunters to work or study from Monday to Friday and this leaves only Saturday for hunting. This means hunters have only 16 days out of the year. Once you add inclement weather, family obligations and other family or work activities, this really leaves no available time for hunting. Allowing Sunday hunting will increase the opportunities we have to enjoy the outdoors and sport we love an additional 16 days.

We are all outdoors men/women and we eat what we harvest. The majority of us use the venison harvested to save in groceries and many of us share our bounty with family and friend in need. Lots of hunters also contribute to Hunt to feed.

Hunt to Feed is an organization that donates venison to the less fortunately. According to the CT Food Bank, more than 390,000 Connecticut residents are struggling today with hunger. Each deer donated by hunters can yield 200 meals.

SAFETY:

There is no recorded incident in Connecticut's history of a by stander or a non-hunter to ever, EVER being injured by a bow hunter.

FACTS:

Deer/Car collisions, Lyme disease occurrence, and property damage are all increasing. Hunting is the ONLY proven population management technique available for Deer.

Large populations of White-tailed deer have been identified as a primary threat to the health and diversity of our forested landscapes.

In Southwest Connecticut, the density of deer ranges between 40 and 100 deer per square mile. Densities in excess of 20 per mile can result in suppression of forest regeneration and reduction of biological and structural diversity.

Lowering the number of deer per square mile reduces the risk of Lyme Decease.

Few hunters will take extended hunting trips to a state that won't let them hunt on Sunday. Out-of-state hunters pay higher license fees benefitting DEEP and spend even more money than in-state hunters on gas, food, lodging and other incidentals that go along with a day's hunt.

The opposition

Humane society claims that recreational hunting is already allowed six days per week. Opening Sunday to hunting takes away the one day a week when nature lovers may enter the woods to hike, watch wildlife, camp, photograph, or horseback ride.

This is inaccurate because this bill covers only private property. Anyone hiking, watching wildlife, camping, photographing, or horseback riding in private property without the owner's consent is trespassing. Trespassing is illegal. Also, non hunters have 365 days a year when all those activities are allowed in public property.

According to humane society, if Sunday hunting is opened to bow-hunting on private land, arrows know no property boundaries and pose public safety hazards to anyone who is in the vicinity.

This is inaccurate due to the fact that most bow hunting takes place from a tree stand and all shots are taken on a downward angle never going more that 30-35 yards in a straight line. The risk of injuring someone is non-existing. If any bystander was within range of the arrow, the deer would flee and there would not be a shot taken.

According to the humane society, only 1% -- of people hunt in Connecticut.

It is not fair that 1% of the people pay 100% of license fees and can only enjoy the sport on 16 weekend days a year while of the other 99% don't pay any fees and get to enjoy it 365 days a year.

According to the humane society, bird watchers outspend hunters 7.4 to 1. Taking into consideration that they outnumber hunters by 29 to 1 (their numbers not mine), each hunter actually outspend each bird watcher 4 to 1. It only takes 7 hunters to spend the same amount of money 29 bird watchers spend. More effort should be put in expanding the number of hunters.

Members of the Environmental Committee,

We are asking you to defend landowner rights by allowing landowners to determine who, where, when, and what activities should occur on our properties.

It is ridiculous that an activity that is SAFE and LEGAL 6 days of the week is illegal one day.

Sincerely,

of course I compeletly agree with you

By and large I agree with you; one change I would strongly recommend would be to remove any reference to "management" from letters or testimony.

IMO we are painting ourselves into a very dangerous corner when we make that a lynchpin of an argument for Sunday Hunting. It can become very easily the sword that cuts both ways; Sunday Hunting passed to reduce numbers-offers a vehicle to remove or restrict not just Sunday hunting of deer but all hunting of deer if/when numbers go down.

Additionally if the DEEP tesitifies that aerial surveys in at least parts of FF county show a reduction in deer per square mile of 70 to 40 (I believe these numbers approximate what I've seen) someone on the Environment Committee (and likely someone NOT a friend of hunting) or in the Assembly will point out that if you advocate for the sake of management yet the population has already been reduced by over 40% without Sunday Hunting then why is it necessary?

Now we understand there is much more at play in those "numbers" than merely bowhunting; we know it because we are sportsmen; do you trust the non-hunters in the General Assembly to be able to arrive at the same conclusions as we sportsmen?

Make the arguments you made (and very sound ones by the way) about unfair utilization of public resources or the outdoors in general for a segment of the population that contributes fees and spends money that boosts local businesses. Keep it about the right to hunt, not the need to hunt.

We should not have to justify a legal activity; not to anyone, not at anytime-period.

Please add in a new message exactly how you would write it so people can copy and paste.

Thanks

Here is what I sent:

Environment Committee;

I urge you to pass a Bill this session allowing Sunday Hunting on Private Properties (with owner's permission). I hunt on several private properties in CT, all of the owners are in support of allowing Hunting on Sundays.

Why not call this what it really is? It is the Last Remaining (Antiquated) Blue Law from a time when the State believed they had the right to control what people do on the Sabbath.

This isn't about deer management, this isn't about Hikers or Horseback Riders, or even Animal Rights, it's about Private Property Rights pure and simple.

Fishing is legal on Sundays, Trapping is legal on Sundays, harvesting vegetables and killing chickens, cows and pigs for meat, is all legal on Sundays, so what's the problem with hunting deer, rabbits or pheasants?

Dan Malloy has said that he will sign the Bill if it is passed by the Legislature.

I urge you to allow all Hunting on Sunday on Private Property in CT. (This of course will eliminate any chance for a non hunter to be inconvenienced while on Public Land.)

If you feel the need to restrict Sunday Hunting to Bowhunting only, then so be it, but please acknowledge that this is really a Property Rights Issue at it's core.

I figure we have the other 2 Sunday hunting threads going to debate and disagree. Just trying to keep this one on the serious side. I didn't know I had a serious side but sometimes I surprise myself.

Good letter btw.

There will be no revised edition. I recommend people copy and paste the parts they agree with and leave out the ones they don't. In addition, people can add their own thoughts.

Last year there were a lot of testimony just saying the totally support sunday hunting. That's fine too. We just need to submit it.

I see my State Senator Mike McGloughlin co-sponsored the bill. If he thinks that will make me forget that he voted for that Gun Bill Crap Sandwich (can I say that in a debate free thread?), he is very much mistaken.

Send in those letters boys!

We'll see how much support we get.

Just confirming that I have received your email and that I will be signed onto H.B 5080 by the end of this week. Hope all is well on your end.

Regards,

Ezequiel Santiago

Please visit, like and share the page if you can. we need to get the word out.

Thanks

Excellent testimony! I agree with you and will vote accordingly when the bill comes to the house floor. Linda

Ask her to sponsor the bill as well.

RE: H.b. 5080

Reply ? Delete More ?

Rep. Sayers, Peggy Show details

I have always supported the hunters in my district. And I will support this bill Thank you Peggy

From: bswl1985 [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2014 8:19 PM To: Rep. Sayers, Peggy Subject: H.b. 5080

Hello Peggy,

I am a lifetime Windsor Locks resident. I am writing this in hopes that you will support h.b. 5080 (allowing Sunday hunting in CT.) this is an old blue law. People like myself who work Monday through Friday are only able to spend time enjoying our sport a few days out of the year during the season.

Thank you for your support.

William Stratton Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone.

Ask her to sponsor the bill. She wasn't a sponsor last year.

There are a total of 15 right now.

15 in for hunting sundays 0 for the opposition.

If you haven't done so, just copy any of the testimony above, paste in an email and send to: [email protected]

Or just open a new e-mail copy and paste this in the to: ( [email protected] )

And copy and paste this: I am writing in support of H.B 5080. Connecticut's Sunday hunting ban is simply an antiquated blue law that needs to be repealed.

They are posting testimony right now and there are overr 50 already. Haven't found any against.

I see some people testifying that they want Sunday hunting with B&A but they will like to see it extended to either State or all implements.

Let's get this passed! Baby steps

Many thanks in advance. ~Smoothie

They got over 250 letters in support between yesterday and today and are getting another 100-150 between tonight and tomorrow. Todd is busy posting all those letters.

Go check again because it got updated about 5-10 minutes ago.

Public hearing is Monday March 17th, after it passes committee, it goes to the house floor for a vote. When it goes to the house we have to start writing and calling our reps to bring it up to a vote in the house.

When we call them, we have to tell them to go see the written testimony to see how much support there is.

I have a good feeling about it this year.

Crow

Any ideas on who to lobby for and contact?

I know for a fact the senate president is not liked by all in his own party. Its force in numbers. We have to loby as many senators to pressure a vote. I know my democrat senator is in favor. We have to ask them to sponsor the bill and them hopefully bring it up.

I don't know if they are going to be able to find any written testimony against the bill with all those letters in favor of the bill.

Pat, new laws ussually take effect october 1st. WE WILL BE on a tree on Sunday, October 5th.

But seriously, if you haven't sent your email, do it today.

Just copy and paste the information above in an email and send it to: [email protected]

Or just send a this:

Re: H.B. No.5080 AN ACT CONCERNING DEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY AND AUTHORIZING BOW AND ARROW HUNTING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY ON SUNDAYS

Distinguished Members of the Environmental Committee:

I am writing in support of H.B 5080. Connecticut's Sunday hunting ban is simply an antiquated blue law that needs to be repealed.

We are asking you to defend landowner rights by allowing landowners to determine who, where, when, and what activities should occur on our properties.

It is ridiculous that an activity that is SAFE and LEGAL 6 days of the week is illegal one day.

I really have trouble figuring out how people think....

When we get that I'll stop.... Maybe not.

I don't do the Facebook thing, but if you have been able to help generate this many pro letters kudos to you.

Very impressive effort.

I'm starting to get orginized and already secured over 500 letter in favor of Sunday hunting. If it doesn't pass this year, I will have 2,000-5,000 Next year, 10,000 the next and so on. I got plans. I wish I had funds to make it happen.

ALL LANDS, ALL GAME, ALL IMPLEMENTS!

Thanks Chris!!!!!

Thanks

Thanks

What I find disturbing about all of this is, there are 8 bills being heard for public testimony today. ALL of the other (written testimony added up together doesn't even equate to 1/8 of what was submitted for 5080. I hope our side gets a chance to speak, and the legislators listen.

Early on, a woman legislator (Urban?) said that despite the fact that this is only on private land, she still doesn't like the idea of any kind of hunting occuring on Sunday. She mentioned blue blaze trails that run across some private land? Not sure if that is fact or fiction. Does anybody know where those trails are?

We are playing by the rules. I hope we are not about to get rail-roaded, again.

No big deal in my opinion, its stupid but not a big deal.

The idea of limiting this to certain zones is a big deal in my opinion.

I am not sure I could set up more than 40 yards from it.

Unfortunately my other larger property is owned by a land trust and they are in the process of cutting trails blazed trails through it. It is also open to the public. It's big enough that I will be able to get away from trails if I want to hunt it on Sunday's, at least for now.

Volunteer to help and put those trails as far from where you nunt as possible.

We (or at least I) don't want the DEEP to make that determination. The current bill would need to be amended to give the DEEP that discretion.

I'll go read it again. The part that gives DEEP the right to limit might've been an amendment last year.

Thanks toon.

But very little about Sunday hunting.

If you think the DEEP is committed to statewide application of this bill I encourage you to read the testimony of the DEEP commissioner.

He clearly states that the DEEP would support a bill that would only allow Sunday Hunting in zones where there is an over population of deer.

Note his testimony does not say only in Zones where the DEEP determined appropriate or something like that, which would leave the door open for the DEEP to allow it statewide just because they support hunting.

His testimony clearly implies that, that if the bill were amended, DEEP discretion would be linked to over population.

Hopefully the bill will not be amended with this language, but if it is, you have been clearly warned by the DEEP itself on their intent if it is.

I am not slamming the DEEP. I have no problem with their testimony at all.

I am just concerned that we as hunters are putting too much faith that DEEP will implement this state wide, and if so keep it implemented statewide, if they are given the option to implement zone by zone.

We should support legislation that doesn't give them the zone by zone option.

Since they added the extra 'E' to the DEP, we have to deal with what we get, and hope for the best. Our current (acting) commissioner appears to me to be more 'new E' (energy) and less 'old E' (environment). He's a Geologist and Lawyer.

In a state like CT, Hunting and Trapping will always be passions of a small minority. Fishing only slightly less so.

We do what we can, and fight like hell when its appropriate, and often have to settle for small victories, but we always fight. On the issue of Sunday Hunting, this Bill would represent only a small victory; And only a first step. I'll stop fighting when I can hunt deer, turkeys, coyotes and pheasants on Sundays in CT.

Anyone else think a new governor is important this November?

She is as Pro 2A as they come. In her legal career, she does a lot of work for the Second Amendment. She would be a Dream Come True for Gun owners.

Time is short. Keep the pressure on! Call reps and keep calling. I'm sure the other side is doing that after the news clip this morning

13. H.B. No. 5080 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING DEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY AND AUTHORIZING BOW AND ARROW HUNTING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY ON SUNDAYS (ENV) JFS to the floor

right now we have to write to our Reps in the house but CC your senator so she/he knows its there.

Vito, last year it passed the house with overwealming bypartisan support(107-19). Remember to mention that. It died on the senate floor where it wasn't called for a vote. The votes are there.

Also, remind your Rep and Senator of the overwealming public support fo th bill with over 700 people writting in favor and only 10 against.

Vito, you need to write them 3 times.

Also, phone calls work even better. call their office and talk to them or leave a message with instructons to call you back.

It was never called for a vote in the Senate.

Find your legislator by following this link:

http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CGAFindLeg.asp

3/24/2014 (LCO) Filed with Legislative Commissioners' Office

http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CGAFindLeg.asp

Ask for a clean bill. NO AMMENDMENTS!!!

Hi Ed:

I am working to get this bill called in the house, which I don’t think will be too difficult, but the Senate is another story. I know that we will try our best, but with this being Senator Williams's last year, he may or may not have a change of heart.

Regards,

Ezequiel

You will want to pull your hair out, then you'll get mad and you'll think: "We PAY these people to do this?" and probably also think: "Are these people idiots?"

Many of the comments and questions you will hear suggest something less than an informed and intelligent governing body.

Do yourself a favor and DO NOT watch this.

I assume everyone knows the old adage about sausage making.

If you, despite these warnings, go ahead and subject yourself to this mess, I will try very hard not to say: "I told you so!"

And yes, 80% of them are brainless.

I think those chickens already passed a pot bill.