scooter
12-12-2008, 11:43 AM
After 120 years, law-abiding people in New Brunswick went out hunting on Sundays this month. The decision earlier this year to allow deer hunting on the three Sundays between Oct. 28 and Nov. 17 strikes "a good balance" between the desires of hunters and those who want the woods to themselves, said Wally Stiles, the province's Natural Resources Minister.
The long-standing ban on Sunday hunting contained in a law passed in 1888 had more to do with class than religion. "Working people would only be off Sunday, so that's the only day they could hunt," Mr. Stiles said of his examination of the 1888 law, which has been repealed. "The aristocrats decided, 'Gee whiz, they're taking too many animals and we have to cut back on them.' " New Brunswick's decision leaves only three provinces that still ban Sunday hunting. The Nova Scotia government has rebuffed calls by the province's hunting and fishing association to lift the ban, and the issue has gained even less political traction in Prince Edward Island. It is being discussed in Saskatchewan.
Most provinces adapted their rules gradually over the past half-century.
In some cases, change came slowly. Sunday hunting in Alberta started in 1969, more than 40 years after lobbying began.
The debate everywhere has been about how to balance the needs of hunters with those of hikers and others. The shifts have generally been controversial, and even some hunters opposed them, saying the animals need a day of respite.
Doug Losier, a hunter who lives north of Saint John, said allowing limited Sunday hunting was a compromise that probably pleases most people in New Brunswick. He said he would not want it expanded, out of respect for non-hunters who want to have some time in the woods. "I think a lot of people have a bad feeling about hunters," he said. "I knew a lot of non-hunters who were fearful." Tony Nette, manager of wildlife resources with Nova Scotia's Department of Natural Resources, said he appreciates both sides of the debate.
He said anecdotal evidence suggests non-hunters prefer to go into the woods on days when they won't encounter hunters. "Every other province, other than Prince Edward Island, has vast wilderness areas," he said. "Nova Scotia is very highly populated, by comparison. We just don't have the wilderness areas." Tony Rodgers, president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters, countered with an offer to trade days: "You want a day? We'll give you Wednesday and we'll take Sunday." He said he thinks it is "just a matter of time" before Sunday hunting is allowed in his province, noting that his organization started to raise the issue in earnest around the time Nova Scotia decided to allow Sunday shopping in 2006.
Moncton lawyer Troy Sweet said none of the remaining restrictions on Sunday hunting would likely stand up if challenged in court. "You can go to the liquor store on Sunday but you can't hunt," he said. "It doesn't make sense." He said hunting is an important economic driver in some rural areas, and that resort owners and guides may lose business from guests who pay substantial sums and then must put down their firearms during part of their visit.
But Mr. Rodgers said the federation has no plans to bring a legal challenge. Sunday hunting is one of many topics his association has on its plate, he said, and going to court could sour its relationship with the government.
Mr. Nette agreed that forcing the issue could lead to a backlash against hunters.
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PUBLICATION: GLOBE AND MAIL
DATE: 2008.11.28
PAGE: A6
BYLINE: OLIVER MOORE
SECTION: National News
EDITION: Metro
WORD COUNT: 563
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END OF BAN N.B. hunters out on Sundays New rules leave Nova Scotia, PEI and Saskatchewan as only provinces with prohibition
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The long-standing ban on Sunday hunting contained in a law passed in 1888 had more to do with class than religion. "Working people would only be off Sunday, so that's the only day they could hunt," Mr. Stiles said of his examination of the 1888 law, which has been repealed. "The aristocrats decided, 'Gee whiz, they're taking too many animals and we have to cut back on them.' " New Brunswick's decision leaves only three provinces that still ban Sunday hunting. The Nova Scotia government has rebuffed calls by the province's hunting and fishing association to lift the ban, and the issue has gained even less political traction in Prince Edward Island. It is being discussed in Saskatchewan.
Most provinces adapted their rules gradually over the past half-century.
In some cases, change came slowly. Sunday hunting in Alberta started in 1969, more than 40 years after lobbying began.
The debate everywhere has been about how to balance the needs of hunters with those of hikers and others. The shifts have generally been controversial, and even some hunters opposed them, saying the animals need a day of respite.
Doug Losier, a hunter who lives north of Saint John, said allowing limited Sunday hunting was a compromise that probably pleases most people in New Brunswick. He said he would not want it expanded, out of respect for non-hunters who want to have some time in the woods. "I think a lot of people have a bad feeling about hunters," he said. "I knew a lot of non-hunters who were fearful." Tony Nette, manager of wildlife resources with Nova Scotia's Department of Natural Resources, said he appreciates both sides of the debate.
He said anecdotal evidence suggests non-hunters prefer to go into the woods on days when they won't encounter hunters. "Every other province, other than Prince Edward Island, has vast wilderness areas," he said. "Nova Scotia is very highly populated, by comparison. We just don't have the wilderness areas." Tony Rodgers, president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters, countered with an offer to trade days: "You want a day? We'll give you Wednesday and we'll take Sunday." He said he thinks it is "just a matter of time" before Sunday hunting is allowed in his province, noting that his organization started to raise the issue in earnest around the time Nova Scotia decided to allow Sunday shopping in 2006.
Moncton lawyer Troy Sweet said none of the remaining restrictions on Sunday hunting would likely stand up if challenged in court. "You can go to the liquor store on Sunday but you can't hunt," he said. "It doesn't make sense." He said hunting is an important economic driver in some rural areas, and that resort owners and guides may lose business from guests who pay substantial sums and then must put down their firearms during part of their visit.
But Mr. Rodgers said the federation has no plans to bring a legal challenge. Sunday hunting is one of many topics his association has on its plate, he said, and going to court could sour its relationship with the government.
Mr. Nette agreed that forcing the issue could lead to a backlash against hunters.
--------------------------------------------------
PUBLICATION: GLOBE AND MAIL
DATE: 2008.11.28
PAGE: A6
BYLINE: OLIVER MOORE
SECTION: National News
EDITION: Metro
WORD COUNT: 563
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
END OF BAN N.B. hunters out on Sundays New rules leave Nova Scotia, PEI and Saskatchewan as only provinces with prohibition
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