Legislation to expand seven-day hunting opportunities in North Carolina passed the House of Representatives late on Tuesday, April 28. Sponsored by North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus member Representative Jimmy Dixon, House Bill 640, entitled the Outdoor Heritage Act, includes nine pro-sportsmen’s and pro-private property rights measures.
The seven-day hunting provisions would allow any landowner or member of his or her family, or any person with written permission from the landowner, to hunt with the use of firearms on Sunday on the landowner’s property. A few exceptions include:
– Hunting of migratory birds on Sunday is prohibited.
– The use of a firearm to take deer that are run or chased by dogs on Sunday is prohibited.
– Hunting on Sunday within 500 yards of a place of worship or any accessory 46 structure thereof, or within 300 yards of a residence not owned by the landowner, is prohibited.
– Hunting on Sunday in a county having a population greater than 700,000 people is prohibited.
North Carolina is one of only nine states where hunting on private land is restricted or prohibited on Sunday. Adding an additional day of opportunity in North Carolina would add over $311 million in total economic output with an additional 3600 jobs and over $94 million in wages. It would significantly increase the opportunity for youth and working families to engage in hunting.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission last week passed a resolution in full support of the HB 640.
Please contact your Senator to express support for the Outdoor Heritage Act.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
