Sunday Hunting Bill on First Reading in Senate.

The substitute to SB464 that was approved by the Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources Committee on Thursday has been printed.  Below is the key language of the bill.

To hunt or kill any wild bird or wild animal, including any nuisance species, with a gun, firearm or other weapon on Sunday, which is hereby declared a rest day for all species of wild bird and wild animal life, except raccoons, which may be hunted until 2:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings, except as provided in this subdivision. The provision of this subdivision that prohibits the hunting or killing on Sunday of any wild bird or wild animal, including any nuisance species, shall not apply to (i) any person who hunts or kills raccoons prior to 2:00 a.m. on Sunday morning or (ii) any person who hunts or kills any wild bird or wild animal, including nuisance species, with a gun, firearm or other weapon on Sunday (a) on private property, either as a landowner, the landowner's spouse or the children of the landowner, or with the written permission of the landowner, or (b) on the waters of the Commonwealth, only to the extent not prohibited by formal action of the Board. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, it shall be unlawful to hunt or kill any deer on Sunday with the aid or assistance of dogs. However, a person lawfully carrying a gun, firearm or other weapon on Sunday in an area that could be used for hunting shall not be presumed to be hunting on Sunday, absent evidence to the contrary.

The bill is on first reading in the Senate today.