Brian Dettman is a turkey hunting guide from Penetanguishene and like many hunters, he would like to have the option to hunt on Sundays.
Hunting was banned on Sunday because it was considered a day of rest and worship, but that's changing.
“Most of the guys that are out in the field and what not are Monday to Friday guys, so they essentially have one day to hunt each week. Adding that Sunday will give them the ability to go out for maybe two days,” says Dettman.
In 2005, there were only seven municipalities in Ontario that allowed Sunday hunting, now there are 168. Tiny Township is looking to join that list.
In Simcoe County, people can hunt on Sunday in Tay, Clearview, Essa and Ramara Townships. In Muskoka, Severn, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville, and Muskoka Lakes allow it.
Hunting on Sunday is also okay in Georgina, Meaford and Kawartha Lakes.
Brian McRea is with the Ontario Federation of Hunters and Anglers and says there are 450,000 licenced hunters in the province. McRea says the extra day would make a big difference in an already short season.
“Hunting is a very short season throughout the year. All the other activities do operate for the most part 365 days a year,” he says.
If Tiny Township gives the go ahead, Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources would still have to finalize it, but not everyone wants to see Sunday hunting.
“Horses are going to be spooked and riders are going to be injured,” says Sherrie Fraser.
Fraser is a horse rider and says many equestrians in the township are opposed to the extra day of hunting.
“We know that riding on Sundays we can be safe. We don't have to worry about anything spooking our horses in terms of gunshots going off,” she says. “So we just know that anywhere we go on Sundays we're going to be okay because there's no going to be any gunshots.”
Tiny Township council will vote on Monday night on whether to hold a public meeting on the issue.
