To the editor:

I was disappointed to see the bill to repeal the ban on Sunday hunting defeated in a House of Delegates subcommittee. But instead of focus on what didn’t happen — I would like to bring attention to how close Sunday hunting came to being a reality.

Never before has a Sunday hunting bill received more than three votes in a committee. This year, Sunday hunting passed the Senate Agriculture Committee with bipartisan support. It passed the full Senate 29-11, again with broad bipartisan support.

In the House, a special subcommittee meeting was called with little notice, and an amendment that would have helped the bill win broad support came within one vote of passing.

While the House’s decision not to pass the bill means that working families and our military still will not be able to hunt on Sunday, even given their severe time constraints, I am hopeful for this bill.

I congratulate Senator Harry Blevins and other members who made the right and courageous vote to end the ban on Sunday hunting. Though this was not our year, the tide is turning in our favor.

James Bowes
Chesapeake