Bright Idea Outdoors Weblog

Show Your Support for an End to the Sunday Hunting Ban in Virginia

Something really big is afoot in the Virginia General Assembly: this could be the year Virginia's long-standing prohibition against hunting on Sunday ends!

A lot has gotten by me on this one;  I didn't even know the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries had passed a resolution of support for an end to the ban until my sister sent me this article:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/sports/2012/jan/15/tdsport10-is-sunday-hunting-gaining-traction-ar-1612360/

A friend of hers had also written a great editorial on the subject:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/rtd-opinion/2011/dec/29/tdopin02-environmentalists-should-help-repeal-sund-ar-1573467/

And that was followed by this Roanoke Times article, which was published after the Sunday hunting bill cleared the Virginia Senate Agriculture, Conversation and Natural Resources Committee:

http://www.roanoke.com/politics/wb/303764

I'm a little embarrassed to be joining this process at such a late hour, but it certainly can't hurt to add my voice to the chorus of support for Sunday hunting.  Here are just a few of the many reasons I support it:

• It would help guides and other hunting-related businesses.  Right now, there's not much point in travelling to hunt in Virginia unless you can take at least part of the day off from work on Friday
• It would boost hunting license sales.  A lot of busy people who haven't had time to hunt under the current regulations will have a whole extra day that they could hunt and will therefore be more likely to invest in a (very expensive) Virginia hunting license.
• Kids are busy too, and especially if they play sports, it's hard to take them hunting on Saturday.  More families will be able to hunt together if Sunday hunting is allowed, and more kids will be introduced to Virginia's great hunting tradition.
• Sunday hunting does not have to have an adverse impact on religious observances.  Some will worship before they hunt; others will worship after they hunt; and some will worship while they hunt!

If you have a blog or website, please post the links to the three articles posted here.  Let me know via an email or comment and I'll do another post linking back to your site.

If you don't have your own blog, get one; just joking!  But you could post the links on your facebook page.  The more of us who voice our support, the greater the chance is we'll get another day to hunt each week next fall!

Geronimo?

I normally pride myself on being politically incorrect, and I don't think much of folks back home criticizing the military for doing what it has to do to defend us.

But I have to admit, I was a little disappointed when I heard that the code name for the world's most notorious terrorist--killed this week by American heroes--was taken from one of my childhood heroes.

I didn't say anything about it, thinking that my fascination with the Apache Leader Geronimo took a back seat to this great moment in American history.  But apparently, I was not the only one bothered by the code name choice.

If you think about it, it's not much different than if they'd called bin Laden Robert E. Lee.  I wouldn't have like that either.

Happy New Year!

It may be summer, but for state, county and town governments here in Virginia it's the beginning of a new fiscal year.  So, for the many many people I know who faithfully serve as state or local government employees, I say:

"Happy FY 11!"

For the rest of us, the beginning of July means we've reached the heart of the summer season.  It also marks the official halfway point of the calendar year, or when, as Rex recently put it, "we get over the hump and head toward fall and hunting season."

I've long said that I prefer the second half of the year to the first, although I usually mark the beginning of my favorite time of year at Memorial Day weekend.  The first part of 2010 was definitely tough for me and my family, but so far things have been looking up since about June 1.

So here's wishing everyone a happy summer, a fun Fourth of July and a great second half of the year.  Be careful and have fun!

Own It

MLB umpire Jim Joyce manned up, admitted his mistake and apologized after his blown call cost Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game earlier this week.  Now he's being treated like a hero.

Imagine if the CEO of BP was half the man Joyce is.

First Lady Unveils Plan to Fight Childhood Obesity

First Lady Michelle Obama has unveiled her plan to fight childhood obesity.  Government-mandated physical fitness and nutritional standards are interesting concepts, but the Obamas shouldn't take credit for coming up with the ideas.

Imagine how thin we would all be if we were forced to get our food the way this guy does!

Local Paper Honors Fallen Hero

I don't read the local newspapers as much as I should anymore, and, when I do, it's usually not the Loudoun Times Mirror.  This paper shows up in my driveway once a week and usually goes straight into the recycling bin.

Last week, I picked it up on my way out and tossed it onto the floor of my truck, intending to dispose of it later.  The January 6 LTM stayed there until today when, as I was about to trash it, I noticed the front page headline: "Citizen of the Year: Stephan Lee Mace."  The story honors Mace, a soldier from Purcellville who lost his life in October when his unit was attacked in Afghanistan.  I took the time to read it today, and you should too if you haven't already.

The story on Mace serves as a reminder of the sacrifices young people in the military are making every day, of what courage and commitment are and of what really matters.  It also reminded me of the value of local newspapers.

Veteran's Day Salute

Best wishes to all and current and former members of the United States armed services (and to their families) on this Veteran's Day.  Thanks for all you've done and all you do!

Random Notes on a Sad Friday

It doesn't feel right to write about hunting or my own life on a day like today; everything I'm up to seems pretty unimportant in the wake of the mass murder that took place in Fort Hood, TX yesterday afternoon.  I'm not really sure what to say about this; of course, my thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families. 

This is a sad sad story with many questions still unanswered.  It will be interesting to see how it unfolds and what angles different segments of the media take as they cover it. . .

Meanwhile, the station I'm watching right now just broke from coverage of the shooting to tell me that unemployment has hit 10.2%.  Suddenly the fact that I can't hunt tomorrow because I have to work doesn't seem so bad. . .

There is one personal item that I do feel the need to report; I got some great news yesterday when my wife emailed me to let me know she had found my wedding ring, which had been missing for nearly two weeks.  We've been married for more than 11 years, and  that ring means a lot to both of us.  Again, I'm reminded of how lucky and blessed I am. . .

I wish everyone a pleasant and safe weekend.  Good luck hunting; and, while you sit in that treestand, take some time to thank God for all you have and to pray for all who who need God's help.  And by the way, that's everyone.

Persistence

For an excellent story about an outdoorsman and artist who never gave up, check out John Kellys article "Keeping His Dreams Afloat" in today's Washington Post.

Happy Independence Day

Regular readers of this blog have seen this post before.  It's the one where I tell you to remember what the upcoming holiday really celebrates; and to pray for and support the brave people fighting for our country.  I write this post at least twice a year, but, in light of the times we live in--and the great country we are blessed to call home--I think, if anything, twice a year is not enough.

So enjoy the fireworks, the cookouts and the day off if you got one.  But remember it's not just "The Fourth of July;" it's Independence Day.  It's the day the founding fathers signed a declaration aimed at throwing off the chains of tyrrany.  The nation that originated that day was a great one, founded on the principle of liberty, and it's only gotten better ever since.  This is due largely in part to the efforts of those who sacrifice some measure of their own independence and dedicate their lives to defending this country.  Because of them, the American liberty experiment will endure and continue to evolve, as long as the rest of us do not lose sight of what it is all about.

God Bless America.  Let freedom ring!