West Gray rejects Sunday searching

sunday gun hunting

The Municipality of West Gray has voted in opposition to permitting Sunday gun searching, bucking a rising pattern in southern Ontario.

In a 4-3 resolution on Might 6, council rejected a movement after listening to a mixture of assist and opposition, together with arguments lengthy dismissed by searching advocates as outdated and inaccurate.

Delegations in favour included representatives from the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH), South Gray Hunters Affiliation, Sydenham Sportsmen Affiliation, and a veteran hunter security and firearms teacher. They highlighted hunter security typically and the rising variety of municipalities embracing Sunday searching.

Movement narrowly defeated

Opponents cited security considerations for hikers and different out of doors fanatics, together with potential impacts on wildlife. One native hunter additionally shared how searching enriches her household’s life and the way the additional day would supply extra alternative to hunt on their property.

When the movement got here to a vote, two councillors spoke in assist, 4 — together with Mayor Kevin Eccles — opposed it, and one didn’t remark.

Coun. Joyce Nuhn voiced considerations over security.

“Six days is sort of enough, I really feel,” she stated, suggesting approval might deliver an “inflow” of hunters and contribute to the struggling of wildlife.

“Like if some folks aren’t paying consideration they usually simply stroll away from that animal,” Nuhn stated. “We don’t want searching in West Gray, on Sundays.”

OFAH urges provincial motion

OFAH Wildlife Biologist Matthew Robbins expressed disappointment on the final result, notably the repetition of what he known as long-debunked arguments.

“Though any resolution in opposition to searching alternative is disappointing, what’s most alarming about this result’s the continued use of previous and lengthy since disproven arguments,” he said after the choice. “We all know searching isn’t a menace to conservation or public security in Ontario, and this info is freely obtainable for any who search it out. We additionally know that hunters will not be ‘simply strolling away’ from injured wildlife and that, in the event that they had been, this could be a problem any day of the week. With these items in thoughts, the OFAH is renewing our earlier calls for the province to take possession of this challenge and make a province-wide allowance for Sunday gun searching.”

Mayor: Province ought to lead

Deputy Mayor Tom Hutchinson stated Sundays ought to stay open for different actions like climbing, birdwatching, and fishing. Mayor Eccles, himself a long-time hunter, additionally voted in opposition to the movement, citing custom and the assumption that searching coverage ought to be managed provincially.

“I’ve been lethal against downloading … and that is one other time the place the province must be taking their ministerial obligations the place it belongs,” Eccles stated. “If Sunday searching is nice in Ontario, then personal it.”

Presently, the Ministry of Pure Sources doesn’t individually approve Sunday searching requests however consists of them in regulatory updates twice per 12 months.

In April, Frontenac Islands Township joined the greater than 180 municipalities south of the French River to allow Sunday gun searching. Puslinch Township additionally lately handed a decision that ought to be in place September 1.

West Gray, situated in northern Gray County and surrounding however not together with Owen Sound, carries the tagline “Nestled in Nature.”