A bill to lift restrictions on Sunday hunting in Ohio has unanimously passed the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its coalition of statewide sportsmen’s organizations have been working with legislators on the effort.

House Bill 493, sponsored by Representative Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green), would remove private land restrictions during hunting seasons. Public land is currently open to Sunday hunting. Some private lands are open, too, with severe restrictions. The bill removes restrictions that require landowners to have 20 or more acres to hunt on Sunday. It also removes the restriction that non-owners only be allowed to hunt on property over 100 acres and registered in the state’s Hunter Access Program.

The restrictions have proven to be an impediment for many Ohioans, and have proven to be largely unnecessary.

"I believe it is extremely important that we expand hunting opportunities in Ohio," said Representative Latta. "In an age in which citizens work six or seven-day weeks, by limiting hunting to only Monday through Saturday, we are effectively losing our next generation of sportsmen and sportswomen."

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance organized efforts to pass earlier Sunday hunting bills, including a 1998 measure that allows hunting on public land and private land with restrictions. It is now rallying Ohio sportsmen behind the current bill to remove these limitations.

Take Action! Every Ohio sportsman should ask his or her state representative to support House Bill 493. They should tell their representatives that Sunday hunting restrictions have proven to be unnecessary red tape that has hurt hunter participation and infringes upon landowner rights. To find your legislator’s name and for contact information, call (800) 282-0253.