Council here will seek public input before deciding on a proposal to allow gun hunting on Sundays in the township.
On April 12 council heard delegations from three proponents of the proposal, including Brian McRae, marketing and club membership manager for the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.
McRae told council that since 2005, 173 municipalities have voted to allow Sunday hunting, including just recently neighbouring Wellington North.
“Most of the current Sunday gun hunting provisions that previously existed were enacted in the 1950s,” McRae noted. He stated there were originally three primary reasons the province agreed to give municipalities the power to allow Sunday gun hunting: to reduce crop and livestock predation, wildlife management and public safety.
“Wildlife populations in Ontario are healthy and, in many areas, increasing in numbers. While this is generally good News, there are a number of cases where populations have reached levels that are resulting in unacceptable impacts on agriculture, the environment and, most importantly, public safety,” said McRae.
The public safety element of the argument stems from the rising number (15,000 annually on average) of wildlife/vehicle collisions.
He also noted that for many, hunting is a family activity and for those who work during the week, Sunday hunting would double their opportunities to enjoy the activity.
“In the case of private property, landowners still have the right to determine whether or not to allow Sunday gun hunting on their land, just like they do the rest of the week,” he said.
In response to suggestions that Sunday gun hunting would interfere with religious practices, McRae pointed out Quebec, which has the highest level of religious participation in Canada, has had Sunday hunting for over a decade.
“In light of all the activities which are now commonplace on Sundays, including shopping, gambling, beer and liquor purchases, and successful court challenges of prohibitions against certain activities, it is unlikely that religious opposition to Sunday gun hunting would survive a court challenge,” said McRae.
Citing Statistics Canada data, McRae said hunting is “measurably safer” than bicycling, boating, swimming, horseback riding and most recreational field Sports, including baseball and golf. He noted hunting in Canada is responsible for only .001 per cent of all accidents.
“Hunting is also one of the few recreational activities that require proof of competence before engaging in the activity, through both hunter safety and firearms safety courses,” he stated.
“If the threat to public safety does not exist from Monday to Saturday, why would it be any greater on Sunday?”
In response to a question from councillor Marlene Ottens, McRae said given current hunting seasons, gun hunting would be allowed on 16 to 20 Sundays if council passed a resolution allowing it in Mapleton.
In response to a question regarding how landowners should handle trespassing hunters, McRae said they have the option of contacting either the OPP or the local conservation authority to complain.
Councillor Michael Martin, who indicated he enjoys hunting and fishing and is a member of a local gun club, pointed out “we have large religious, cultural communities here in Mapleton.” He added, “While they may not be the type of people to come to a council meeting or send letters, that sort of thing, if they don’t want a Sunday hunt then they just tack up a ‘no hunting’ sign on their property.”
Moorefield resident Tim Bates also spoke in favour of Sunday hunting.
“I understand that Sunday is a day of rest and worship. But over the years that has changed and is becoming a little less common, and a little outdated” Bates told council.
“In this fast-paced world we live in now, sometimes Sunday is the only day people have to spend time doing things with their families, children, or taking the dogs out for what they were trained and bred to do.”
Parry Blancke, a Moorefield area resident who said he hunts every chance he gets during the various seasons between September and March, touted the local economic benefits of hunting.
“I spend on average per weekend $200 just in fuel and food within our community. That alone brings roughly over $4,000 to our community and this does not include the cost of gear and supplies which also contributes our economy … the people I hunt with are not only from this community but come as far as Hamilton, Toronto, Barrie, Wingham and many other areas from our province.”
In addition to hearing from the delegations, council was presented with a petition signed by about 100 people, mostly residents of Mapleton and the surrounding area, in support of Sunday gun hunting.
In a staff report presented at the meeting, CAO Brad McRoberts explained that since 2006 provincial regulations allow Sunday hunting to be determined by local municipalities.
Twice annually, a regulation amendment is made to Regulation 663/98 of the provincial Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act 1997, which adds the names of municipalities to the areas where Sunday gun hunting is permitted.
In order to permit Sunday gun hunting in the Township of Mapleton, the report states, a council resolution would need to be passed and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry notified.
If a resolution is passed before July, McRoberts pointed out, the ministry could update its list to include Mapleton on its Sept. 1 publication.
He also explained that a resolution permitting Sunday gun hunting in the township would state hunting would only be allowed outside urban boundaries.
“If council wishes to consider hunting on Sunday, staff recommend that the township should issue a notice that they intend to consider hunting on Sunday and allow those in support and those in opposition to submit their positions via delegations or in writing,” the report states.
Subsequently, the township issued a notice about a special meeting on Sunday gun hunting on May 3 at 7pm at the PMD arena.
Those wishing to appear as a delegation must complete and return a form available at the township office or at www.mapleton.ca.
Township officials say that to be included on the agenda, submissions must be received from residents at the township office no later than April 26 at 5pm by email, fax or hand delivered
