Your communications have added significantly to positive House & Senate votes. Keep Communicating! particularly considering legislators are receiving ani= mal rights communications based on the following:

http://action.humaneso= ciety.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=3D22447.0&dlv_id=3D26164

Urge your legislators to oppose Sunday hunting.

Trouble with link= s or images? View this message online.

May 16, 2011=

Keep Sundays Safe and Quiet

Dear Friend,=

The long-standing ban on Sunday hunting is in peril, and could be overturned by the passage of HB 5158 as early as this Tuesda= y. Sunday is the one day during hunting season when wildlife watchers, horseback riders, hikers, and others can use the woods safely. Adding= yet another day of hunting on Sundays will not reduce deer problems, or a= ny other wildlife problems, but will cause increased conflicts between hunters, land owners, and other outdoors users.=

Please make a brief, polite phone call to your state representative, (click here to find your representative's information), = and state senator, (click here to find your senator's information), urging opposition to HB 5158. Also, please don't forget send a follow-up message. Thank you for all you do for Connecticut wildlife.

Wayne Pacelle, President &am= p; CEO=

Whether you hunt deer or not, you should contact your legislators on the Sunday Hunting bill. This is an important Sportsmen’s issue and establishes our involvement in the political process, educates many legislators on issues on which they may know little, provides facts rather than emotion, supports wildlife management, and promotes Sportsmen’s credibility. It also provides us data to rate candidates in the next election.

This bill promotes Bowhunting only, Private Land only, Written Permission of the Landowner, Deer Only and Requires bowhunters to be 40 yards from a blazed hiking trail.=

H= .B. No. 5158 (COMM) ENVIRONMENT. 'AN ACT AUTHORIZING BOW AND ARROW HUNTING ON SUNDAY UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES', to authorize hunting on Sunday with bow and arrow provided such person has the written permission of the property owner and carries such permission upon their person while hunting.= House Calendar Number 108. File No. 171.=

Any Sunday H= unting bill must accomplish DEP Wildlife Management Objectives.

Indisputable Facts:

1. Deer and other wildlife speci= es are increasing, while the numbers of hunters is decreasing.

2. Deer/Car collisions, Lyme dis= ease occurrence, and property damage are increasing.

3. Hunting is the ONLY population management technique available for Deer.

4. DEP Wildlife Management has resulted in population balance on most State lands; Deer overpopulation problems are on privately owned lands.

5. Increases Harvest:= About 20-22% of Deer are taken by bow; 6-= 8% by muzzleloader; the remainder by rifle/shotgun 70-75%. DEP is tasked to properly manage wildlife populations by statute. This restrictive b= ill provides a minimal addition to the management scheme for controlling Deer populations, but may be adequate. The deer harvest on Saturdays during the firearms season is 76% greater than the average harvest on weekdays, the same probably applies to bowhunting. The ad= dition of Sundays during the private land season season would add approximate= ly 15 hunting days within the current season framework, but is expected to increa= se harvest rates by 20 to 28%. Inclement weather on Saturd= ays, significantly reduces take and management. DEP Supports Sunday Hunting.

6. Eliminates the last remaining= CT Blue Law (43 States have Sunday Hunting, those that do not are of the original 13 colonies).<= /o:p>

Seven states (ME, MA, CT, PA, NJ= , DE and VA) either severely restrict or completely ban Sunday hunting. Maryland allows Sunday hunting in a few counties, but restrictions remain for much of the state. North Carolina allows for Sunday hunting in limited instances and for specific species. In South Carolina th= ere is no big game hunting on Sundays; however, small game may be hunted subjec= t to open season regulations. <= /o:p>

• In North Carolina Bow hunting and falconry on private lands and falconry on public lan= ds on Sundays will be legal starting with the fall 2010 hunting seasons.
• In New York, Sunday hunting was opened in 1996 for three Sundays du= ring the gun season. Five years later however, the entire state allowed Sunday hunting throughout the year, with the exception of specifically designated lands.
• In Ohio, a three year trial period for Sunday hunting was initiated= in 1998, and then became permanent in 2002.
• Prior to 2003, Sunday hunting in Michigan was banned on private lan= d in certain counties, but in 2003, all Sunday hunting closures were repealed.

• Anti-hunters have claimed that allowing Sunday hunting would harm g= ame populations and pose safety issues; however, none of the states that recent= ly allowed Sunday hunting saw these claims substantiated. Opposition to Sunday Hunting has no substance. Concerning safety, many have only heard anecdotal reports and have not researched documented safety data. There has NEVER bee= n a CT bowhunting fatality and no hunter to public accidents are recorded - data is readily available demonstrating no reasoned jeopardy. A ”Day= of Rest” for the animals is emotional and disregards the continuous Predator/Prey relationship and other wildlife survival requirements. There = is an apparent disrespect for Landowner Rights where the landowner can determi= ne who, what, when, activities should occur on his property. Equally important= is the disregard for Multiple Use Recreation, promoted by this Legislature, DEP and most conservation organizations. Most important in the attempt to maint= ain the status quo is ignoring obvious ecological problems (Forest regeneration, non-game species), and public safety (Deer/Car Collisions (CT Economic = Impact from Deer-Vehicle Collisions ($) 4,846,000 Romin and= Bissonette, 1996*), public health (Lyme diseas= e), property damage problems ––clearly not in the public interest.<= /span>

• Increases tourism and ke= eps CT hunters/revenue in the state rather than traveling to NY/RI which have Sunday hunting; Allows "working people" an additional day of recreation; Eliminates the last vestige of an antiquated and religiously discriminatory "blue law." Does NOT affe= ct other recreationalists on State lands (PRIVATE LAND ONLY). If t= here is a downside to sportsmen, it may be a shortening of seasons as wildlife c= omes into balance with management goals, which may please hunting opponents.

• The seven states that se= verely restrict Sunday hunting have all seen sharp declines in hunter numbers over= the past 25 years.
• Sunday hunting is seen as a key component of providing youth and working class citizens with more opportunities to engage in the sport. The<= br> Amount of available time to all is often cited as a reason for declining hu= nter numbers. Adding Sunday hunting may be a way to slow or reverse the declining trend.

The Sportsmen of CT consider thi= s a reasoned and necessary proposal. We are also unquestionably convinced NOW is long past the time to act. Our demand to both legislators and the DEP is so= und wildlife management. We urge you to act NOW and pass this essential legislation.

If Not Sunday Hunting – Wh= at IS the solution to an ever-expanding Deer management problem?

*Assessment of Negative Economic Impacts from Deer in the Northeastern United States http://www.joe.org/joe/2005february/rb5= .php

House (151) 2011-2012

Catherine.Abercrombie@cga= .ct.gov; tim.ackert@housegop.ct.gov;= al.adinolfi@housegop.ct.gov; Mike.Alberts@housegop.ct.gov<= /a>; James.Albis@cga.ct.gov; David.Aldarondo@cga.ct.gov;= Emil.Altobello@cga.ct.gov; Bill.Aman@cga.ct.gov; Joe.Aresimowicz@cga.ct.gov;= Andres.Ayala@cga.ct.gov; Penny.Bacchiochi@housegop= .ct.gov; Terry.Backer@cga.ct.gov; David.Baram@cga.ct.gov; =

Jeffrey.Berger@cga.ct.gov;&n= bsp;whit.betts@housegop.ct.gov;= Betty.Boukus@cga.ct.gov; Larry.Butler@cga.ct.gov; Lawrence.Cafero@housegop.c= t.gov; Fred.Camillo@housegop.ct.gov<= /a>; Juan.Candelaria@cga.ct.gov;= Vincent.Candelora@houseg= op.ct.gov; christie.carpino@housegop= .ct.gov; dan.carter@housegop.ct.gov;= Clark.Chapin@housegop.ct.gov<= /a>; Charles.Clemons@cga.ct.gov;= Michelle.Cook@cga.ct.gov; Christopher.Coutu@houseg= op.ct.gov; Anthony.DAmelio@housegop.c= t.gov; Stephen.Dargan@cga.ct.gov; Paul.Davis@cga.ct.gov; Patricia.Dillon@cga.ct.gov;= Christopher.Donovan@cga.ct.= gov; Lou.Esposito@cga.ct.gov; Kim.Fawcett@cga.ct.gov; Andrew.Fleischmann@cga.ct.go= v; Mae.Flexer@cga.ct.gov; Livvy.Floren@housegop.ct.gov<= /a>; Dan.Fox@cga.ct.gov; Gerald.Fox@cga.ct.gov; John.Frey@housegop.ct.gov; Mary.Fritz@cga.ct.gov; henry.genga@cga.ct.gov; Linda.Gentile@cga.ct.gov;&nbs= p; Lile.Gibbons@housegop.ct.gov<= /a>; Janice.Giegler@housegop.ct.= gov; Marilyn.Giuliano@housegop= .ct.gov; Bob.Godfrey@cga.ct.gov; Minnie.Gonzalez@cga.ct.gov;= len.greene@housegop.ct.gov;= Auden.Grogins@cga.ct.gov; Tony.Guerrera@cga.ct.gov; Gregory.Haddad@cga.ct.gov; Gail.Hamm@cga.ct.gov; Jack.Hennessy@cga.ct.gov; John.Hetherington@houseg= op.ct.gov; Ernest.Hewett@cga.ct.gov; Gary.Holder-Winfield@cga.c= t.gov; DebraLee.Hovey@housegop.ct.= gov; Laura.Hoydick@housegop.ct.go= v; Bryan.Hurlburt@cga.ct.gov; Tony.Hwang@housegop.ct.gov;= Claire.Janowski@cga.ct.gov;= Susan.Johnson@cga.ct.gov; Ed.Jutila@cga.ct.gov; David.Kiner@cga.ct.gov; Marie.Lopez.Kirkley-Bey= @cga.ct.gov; Themis.Klarides@housegop.c= t.gov; Noreen.Kokoruda@housegop.c= t.gov; brenda.kupchick@housegop.c= t.gov; David.Labriola@housegop.ct.= gov; Timothy.Larson@cga.ct.gov; gail.lavielle@housegop.ct.go= v; Tim.LeGeyt@housegop.ct.gov;= roland.lemar@cga.ct.gov; Matthew.Lesser@cga.ct.gov; Geoff.Luxenberg@cga.ct.gov;= Christopher.Lyddy@cga.ct.gov<= /a>; Douglas.McCrory@cga.ct.gov;= Robert.Megna@cga.ct.gov; Steve.Mikutel@cga.ct.gov; Philip.Miller@cga.ct.gov; Patricia.Miller@cga.ct.gov;= Lawrence.G.Miller@houseg= op.ct.gov; Craig.Miner@housegop.ct.gov; michael.molgano@housegop.c= t.gov; Russell.Morin@cga.ct.gov; Bruce.Morris@cga.ct.gov; Edward.Moukawsher@cga.ct.gov<= /a>; Mary.Mushinsky@cga.ct.gov; Sandy.Nafis@cga.ct.gov; Vickie.Nardello@cga.ct.gov;= Frank.Nicastro@cga.ct.gov; Selim.Noujaim@housegop.ct.go= v; tim@timobrien.org; Elaine.OBrien@cga.ct.gov; Arthur.ONeill@housegop.ct.go= v; Melissa.Olson@cga.ct.gov; Linda.Orange@cga.ct.gov; jason.perillo@housegop.ct.go= v; Chris.Perone@cga.ct.gov; John.Piscopo@housegop.ct.gov<= /a>; Rosa.Rebimbas@housegop.ct.go= v; Lonnie.Reed@cga.ct.gov; Tom.Reynolds@cga.ct.gov; John.Rigby@housegop.ct.gov;= Elizabeth.Ritter@cga.ct.gov; Matthew.Ritter@cga.ct.gov; Hector.Robles@cga.ct.gov; Jason.Rojas@cga.ct.gov; Kelvin.Roldan@cga.ct.gov; TR.Rowe@housegop.ct.gov; Richard.Roy@cga.ct.gov; Kevin.Ryan@cga.ct.gov; rob.sampson@housegop.ct.gov; Bobby.Sanchez@cga.ct.gov; Ezequiel.Santiago@cga.ct.gov<= /a>; Pamela.Sawyer@housegop.ct.go= v; Peggy.Sayers@cga.ct.gov; Linda.Schofield@cga.ct.gov;= David.Scribner@housegop.ct.= gov; Joseph.Serra@cga.ct.gov; john.shaban@housegop.ct.gov; Brendan.Sharkey@cga.ct.gov;= bill.simanski@housegop.ct.go= v; richard.smith@housegop.ct.go= v; prasad.srinivasan@houseg= op.ct.gov; Charlie.Stallworth@cga.ct.go= v; Jonathan.Steinberg@cga.ct.go= v; Joseph.Taborsak@cga.ct.gov;= Kathy.Tallarita@cga.ct.gov;= Peter.Tercyak@cga.ct.gov; Jack.Thompson@cga.ct.gov; William.Tong@cga.ct.gov; Diana.Urban@cga.ct.gov;<= span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font= -family: "Times New Roman";color:blue'> Joe.Verrengia@cga.ct.gov; Peter.Villano@cga.ct.gov;&nbs= p;bill.wadsworth@housegop.ct.= gov; Toni.Walker@cga.ct.gov; Patricia.Widlitz@cga.ct.gov; Sean.Williams@housegop.ct.go= v; Roberta.Willis@cga.ct.gov; Terrie.Wood@housegop.ct.gov; Christopher.Wright@cga.ct.go= v; Elissa.Wright@cga.ct.gov; dave.yaccarino@housegop.ct.= gov; Zeke.Zalaski@cga.ct.gov; =

Senate (36) 2011-2012

Toni.Boucher@cga.ct.gov; Cassano@senatedems.ct.gov; Eric.Coleman@cga.ct.gov; Crisco@senatedems.ct.gov; Daily@senatedems.ct.gov; Doyle@senatedems.ct.gov; Duff@senatedems.ct.gov; Len.Fasano@cga.ct.gov; Fonfara@senatedems.ct.gov; Scott.Frantz@cga.ct.gov; Gomes@senatedems.ct.gov; Anthony.Guglielmo@cga.ct.gov<= /a>; Harp@senatedems.ct.gov; Hartley@senatedems.ct.gov; Rob.Kane@cga.ct.gov; Kevin.Kelly@cga.ct.gov; John.A.Kissel@cga.ct.gov; LeBeau@senatedems.ct.gov; Looney@senatedems.ct.gov; Joe.Markley@cga.ct.gov; Maynard@senatedems.ct.gov; John.McKinney@cga.ct.gov; Michael.McLachlan@cga.ct.gov<= /a>; Meyer@senatedems.ct.gov; anthony.musto@cga.ct.gov; Prague@senatedems.ct.gov; Andrew.Roraback@cga.ct.gov;= Slossberg@senatedems.ct.gov; Stillman@senatedems.ct.gov;= Len.Suzio@cga.ct.gov; Jason.Welch@cga.ct.gov; Williams@senatedems.ct.gov;= Kevin.Witkos@cga.ct.gov;

The following Senato= rs DO NOT have direct e-mail, you must go through their website constituents h= ave priority.

S06 - Gerratana, Terry B. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/Gerratana-mailform.html &= nbsp;

S27 - Leone, Carlo http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/Leone-mailform.html