Is keeping one day a week non-violent and gun-free in West Lincoln too much to ask? Do residents really want to be woken up on Sunday morning - before sunrise - by the sound of gun shots?

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, and their allies, the Ministry of Natural Resources, tell us that hunting on Sunday is an integral "management tool'. Their main argument is that Sunday hunting assists farmers in controlling 'nuisance' wildlife like deer and coyotes.

Doesn't legislation already exist to allow farmers to kill 'nuisance' wildlife any day of the week- including Sundays- on their property?

Sunday gun hunting isn't about farmers or crop damage. It's just another twist by those who want us to believe they can't control crop-damaging wildlife adequately Monday through Saturday.

Although this sport-hunting lobby is well organized and aggressive, they represent a small portion of the population. The greatest proportion does not hunt or own guns! Why then are we asked to support hunting for recreation sport seven days a week? The majority of Ontarians do not engage in the sport of hunting yet hunters are given Ontario's natural resources, including our parks and conservation areas, leaving no wildlife protection.

Sunday hunting violates a quality of life issue. Allowing hunters to invade private and Crown land on Sundays firing lethal weapons certainly threatens enjoyment for people who have chosen to retire, raise their families, and visit West Lincoln to experience the tranquility of one municipality where Sundays are still sacred -without fear of becoming victim to a stray bullet.

I urge those who are opposed to contact members of West Lincoln Council.

Jan Yates