One of Delaware’s last remaining blue laws may come off the books this year.
House lawmakers passed a bill Tuesday that would allow deer hunting for five Sundays on private land and certain designated public areas between the October and January seasons.
Rep. William Carson (D-Smyrna) says the change will allow hunters more flexibility when scheduling their outings.
“This will allow the hunters, whose hunting licenses maintain those areas to have a time when they can use it for five times a year,” Carson said.
State officials will have to hold a public hearing before allowing hunting on state land.
Environmentalists and equestrians have concerns they won’t be able to ride or go bird watching without fear of potentially being hit by stray shot.
The measure wouldn’t apply to bird hunters and the law already allows trapping and some red fox hunting on Sundays.
State senators and Gov. Jack Markell (D) still have to approve it before going into effect.
