House Bill 493, sponsored by Representative Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green), passed the Ohio House of Representatives by a vote of 91-2. The bill would remove all private land restrictions during hunting season. Public land is currently open to Sunday hunting. Some private lands are also open, but with severe limitations. The bill removes requirements that landowners must 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.

"We rallied Ohio sportsmen to contact their representatives and they heeded the call," said Don Smith, Ohio Field Director for the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance. "The legislators got the message and responded by approving the Sunday hunting bill by a large margin. They deserve our thanks for listening."

Only two legislators, Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland) and Ray Miller (D-Columbus), voted in opposition to the Sunday hunting bill.

The bill now moves to the Senate.

"The Ohio legislature could recess as early as April," said Smith. "Ohio sportsmen should get on the phone today and ask their senators for a vote in support of House Bill 493."

Ohio sportsmen should act now. They should contact their state senators and urge them to support House Bill 493. Tell the senators that Sunday hunting restrictions have proven to be unnecessary red tape that has hurt hunter participation and infringes upon landowner rights. To learn your legislators name and for contact information, call (800) 282-0253.