It's official - Sunday Bow Hunting in NJ is now Law!!! Governor Corzine signed the Sunday Bow hunting legislation into law today. Bow hunters and sportsmen all across New Jersey can be proud of this monumental accomplishment. There is no shortage of individuals, organizations, legislators, journalists, and non hunters to thank for there part in making this happen. However, today we should make a point of picking up the phone and thanking Governor Jon Corzine for his wisdom in signing the Sunday bow hunting bills into law. Call him at 609-292-6000

What a truely awesome day this is for bow hunters in New Jersey. Sunday bow hunting started out as a vision of the current President of the UBNJ, Brian Dolobacs, over five years ago. The road to today's victory was long and hard, anti-hunting radicals did everything in their power to try to prevent the celebration that is happening in the hearts of bowhunters and outdoorsman all over our State. Even a national campaign by the HSUS coordinated with the NJARA and the Sierra Club could not overcome the common sense nature of this important piece of legislation. Sportsmen have come together to educate their legislators and the momentum we have gathered is formitable. Shoulder to shoulder with the UBNJ stood the NJOA, the NJSFSC, the Division of F&W, the Fish and game Council, the JCAA, NJ Trappers Association, farmers, fisherman, outdoorsman of every creed and color, not to mention the countless non hunting individuals that supported our efforts.

We have made friendships throughout the legislature and we need to remeber those individuals when we are standing at the ballot boxes each November. For me this has been an eye opening experience, this was the first time I was actually on the front lines and in the legislative trenches. I remember feeling so outraged as I had to listen to the anti spew their lies and trash our heritage. I also remember feeling very humbled to have been able to testify at committee hearing and help educate legislators regarding the benefits to be reaped from Sunday bow hunting. If you know someone who called you or emailed you and asked you to call and be involved in this process, please call them now and thank them. The tireless efforts of so many have made this moment possible.

If this news excites you and you'd like to do more and be more involved, than reach out to those who are leading these efforts. God knows we can use all the help we can get. The more we do, there ends up being so much more to do. Join a Statewide organization that is dedicated to protecting and advancing hunting, fishing and all the outdoor activities we love. Send donations to those organization, send donations to the legislators that work so tirelessly for us. You make the difference, you are why we can celebrate today.

I personally want to thank anyone who had even the slightest hand in making this happen from the bottom of my heart. We as an outdoor community can accomplish so much when we set our mind to it. I've made my call to the Governor, make sure you make yours we have other legislation out there that we'll need him to pick his pen for.

Thank you - Joe Mills - Executive Vice President UBNJ and President of NJ-Hunter.com

Below I've added the commentary from Anthony Mauro, chairman of the NJOA, that he sent out once the Governor had signed the bills.

Congratulations! The Governor has signed Sunday Bow hunting into law!

In only 18 months since anglers, hunters, trappers and conservationists of all types “united” through a grassroots effort and sent two uninformed legislators packing - New Jersey’s “anti” culture has been turned on its ear. 

The signing of Sunday Bow hunting should be evidence of the momentous voting power of 650,000 outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen. It should be a motivating factor for anglers, hunters, trappers and all conservationists to REGISTER TO VOTE and to VOTE IN EVERY ELECTION. It should be a clarion call for each of us to join in the effort to contact our legislators and become involved in protecting and advancing our outdoor interests.

By the way, the NJOA will soon be making an announcement about how we will make it easier for you to contact your legislators. 

As a cautionary note, I have learned that national organizations who refuse to consider the scientific underpinnings of conservation are amassing their forces, dipping into their war chests and directing these resources towards keeping New Jerseyans in the dark about the benefits of conservation. They are loath to allow us a “seat at Trenton’s table” and are panicked at the strength of our words in the “arena of ideas.” Therefore, we must remain on the offensive and be forever vigilant.

On behalf of the NJOA, and me personally, I’d like to thank everyone involved for their assistance in unleashing the power inherent in a united outdoor community. Under separate cover I will send a template of a “Thank you” letter to send to the legislators that have worked diligently to have the bill passed – including the Governor for signing the bill. 

Again, congratulations! The Governor has signed Sunday Bow hunting into law!

Ant

 Speak and be heard! Vote and be counted!

Anthony P. Mauro, Sr.
Chairman,
New Jersey Outdoor Alliance: "We've got your back!"
www.njoutdooralliance.org