RITCHIE SUNDAY HUNTING CASE BEFORE STATE COURT

(04/16/2007)
West Virginia's Sunday hunting law is being tested before the the Supreme Court through an appeal by a Ritchie County hunting club. The hearing is scheduled for tomorrow.

The Ritchie hunt club is arguing it is being denied a constitutional right to hunt on private property on Sundays.

The issue was placed before Ritchie voters in 2002, with 1,454 to 859 voters saying they did not want Sunday hunting.

About 42 counties voted against Sunday hunting, after the legislature issued local option.

Joseph Beeson, attorney for the West Virginia Farm Bureau, said "We're hopeful the Supreme Court will uphold the ruling of the Ritchie County Circuit Court."

The court will publish its decision within a couple of months.