All right, it's toe-stepping time. I'm not old enough to be a curmudgeon, I'm too old to be an idealist and I'm just experienced enough to be jaded when it comes to the outdoors.

Here are some topics that I've reflected upon over the past year. I don't have any easy answers, but I do have some hard questions to ask. I'll paint with broad strokes, and I'll welcome your comments.

Hunting deer with dogs

Is it time to ban running deer with hounds? Depends on who you ask -- "dog hunters," as they're called, or nearly everyone else, including stillhunters, landowners and nonhunters.

As I've stated before, I've had numerous hunts ruined by deer hounds and their "handlers." I've heard countless stories regarding the same, as well as stories of dog hunters putting out hounds on posted land to await the chase on their leased land; dogs and deer knocking down wire fences; physical altercations between dog hunters and other hunters - the list is long. Many of the dog hunters are armed with centerfire rifles, not shotguns and buckshot, which raises the safety aspect.

It used to be that dog hunters (usually clubs with many members) leased large tracts of land. It's still that way in some areas, but development and land use have fragmented tracts in many areas.

If you can guarantee me your dogs will stay on your land and that they are properly vaccinated, that you will hunt with a shotgun and that you won't shoot from public roadways, knock yourself out.

Sadly, I've seen too many examples to the contrary.

Dog hunting is a Southern tradition, but times change.

Sunday hunting

North Carolina is one of only nine states that don't allow some form of hunting on Sundays. I say it's time to change that.

I can fish, play golf, shoot targets, buy beer - do just about anything I can do any other day of the week but not hunt.

It's not a religious issue, so don't go there.

Enforcement? Not sure, but there ought be fewer boats and anglers for game wardens to police in the fall and winter.

Give the animals and birds a "day of rest?" I don't buy that argument, either. They get plenty during the week when most folks are working.

What Sunday hunting would do is allow most hunters twice as much time afield, especially those who work weekdays, and those who work Saturdays would get a weekend day to hunt. It would allow guides and shooting preserve owners another day for much needed revenue in a seasonal line of work. At a local level, it would benefit the stores, gas stations and restaurants that cater to hunters in rural areas. The makers of nab crackers, Cheerwine and Vienna sausages wouldn't object, I'm sure.

It doesn't have to be carte blanche. Rural churches deserve to have services uninterrupted by gunfire. So, what about bowhunting on Sundays? Or general hunting after noon? Private land only? Or allowing controlled shooting preserves to do business on Sundays? Surely there's a way to make everyone happy.

If you don't believe in hunting on Sundays, don't go. But don't stop me from doing it.

Crossbows

As it stands today, only disabled hunters legally can use a crossbow to hunt in North Carolina.

Why? Because many bowhunters don't want to "compete" with hunters using crossbows during the archery-only season. They have told me that crossbows are not true archery tackle, that crossbows are more akin to guns because they can be cocked before firing and are shoulder-mounted.

Big deal.

I'd wager most serious bowhunters are hunting private land, either owned or leased, so the competition argument really isn't there.

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