Voters in five West Virginia counties have restored the right to hunt on private land on Sundays.
Unofficial returns show the measure was approved Tuesday in Braxton, Calhoun, Nicholas, Webster and Wirt counties. Voters in Gilmer and Lewis counties rejected the proposal.
In 2001, lawmakers allowed counties to hold elections on whether to allow Sunday hunting on private lands. The following year, all 41 counties that put the question on their ballots voted to ban it.
Cory Boothe of Summersville started a petition drive last year. He says he wanted to give his children the opportunity that hunters in most other states have.
He worked feverishly on the grassroots campaign, distributing petitions at convenience stores, bars, diners and larger employers.
Boothe says he’s satisfied with how the vote turned out.