Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.c. Amendment to Bow & Firearms OrdinanceCITY OF ROSEMOUNT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR DISCUSSION COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING DATE: May 15, 2003 AGENDA ITEM: Amendment to Bows and Firearms Ordinance AGENDA NO. PREPARED BY: Gary Kalstabakken, Chief of Police t 7V 2 ATTACHMENTS: Maps The ordinance restricting the use of firearms and bows and arrows has been in place since 1992 and was last amended in June 2001. The last amendment prohibits the use of firearms and bow and arrow west of Akron Avenue. There are two issues that Council is being asked to consider regarding the ordinance. First is the use of archery hunting as a method of deer management. Second is the consideration of permitting firearms hunting in certain areas of the restricted area. Archery Hunting — Deer Management Deer management has been an underlying issue in the community for the last several years. There are regularly deer /vehicle accidents in the community and residents in some areas have called to express concern about the number of deer that feed in the area of homes. The animal control ordinance amended in December includes a provision, which restricts the feeding of wildlife. This amendment was done in response to complaints received regarding feeders being set out by some residents that are creating a nuisance according to other neighbors. It is a recommendation of the DNR to restrict wildlife feeding. A second means to manage the deer population is to allow hunting in accordance with applicable state statutes. The DNR views this as an important step in managing the deer population in urban areas and expects cities to allow hunting when possible before any other methods of deer management are implemented, i.e., controlled hunts, trap and relocate, trap and destroy. Archery hunting is viewed as an effective means to manage the deer population. Archery hunting typically will not reduce the population but is a proven method to maintain the population at its current level. In Rosemount, there is private property on which archery hunting may still be done safely in accordance with state law. State law requires hunting to occur at least 300 feet from any home or occupied building. This requirement means that several properties in the rural residential areas of Rosemount may be hunted. The policy decision is to decide if archery hunting should be permitted, and if so, on what minimum size parcel should hunting be limited? The attached maps show parcels of 2.5, 5 and 10+ acres for discussion. Firearms When the ordinance was amended in 2001, consideration was given to allowing firearms hunting on parcels of land larger than 60 acres and zoned agricultural. This proposal was presented because two of the five large landowners in the restricted area advocated for allowing firearms hunting on their property. These landowners, the McMenomy family and Joe McNamara, have continued to request consideration for firearms hunting. Both parties recognize their land will soon be zoned for residential development but would like to hunt on their property until it is developed. The McMenomys are also concerned with the crop loss that has resulted from geese and ducks and believe hunting would limit the damage.