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Fayette Co. Archery Enthusiasts & Bow Hunters Beware. Act Quickly
You can take action on this alert by reading the information below and following the
directions at the bottom.
The Fayette County Board of Commissioners is considering an amendment to its Discharge of Firearms ordinance that will restrict the discharge of a bow and arrow, compound bow, and crossbow.
This amendment will be considered at its regular meeting this Thursday, February 14.
The language under consideration is: "No person shall discharge a bow and arrow, compound bows, or crossbow: a) on any property unless there exist a sufficient backstop to stop the arrow or other projectile from leaving the property; b) within fifty (50) yards of the property line of another without first obtaining the permission of the adjoining property owner; and/or c) across the property line of another without first obtaining the permission of such property owner."
This effort is in response to a complaint by one person. The complainant supposedly observed an individual hunting on adjacent property, which this person had permission, near the property line. The complainant was standing in her driveway when she observed this individual hunting from an elevated tree stand approximately 60 feet from her driveway, but not on her property.
She felt uncomfortable and unsafe. The County's Chief Marshall indicated that this is the only complaint he is aware of.
Some local Fayette County archery enthusiasts feel that this ordinance as currently written is overly restrictive, especially from the point of view that their ability to engage in a lawful activity (hunting) regulated by the State on their private property will be subject to the permission of an adjacent landowner because of paragraph (b) - within 50 yards of a property line.
They, the local Fayette County archery enthusiasts, offered alternative language that addresses this issue in manner that does not subject a private property owners right to hunt their own property to the permission of an adjacent landowner. The language they offered is as
follows: "No person shall discharge a bow and arrow, compound bows, or
crossbow: a) on any property unless there exist a sufficient backstop to stop the arrow or other projectile from leaving the property; b)within fifty
(50) yards of any driveway, occupied residence, camp, industrial or commercial building, farm house or farm building without first obtaining the permission of such property owner; c) within one hundred fifty (150) yards of any playground, school, nursery schools, or day-care center without first obtaining the permission of such property owner; d) across the property line of another without first obtaining the permission of such property owner; and/or e) within twenty-five (25) yards of the traveled surface of a public road."
At least two of the five Commissioners expressed support for this approach amid concerns of not restricting private property rights. Two Commissioners felt the alternative language was not restrictive enough to address the concern of this one individual.
If some influence can be exerted to reach the reason of the Commission, the current language can be substituted with the less restrictive and controversial language offered by local archery enthusiasts.
Regulated hunting is the primary tool for managing deer across Georgia. As counties develop, subdivisions and shopping centers occupy what was once deer habitat. Deer still occur in and near these developments. However, as large tracts of land become subdivided, hunter access becomes more restricted and broad discharge of weapons ordinances limit the effectiveness of hunting and landowner capabilities to manage deer herds.
National Safety Council data consistently indicate that there are less than 0.05 injuries per 100,000 archery hunters. In contrast, for like numbers of participants there are 113 injuries for tennis; 105 for swimming; 484 for roller-skating; and 27,041 for football. Archery hunting is clearly a safe activity in urban/suburban areas for both participants and especially non-participants.
Of particular note concerning public safety, statistics show that in the last decade there have been no fatalities in Georgia resulting from the discharge of a bow or crossbow. Conversely, during that same time, there have been at least 6,349 injuries and 37 fatalities resulting from deer-vehicle collisions in Georgia. In Fayette County, there have more than 600 reported deer-vehicle collisions in the past two years. Deer-vehicle collisions represent the real threat to public safety. Providing reasonable flexibility in ordinances that allow for necessary control of white-tailed deer populations can avert exchanging a real public safety threat for a perceived public safety threat.
The Fayette County Board of Commissioners meeting is Thursday, February 14 at 7:00 PM at the Fayette County Administrative Complex, 140 Stonewall Avenue West, Suite 100, Fayetteville.
Contact all of your Fayette County friends that hunt and encourage them to contact their county commissioner on this issue. The meeting is this Thursday.
Your message will be sent to each of the following targets:
Eric Maxwell
Herb Frady
Jack Smith
Peter Pfeifer
Robert Horgan
A sample message appears below, which you may edit before sending.
Substitute language in amendment to the Discharge of Firearms ordinance
Dear Commissioner Maxwell
I am a Fayette County resident and have concerns over the amendment to the Discharge of Firearms ordinance, as it relates to archery equipment, that you are considering. This amendment is overly restrictive and impacts private property rights. I am requesting that you substitute the following language offered by local archery enthusiasts:
"No person shall discharge a bow and arrow, compound bows, or crossbow: a) on any property unless there exist a sufficient backstop to stop the arrow or other projectile from leaving the property; b) within fifty (50) yards of any driveway, occupied residence, camp, industrial or commercial building, farm house or farm building without first obtaining the permission of such property owner; c) within one hundred fifty (150) yards of any playground, school, nursery schools, or day-care center without first obtaining the permission of such property owner; d) across the property line of another without first obtaining the permission of such property owner; and/or e) within twenty-five (25) yards of the traveled surface of a public road."
This is a reasonable alternative amendment that archery hunters and archery enthusiasts can support. Please consider adopting this amendment.
Sincerely, Your name and address here
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This Action Alert Campaign is Closed.
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