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Hunters want bow hunting allowed in Portage
PORTAGE | Chuck James is going to ask City Council members to revise a long-standing city ordinance prohibiting bow hunting within city limits.
James says it's a matter of safety.
An avid bow hunter, James said he and a few friends are drawing up a petition to present to the council that would allow bow hunting of deer within season on a parcel of land more than 5 acres in size with the landowner's permission.
A change, he said, would not only give bow hunters a better opportunity to practice their sport closer to home, but it would reduce the increasing deer population in the city and reduce vehicle-vs.-deer accidents within its limits.
City Attorney Ken Elwood said city ordinance now prohibits all hunting with either archery equipment or firearms in city limits. The only exception allows residents on 10 acres or more to eliminate "small pestic" animals. Deer don't fall into that exception. The use of archery equipment, even for target practice, also is banned in the city.
There are two other exceptions in the city. The Shirley Heinz Foundation has received permission from the city the last three years for a bow hunting deer cull at its John Merle Coulter Nature Preserve on the northwest side of the city. A local grain farmer also received a special exception to have hunters, using firearms, cull deer from his property.
Bob Porch, Indiana Department of Natural Resources biologist, said several municipalities have begun to examine laws regarding hunting of deer within their municipal limits.
"I do know other cities who through time who have seen an increase in deer and have begun to rethink their anti-hunting status," Porch said. "We have more deer in Indiana than we ever had."
Porch said he believes bow hunting is a "very safe" method to cull deer. Deer, too, have been evolving, Porch said. They have become less timid toward humans and have also changed their eating habits from foraging in the forest to eating landscape materials, he said.
"It is a hotbed issue through much of Indiana," Porch said about deer hunting restrictions.
James said he would work with council members to craft a new ordinance, including regulations, if they consider changing the city's current regulations. James said petitions are available at the office of 24/7 Taxi, 8190 Ridge Road, Hobart, and any hunter interested in becoming involved in the effort can reach him at (219) 406-5055.