Inver Grove wants to ban deer hunts.

This was sent to me by a concerned IDA member. The City of Inver Grove Heights wants to ban bow hunting. There are many reasons why this should not go through! Let’s hear your opinions!

Guys,

I need a huge favor from IDA if possible. I just got word that the city
of Inver Grove Heights is having a city counsel meeting on June 12, 2007 from 5-6:30pm regarding bow hunting within the city. There is a group of anti-hunters that are trying to get bow hunting banned within the city limits. Being the hunters you both are I don’t need to explain what this means to our sport What I’m asking from you is to get a post up on the site right away asking anyone and EVERYONE to attend the meeting if possible. I know most of the guys on the site probably don’t bow hunt this city but it would help make a stand where one needs to be taken against these bambi lovers!! The more voices and people we can get to attend the better off our stance will be. I am personally taking the lead on this and trying to coordinate an effort to get as many people as I can to attend.

Let me know what you guys think!

Chris,

You could try to contact some of the cities that have allowed bow hunting for years and have them draft a letter explaining the benefits of in city hunting. I watched a city produced program here in Dubuque (city health dept) that explained and outlined the archery hunting that has been allowed here for many years. They talked about the positives of in city hunting and had all kinds of statistics on the deer population control within the city. The in-city archery hunts here in Dubuque are widely accepted by the population and are promoted by the city. The program I watched had a great deal of input from the DNR telling of their winter head count, etc… I have not heard of anyone speaking out against the hunting here in Dubuque although I’m sure there are a few. At least one of the more upscale neighborhoods here welcome the hunters.

Maybe we non residents who can’t make the meeting, you could set up a petition or something. Just a thought, I would sign it.

Chris, You have got to be kidding me! I just got permission to hunt last winter. I work on the border of Eagan and IGH and there is still alot of rural land is this area. If Eagan (population 65,000) still allows it why not IGH.
I think Chris is right, it is not a safety issue, it is a animal rights fight. If you hunt in IGH or not you have to stand up againist these people! You never know, they may target your hunting land next. If you need any help Chris, just ask. I will pass on the info to my local archery shop and anyone else that will listen.

This is a bunch of POO….I do remember though last year up in the Cities someone went out to their deck to find a deer with an arrow in it(poor shot of course) lying in their yard suffering…cops chased it and DNR out into the streets then it was hit in traffic…. Not sure what town but maybe it was IGH????

Tuck Count me in.

I will do what I can. We need to make a stand against these Anti-Hunting organizations, even if it appears it does not affect us directly, because it does effect each and every one of us, even if you do not hunt. The Anti’s start with one thing and keep on pushing until they have all things closed. We need to unite as one group as “OUTDOORSMAN & WOMEN” and put a stop to any and all these type things.

The over population of deer is what comes about from not controlling a deer population. This should not only be an outdoorsmen concern. Insurance Premium increases are a very close correlation to over populated deer populations. Not to mention not controlling the deer population is a very IN-HUMANE thing to let happen. Areas are only able to hold so many deer / square mile. If these populations rise above this number, there will not be enough food to feed the herd and many will be come weak and die of starvation. Remember outdoors people are stewards of the land and keep these things in check. Harvesting a very small amount of deer every year is more humane then letting 100’s die of starvation or disease.

We as Outdoorsman & Women need to stand up against these Anti’s and let them know that this is not an area we are going to be bullied by there Propaganda and Money. Lets make a start and stand against these Anti’s at the Inver Grove Heights meeting.

I’m in, who else is in for the Outdoors!

Count me In! I live in sothern IGH and the deer population there is a little exesive. I can count on almost wetting myself 2 times a year as I walk down to the bathroom to shower and have a Buck standing on my patio staring in to the house. I promise you his thoughts are ” So I wonder what would happened if I went in side?” Don’t get me wrong I love seeing the deer everyday pass through the woods, with thier young. But the Buck at my back door is a little too much because one day he’s ging to come in. Also at least once a week the brakes of the car get slammed because one jumps out from the side of the road. the population needs to be controlled. Better done by hunters than cars I say.

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population needs to be controlled. Better done by hunters than cars I say.

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Exactly Deluxe. My guess is that Buck is looking at his reflection in the Glass. Many have been known to think that is another buck and he charges the Buck “GLASS”. You know what happens next.

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Exactly Deluxe. My guess is that Buck is looking at his reflection in the Glass. Many have been known to think that is another buck and he charges the Buck “GLASS”. You know what happens next.

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Wet myself and hide? … oohhh and scream for the wife to hide too. The dog is on his own at that point.

Tuck —

Thanks for the heads up. I’ll try and make it and let my father-in-law and others who bowhunt IGH know.

Chris, i’ve been paying attention to the local bowhunts here for along time as im a bowhunter myself. Like Eyehunter says we are to the point of over population here in Cedar rapids too. If it wasen’t for the bowhunting thinning the deer to a manageable population, people here would see alot more very serious car accidents right along with all the road killed deer. A rising increase to the point of overpopulation of any wild species will take place if left unchecked, thats a fact in nature. I’ve personally seen a couple very bad accidents with deer involved where ambulances were at the scene because of eigther hitting the deer and going into the ditch or trying to miss one and going in anyway, even going through the windshield. Its bad when the interior of the car if full of broken glass from a deer hitting the front windshield and spraying the interior with glass all over everybody, including very young children, i’ve seen that one too. Deer are not the size of racoons that can be run over with little harm to the person driving or the vehicle, a 200 pound deer is another story when hit. You could get intouch with the local city police and sherrifs depts here to see if you could get any kind of halfway indepth statement from them with any statistics of how many were hit and how bad the accidents are, involving and ambulance, maybe they will send what they have if thier keeping track or maybe a general statement. I know every year the tags that become available sell out pretty quick and i know they sell a few hundred of them to keep the deer to a manageble population, especially in certain sections of town where thiers more of them. Every year all year long everybody sees roadkills here, its a common sight now just like racoons and squirrels. Maybe the local insurance companies here might give thier statistics on what they have, how many accidents and what they paid out for auto repair and hospitalization. If a person could get statements from all that i’ve mentioned and show them too the council i’ll bet it would help. If my personal statement helps any they should let the bowhunters cull the deer to a manageable population or alot of people are going to get hurt and even die. A minor accident will cause glass to thrown all over in the inside of the car or van from flying glass, it could be my grandkid and children, maybe me too. This is what happens enough when a deer is hit at 20 m.p.h. and higher and bounces up and hits the windshield. Deer are big enough too, and do, cause very serious accidents, it could be one of the city council members, it could be anyone, anytime of day. Serious deer accidents are a fact of life, people have to try to keep thier populations down for peoples safety. I hope this helps you.

I am not a deer hunter, but, i grew up in that area and we used to hunt all over IGH. Pheasants squirrels ducks whatever, trapping muskrat, racoons ,fox. Since then the city has grown and took away these animals habitat . The same people that are trying to stop the hunting are probably calling city hall complaining that the deer are chewing up their gardens. What will happen is they will be succesful in stopping the hunting and then have to fork over a ton of money to hire sharpshooters to thin out the herd, just like what happened over in the Battle Creek area of St Paul.

Act fast on this issue, and counter the lies of the anti-hunters. If you don’t, those of you in IGH will find yourselves in the same sort of situation as Iowa City. Bow-hunting is banned in The People’s Republic of Iowa City on the grounds that it is “inhumane”. So, to control the population of starving deer, the city pays sharp-shooters from Connecticut around $100,000 per year (of taxpayer dollars) to come in and shoot excess deer.

For those of you not familiar with Iowa City, it is a University town, whose local politics are way out there in Michael Moore-Rosie O’Donnell territory: think a smaller version of Madison, Wisconsin. The voting public in IGH and most other places is more in touch with reality, but that doesn’t mean a small group of clueless anti-hunters can’t wield a lot of influence.

The idiotic solution of paying six figures to an out-of-state organization when local bow-hunters would pay for the privilege is still a compromise: the bunny-huggers want Iowa City to pay for deer birth control , at $500 per doe. I am not making that up. I attended one City Council meeting in Iowa City, because I had to hear these people for myself. One “animal rights activist” stood up and wailed that if we killed animals simply because they are “inconvenient” to us, what kind of example are we setting for our children. This sort of cluelessness is the mindset that has to be fought with logic and actual evidence.

The City of Rochester brought this issue up a couple years ago. Basically bow hunting in the city was allowed with the police cheifs permission. He asked the City Council to come up with some kind of ordinance to take the burden off of him. A lot of debate and the nay sayers claiming children would be shot led to the rules listed below. Essentially you need written permission and must have taken bow hunter education and a proficency test. Also must hunt elevated so arrow travel is downward. Before this it was open to anyone. Maybe you can use this information for your situation.

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND REENACTING SECTION 85.13 OF THE ROCHESTER CODE OF ORDINANCES, RELATING TO THE USE OF FIREARMS, BOWS AND DANGEROUS WEAPONS IN GAME HUNTING WITHIN THE CITY.

H. Any person who shoots a bow and pointed-tip arrow under all of the following circumstances:

(1) The shooting occurs on property the person owns or on another person’s property if the shooter has in his possession written permission of the property owner to engage in the activity;

(2) The arrow does not travel beyond the boundaries of that property;

(3) Unless otherwise specified by written permission of the property owner, any shooting must occur at least 500 feet from any building and from any land not owned by that landowner;

(4) The shooting does not endanger anyone else;

(5) The person has in his or her possession a Regular Archery License or All Season Deer License.

(6)The person has completed a Bowhunter Educational Program and an Archery Proficiency Test, and is able to show proof of this proficiency as granted and administered by a certified Archery Instructor.

(7) Hunting must make use of a tree stand at least five feet from ground level unless a person engaged in hunting is physically unable to meet this requirement and is able to show proof of this upon the request of a law enforcement officer.

All I can say is I grew up in IGH and there are some huge bucks in my hometown!

Bow hunting is something that should be never banned! Very clean and ethical hunters are bowhunters!

Cant believe that they are even thinking about this……………..

Who is trying to get this done?
Where are the facts?
Is it because IGH is getting to populated? I don’t know
Lets get some real info(facts) out here before you want to start lynching people.

After reading Brents post this afternoon I deceided to do a little checking since I just got permission to hunt in IGH. I talked with Kyle at the city administration office. He said “It was a city/police concern with the growth of the city and also people hunting on closed DNR land(Scientific Natural Area). He also said “It not a outright ban, there are just trying to ban it in certain areas of the city”. He was supposed to email me the draft this afternoon, but I did not receive it before I took off to go fishing. Still not here, good old quick reponse from the city. So in a nut shell, as I take, it they are just banning it in new heavily developed areas and in the trespassing trouble areas. I will finish by saying this does not wash the hands of the animal activists. I am sure there will be some at the meeting trying for a outright ban. We should still attend and make sure our voices are heard.

They can bowwhunt deer here city wide. The hunters have to pass an accuracy test, have permission to hunt the land and it used to be the dnr looked at the stands but i don’t know now if they still look at the stands. I know that younger bowhunters have to have taken the dnr’s hunting course. There are rules that the hunters have to obide by but the bowhuntings still going strong here with alot of filled tags every year. They have earn a buck hunting in the city and after you shoot a number of does that makes you qualified for a special drawing for a city buck hunt. Heard from a friend who seen it in the local paper a guy shot the number 8 biggest buck ever shot in Iowa last year, in the city limits. I hope you guys get to hunt the city limits.

VikeFan had it right on for Ia City. Its funny how so few can bend so many ears out there. Don’t let the anti’s take any thing else.

Hey All!
Just a reminder about this! Bring your friends, family members, kids…The more the better!
Unfortunately I will be in Iowa for work, or I would be there.

Here is some more info..:
Proposed Changes to the City’s Bow Hunting Regulations
Draft Bow and Arrow Regulations

Based on a number of complaints from residents, the City Council has asked staff to review the current ordinances that regulate bow and arrow hunting within the City, suggest changes, and conduct an open house to receive comments regarding the changes.
Highlights of the current ordinance:

Bow and arrow use is allowed basically in an area from Upper 55th Street south and west of Babcock Trail – continuing south of Courthouse Boulevard and Old Concord Boulevard, south to the City limits bordering Rosemount and east to the River. click here to see a map
Suggested changes to the current regulations:

Restricting discharge within 200 feet of driveways on the subject parcel and within 200 feet of any public or private roadways on or abutting the subject parcel unless the owner of the land closest to the driveway consents in writing to a lesser restriction.
Requiring all hunters to have passed a safety training course, possess a valid State of Minnesota deer hunting license, comply with all laws and regulations of the State of Minnesota related to deer hunting, and inform the Public Safety Department of dates and times, etc. Hunters may be property owners or have received written permission from the owner.
Limiting the area to south of Highway 55 and west of Highway 52 to the southern boundary of the City. click here to see a map
– AND –

Option One – Limiting bow and arrow use to parcels of 5 acres or greater. Including any parcel of less than five (5) acres in size where all adjoining owners have consented in writing to the discharge of a bow and arrow for the purpose of shooting deer. -OR-

Option Two – Limiting bow and arrow use to parcels of 10 acres or greater. Including any parcel of less than ten (10) acres in size where all adjoining owners have consented in writing to the discharge of a bow and arrow for the purpose of shooting deer.
An Open House will be held on Tuesday, June 12th from 5:00 to 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 8150 Barbara Avenue. A brief report will be given, questions will be answered, and written comments will be received.

Chris, i read the rules and this dosen’t sound like a basic bad package. I suppose a person could pick it apart for the convience of the hunter but its a start. The rules on the big and small plots where a person has to get permission from all the adjoining land owners is the only stickler i have a problem with. If the bowhunter isn’t hunting any of thier land then what do they have to do with anything. I know a deer could run to thier property and die and they don’t want to see that, here the dnr says anyone that has a deer die on thier property has to let the hunter on thier property to retrieve thier deer.

The main problem with getting permission from (all) the adjoining residents is what if just one person holds out but all the other residents want them thined out but now it can’t be done. Atleast a majority rules situation is called for here. If shooting from a tree stand so the arrow hits the ground for the adjoing property owners safety is that concern then the bow hunter should have too shoot from a stand, which is a good idea anyway.

It looks to me with this rule like the local people in charge are trying to please everyone with a compromise. Maybe getting in touch with the dnr and see what thier game retrieving laws are, they should over rule every thing in any area if theres hunting going on.

Here im sure theres been picky residents that have property bordering a hunting location that have called the dnr saying they don’t agree with hunting of any sort. The dnr’s probably told them its against the law to not let the hunter retrieve thier animal.

A hunter trying to get permission from the bordering property owners can always ask the question pertaining too how much damage has the deer done too thier garden and yard plants. Here alot of people have deer fences around thier vegetable gardens and just have to put up with the deer eating other plants to the ground.

I know of one couple and hes a doctor, that i did a job for, that lives on the edge of town and every year the deer eat her hosta collection to the ground in early spring because the hostas come up early befor other things start coming up giving the deer another choice of other things to eat.

I think the dnr should have the say so on game retrieveing anyplace in the state. One neighbor shouldn’t have the final say so on thining deer out when part or everyone else wants them thined out.