Landis residents can bow hunt deer on property within town

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, March 5, 2013

LANDIS — Residents will be able to bow hunt deer on private property within town limits but they can’t hunt on town property. The board decided Monday to proceed with a letter of intent to participate in the 2014 urban archery season that will allow bow hunting, with some restrictions.

The letter will have to be submitted to the Wildlife Resources Commission by April 1. Town Parks Director Andrew Morgan recently met with a wildlife biologist from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission who made some recommendations.

The town staff made recommendations beyond what the wildlife biologist suggested. Staff suggested no hunting should be allowed on town property. Staff also said private property owners with at least two acres of land could be allowed to have bow hunting on their property. A state hunting license is required to bow hunt.

If there are residents who want to bow hunt on property that does not meet the two-acre requirement the hunter has to apply with the town for permission.

The concern is if someone is on property that is less than two acres from another location there could be a potential danger of shooting someone.

Morgan said the town staff will look at the parcel in question and determine if it is safe or suitable for bow hunting.

Town Attorney Rick Locklear said he believes the board should set some additional guidelines.

“I understand it says staff can make exceptions. I would hope you get more input from the board before staff goes out and takes that responsibility on themselves,” Locklear said.

Alderman Tony Hilton, who pushed for the option to bow hunt, had said in a previous meeting it could be amended to allow hunting on town property with written permission. The board has since decided against hunting on town property. The reason the board tabled the issue last month was because some of board members had issues with allowing people to hunt on town property. Alderman Roger Safrit was one who didn’t wholeheartedly agree with hunting on town property because of any liability issues. Safrit asked in February if someone were to become injured what responsibility would the town have? He has said he didn’t have a problem with someone hunting on their own property.

The board still has to refine what other restrictions it would put in place, but will proceed with the letter of intent.

Neighboring communities that participate include China Grove, Cleveland, Concord and Kannapolis.

• Approved regulations for parking and storing inoperable vehicles in the roadway or on town owned or leased property.

Town Manager Reed Linn said since the proposed ordinance change was advertised there had been no inquiries at town hall. Only one resident, Nadine Cherry, spoke during the public hearing regarding the issue.

Cherry said she wasn’t against the ordinance she would like to see it posted or made available for residents on the town’s website once it is approved.

Any vehicle in violation will be towed and a $50 fine for the first offense and a $100 fine for subsequent offenses.

There are some exceptions to this ordinance including if a vehicle is parked or stored on property owned or leased by the owner of the car. Another exception is the car’s owner has written permission from the property owner to park the vehicle on the property. A vehicle owner can also park an inoperable vehicle on property connected to a business that sells or services cars.

• Will send its mowing contract out for bids. Linn said he’s received inquiries on the contract, which is renewed every two years.

The board will meet Saturday at 9 a.m. for its planning retreat at town hall, 312 S. Main St.