“We went from dealing with an isolated situation to all of a sudden banning all firearms in Coldstream,” said Rick Plovie, a 30-year outdoorsman.
“We’ve gone from one extreme to another.”
The issue of firearms first came up at a February meeting, following a resident’s complaint targeted at Plovie about hunting near residential areas.
Plovie stated his case at that initial meeting and explained that he was hunting on private property with permission from the landowner.
Coldstream responded to the issue by bringing forward and giving three readings to a bylaw which would basically ban hunting in Coldstream.
While farmers would still be permitted to discharge firearms in order to protect their crops from birds or animals, it would force hunters out of the area.
“There’s high-powered rifles going off in the Coldstream Creek wooded area surrounded by housing...I don’t want to get one of those in the back,” said Coun. Bill Firman.
Although council was slated to adopt the new firearms regulation bylaw Monday, after hearing numerous complaints about it council agreed to postpone it.
The issue will be revisited with members of the hunting community at a June 15 technical advisory committee meeting.
“We need to just back off this,” said Coun. Pat Cochrane, agreeing with the hunters that it needs some work.
Another issue with the bylaw, both the original and the new one being considered, is the definitions make it so that no form of a firearm, including bows and BB guns, are permitted to be shot.
“The way this bylaw is written I cannot practise archery in my backyard,” said Leon Meier, a national 3D archery champion.
“I believe this bylaw is a knee-jerk reaction to an urbanite who does not like hunting.”
Several large landowners also made a point that they originally purchased their land so that they could hunt or practice shooting on their property.
Then there are farmers like Bob Advent, who grows raspberries and is constantly affected by deer eating his crops.
“We have an overabundance of deer around and I would love to have some of the guys like (Plovie) shoot them,” said Advent, who would be forced to do the hunting himself.
Many of the hunters say these rules and regulations are not very supportive to maintaining a rural community.
“This is rural living at its best, let’s keep it that way,” said Meier.
“If you want urban living, go back to the city.”
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1 comment:
I urge council to give a tax rebate to landowners who fence against deer and a tax reduction to assist in the cost of maintaining fencing already in place. Perhaps there are grants available through environmental/wildlife groups or other levels of government.
You can be sure that more people enjoy the presence of our wild neighbours than those that don't.
What nuisance creature will be next: raptors that help themselves to poultry or pets?
Deer don't understand boundaries: to allow deer sanctuary on some properties and a death sentence on others is a betrayal of the trust they have in the humans that wish them no harm.
If hunting is accommodated the only humane thing to do would be to make deer afraid of us and that would result in the diminishment in the quality of life we enjoy in this rural setting.
Just how many hunters are there in relation to the entire population of Coldstream?
I have encountered hunters while alone on my walks. Should I be wearing a fluorescent vest? I trend towards earth tones which could be hazardous to my safety!
Bird-watching, hiking, mountain-biking and photography etc have surpassed the archaic "sport" of hunting. The hunting associations know this all too well.
Let's promote safe rural activities that enhance the leisure time of the broadest demographic.
If deer are truly an issue than have a conservation officer deal with the "problem" in a professional manner.
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