A tightly restricted plan allowing Campbell County homeowners associations to control deer populations using firearms was approved Monday after a spirited discussion.
Supervisors voted 5-2 to allow the plan in residentially zoned subdivisions as long as lots are at least five acres and managed by a homeowners association. Only two subdivisions in the county are likely fit that bill, County Administrator David Laurrell said.
Additionally, homeowners associations must have strict Department of Game and Inland Fisheries permits that dictate details of how the hunt can be held.
Three residents of the Runaway Bay subdivision on Leesville Lake spoke in favor of the plan, which was proposed by members of that homeowners association. Representative Carmen Perri told supervisors that several unique characteristics of the development have led to a much higher than average deer count, resulting in a thick tick population that has caused serious illness among some residents.
Supervisors expressed concern that allowing shooting in a residential area could post a safety risk and wanted more information about hunting guidelines, something over which the county does not have jurisdiction.
“My concern is … the impact of a bullet is far from certain,” said Sunburst District Supervisor Steven Shockely, who is a firearms instructor. “If we grant it today, what about five years from now and the population has boomed, not of deer, but people?”
Using firearms to hunt deer currently is allowed on land zoned agricultural, where lots are at least three acres. State and county law allow a process for homeowners associations to use bow hunting in a residential subdivision meeting certain criteria, something Runaway Bay has done, Perri said.
Ultimately, supervisors who voted for the measure said they will rely on DGIF to set careful controls to ensure an effective and safe hunt.
“I don’t think the Department of Fish and Game is in the business of allowing neighbors to shoot neighbors,” Shockley said.
In other news:
- Supervisors unanimously approved rezoning nearly 12 acres near Red House and Mollies Creek roads from agricultural to residential for a small subdivision.
- Supervisors unanimously approved three plans to help save money in anticipation of significant state budget reductions. Among them is increasing rolling vacancies and freezing all capital improvement projects not already under way for the current fiscal year.
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