Huntingburg hunters asking city to allow archery practice within city limits
A group of archers approached the city to consider an ordinance allowing target practice with bows in the city limits.
Josh Morrison, Toby Ferguson and Aaron Bell are avid bow hunters living in the city limits. The request is being made due to what the three say are difficulties in finding places to practice their sport. The closest ranges are located in Pike County at the Sugar Ridge Fish and Wildlife Area and a range maintained by the Jasper Rifle and Gun Club. The Sugar Ridge range is very busy and the Jasper range requires a membership.
The City of Jasper allows residents to target practice with bows or compound bows with certain restrictions. Targets can’t be more than 90 feet from the shooter; the target needs a backer twice its size; a six foot dirt berm, building or wooded area must be behind target and backer; broadhead tips are not allowed; and other safety concerns are discussed in the Jasper ordinance – 7.20.020 Bows, Compound Bows.
The issue was discussed last night at the monthly Common Council meeting. A resident, Gina Flick, stated her family has compound bows but she feels they should never be fired in the city limits. She implied they should be treated the same as guns and voiced concerns about the city’s liability in the case of an accident. City Attorney Phil Schneider explained in the meeting that the city could enact an ordinance allowing guns or bows to be fired in the city limits without fear of liability.
Councilwoman Linda Summers showed some concern at the idea of firing arrows in the city limits. Summers stated she was speaking to a friend recently who was hit by a bullet as she was driving beside an area with a gun range in Evansville. She said she is concerned how close the homes are in Huntingburg. “Even though you have the safety things set up, these things can happen,” she said. “I think this is an out-in-the-country sport.”
Bell stated a bullet could travel up to a mile and half compared to the 200 yards the average arrow could be shot. He also said it wasn’t a proper comparison between guns and bows. “A bow is not something that can be loaded and the triggered pulled and it shoots,” he explained. “You have to maintain a bow and it takes skill and strength to shoot.”
Morrison explained it would be difficult for a child to pull a bowstring and fire an arrow due to the tension required. In addition to this Bell pointed out that a gun can be purchased for around a $100. “A bow can cost ten times that amount,” he said.
The three hunters stated they think the Jasper ordinance is strict enough for maintaining the safety. Bell suggested the city could require a permitting process for regulation.
No action was taken on the request but the council decided to discuss the option in the future.
Mayor Denny Spinner stated there were a lot of questions that needed answered before any action was taken by the city. He stated they would like to talk to Jasper to see how the ordinance has been viewed there and if there have been any accidents in the city. “I think we would like to provide this if we can do so in a safe way,” Spinner said.
