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Columbus Looks To Shut Down Bowhunting

Columbus/Muscogee County is just the latest local government in Georgia to seek restrictions on hunting.

John Trussell | February 19, 2021

The city of Columbus recently discussed implementing a ban on bowhunting for deer hunting in Columbus and Muscogee County on any tract of land that is less than 10 acres. The issue came up for discussion on Feb. 9, and it’s expected to come up for more discussion on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 5:30 pm. in the Trade Center.

Hunters need to act now!

Since the city of Columbus and Muscogee County is a unified government, this ordinance, if passed, would cover 217 square miles could adversely impact the property and hunting rights of thousands of people, both urban and rural. Under Georgia state law, local governments have no authority to regulate hunting—only DNR can do that. However, they can attempt to implement weapons-discharge ordinances. If a city or county bans the discharge of bows and crossbows, hunters could be shut out… along with school archery programs, 3D archery clubs and people who just participate in archery for fun.

During the meeting on Feb. 9, Mayor Skip Henderson said, “I’m against bowhunting on anything that quantifies a neighborhood. I just think it’s too dangerous. There is no real clear marking sometimes on where your property line ends. If you’re a hunter and see that big buck going by, and you finally have a chance, you’re not going to go measure which yard he is. I think if you’re a hunter, there’s tons of hunting land throughout all the counties around Muscogee County. This won’t make me a favorite of some of my buddies who hunt, but to me there are too many other options if you want to engage in that hobby.”

Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson.

Councilman Glenn Davis, who serves District 2 on the Columbus City Council, proposed the motion that would outlaw the archery hunting of deer on properties less than 10 acres in size.

This entire line of discussion comes because a homeowner invited some archery hunters to her property, and they shot a deer. The wounded deer escaped somewhere to an adjoining property. The hunter went to the homeowner’s door to ask permission to look for the deer, which is exactly what he should have done to avoid any trespassing issues. However, that resident—the one resident—was not happy that deer archery hunting was taking place near their home. That one resident voiced their concern and displeasure on social media and suggested that the city should take action to reduce archery deer hunting in Columbus. They contacted Councilman Davis, and he brought forth the motion below.

Section 14-68.1 to read as follows: “Sec. 14-68.1. – Discharging air guns, crossbows, etc.; permission required; bow hunting minimum acreage. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any air gun or air pistol, or any longbow, crossbow, compound bow, or any other type of bow designed to discharge arrows, in any of the streets or sidewalks of Columbus, Georgia or in any of the lots thereof unless permission for the discharge of such devices has been given to the person discharging same by the owner of the property on which said devices are discharged, and unless the discharging of same is so controlled that no pellet, shot, arrow, or any matter so discharged shall cross the property line of the person granting such permission. (b) In addition to the requirements of subsection (a) it shall be unlawful to hunt with any longbow, crossbow, compound bow, or any other type of bow designed to discharge arrows on any property less than ten (10) acres in size.”

During the discussion of the issue, Councilman Davis said archery hunting was a public safety issue and should not take place on small properties.

District 4 Councilwoman Toyia Tucker expressed support for the veterans who were hunting near her property, and she supported their right to do so, even though she liked to see the deer in the area. She felt like the issue should be more fully explored.

Mayor Henderson did add that the police department was unaware there was a problem with deer archery hunting in Columbus.

It was mentioned by Councilman Davis that arrows found on the street or the sharp-bladed arrow inserts might be a problem, but there is no evidence that this has ever been a problem in Columbus, in Georgia or anywhere in the USA. It seems a much more pressing issue is the needles from syringes from homeless drug addicts that are in many of our urban areas that can harbor aids, hepatitis and other diseases…

The next meeting to discuss this issue is set for Feb. 23 as a first reader, which allows public input, but no final action can be taken until the second reader is scheduled for March 9, 2021.  The Feb. 23 meeting is at 5:30 p.m. at the Columbus Trade Center, located at 801 Front Avenue in Columbus.

Steve Smith, the owner of the Archery Connection, a full-service archery shop in Columbus at 7607 Veterans Parkway, has taken a lead role in this issue and can be contacted by emailing [email protected]. Jimmy Harper, the GON Hunt Advisor for Muscogee and Harris counties, is also taking an active role in this issue. Columbus Councilman Glenn Davis is proposing the ordinance, and he can be contacted at [email protected].

WRD’s Georgia’s Deer Management Plan 2015-2024 states that contrary to popular belief, county and municipal governments are not authorized to regulate hunting. Georgia law (OCGA §27-3-1) is specific regarding the authority to regulate hunting with authority given solely to the DNR Board. Local ordinances that regulate hunting (e.g., include language so broad as to prohibit the lawful discharge of firearms, that deliberately prohibit hunting, or extend beyond firearms to include archery equipment) are contrary to the authority provided for in OCGA §27-3-1. While provisions exist in OCGA §27-3-1 allowing political subdivisions to reasonably limit the discharge of firearms for the explicit purpose of “public safety,” this allowance is limited unequivocally to the discharge of firearms. It does not include allowances for prohibitions on discharging archery equipment.

In urban areas like Columbus, where local governments consider alternatives to limit archery hunting, they may find that such efforts could be unconstitutional if challenged in court by a citizen or a pro-hunting group like the National Rifle Association.

It’s no secret even to hunters that deer create issues in urban areas. They eat flowers and run into vehicles daily. To this end, WRD established an 18-member stakeholder group referred to as the Urban Deer Advisory Committee to study urban deer issues. Representatives included those from animal control agencies, conservation organizations, county governments, federal and state agencies, insurance industry interests, legislators, municipal governments and those with public safety interests.

By a comprehensive survey, WRD found that 82% of Georgians support the use of regulated hunting to manage deer populations. Furthermore, most Georgians support the use of hunting to manage deer populations in urban areas and on parks and recreational lands traditionally closed to hunting. Therefore, it is WRD’s intent to encourage and support the use of regulated hunting as the primary tool for managing urban deer populations and minimizing associated conflicts.

Still, some urban policymakers put bowhunting on the back burner of options to control populations and look to non-lethal methods to control deer, things like deer repellent, birth control and trapping and relocating.

Trapping and relocating deer fails to address the central issue of population management. It also requires a significant financial and logistical resource costing $261-567 per deer, according to WRD. In addition, live capture and relocation have led to mortality up to 85% of the time in relocated deer.

Deer repellents can be cost-prohibitive and are not long-term solutions.

For those who believe birth control is the answer, there are no fertility control agents federally approved for the management of wildlife populations in the United States at this time. Contraception methods are labor-intensive, alter deer physiology, may result in unintended reproductive or developmental effects, create unknown public health concerns with regard to human consumption of venison and are expensive. Research reveals an estimated cost of $1,000 per deer to adequately treat a deer herd with contraceptives, thus it is not a solution to too many deer.

A wildlife professional could come in and remove deer, but WRD says that while it could be effective, it is time-intensive and expensive and is only recommended where hunting is not practical.

WRD’s Deer Management Plan Committee emphasized that regulated hunting should be the foremost lethal control method for urban deer population reduction.

A great example of thinning down a deer herd that is way overpopulated has been seen time after time on Georgia State Parks. Successful hunts on Hard Labor Creek, Red Top Mountain, F.D. Roosevelt and a host of others have proven hunters can be effective. The efforts from hunters have restored valuable plant species to the parks and cut deer/auto accidents in the area.

WRD Director Ted Will reached out by letter to Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson and stated, “We have worked directly with other local governments across the State in developing solutions that mutually address the concerns of each. In this spirit of collaboration, WRD would greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet and cooperatively work with the City of Columbus to discuss these issues in greater detail and achieve consensus on a solution that meets our mutual goals.”

He suggested that Mayor Henderson contact John Bowers for further assistance. Bowers is the Special Projects Manager for the Director’s Office, and any governmental agency wishing to discuss urban deer issues is encouraged to contact him at 706.557.3323 or [email protected].

Will added that Bowers has extensive experience working with these issues and understands Georgia law relative to hunting issues.

Urban deer issues and cities trying to come up with solutions aren’t new. In the recent past, WSBTV in Atlanta did a fairly well-balanced video.

The entire 3-hour-plus Columbus meeting can be viewed below, but the discussion on the deer archery issue begins at 18 minutes, 30 seconds into the video.

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15 Comments

  1. LowGun on February 23, 2021 at 11:28 pm

    Skip Henderson is not a hunter and ran as an independent. Glenn Davis is a very average guy who happens to think he is the smartest guy in the room. He gets involved in the dumbest issues. It is safe to consider him to be a self important drama queen. Stray arrows? My butt! Really Glenn that is a public safety issue?

    All this while, Columbus has a big gang problem. Ask the local ER Docs and the Trauma Surgeons. The Black gangs are shooting each other and this town up like it is the Wild West! Someone is getting smoked every few days around here. Bow hunters are NOT the Public Safety problem that Glenn Davis makes us out to be. Not by a long shot!

  2. weezer62 on February 23, 2021 at 3:41 pm

    You would think they would do their own research on the so-called problem before opening their mouth and showing their ignorance. Finding arrows everywhere don’t think so that’s a 20 Dollar bill, hitting a tree and just taking off, what are they jet-propelled being that most hunters with archery equipment are in a tree stand arrows or bolts whichever stick in the ground, knocking on doors because it is the right thing to do you owe it to that animal as do the property owner to look or allow people to look for the animals, almost 50 years of hunting and I have yet to read where someone other than the hunter was injured with archery equipment just 100% ignorance maybe next time they will do there own research before putting foot in mouth glad to see they don’t plan on going any further just imagine the problem it would create

  3. letmgro on February 22, 2021 at 5:41 pm

    I voiced my displeasure with Glenn directly. He’s represents my district on the city council. He has kindly dealt with my stern criticism of his logic. As of this afternoon, he has emailed me stating that the ordinance is delayed indefinitely. He also states that there are no plans to find a reasonable resolution to the “safety” concern of the public. The ordinance was simply a draft to start the discussion. Maybe the discussion was much more critical than anticipated. I’m hoping others contacted him like I did.
    I’m just guessing…but Glenn didn’t consider the infringement on individual liberties nor the criticism that such an idea would stir up. He clearly didn’t think through his argument around safety before stating his concerns. I have to keep reminding myself that for most people, hunting is a hobby that other people do. I’m like most on this GON community…hunting (gun or bow) is much greater than a hobby.

  4. Venable on February 21, 2021 at 7:15 pm

    Homepro, has Skip ever done anything other than politics? He sounds like a career politician who doesn’t want to upset the liberal left. As general Patton said the worst form of person is a politician, the worst politician is a Democrat.”

  5. Venable on February 21, 2021 at 7:01 pm

    Yeah, governor Kemp is a republican too…by name only.

  6. homepro1985 on February 21, 2021 at 12:26 pm

    Skip Henderson is a republican and a hunter, and a really good guy. I think bow hunting should be ok under 10 acres depending on we’re its at like someone shouldn’t be hunting in the center of a urban neighborhood, but if it’s woods all around it I don’t see a problem.

    • Traps on February 22, 2021 at 11:13 am

      He’s a GOPer like I am a liberal leftie….. A really good guy huh? HAHAHAHAHA This is EXACTLY what a demonrat libidiot or swamp RINO would say… “Mayor Skip Henderson said, “I’m against bowhunting on anything that quantifies a neighborhood. I just think it’s too dangerous. There is no real clear marking sometimes on where your property line ends. If you’re a hunter and see that big buck going by, and you finally have a chance, you’re not going to go measure which yard he is. I think if you’re a hunter, there’s tons of hunting land throughout all the counties around Muscogee County. This won’t make me a favorite of some of my buddies who hunt, but to me there are too many other options if you want to engage in that hobby.””.

  7. jbiggers on February 21, 2021 at 9:16 am

    I would ask the councilman to provide statistics to back up his claims. How many people have been hit with deflected arrows in Muskogee County and the state (as several of the counties around Atlanta are archery only and have much larger populations than Columbus. They would be reports of this was an issue). Provide actual reports of finding arrows and broadheads on the ground in neighborhoods in Columbus, well anywhere in the united states for that matter. Claims are nothing but opinions without facts to back them up. They may also consider the possibility that after enacted, damage to vehicles from an uncontrolled deer population could open them up to lawsuits as they purposely removed the main means of population control of the deer. I’m sure as many lawyer commercials as you see on TV, they would welcome an injury claim to a larger municipality (more funds). Even if it is a little bit of a long shot, all it takes is one win or for the city/ county to settle, and it’s precedence from then on. Maybe they should also discuss how they came up with 10 acres as being the right amount of acreage to allow bow hunting. Is this a true study or just something they decided on amongst themselves? Are they using 10 acres as their amount in an effort to discriminate against people who do not have the wealth to buy larger tracts of land? Maybe in the next meeting, the public can ask the elected officials these questions. Hopefully word will get out, and the hunters in Muskogee County will show up in force. A lot of voters disagreeing with your proposals tends to change your mind quickly.

  8. Venable on February 20, 2021 at 8:12 pm

    To make it all clear….. Democrats want to make any means of self reliance for food illegal because when they control your means of food they control you. That’s why Obama said during his presidency that if you grow a garden you are a right wing extremist! That’s why Stacy Abrams said Georgia is no longer an agriculture state! That’s why teaching a child the periodic table is more important than teaching a child to grow a garden! Wake up folks.

  9. ss81 on February 19, 2021 at 9:33 pm

    As a columbus citizen all my life I know this city quite well! I also do not own a motor vehicle therefore walk where I need to go! I have literally walked almost this entire city over the years! From north near harris county, of course to and near the river and even far southside around Ft. Benning! I have found so many things on the ground you would not believe! Money! Real and fake! Feminine products, giant sex toys! Clothes! Weapons(mostly knives which get reported to CPD!) Drug related items and even rediculous amounts of drugs themselves! Most common thing I see on the ground is used syringes! Which can be extremely hazardous! I have never! I have never! I have never had to dodge any stray arrows flying wildly through the air! I have also never! NEVER found arrows, tips or any other dangerously discharged archery items! Never! Just a thought!

  10. Traps on February 19, 2021 at 5:45 pm

    Is this guy, Mayor Tool, a RINO or a demonrat? IF they go ahead and put this into place the DNR should tell them “Good luck with that.” if Columbus calls for help with all the deer AND not ONE hunter should hunt, no matter what!!! Even if they rescind it.. That will work wonders.

  11. Ken on February 19, 2021 at 4:40 pm

    Get rid of these guys when they run for re-election.

    • deweyduck on February 20, 2021 at 11:47 am

      Glen Davis should never be allowed to own a rifle or bow due to mental conditions.

  12. huntin nole on February 19, 2021 at 4:26 pm

    Holy cow! I’m dumbfounded at this completely unorganized and rambling presentation by Glenn Davis about the dangers to the public from bow hunting in legal areas. Please take the time to listen to this issue (starts around 19 mins in) and here for yourself. Without providing any actual stats or numbers of times it’s happened in Columbus, he says there are arrows being shot that are bouncing off rocks and trees and “just taking off”, as if to imply they are crisscrossing neighborhood sidewalks or people’s driveways, putting lives in danger! And these dangerous, razor tipped arrows are being picked up by citizens or being encountered by kids and pets. Google search that one and see how many instances you can find. I don’t live in Columbus but I hope the citizens there stand up for their rights.

  13. Jason on February 19, 2021 at 3:08 pm

    Say what you want but this is just another push by left liberal mentalities to control what they deem personally offensive. Same reason they want to make a “National Park” down through the middle of the Ocmulgee river basin that will take control over several WMAs on that river. Its all about control and phasing out any freedoms, rights and a way of living that they disagree with. If the DNR or local Georgia residents give any ground they will take it all in the end. These people will never stop unless we say enough is enough and we will not give one more inch. Next it will be in your town, your county. Will you go silently?

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