JCC Supes Consider Allowing Hunting on County Land

By Desiree Parker Thursday, August 11, 2011

James City County’s Board of Supervisors discussed the county’s firearms ordinance Tuesday, and the conversation led to an agreement to look into opening up county land to hunters.

The board talked to staff and a representative for the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries at their work session Tuesday, and discovered that DGIF can manage county property to allow hunters access during hunting season. DGIF can also grant permits or wildlife management plans to folks to manage wildlife populations on private property outside hunting season.

County Administrator Robert Middaugh explained to the board that DGIF can manage the county’s extensive acreage so that the county could offer public access for sportsmen. This would help manage the deer population, he said, and would give the county a chance to hear about the condition of some of its holdings.

DGIF representative Todd Engelmeyer said if his organization manages the property, it would build a parking area for hunters to allow better access.

The board generally liked the idea and asked staff to look into it.

Supervisor Jim Kennedy asked what could be done for landowners on subdivisions who wanted to manage deer populations, including the citizen who had repeatedly addressed the board about discharging firearms on a subdivision.

Engelmeyer said the landowners in question had approached the DGIF for a permit to extend hunting season on the property, but DGIF wasn’t comfortable giving approval. Generally, permits are given for owners of larger properties, he said.

County ordinance restricts use of firearms within 50 feet of a subdivision, staff noted.

There are some exceptions to the ordinance, though, according to attorney Lola Rodriguez Perkins. Citizens can discharge firearms when there is a mortal danger or when threatened by a dangerous animal, which means residents having trouble with coyotes are allowed to shoot the animals, no matter where they live.

Staff suggested some tweaks to the firearms ordinance to clarify the definition of a subdivision; they will give more information on the opening of county land to hunters to the board at a later date.