Creve Coeur To Allow Bowhunting For Deer

On the same night their neighbors in to thin the nuisance deer population there, city council members gave final approval to ordinances approving a no feed law and a plan that would legalize bowhunting deer within city limits.

The decision caps a process years in the making, one that picked up steam within the last year, , and came not because of damaged property, Ward 2 Councilwoman Tara Nealey said Monday, but because of an increased threat to public safety.

The bowhunting concept still met with some opposition. Resident Carol Costigan rose in public comment and said "I don't like being in the killing business." She added that she has successfully fended off deer from her garden by using dog hair. Ward 1 Councilwoman Beth Kistner said she went with her gut by deciding it wasn't right for suburban neighborhoods. "I understand the logic behind it," she said, but added, "for all the good it might do, I'm just afraid what could go wrong." She was joined by Ward 2 Councilman AJ Wang in opposing bowhunting in a 5-2 vote. Ward 4 Councilwoman Jeanne Rhoades was absent.

About the Ordinance

• Hunters will receive training either provided by or approved by the Missouri Department of Conservation.
• Hunters must have written permission from the property owner.
• Contiguous land owners must be notified prior to any hunt.
• Prohibitions:

• a. It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any archery device across any street, sidewalk, road, highway or playground.
  b. It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge an archery device, at or in the direction of any person, vehicle, dwelling, house, church, school, playground or building that is within the range of discharge including a safety margin of at least seventy-five (75) feet.
  c. It shall be unlawful any person to discharge an archery device, within one hundred fifty (150) yards of any church, school, or playground. It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge an archery device, within thirty (30) yards of any dwelling, building, structure, or vehicle, unless the hunter has previously received express authority to discharge the archery device within thirty (30) yards from the owner of the dwelling, building, structure, or vehicle.

NO FEED ORDINANCE

Council members unanimously endorsed final passage of an ordinance which bans "supplemental feeding" of deer. According to the language of the law,  "Unless otherwise expressly permitted by law, no person shall deposit, place, distribute or leave any fruit, grain, hay, vegetable, mineral, salt, or other food, of any kind or nature, with the intent to attract or feed white-tailed deer on public or private lands."

The ordinance will be a complaint-based system. City officials will issue a written warning for the first violation.