CC rifle hearing postponed, options could be proposed

A public hearing, scheduled for later this month on the fate of a law allowing high-power rifles fired from elevated tree stands for hunting deer in Charles City, has been postponed. And there may be other options on the table by the time a rescheduled hearing is held in April.

Two weeks ago, county Board of Supervisors members voted to schedule a March 25 public hearing on a proposal that would rescind the county’s two-year-old rifle law. If passed, the proposal would make it illegal to hunt deer with any rifle other than a muzzle-loader during general firearm season.

Last Wednesday, however, board members opted to alter course, voting 3-0 to postpone the hearing until their April 22 meeting so that county staff can propose other options.

No options were mentioned at last week’s quarterly work session, but supervisors are expected to discuss staff recommendations during the board’s March 25 meeting.

By law, supervisors are bound to vote only on what is proposed in published public hearing advertisements. Had the board stuck with the March 25 hearing date, any action they took would have been limited to leaving the two-year-old law as it now stands or reverting back to when rifle hunting was illegal.

Last week’s action gives supervisors some wiggle room, provided staff comes up with viable options. During their March 25 meeting, supervisors are expected to decide on what will be advertised for the April public hearing.

In 2005, supervisors passed the rifle law. In a compromise move, rifle fire was restricted to elevated tree stands at least 10 feet in height. The law has been in effect for the past two deer hunting seasons with no incidents or injuries reported.

Still, opponents have remained active, citing potential hazards with the longer distance rifle bullets can travel when compared to shotgun pellets. In last November’s election, board newcomer Sherri Bowman upset three-term incumbent Michael Holmes for the District 2 supervisor seat. Bowman ran in opposition to rifle use while Holmes had sided with current District 1 board member Gilbert Smith in passing the measure.

Matters came to a head during last month’s board meeting when close to 130 county residents packed the Charles City High School auditorium to voice opinions either pro or con. Rifle proponents slightly outnumbered those opposed.

District 3 Supervisor Timothy Cotman said his stance in opposing the measure in 2005 has not changed. But during last week’s meeting, Cotman said he has no problem with having a discussion on other options. After last week’s meeting, Smith said, “There may be several options that we go to public hearing on.”