MACON, Ga. — Hunters and local residents packed the Macon-Bibb Commission Chamber on Tuesday to voice their opinion on why the commission should or should not pass a hunting restriction.
The proposed ordinance could restrict hunters from shooting 250 feet from a home.
"It's a shame that a few vindictive hunters could change that and cause regulation on all hunters in Bibb County," said Howard Gaines, a homeowner in the Pinnacle Pointe neighborhood.
It's something that several homeowners like Gaines say wasn't what they wanted or intended. However, they say circumstances in their neighborhood have brought them to this point of pushing for an ordinance.
"If a car horn or golf cart can scare away a deer from your hunting ground, you're probably too close," said Dr. Paul Dale, another homeowner in Pinnacle Pointe. "If people are walking down the street whistling and talking, would scare away a deer in your sight, you're probably too close, so if we all use a little bit of common sense, we'd need fewer laws."
"As a whole, we are a safe, and law-abiding group and we take pride in that fact," said a hunter who spoke at the podium.
For residents, particularly in the Pinnacle Pointe neighborhood, they're asking for a safe zone around Lake Tobesofkee.
"We're reasonably asking for a safety buffer in view of an accident waiting to happen," Gaines said.
For some hunters, they don't want an ordinance to infringe on everyone's Second Amendment right.
"It is our request that commissioners consider the impact of the proposed ordinance before making a decision made on feelings and not facts," a hunter said.
The fact he's referring to is the number of times someone has been hit by a hunter's bullet in Macon-Bibb County. Two hunters have requested that from the sheriff's office but haven't received it.
However, Pinnacle Pointe residents are saying that laws like this have to be passed before someone gets hurt.
Mark Wooley, an avid hunter, says the commission doesn't need to pass another law.
"Why are we looking at proposing a new law if it's going to affect so many people and not upholding the laws already in place," Wooley said.
He was referring to state laws protecting hunters from harassment.
Wooley say the proposed ordinance ultimately won't change the situation.
"I think 250 feet is not going to fix the problem. Just because they hear a gunshot doesn't mean they're in danger," Wooley said.
He said it's ultimately going to be up to both sides communicating with each other before they reach a compromise.
"I think both sides for the most part are willing to bend a little to work towards a common goal," Wooley said.
Darren Suggs says he's against the ordinance as it's written, but isn't against an ordinance altogether.
"I think it needs a lot of work on it," Suggs said.
One of the parts he's requesting the commission change in the proposed ordinance is that hunters can shoot within a distance of their own home.
For many like Suggs, they want to find common ground.
"Deer hunting season is over. We have time to fix this right," Suggs said.
All of this will be discussed further at the second public forum on Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. in the commission chamber.
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