Maysville officials agreed Thursday (Jan. 8) to draft an ordinance allowing bow hunting of deer within the city's agricultural zones.
The issue of deer ruining crops in agriculture zones was presented to city commissioners last month by a property owner in the area of Kentucky 11 and Kentucky 9. The couple asked the city to consider bow hunting as a way to eradicate deer on their land to reduce crop losses.
At the regular meeting of the Maysville Board of Commissioners, Department of Fish and Wildlife Officer Corey Ellis was present to talk about how the problem could be addressed. Ellis offered advice on the language of such an ordinance to prevent accidents, while at the same time addressing the problem of an exploding deer population.
“The current bow hunting season ends Jan. 19,” Ellis said.
One concern expressed by City Manager Ray Young was the fact citizens, both in Mason County and neighboring counties would misinterpret the ordinance and assume deer hunting with a firearm would be permitted within the city's agricultural zones.
The ordinance would prohibit hunting with firearms and cross bows.
At the end of discussion, a motion was made to authorize city attorney Sue Brammer to draft an ordinance for presentation of a first reading at next month's meeting.
Commissioners Kelly Ashley, Robert Boone and Victor McKay voted in favor of drafting the ordinance while Commissioner Judy Pfeffer and Mayor David Cartmell voted against the motion.
In other business, the commission:
-- Approved resolutions authorizing leases with the Ohio River Valley Artist Guild, the Downing Center for the Performing Arts and Amanda Hankinson for office and retail space at the Cox Building.
-- Approved a change to the city's food truck ordinance, allowing food sales from 6 a.m. to sunset instead of the former time frame of 10 a.m. to sunset.
-- Held a closed executive session to discuss future acquisition or sale of real property and to discuss the appointment, discipline or dismissal of an employee.
The next regular meeting of the Maysville Board of Commissioners will be held Thursday, Feb. 12 at 5:15 p.m. at city hall.
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