Chesterfield Proposes Restrictions on Bow Hunting

Richmond's WWBT NBC12 reported last week that safety concerns may prompt a change for bow hunters in Chesterfield County.

A re-write in Chesterfield's ordinance would require hunters to be at least 600 feet away from homes, businesses and public areas.



A public hearing on the matter is scheduled for November 18, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the County Public Meeting Room at the Chesterfield Administration Building, Route 10 and Lori Road, Chesterfield, Virginia.

The ordinance in question is Section 14-10 relating to discharging a firearm and the county is recommending amending the ordinance to include shooting arrows from bows near buildings.

Section 14-10 currently reads:

Sec. 14-10. Same--Discharging firearms.
(a) No person shall discharge any firearm within the county within 600 feet of a (i) dwelling of another; (ii) business establishment; (iii) public building; (iv) public gathering; or (v) public meeting place.

(b) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.00.

(c) This section shall not apply to a (i) law-enforcement officer in the performance of his official duties; (ii) any person whose discharge of a firearm is justifiable or excusable at law in the protection of life or property; (iii) the discharge, on land of at least five acres that is zoned for agricultural use, of a firearm for the killing of deer pursuant to Code of Virginia, § 29.1-529; (iv) the discharge of a firearm that is otherwise specifically authorized by law; (v) the discharge of black powder firearms using blanks as part of historical re-enactments, historical living history programs and historical demonstrations; (vi) the discharge of starter blank weapons to initiate athletic competitions; or (vii) ceremonial and patriotic displays.

(Code 1978, § 15.1-22.3; Ord. of 9-21-05(1), § 1; Ord. of 12-13-06(2), § 1) State law references: Authority of county to adopt this section, Code of Virginia, § 15.2-1209; penalty, Code of Virginia, § 18.2-280.

A copy of the ordinance is on file in the County Administrator’s Office and the Clerk to the Board’s Office (Room 504) at the Lane B. Ramsey Administration Building, 9901 Lori Road, Chesterfield, Virginia, for public examination between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. of each regular business day.