Background: The State of Texas allows counties to prohibit or regulate hunting with bows and arrows on lots that are 10 acres or smaller and are located in the unincorporated area of the county in a subdivision. The Commissioners’ Court of Montgomery County has previously elected not to regulate this activity. This petition requests that the county prohibit bowhunting on smaller properties as described below.
Why this matters: A bow hunter must be able to track prey that has been wounded so that it may be humanely put down. Prey that has been shot will usually run some distance before falling. This distance will often take the animal beyond the hunter’s own property line, necessitating that the hunter either trespass to reach the animal, or abandon the prey to a slow death.
Further, a modern crossbow can launch an arrow more than 1,000 feet, endangering neighboring properties. Even if your subdivision prohibits hunting, the adjoining subdivision may not. Passing this law will allow you to call law enforcement to protect your safety and rights, rather than just filing a complaint with a homeowners' association.
PETITION: We request that the Commissioners' Court prohibit hunting with bows and arrows on lots that are 10 acres or smaller and are located in the unincorporated area of the county in a subdivision, in accordance with Texas Local Gov’t Code § 235.042:
AUTHORITY TO REGULATE. (a) To promote the public safety, the commissioners court of a county by order may prohibit or otherwise regulate hunting with bows and arrows on lots that are 10 acres or smaller and are located in the unincorporated area of the county in a subdivision. (b) In this section, "hunting" means to hunt as defined by Section 1.101, Parks and Wildlife Code.
Updates
November 15, 2011
I have spent this past week reading through the concerns left by neighbors who worry about the safety of their families and pets in our residential areas. It is clear that the current lack of regulation creates a vulnerability that many of us find unacceptable in our daily lives. I am currently preparing the materials to present these concerns to the Commissioners Court to demonstrate that this is a matter of basic public safety.
November 15, 2011
Seeing this conversation grow confirms how many of us share the same concerns about safety in our neighborhoods. It is encouraging to watch so many residents recognize the importance of clear regulations for small lots. We are building a strong case to present to the Commissioners' Court.
6 Comments
My dog was terrified all hunting season. Its way too close to our homes and it puts everyone at risk if they miss the target.
Had a deer die in my garden last year because some guy shot it and it ran onto my lot. Absolutely disgusting and scary for the neighborhood.
Way overdue. Law enforcement needs the power to actually stop this stuff before someone gets hurt.
Keep the hunting out of the neighborhoods. Go to the woods where it belongs.
NOT COOL. People have property lines for a reason. Keep your crossbows out of our subdivisions.
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Background: The State of Texas allows counties to prohibit or regulate hunting with bows and arrows on lots that are 10 acres or smaller and are located in the unincorporated area of the county in a subdivision. The Commissioners’ Court of Montgomery County has previously elected not to regulate this activity. This petition requests that the county prohibit bowhunting on smaller properties as described below.
Why this matters: A bow hunter must be able to track prey that has been wounded so that it may be humanely put down. Prey that has been shot will usually run some distance before falling. This distance will often take the animal beyond the hunter’s own property line, necessitating that the hunter either trespass to reach the animal, or abandon the prey to a slow death.
Further, a modern crossbow can launch an arrow more than 1,000 feet, endangering neighboring properties. Even if your subdivision prohibits hunting, the adjoining subdivision may not. Passing this law will allow you to call law enforcement to protect your safety and rights, rather than just filing a complaint with a homeowners' association.
PETITION: We request that the Commissioners' Court prohibit hunting with bows and arrows on lots that are 10 acres or smaller and are located in the unincorporated area of the county in a subdivision, in accordance with Texas Local Gov’t Code § 235.042:
AUTHORITY TO REGULATE. (a) To promote the public safety, the commissioners court of a county by order may prohibit or otherwise regulate hunting with bows and arrows on lots that are 10 acres or smaller and are located in the unincorporated area of the county in a subdivision. (b) In this section, "hunting" means to hunt as defined by Section 1.101, Parks and Wildlife Code.
Updates
November 15, 2011
I have spent this past week reading through the concerns left by neighbors who worry about the safety of their families and pets in our residential areas. It is clear that the current lack of regulation creates a vulnerability that many of us find unacceptable in our daily lives. I am currently preparing the materials to present these concerns to the Commissioners Court to demonstrate that this is a matter of basic public safety.
November 15, 2011
Seeing this conversation grow confirms how many of us share the same concerns about safety in our neighborhoods. It is encouraging to watch so many residents recognize the importance of clear regulations for small lots. We are building a strong case to present to the Commissioners' Court.
6 Comments
Living in a subdivision is suppose to be safe. I dont want my kids playing in the backyard while someone is shooting arrows nearby. Common sense people.
My dog was terrified all hunting season. Its way too close to our homes and it puts everyone at risk if they miss the target.
Had a deer die in my garden last year because some guy shot it and it ran onto my lot. Absolutely disgusting and scary for the neighborhood.
Way overdue. Law enforcement needs the power to actually stop this stuff before someone gets hurt.
Keep the hunting out of the neighborhoods. Go to the woods where it belongs.
NOT COOL. People have property lines for a reason. Keep your crossbows out of our subdivisions.
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Living in a subdivision is suppose to be safe. I dont want my kids playing in the backyard while someone is shooting arrows nearby. Common sense people.