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Rockingham County to form hunting advisory committee

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Saturday, October 3, 2009

(Updated 3:00 am)

By Jonnelle Davis
Staff Writer

WENTWORTH — Commissioner Bobby Stanley had a woman complain to him about someone placing a deer stand too close to her house. Drinking while hunting and rules regarding trapping are other issues Stanley has heard complaints about.

Rockingham County is forming a hunting advisory committee to address these and other hunting matters. It is asking residents to serve on the committee and make recommendations about what, if any, changes in hunting regulations are warranted.

“Some counties do have committees, and I think it’s the right thing to do here,” Stanley said.

In recent years, county officials said, residents have expressed concern about issues such as extending the fox hunting season, allowing hunters to use guns, bows or traps the whole season and requirements for safe shooting distance.

Based on the recommendations the committee makes, Rockingham County Attorney Eugene Russell said commissioners might pass their own ordinance, seek a local bill from the state legislature or ask for a change in state law.

The county is seeking hunters, large property owners and others to serve on the committee.

In deciding to form an advisory committee, Rockingham looked at Orange County, where Russell said such a committee has been in place for 15 to 20 years.

Commissioner James Kallam, who has worked as a state wildlife control agent, said he’s had complaints about people hunting too close to homes and on others’ property without permission.

“We want to be able to control some of that and stop some of that,” said Kallam, who is an avid hunter.

The commissioners will appoint nine people to the committee. Applications can be downloaded at www.co.rockingham.nc.us.

Contact Jonnelle Davis at 627-4881, Ext. 126, or jonnelle. davis@news-record.com

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justified

October 3, 2009 - 9:45 am EDT

Is this the beginning ?

Yoda

October 3, 2009 - 11:47 am EDT

Here we go, I been hunting sense I was a young boy. I am near 60 and in all the years I been hunting around here and on game lands I have never, never had a complaint. This is junk, it's more than likely coming from a animal activist, or it's a back door on taking our guns away. This is suspicious, first it will be our high power rifles then our shotguns. This needs to be handle (if at all) with caution. Be careful very careful buying into this.

Freedom1

October 4, 2009 - 3:59 pm EDT

I have serious concerns anytime I hear someone wanting to form a Board, Commission, or Committee. We will end up with another group helping create more regulations on an over-regulated society. The article mentions Orange County, but how much hunting is permitted there now compared to before the formation of their Advisory Committee? Why are the Rockingham County Commissioners wanting "large landowners" on this committee. Is this so most small landowners will be restricted from hunting their land? Then the large owners will be able to charge for hunting their lands. I have the same concerns as anyone else about safe hunting, but I believe I am much safer at my home with a known hunter near me than from the possibility of a drive-by shooting or home invasion. The hunting without permission on someone's land is already illegal and enforceable by the State Wildlife Officers and Rockingham County Sheriff's Department. I have lived here over 25 years and have witnessed the loss of wildlife habitat and farmland to the development craze. Will this advisory committee be another avenue to benefit developers?