(A) Before being able to spotlight, a person must first obtain a spotlighting permit from the Sheriff’s office. There is a $20 cost to the permit; the Sheriff’s office may restrict the number of permits issued. The cost of the permit is for the administration costs of the permit and will be retained by the County Sheriff’s office. Permits are valid for 365 days from when they are obtained. Those individuals in the field with a weapon are required to possess a spotlighting permit. Hunters are required to have either a blue card or current small game license in order to purchase a spotlighting permit. Hunters under the age of 16 may receive a free permit if a legal guardian purchases a permit at full price.
(B) The spotlighting season in the county shall be closed from August 1 to November 30.
(C) Any weapon may be used for spotlighting. Firearms may not have a caliber larger than .24 and must not be capable of being fired fully automatic. Expanding bullets must be used. Shotguns and archery tackle are permitted.
(D) Spotlighting is not allowed within 600 feet of a residence, city, or town boundary or a recognized subdivision. Spotlighting is also not allowed within cultivated areas including pastures, or farm ground in the county, where livestock or crops may be located, whether crops or livestock are in the location at the time is irrelevant.
(E) Spotlighting is not allowed on private property without permission; such permission shall be obtained each year from the property owner.
(F) Hunters are not allowed to trespass on private property while spotlighting.
(G) Spotlighting may not be done by a person under 18 years of age, unless accompanied by a person 18 years of age or more and each person must possess a spotlighting permit.
(H) Persons hunting with a spotlight must contact the Sheriff’s office each day they are hunting and give the following information:
(1) Permit number;
(2) Approximate location;
(3) Approximation of time they will be hunting; and
(4) If hunting with more than one person, the permit number of each hunter must be reported.
(I) Hunters will report to the Sheriff’s office within two business days after the hunt to report the number of predators taken and the location of each.
(Ord. 2014-1, passed 1-27-2014; Ord. 2019-8, passed 6-24-2019) Penalty, see § 130.99