618.151 NON-FIREARM DEER HUNTING EXCEPTION.

   (a)   Notwithstanding the prohibition of Section 618.15, hunting by use of a crossbow, long bow, or other bow and arrow hunting device may be permitted within the City upon the granting of a Deer Hunting Permit.

   (b)   The Chief of Police may issue a Deer Hunting Permit if the application meets the following requirements:

      (1)   The Chief of Police determines that the applicant has complied with all laws, rules, and regulations of the Ohio Division of Wildlife;

      (2)   The applicant demonstrates completion of the Ohio Division of Wildlife hunter safety course and all other State requirements;

      (3)   The property from which the hunting is to be conducted meets the following requirements:

         A.   It consists of no more than two adjacent parcels of land that, combined, consist of no less than two (2) acres;

         B.   The hunting is conducted from an elevated platform. The platform and its location shall be inspected and approved by the Chief of Police or his designee to ensure the safety of persons and property;

      (4)   Written permission from the property owner(s) has been obtained;

      (5)   The application provides the global positioning system ("GPS") coordinates of the approved site/platform;

      (6)   The applicant agrees, in writing, to defend and indemnify the City for any acts committed by the applicant while exercising hunting rights granted hereunder; and

      (7)   The Chief of Police does not find that the application otherwise infringes upon the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the City.

   (c)   The Deer Hunting Permit shall be used only by the named permit holder.

   (d)   Each Deer Hunting Permit shall be valid only during the dates specified on the Permit. Along with the deer hunting permit, the City shall provide license bibs to be displayed as set forth in subsection (h).

   (e)   The number of does and bucks harvested shall be reported to the Independence Police Department at the end of the deer hunting season.

   (f)   Permit holders shall remove all deer carcasses and deer remains from the hunting site. (Ord. 2013-34. Passed 12-10-13.)

   (g)   The Mayor shall not authorize hunting upon any lands where, in the Mayor’s opinion, such hunting would constitute a potential hazard to the safety of persons or property. Permit holders shall display in plain view on the permit holder’s front and back the issued license bib, except while occupying a stationary deer or tree stand.

(Ord. 2014-22. Passed 5-13-14.)

   (h)   Each permit holder, while engaged in the act of deer hunting, shall display in plain view on the permit holder's front and back the issued license bib.

   (i)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a first degree misdemeanor.

(Ord. 2013-34. Passed 12-10-13.)