(a) The hunting of animals or fowl within the Municipality is prohibited. No person shall hunt, kill or attempt to kill any animal or fowl by the use of firearms or any other means, except as follows:
(1) The limited hunting of white-tailed deer by crossbow or long bow may be permitted within the City under the following terms and conditions:
A. The Police Chief or his designated representative may, in his sole discretion, issue a Municipal Deer Control Permit to a qualified archer applicant;
B. As a corollary to and following the issuance by the ODNR of its own Deer Damage Control Permit or license to allow only bow- hunting (long bow and crossbow) of white-tailed deer;
C. In areas of not less than 2.25 contiguous acres by a qualified archer, on such forms and subject to such rules and regulations as the Chief may prescribe.
D. Hunting shall be conducted from an elevated platform of no less than 10' only;
E. Written permission from the property owner(s) has been obtained;
F. Qualified archer shall be defined as an individual having obtained an approval/certification from approved archery proficiency test site, a valid Ohio hunting license, if applicable, and all other state requirements;
G. Compliance with all laws, rules and regulations of the City and State.
H. All applicants shall agree, in writing, to defend and indemnify the City for any negligent acts or damages committed by the applicant;
I. Any other requirements as deemed necessary to preserve the protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents as determined solely by the Chief of Police.
J. Chief of Police is hereby authorized to promulgate any and all rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this section and all other rules and regulations necessary to insure public health and safety.
K. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit the killing of rats and other undesirable rodents authorized to be killed by the Chief of Police using means for such killing which are also authorized by the Chief.
(b) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree and shall be subject to the penalty provided in Section 505.99. (Ord. 115-2016. Passed 10-24-16.)