(a) Urban Hunting Conditions. An urban deer hunt shall be lawful in the City of South Charleston only under the following conditions:
(1) Hunting shall be by permit only issued under the terms of this section.
(2) The hunt shall be for deer only.
(3) Only bows and arrows may be used.
(4) Hunting may occur only on property with the written permission of the property owner and on City-owned property which has been designated as available for hunting by the Mayor or his designee.
(5) All deer harvested must be legally checked at an official game checking station.
(6) No hunting may take place within 150 feet of a dwelling or other occupied building.
(7) No hunting shall take place closer than 500 feet from the property boundary of a church or school property which contains a school building. For purposes of this section, “school” means a public school or private school during periods when students are in attendance or participating in school activities.
(8) Persons shall at all times when hunting pursuant to a City permit carry valid photo identification, a copy of their City permit and their West Virginia State hunting license.
(9) The transportation of a deer carcass along any public right-of-way is prohibited unless it is covered or hidden from public view.
(10) All West Virginia hunting rules and regulations apply to hunting within the City.
(11) Any hunting activity including but not limited to field dressing or other handling of a carcass, must occur on the property specified in the City permit.
(12) All hunting shall be conducted from an elevated portable tree stand that is at least 10 feet in height and faces the interior of the property. The stands and shooting lanes will be located in such a way as to direct arrows to the interior of the property.
(13) A property owner can designate and limit other persons allowed to hunt his or her land with a permit.
(14) The City will be responsible to dispose of any wounded deer or deer carcass found on non-permitted property.
(15) Hunting shall be allowed during the time period established by the Mayor or his designee and in accordance with all applciable West Virginia hunting rules and regulations.
(b) Permits.
(1) In order to obtain a permit the applicant must meet and have evidence of compliance with all applicable state statutes, regulations and rules applicable to deer hunting with a bow and arrow. The City may impose additional requirements for a hunting permit to ensure that applicants demonstrate sufficient safe hunting practices. These requirements may include a safety and informational meeting prior to each annual urban bow hunt. The City may limit the number of permits to be issued.
(2) The City may charge an administrative fee for permits not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per permit.
(3) The Mayor or his designee is hereby authorized:
A. To promulgate reasonable rules and regulations including the setting of license fees to regulate bowhunting; and
B. To select the tracts to be authorized for hunting as permitted herein.
(c) Donated Meat. Hunters are and shall be encouraged but are not required to donate the harvest to programs or organizations that will provide the meat to needy persons.
(d) Violations. A violation of this section shall result in a fine not in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000).
(Ord. 2184. Passed 6-20-13.)
(Ord. 2184. Passed 6-20-13.)