County bucks hunting changes

By: Mike Conley | McDowell News
Published: February 15, 2009

McDowell County officials are against a proposed change in the state's hunting rules that would make the deer season last longer across North Carolina.
At a recent meeting, the McDowell County Commission approved a resolution that states their opposition to an extended deer season. The resolution, similar to one already adopted by the Yancey County Commission, states that the "Wildlife Resources Commission has been insensitive and unresponsive to normal procedures whereby hunters can have input into new rule proposals and seems intent on making these unpopular changes regardless of public opinion …"
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is proposing nine changes in the state's rules about white-tailed deer. One of these changes would create a single uniform deer season that would match the current deer season in counties east of Yancey, McDowell and Rutherford. It would open those counties to the maximum either-sex deer season, which includes all days of the open season. If this change passes, the gun deer season in and east of Yancey, McDowell and Rutherford counties would be open from Oct. 17 through Jan. 1 and antlerless deer would be legal game throughout the season.
Hunters and wildlife experts alike say that the proposed changes could do considerable harm to both the deer herd and the quality of deer hunting in the three counties. They add that although the extended season might work well for the eastern counties, it is not a good idea for western counties like Yancey, McDowell and Rutherford.
Commissioner Andy Webb asked that the board consider taking a stand against the Wildlife Commission's proposed rule changes.
"Based on what I am hearing, this 'cookie cutter' approach proposed by the N.C. Wildlife Commission will negatively impact potential mature buck populations and is not a sound approach to manage a healthy balance of deer population and sportsmanship," Webb wrote in a memo. "There are additional concerns from hunters and the general population, when they get wind of this."
After a discussion, the commissioners voted to approve a resolution against the proposed changes.
In other business, the McDowell County Commission:
· Agreed to name the road that goes to the agriculture barn and the new site for the N.C. Forest Service. The road will be named Ag Services Drive. The new small animal processing plant will be located there as well.
· Approved a tax-exempt loan form for Woodlawn-Sevier Volunteer Fire Department. The department is purchasing a fire truck for $167,598 and is financing the purchase with First Citizens Bank & Trust. The tax-exempt loan states that the county is not obligated to repay the debt.
· Approved a change to the ordinance that bans registered-sex offenders from attending county-sponsored recreation events and other youth-oriented activities. The revised ordinance more clearly states that they are prohibited from county-owned property that is used as a public park or recreational facility.
· Approved the annual advertisement of the tax liens in both The McDowell News and The News Bulletin.

County bucks hunting changes

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