|
18
<br /> 1 Now, I see the insertion of the backstop rule is intended to address this by providing options to
<br /> 2 landowners, yet again, this is quite a burden for the average person. To install such a backstop
<br /> 3 is not only very expensive, but restrictive. You now have created a situation where a person will
<br /> 4 definitely incur significant expenses as well as the requirement of at least one permit to erect
<br /> 5 such a structure, regardless of the type of material selected to construct said backstop. Current
<br /> 6 county permitting and site plan ordinances affect the erection of such a structure. In turn, surely
<br /> 7 at some point in time in the future, there will be a "need" for a new inspection process to now
<br /> 8 come and inspect shooting backstops to ensure proper construction and maintenance, again at
<br /> 9 a cost to the private landowner and tax payers alike. Not to mention, the requirement of such a
<br /> 10 structure affects an owners rights of enjoyment of use and perceived property value, not only
<br /> 11 the property on which the structure resides, but the surrounding properties as well (who wants
<br /> 12 to look at a big mound of something whether on their own property or their neighbors?).
<br /> 13 Addressing the "allowed shooting hours;" again burdensome, for several reasons. Being fully
<br /> 14 aware that the amount of shooters who engage in shooting after sunlight hours is limited, there
<br /> 15 are those of us that do just that. Current State and State WRC regulations allowing for the
<br /> 16 hunting of Coyotes at night. To the best of my knowledge, Orange County does not have an
<br /> 17 ordinance preventing this. To be able to effectively hunt at night, one must have the right
<br /> 18 equipment and said equipment must be calibrated in the conditions in which it will be used (i.e.
<br /> 19 after daylight hours). This would effectively give me, and those like me, approximately less than
<br /> 20 60 minutes, for only several months out of the year to calibrate our night hunting equipment
<br /> 21 properly, with the hope that it remains calibrated throughout the remainder of the year. Let me
<br /> 22 add that, the coyote problem in Orange County, and the State, is an ongoing issue and by the
<br /> 23 accounts of many sportsman and land owners alike, is continually worsening. It has been show
<br /> 24 in other states, and likely one of the main reasons the hunting of coyotes at night has been
<br /> 25 allowed in North Carolina, that night hunting of coyotes is a very effective tool in controlling the
<br /> 26 population of such a nuisance predator. I do not see how this amendment will not directly affect
<br /> 27 those of us who participate in the hunting coyotes (and other game) at night. While I am aware
<br /> 28 that there is a clause in this amendment that explicitly states that it is does not impact or
<br /> 29 regulate hunting activities, it does not permit me to calibrate my hunting equipment as needed
<br /> 30 for said activities. In essence, my neighbor calls law enforcement, because I am calibrating my
<br /> 31 equipment at night, I am fined because I am not technically involved in a hunting activity at the
<br /> 32 time.
<br /> 33
<br /> 34
<br /> 35 Now, I do see the inserted clause allowing for land owners to target shoot two or fewer days per
<br /> 36 month simply not enough. Although, again, I am likely in the minority of shooters, I enjoy
<br /> 37 target shooting quite regularly, much more often than two days of the month which this
<br /> 38 amendment would restrict me to. Avid shooters and sportsmen such as myself are regularly
<br /> 39 calibrating our equipment and shoot regularly to better our skills as enjoyment shooters and
<br /> 40 sportsmen. A large reason for the ownership of my property is so that I can shoot, at distance,
<br /> 41 on a regular basis. In addition, while I have never owned, shot, or even know where to acquire
<br /> 42 "explosive shells," I do occasionally shoot, what may be referred to as an "explosive target."
<br /> 43 Tannerite is a completely legal, two part compound, commonly sold at sporting goods stores
<br /> 44 throughout the state and country. I see no reason why I should not be able to shoot at these
<br /> 45 sorts of targets on my own property, provided that I am not endangering anyone around me.
<br /> 46 These types of targets do not expel fireballs, harmful/hazardous substances, secondary
<br /> 47 projectiles, and are not designed to be destructive. They simple "go `bang- when struck with
<br /> 48 any standard centerfire rifle bullet. Again, I do not see any reason why I would not be allowed to
<br /> 49 do this on my own private property, given that no one and nothing is being put in danger—a
<br /> 50 hard thing to do with something that does nothing more than make a noise when hit.
<br />
|