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ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: January 16, 2002 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 7-ti <br /> SUBJECT: Oante Count Hunting Ordinance <br /> DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) Yes <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Resolution Including Geed Gledhill, 732-2196 or <br /> Amended Hunting Ordinance Sharron Hinton, ext. 2302 <br /> Enabling Legislation <br /> Pertinent State laws regarding TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br /> hunting and punishment for Hillsborough 732-8181 <br /> Conviction of Class 3 misdemeanor Chapel Hill 9664501 <br /> Durham 688-7331 <br /> Mebane 336-227-2031 <br /> PURPOSE: To receive citizen comments regarding a proposed amended Orange County <br /> Hunting and Fishing Ordinance and to consider adopting an amended Ordinance. <br /> BACKGROUND: In February 2001, representatives of the Orange County Hunting Committee, <br /> including citizens, Commissioners Halkiotis and Jacobs, Sheriff Pendergrass, the County <br /> Manager,the County Attomey and Cameron Ingram,Wildlife O(icer, met to discuss concerns <br /> regarding the regulation of hunting. The concerns focused on three specific issues: <br /> a, hunting with firearms while under the influence of alcohol or other impairing substances; and <br /> b. hunting in the proximity of public buildings: and <br /> c. hunting in a negligent manner. <br /> The existing County ordinance regulating hunting did not reference the aforementioned issues. <br /> Members of the hunting community voiced concerns about over-regulation of hunting and the <br /> need for carefully drafted ordinances and legislation that fairly balance the rights and safety of <br /> all Orange County residents. With that in mind, it was determined that hunting in a negligent <br /> manner was already a violation of State hunting laws. It was also the consensus of the group <br /> that Orange County would pursue necessary enabling legislation from the N.C. General <br /> Assembly to address the other concerns. The legislation necessary was approved by the <br /> General Assembly. <br /> In December, representatives from the hunting committee met with Cad Fox, District Attorney <br /> and Joe Buckner, Chief District Court Judge to review the enabling legislation granted by the <br /> General Assembly. Specifically,the legislation provides the following: <br /> Section 1. Orange County may regulate, control restrict, and prohibit hunting with firearms by <br /> persons under the influence of alcohol, or other impairing substances and regulate, control, <br />