Can a town ban hunting??
Contributors to this thread:Illinois
From: gambit1393
02-Jan-20
Hi everyone. I just secured hunting access to private land. 95 acres with a mix of field and timber. Tons of deer every evening when I drive by. But now I'm told, by they town that it's in, that the town has banned hunting within it's limits! What the heck?? Can a town actually ban hunting even when the land meets all state and federal hunting requirements?
From: awh302
02-Jan-20
I think you have to be more specific in what the law says. Some wording may reference shooting animals with a gun and no a bow. I’m surprised that 95 acres that are undeveloped would also be considered incorporated within city limits.
From: gambit1393
02-Jan-20
I'm not sure what the law says. But this land is definitely considered within 'village limits'. And I called the local police and they verified that the town does not allow hunting within 'village limits'. I'm just shocked that a town can do that. Especially when someone owns a 95 acre parcel of farm ground within those limits.
From: gambit1393
02-Jan-20
I found the ordinance. I just can't believe this isn't some form of abuse of power.
90.13 KILLING OR ATTACKING ANIMALS. (A) No person shall kill or wound or attempt to kill or wound by the use of firearms, sling shot, bow and arrow, BB gun, air rifle, or any other dangerous weapon, any animal within the village limits, provided that this section shall not prohibit a person from defending himself or another from attack by an animal. This section does not prohibit the use of a weapon by a police officer to destroy animals which are seriously injured to avoid unnecessary suffering or in self-defense or defense of others.
From: Dusktildawn
02-Jan-20
You in Crook I mean Cook County?
From: gambit1393
02-Jan-20
No. Sangamon County. Which makes it even more bizarre. Small town rural area.
From: LBshooter
02-Jan-20
Within city limits, yes they can.
From: Bloodtrail
26-Jan-20
We have a town in CT that does this.....but it’s weird. State law says that their laws override city laws. So people still hunt there and check their deer in. So see what your state laws say about over riding local ordinances. Basically, local officers can’t enforce the law because state law won’t allow it.
From: woodguy65
28-Jan-20
Is the 95 acres within Springfield or Chatham, and does it encompass Lake Springfield or the proposed Lake II area?
From: Woods Walker
05-Feb-20
If they can't ban it, then they'll tax it. This IS Illinois after all!