BOWHUNTING TERRIFIES
To the Editor:
Regarding the Avon Lake map which highlighted possible bow hunting areas {The Press, front page,
11-21-12} - the pinkish tint used to highlight those areas was so pale it was hard to notice the
small and smaller areas in the upper half of the map. I hope people look very carefully at that map
so as not to miss any of those spots.
Personally, the thought of people bowhunting in our town terrifies me. I like to ride my bike all
over the place. If I find some little road I've never been down, I'll take it, and go exploring.
Sad to think I'd be afraid to do that in the future. Worse, imagine how parents will feel when
their kids are out and about.
And as far as leaving the final decision-making authority up to the mayor in each specific
circumstance--What a cop-out! I feel sorry for the mayor actually, I wouldn't want a big controversial
mess like this passed off and dumped in my lap!
I vote NO. By the way, don't we the people get a real vote on this?
Laurel Gruber
Avon Lake
"After attending last week's meeting in Council Chambers I am interested in what/who is driving
the culling of deer? Safety seems to have fallen off the table and killing deer seems to be the
only thing most of council is interested in. The only acceptable method that I would agree with
is a program of darting the doe with a form of birth control. PERIOD! No other method is
acceptable to me that would involve rifle, crossbow or compound bow. We are a highly populated
area and not a hunting area!
I would volunteer to gather people to make a human chain around any areas that would involve hunting!
Nancy L. Jazwa
Avon Lake
From: tim slater <tcslater5@xxxx.com>
Date: November 19, 2012 11:14:31 AM EST
Subject: Letter to the Editor
Nov. 19, 1202 Dear Editor: Most
city council members that want to pass a new deer culling ordinance say
the reason is for safety, to reduce the number of deer/vehicle
accidents in the city. The problem with that is, studies show
that when a deer hunting law is passed in a populated city, the number
of deer/vehicle accidents increases. When a deer is hit with an arrow,
it panics and runs for it's life. That's where the real danger is. Avon
Lake has been given the opportunity to take part in a study, entirely
paid for by the state, to reduce the number of deer/vehicle accidents.
This is a very high tech signage program which has been highly
successful in other cities. Avon Lake City Council has chosen not to
include this in the most recent deer management proposal because the
environment during the 3 year program has to remain the same. This
means no deer culling during the study. Many people are baffled by the decision to reject this highly innovative option. Any
Avon Lake citizen who would favor the city taking part in the signage
program should contact the mayor or city council members to let them
know. Their phone numbers and email addresses can be found on the
website avonlakedeer.com. You can also go there to sign the petition against hunting in the city. Cheryl Slater Avon Lake
LETTER: Avon Lake deer debate
Published: Tuesday, November 27, 2012
To the Editor: The debate about deer management in Avon
Lake and all of the paperwork that has been done was a waste of time.
This whole mess can be solved by not killing the deer in the first
place. No one needs to manage the deer; the deer are smart enough to
manage themselves. The hunters are stepping up for target practice and
that is all they care about — it’s their hobby to kill defenseless
animals. Hunters are a cruel bunch.
The caution signage for the
roadways that was mentioned in the Nov. 15 meeting should have been
installed by September; get the signs up Avon Lake. Here’s a suggestion:
The hunters should install
the caution signage on the roadways and the “no hunting” signs on the
properties; they have a lot of time on their hands; they will be doing
something constructive instead of destructive. Sounds good to me. So, in
protest of the deer issue, I will no longer be voting in the City of
Avon Lake, except for deer issues.
Sandra Barnes, Avon Lake
Deer Hunting on School and Daycare Property?'Shame on Members of Council'
Resident says council not looking out for safety of children.
To the Editor:
Councilman (Davif) Kos is the only one who truly cares about the safety of our children.
I am writing to express my worry over what I consider to be the lack
of many members of Avon Lake City Council’s concern for the safety of
our children should the deer hunting ordinance pass. Many Avon Lake
residents probably do not even know that Council is considering an ordinance
that will, among other things, allow bow hunting in our city, including
school grounds, daycare center property and senior center property, and
will also allow sharpshooting in city parks.
I attended the Collective Committee Meeting
on Nov. 15 and heard Councilman Kos request that Council include in the
ordinance language that prohibits hunting on school and daycare
property. I was horrified when Councilmembers Fenderbosch, Shondel,
Bucci, James, and O’Donnell all voted against such language.
I simply cannot imagine the rationale for a refusal to take steps to
ensure the safety of our children. Shame on these members of Council and
I hope they no longer have their jobs come re-election.
Kristi Haude
Avon Lake
July
5, 2012
Dear
Editor:
Where have the deer gone? I’ve noticed, along with others I’ve talked
to, there doesn’t seem to be as many deer around as there were a couple of
years ago. I often bicycle around the Kopf Reservation and
count the number of deer I see at various times of the day. The count is usually between 8 and 12 in the
entire park. Three years ago, I counted
close to 50.
Deer
control their own numbers. When wooded
areas are cut down for development, initially we see more deer, but then they
move on. I believe this is what they
have done. The smartest thing we can do
is to leave them alone. If we respect
them, we can happily coexist.
“The
greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals
are treated” Mahatma Gandhi.
Sincerely,
Cheri
Whaley, Avon lake
Attention
City of Avon Lake: PLEASE do not allow dangerous bow hunting in our
community with dogs and children running around. I am shocked and
disgusted that this would even be considered. I will sell my house and
move out of this city if this happens.
Please deliver me a sign to place in my yard immediately.
Martina Ferraro
Avon Lake
Date: Fri, 8 Jun 2012 10:43:20 -0400Subject: Proposed Bow Hunting Ordinance - Avon Lake
From: bjoflanagan@xyz.com
To: avonlakedeer@hotmail.com
To Whom It May Concern:
The undersigned are OPPOSED to the city of Avon Lake allowing deer hunting in
our city.
It is unbelievable that in this day and age and with the development of Avon Lake
that we are having this discussion.
Sincerely,
Jack O'Flanagan and Betty Jo O'Flanagan
Avon Lake, Ohio
On Wed, Jun 6, 2012 at 3:38 PM, Robin Scott <m.rob.j.scott@wxyz.com> wrote:
Today
I learned that Avon Lake may be considering allowing Bow Hunting in
Avon Lake and specifically within the acreage of Holly Hill Horse Farm.
I am a resident of Hunt Club on the North West edge of the development
which butts right up to the Holly Hill Farm. We love the trees, the
quiet and the safety of our street and backyard. I would be gravely
concerned with the idea of bow hunting occurring right next store which
could potentially harm or kill someone in Hunt Club. Please do not
allow this ordinance to pass and possibly place the safety and lives of
Avon Lake, and specifically Hunt Club, residents at risk in the name of a
sport. The mere thought of bow and arrow hunting so close to my
children makes me sick. There is just no reason to allow such risk.
Children and families are constantly outside very near to the border of
this proposed hunting area. Please say NO!Thank you in advance. Regards,Robin Scott
Avon Lake
From: margareta@xxx.net
To: avonlakedeer@hotmail.com
Subject: no hunting sign
Date: Thu, 3 May 2012 14:55:06 -0400
Our home
borders Resatar park and we lovingly coexist with the deer. We knew
when we purchased this parcel, that we would encounter all types of
woodland creatures and were completely accepting of this notion. We are dismayed at the thought of killing these gentle creatures, and are concerned for our safety as well. Move to an exfoliated, sun drenched area if the deer are a problem for you. We love our trees, deer, and hopefully, our safety. We would like to acquire a "no hunting" sign for our yard. Thank you for spearheading (no pun intended) this project. Margaret Artin Avon Lake Hunting deer: Don't use bows in populated areas
Published: Wednesday, May 02, 2012, 3:58 AM
Several months ago in Missouri, a woman was eating breakfast at
her kitchen table with her great-granddaughter when an arrow broke
through her double-paned window and screen and hit her in the face, lodging in her jaw and knocking out several teeth.
A neighbor had been practicing archery from the woods behind her
house. The arrow flew 300 feet before breaking the window. Fortunately,
it was a rounded-tip arrow, not the razor-sharp tip used when hunting
deer. The neighbor, who was charged, claimed he didn't know arrows could
go that far.
If bow hunting is permitted in Avon Lake, that kind of thing could
happen here. Anyone who is against putting our citizens at this kind of
risk should go to avonlakedeer.com to sign the online petition.
Ann Whaley Avon Lake An Open Letter to Avon Lake City Officials:
The unfortunate truth in America today is that even if you choose to ignore laws against rape, torture,
kidnapping, theft and murder, you can get a gun. How many Americans who do own guns are trained in
the proper ways to use them? It would be interesting to know how many of us are killed or maimed by
people emboldened by holding a gun they’ve never been taught how to use.
Add untrained bow hunters to the mix and you have a disaster waiting to happen. To you, the elected
officials of this city, who have taken an oath to protect the welfare of your citizens: Do you really think that those who already own high powered hunting bows or will purchase them in the future (at your urging) can be counted on to obtain the proper training and certification to shoot at a stationary target, let alone a deer moving among obscuring trees and underbrush? I
think not. You’re putting your citizens, particularly your children, at risk.
The following is from the codified ordinances of the city of Avon Lake: 672.13 Slingshot, Bow and Arrow
and Air Rifle.
(a) No person shall purposely or recklessly throw, shoot, cast or sling by hand or by means of a
slingshot, bow and arrow, air gun or otherwise any stone, arrow, pellet or other missile.
(Ord. 1233, Passed 11/24/58) (Punishable as a misdemeanor)
It’s still on the books. New legislation would override this wise restriction and remain in effect,
endangering Avon Lake’s citizens, until wiser heads prevail in the future.
Who in Avon Lake will be the first casualty of a frenzied deer, targeted and spooked by a poorly aimed
arrow, running for its life? Or, more likely, who of us will be struck by an errant arrow; you, perhaps
mowing your lawn, or me, walking with my grandchildren, who live within blocks of my home
(coincidentally across the street from a five-acre treed area where the bow hunting could be
permitted)? What fool would choose to endanger our children for the sake of a few individuals who
value their shrubbery over the safety and comfort of our neighborhoods.
You were elected to protect and serve the best interests of the citizens who put you in office. Whose
interests are you serving now? When is the next election?
Joanne Romes
Avon Lake
Please drop off a sign at my residence: 32562 Belle Rd. AL. Thanks in advance.Chris & Denise Sams
Note:
I live at the dead end of Belle Rd., abutting the Metroparks. I have
deer in my yard every day, twice a day, as they forage for food and then
walk the instinctive trail to water on the south side of Belle Rd.
There are two distinct herds. Development has destroyed a large portion
of their habitat and all they are doing is what they've done for
centuries. As to the so-called "overpopulation", nature will thin the
herds as it has for all of time. Less food....fewer births. Hunting ,
especially with bows, is not the answer. I know. I hunted for years
before giving it up. As to those complaints about the deer decimating
the landscaping, perhaps that's what this is all about. Someone had a
couple of hundred dollars eaten up and they're complaining. Maybe they
should read up on what plants the deer won't eat and landscape with
those...I have.
Thanks again for the sign.
C. Sams
From: blachowicz@xxxx.net
> To: avonlakedeer@hotmail.com
> Subject: No to Hunting
> Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2012 22:04:09 -0400
>
> Having traveled to other greater Cleveland communities and seeing the deer
> population in yard after yard (12 to 18 per yard) I don't feel we have the
> issue. Notification signs for drivers are needed and more than that,
> drivers NEED to pay attention. A wounded deer running in panic, pain and
> fright is not what we need to produce in our community. Options need to be
> investigated and discussed before moving forward with the "culling"
> approach.
> Subject: Preserving and protecting the deer
> Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:42:37 -0400
>
>
> I am very glad that this committee is in existence. The deer are a
> wonderful addition to the wooded areas of the city. After all, it is not
> their fault that it is hard for them to find food and a place to live in
> what was once their habitat and is now full of more developments than we
> really need. The deer are a beautiful part of nature and should NOT be shot
> or killed by an means.
> I would like a sign in my yard to protect the deer.
> Cynthia Monjot
> Avon Lake
LETTER: Avon Lake should forget ban on residents feeding deer
Published: Saturday, March 31, 2012
To the Editor: I am
writing in regards to the articles in the paper concerning making it
illegal to feed the deer or to have more than a gallon of vegetables and
grains in my possession, on my property!
Is this an early April
fools joke ... or just that our council people are the fools? Did I read
this right? Am I still living in the land of the free? I feel like I’m
in a communist state.
When you think you can start telling
residents we can’t feed animals on our own property, and how much grain
we can have in our possession, you have crossed the line. Are you going
to get a search warrant to check and see if I have broken your crazy
ordinance by having too much grain in my possession?
I am not one
who voluntarily feeds the deer. I am a resident who involuntarily feeds
the deer. They come into my yard and serve themselves to my plants and
flowers daily. My property backs up to a wooded area behind my house and
there are deer in my yard, lying in my flowerbed feasting on the deer
resistant plants I have planted, hoping they wouldn’t eat it. Yes, it is
annoying, but certainly not worth starving the deer to death.
There are deer in the woods right behind my house every day. I have never had a deer be threatening to me in any way.
One
of the original articles said residents were being threatened by the
deer standing on their hind legs, fighting people for their groceries.
Nothing like that is happening on my side of town.
So, if the
deer are this aggressive for food now, how much more aggressive will they
be when we try to starve them to death? That is something I’ve never
seen in print or heard Council say out loud, is the fact that according
to their plan, we will be starving the deer to death.
If it were
me, I would rather die a quick death from a bullet than to suffer an
agonizing death of starvation. I suggest we vote out the current
council and mayor the first chance we get.
I am sending these deer-related articles to Jay Leno. He will have a ball with this material.
Sue Lloyd, Avon Lake
MY HUSBAND AND I WALK THE TRAIL BEHIND THE LIBRARY EVERYDAY. WE LOVE THE DEER AND ENJOY SEEING THEM.
THE SOLUTION IS TO FEED THE DEER NOT KILL THEM.
ALL
WE HAVE TO DO IS(INCLUDING THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO KILL THEM) IS FEED
THEM IN THE WOODS. GIVE THEM FOOD AND PLANT FLOWERS ALONG THE
TRAILS!!! IT IS THAT SIMPLE.
PLEASE LET US HELP YOU. WE WANT TO GET INVOLVED!
PLEASE PUT A SIGN IN OUR YARD.
THANK YOU.
MARY AND JOHN SCHUERGER
Avon Lake
I
really hope and pray this doesn't go through! They're one of the few
vestiges of wildlife we have left here! Wouldn't HAVE to kill them if
builders stopped buying up every square inch of the city, taking away
the paths the deer use! If it is believed that this needs to be done
because too many people are hitting deer, here's a thought: Stop
speeding, get off the cell phone and PAY ATTENTION TO THE ROAD!!
Karen Tweedie
Avon LakeFrom: sdknudsen@xxxx.com
To: avonlakedeer@hotmail.com
Subject: opposition to deer hunting
Date: Sat, 17 Mar 2012 14:43:37 -0400
I
am strongly opposed to any type of deer hunting in our neighborhoods.
Leave mother nature alone. In addition, bow hunting is an extreme form
of cruelty. I think we need to respect all forms of life. I think the
proposal of putting up the lighted signs along roads is an excellent
idea and deterrent to accidents. It would remind drivers to slow down
and scan sides of roads. I have avoided many collisions myself by taking
the above actions.
From: lembach3@xxx.comTo: avonlakedeer@hotmail.comSubject: Avon Lake Deer Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:42:52 +0000 Unfortunately,
I missed the last meeting regarding the city's plan of action for
managing the deer herd in Avon Lake. I am a outdoorsman and hunter.
Along with being an sportsman comes responsibility and safety. From what
I understand, there are few properties in Avon Lake that are 5+ acres. I
find it really hard to believe that with these limited properties we
can responsibility and safely allow bow hunting. It is easy to foresee
wounded deer running on to adjacent properties. The deer shouldn't
suffer but neighbors also shouldn't find dead deer on their property. We
are slated to have a budget deficit from what the papers are showing
(Sun Sentinel). The cost, gore, and safety surrounding hired guns to
come in and cull the deer also doesn't seem like a good idea. Feeding,
not feeding, killing, not killing...seems like all options have
consequences that will either endanger, anger, or cost us financially or
socially pinning neighbor vs neighbor. http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Deer-Management-in-Avon-Lake-Ohio/342301382459008
From: dadvaughn@xxxx.com
To: avonlakedeer@hotmail.com
Subject: Bow hunting as a remedy to deer overpopulation
Date: Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:41:47 -0400
Harkening
back to my years living in New Jersey, the idea of turning bow hunters
loose on what amounts to a domestic deer herd has always seemed an easy
solution. Only one problem. Bows are just as deadly as guns in a
residential area. And, there is not guarantee that the bow hunters are
experts with their weapons. I would prefer not to risk my children to
the chances that the bow hunters would (1) choose the proper target and
(2) be skilled enough to hit a moving target and not threaten those
living within range of the weapons, which is far greater than one would
be led to believe. It
was true in New Jersey (where the idea was shelved) and it is true
here…hunting with any kind of deadly weapon in a populated area is a bad
idea. It’s just not worth the risk. Find a safer approach. JV
Posted by Bradford Zelasko, Avon Lake resident and attorney, 3/7/2012The deer feeding ordinance says it is intended to promote "a
healthy deer herd". The bow hunting ordinance says the overpopulation
issue is not being addressed by non-lethal methods. It would appear
that we want either healthy deer or dead deer. I fail to see how these
two statements of purpose can co-exist.
It is
also unclear how the "deer management program" advocated in the deer
feeding law is insufficient when it has not even been passed yet.
I
am uncertain of the "evidence" of overpopulation, but its seems critical to have hard facts. There is
no rational basis for deer hunting if there is no overpopulation and no
diseased deer, is there?
It seems that the
proposed hunting ordinance creates a whole new set of problems and risks
to the public at large. The flier you passed out highlights these
risks---many would prefer that their child in the yard confront a
peaceful deer rather than a wounded animal. If car accidents are a
concern, it would appear that a wounded animal is more likely to
erratically run into the path of a vehicle. Also, at a time when all
municipalities are cost-conscious, we will have the City's law
enforcement personnel enforcing hunting laws and regulations in
addition to their existing work.
"I think that
if the goal of municipal legislation is the public welfare, this
proposed hunting ordinance is more questionable than the feeding law.
Hopefully, the powers that be will realize that this ordinance is
ill-advised before someone gets hurt."
Posted by a Bow hunter
March 8,2010
Thanks for the heads up on the deer hunting ordinance. I'll probably contact City Hall and request a copy, since your e mail didn't specify whether or not we are talking shotgun or bow hunting. As a former bow hunter, I'm guessing it's the latter, since the bow hunting season in Ohio used to last for months, while the gun season ended in a matter of days.
Gave all that up after wounding a deer and not being able to track him down in a rain storm. Couldn't shake the thought of what it must have felt like to slowly bleed to death with an arrow lodged in your back in a cold, pouring rain. Haven't intentionally killed any animal since that day, and am not crazy about the idea of being in my back yard with acres of edgewoods on every side and meeting the same fate as that deer.
My father was president of the South Florida Bowhunters' Association for almost my entire childhood, while my mom was the Florida State Champion archer back in the 1960s and missed qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics by four points when competing at the Nationals. So, I know a little bit about archery and bow hunting, and I can't say the thought of residents out in their edgewoods armed with compound bows and broadheads makes me feel real good.
Trust me on this -- allowing locals to go out and do anything along these lines within city limits is not a good idea. Problem is, back in the day, bowhunting required lots of skill, knowledge and practice. Just stringing a recurve bow was an ordeal, and you then had to make your own arrows: Yes, you could buy the aluminum shafts from Easton Aluminum, but you then had to add your own feathers (fletching), knocking points and your own hand-sharpened broadheads. With all that time, energy and skill invested, it was a given that you would be very good at every aspect of archery and hunting before even thinking about stepping into the woods.
With the advent of compound bows that are permanently strung, small and very sexy looking, bowhunting became something that any jerk with a few hundred bucks and a Dick's Sporting Goods in the area could go out and get into.
Example: Was mowing in a customer's back yard on Avery Road in September. After I finished mowing and was putting the mower on the trailer, I looked up to see her next-door neighbor -- a Broadview Fireman -- taking practice shots at logs with one of my guys still working in the neighbor's yard directly on the other side of the logs being used for a backstop.
Reached for the cell phone to call the cops. The Fireman apparently saw me, gathered up his pre-made arrows, compound bow and headed inside. I put down the phone, figuring that without proof of what just happened, there was no way the Police Department would take the word of a yard dog like me over that of a fellow First Responder.
Unfortunately, that is the idiotic mindset of the type of people who'll be set free to roam around the woods here in the city armed to the teeth with bows, broadheads and the city's blessing to fire away at anything that moves and has hooves -- without ever thinking about how far an arrow can and will travel should they miss their intended target, and where it might end up after getting deflected off a branch and sailing a hundred yards or more through the air.
Worst idea I've ever heard. Can't imagine many folks will like the thought of being in or near their edge woods with a bunch of half-frozen hunters sitting in tree stands all around just waiting for that first twig to snap.
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