Bella Vista Board Discusses Bow Hunting Policy

The Bella Vista Property Owner’s Association Board of Directors discussed adopting a new policy for bow hunters.

“The idea behind it is to try and preserve the ability for people to hunt on the land but to try and promote a little more safety than there is,” says Board of Directors member, Tim Hull.

A state law already requires hunters to stay at least 50 yards from homes.

Bella Vista’s policy will add a few additions.

“Because if we just went with the state law most of our trails are more than 50 yards away from a residence so people could conceivably try and go hunting down the middle of a fairway or in a biking trail,” explains Hull.

Something hunters like to see discussed among city officials.

“To actually address the hunting within the village, to date they have never had a policy that actually allowed or covered hunting,” says Ray Austin.

Even though this policy would set more safety standards , some say bow hunters are already very cautious.

“Rarely would I get a shot over 30 yards, very rarely.  Bow hunters are very conservative with their shots because you have to be, you don’t have the knockdown power of a weapon like a bullet,” adds Austin.

Bow hunting season started last weekend and lasts through Feburary.

The policy will be discussed again Thursday October 18th at 6 p.m. The meeting is open to the public.