Residents vs. Hunters at Woodbury City Hall

Overdue revisions to the city’s hunting map brought both hunters and residents to the Woodbury City Council meeting Wednesday.

Several residents expressed concerns about safety, spoke about being woken up by the sounds of shotgun blasts before dawn, and were concerned about hunting’s impact on other wildlife and the environment in southern Woodbury.

One man brought in a log with an arrow stuck in it. There were also shouts from the audience as council members were speaking.

The primary areas of concern for those who spoke Wednesday were Bailey Lake and the Wild Canyon neighborhood.

A man speaking on behalf of a group that hunts at Bailey Lake said they stay within the city’s regulations and always keep safety in mind.

The changes to the map, which hasn’t been updated since 2008, are needed to reflect further development in the city. However, the police department has been denying hunters access to some parts of the city over the intervening years, essentially updating the map administratively.

The lines are drawn based on state law and Department of Natural Resources guidelines, said Public Safety Chief Lee Vague. He could not remember a hunting accident in Woodbury during his tenure with the department.

There are three categories for hunting in Woodbury—closed, restricted and open. In restricted areas, people must secure a permit and get permission from the landowner to hunt there.

There are two seasons for hunting in Woodbury: waterfowl in the fall and turkey in the spring.

The council approved the changes to the map 5-0, but set an April 16, 2014, workshop to go over it again.

Vague addressed the hunters in the council chambers: “Make sure that your hunting etiquette is top notch.”

After the meeting, those on both sides of the issue were in the hallway talking amicably.

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