Hixson Neighborhood At The Lake, Coppinger Want Curbs On Hunting From Boats

  • Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Both a representative of a Hixson neighborhood on the lake and County Mayor Jim Coppinger said Wednesday they want curbs on hunters who fire weapons from boats near populated areas.

Austin Seay said residents of Fairview Harbor on Jan. 25 heard gunfire from the lake and found that hunters were shooting waterfowl from a boat near the subdivision.

He said 911 was called, but a city police officer said he had no jurisdiction over watercraft.

The TWRA was then summoned and a ranger said the hunters were acting within their rights, Mr. Seay said.

He said some of the shots were fired near a house that is "right on" the lake.

Mr. Seay said the group has hired the Baker, Donelson firm, and it supplied a law that hunting cannot occur within 100 yards of a visible residence. He said the group would like to see legislation that expands that to 300 yards or more.

Mr. Seay said he and others are not against hunting. "A majority of us are hunters," he said.

There are 25 homes at the subdivision.

County Mayor Coppinger said he had looked into the same issue when he was advised that some people had dropped off pet ducks at Chester Frost Park and they were later shot by hunters from boats.

"I'm not sure it's hunting if you're going after pet ducks," he said.

He said numerous people go to the popular county parks and that safeguards are needed from adjacent hunting.
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