Hunting zones disputed
John Langeler / KXLY4 Anchor / Reporter
October 28th, 2007
NEWMAN LAKE, WA -- Some neighbors are demanding changes to county
regulations after gunshots rang throughout one residential community
Sunday morning.
Four hunters were cited on Sunday after shooting an elk in a
no-shooting zone. The shots were fired in a pasture south of Newman
Lake, near the Idaho state line.
The incident happened within range of homes along Moffitt Road, and a
few feet from a legal shooting area.
Law enforcement ended up putting the elk down, but the deputy was
injured by the rifle's recoil.
Homeowners say the incident is a sign that county officials need to
change where people can and can't shoot.
Zones are set aside across the area where you can't use firearms, and
Sunday's shooting was in one of these areas. However, across the street
is a shooting zone, despite the presence of several houses.
State fish and wildlife says they often get calls on trespassers this
time of year, although most hunters follow the law.
"It's just a few people that we have issues with and we get calls
from landowners on trespassing. Yes, we get a lot of calls and so does
the sheriff's office." Sgt. Dan Rahn of Washington Fish and Wildlife
said.
Officials say it's important for sportsmen to know where they're
allowed to hunt. Meanwhile, homeowners are concerned that with growth in
the area, remote areas are becoming more populated, and more dangerous.
"Whether it's legal to shoot out here or not, anybody with common
sense would know better than shooting even a 22 out here," homeowner
Dennis Stoeser said.
Residents here say the county needs to look at what the shooting and
non-shooting zones are, and in the meantime, the hunters were allowed to
keep the elk.
