Gwinnett City Votes No On Bowhunter Permits

Peachtree Corners, a city in Gwinnett County, voted down an ordinance that would have required anyone bowhunting inside the city limits to first obtain a city permit. This was the second attempt to pass a city ordinance that would have created a hurdle for bowhunters. The city’s first attempt—which came at the October meeting—tried to actually make bowhunting illegal inside city limits.

Carson Saville, who grew up in Peachtree Corners but currently resides in Bethlehem, told GON that he sat down with the city attorney. 

“They aren’t going to do any type of permit. It’s just standard law. You need a hunting license and written permission from the property owner, but there is not a city ordinance on bowhunting,” Carson said.

The ordinance would have meant that bowhunters could not discharge a bow or crossbow inside city limits without first obtaining a city permit. The ordinance stated each permit holder would have to complete a state-approved safety course. Additionally, written permission of the owner(s) of any property where archery hunting would occur would have also needed to have been obtained before a permit could be issued.

If the ordinance had passed, those who wanted to engage in archery target practice would not have needed a permit.

However, the bowhunting portion of the ordinance failed to pass at the Nov. 15 meeting.

There is still opposition to bowhunting in Peachtree City. Carson told GON that someone who attended the meeting recommended giving does birth control. 

Aside from the ordinance on bows and crossbows, an ordinance that makes it illegal to discharge a firearm inside the city limits was passed at the Nov. 15 meeting. However, BB guns and air pellet rifles can still be discharged inside the city limits.

Mayor Mike Mason made a comment regarding the ordinance in a press release.

“Over the past several months, we received e-mails and phone calls and tonight have also heard from a number of our residents,” said Mayor Mason. “The council has listened to everyone’s input, and as a result, I believe we’ve crafted an ordinance that balances citizen’s safety with property rights. The amended ordinance is also consistent with state law.”

For now, all is well for bowhunters in Peachtree Corners.