teeroy
Life Member
Saturday, June 21, 2008 6:09 AM CDT
Waterloo Council's bowfishing restrictions may have missed mark
By TIM JAMISON, Courier Staff Writer
WATERLOO --- An archery retailer said the city's new bowfishing rules miss the target.
Waterloo City Council members voted 5-2 Monday to approve an ordinance change allowing residents to hunt fish with a bow and tethered arrows, provided the activity is done well away from homes and conducted from a boat.
Mike Hertges, owner of Mike's Archery, said the prohibition against bowfishing from the shore makes the ordinance virtually useless for "99 percent of the hundreds and hundreds of people" locally who enjoy the sport. Very few even own boats, he said.
"That's really not the language we were looking for," Hertges said. "That's very disappointing."
Hertges and several other bowfishermen approached the city after police stopped them from bowfishing this spring. They noted the sport was endorsed by the IDNR and that Cedar Falls and several other cities allow it.
Waterloo's ordinance prohibited firing projectiles in city limits, including guns and arrows, except for Iowa Department of Natural Resources-sponsored deer harvests in the greenbelt areas and for paintball activities.
Councilman Harold Getty voted against the bowfishing ordinance out of safety concerns, while Councilman Quentin Hart voted against the ordinance after his attempt to table it for more discussion failed. Councilman Steve Schmitt said he understood concerns about the boat requirement, but noted the new ordinance at least "opens the door" for bowfishing in Waterloo.
Police Chief Tom Jennings said the whole affair arose after complaints about illegal bowfishing in town.
"People are nervous when people are walking around with bows, shooting in populated areas and causing traffic problems," he said. "Things kind of got out of control and we had a number of complaints about this type of fishing."
Contact Tim Jamison
at (319) 291-1577 or
tim.jamison@wcfcourier.com.
Waterloo Council's bowfishing restrictions may have missed mark
By TIM JAMISON, Courier Staff Writer
WATERLOO --- An archery retailer said the city's new bowfishing rules miss the target.
Waterloo City Council members voted 5-2 Monday to approve an ordinance change allowing residents to hunt fish with a bow and tethered arrows, provided the activity is done well away from homes and conducted from a boat.
Mike Hertges, owner of Mike's Archery, said the prohibition against bowfishing from the shore makes the ordinance virtually useless for "99 percent of the hundreds and hundreds of people" locally who enjoy the sport. Very few even own boats, he said.
"That's really not the language we were looking for," Hertges said. "That's very disappointing."
Hertges and several other bowfishermen approached the city after police stopped them from bowfishing this spring. They noted the sport was endorsed by the IDNR and that Cedar Falls and several other cities allow it.
Waterloo's ordinance prohibited firing projectiles in city limits, including guns and arrows, except for Iowa Department of Natural Resources-sponsored deer harvests in the greenbelt areas and for paintball activities.
Councilman Harold Getty voted against the bowfishing ordinance out of safety concerns, while Councilman Quentin Hart voted against the ordinance after his attempt to table it for more discussion failed. Councilman Steve Schmitt said he understood concerns about the boat requirement, but noted the new ordinance at least "opens the door" for bowfishing in Waterloo.
Police Chief Tom Jennings said the whole affair arose after complaints about illegal bowfishing in town.
"People are nervous when people are walking around with bows, shooting in populated areas and causing traffic problems," he said. "Things kind of got out of control and we had a number of complaints about this type of fishing."
Contact Tim Jamison
at (319) 291-1577 or
tim.jamison@wcfcourier.com.
