Deer Hunting Season Begins In Ballwin & Ellisville Sunday

Ellisville has joined Ballwin in legalizing bow hunting of deer, and that season kicks off Sunday September 15 under Missouri Department of Conservation guidelines.

The two cities' ordinances are similar in many ways, although Ballwin hunters need only have 1 acre to hunt, while Ellisville requires 3 acres, which may be combined properties.

Both municipalities require hunters to submit information up front before any hunting can take place, including an insurance liability policy.

The Ballwin Police Department sent out the following bulletin about the process:

The Ballwin Police Department would like to remind residents about City of Ballwin Deer Control Policy and Hunting Regulations in effect in accordance with City of Ballwin Ordinance #12-37 (Codified as Chapter 18, Article V, Sections 18-90 through 18-94).

Deer archery hunting will only be permitted in the City of Ballwin from September 15, 2013 to November 15, 2013, and November 27, 2013 to January 15, 2014 in accordance with Missouri Department of Conservation Regulations. Longbow and compound bow are the only permissible methods to be used. All hunters must be of at least 18 years of age.

Hunting is only permitted on private property parcels consisting of one (1) acre or more in which the property owner has given permission for the hunting to occur. Full details of setback requirements, distances, and restrictions can be found in Sec. 18-92 of the full ordinance.

Property owners who wish to allow hunting must submit to the Ballwin Police Department the following items prior to commencement of hunting:

·      A completed and accurate Notification of Intent to Hunt Form with signatures from all property owners.

·      Documentation showing the completion of an archery device hunter safety course as approved or provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation for each hunter

·      Proof of coverage by liability policy and/or indemnity bond providing a minimum of $2,000,000 per occurrence coverage, insuring and/or bonding the property owner and/or hunter for any damage resulting from negligence in the hunting activity of said property.

 Property owners are advised to allow at least one (1) business day when submitting the required documents before commencement of hunting on their property. This recommendation is to ensure no hunting activity occurs on a property in violation of ordinance should a submission not meet the requirements set forth in Ballwin Ordinance #12-37. All submissions will be reviewed for deficiencies or disqualifying factors upon receipt.

 A packet containing the complete ordinance, guidelines for hunters and property owners, and required forms can be picked up from the Ballwin Police Station during business hours or can be downloaded by visiting http://www.ballwin.mo.us/docs/Ballwin_Deer_Hunting_Packet_10162012.pdf.

All deer harvests must be reported to the Ballwin Police Department within two (2) business days by calling during normal business hours or by delivering written notification to the Chief of Police. Each harvested deer report must include the hunter’s name, location of the harvest, and sex of the deer.

For questions, inquiries, or to report harvests, please contact P.O. Shaun Doerr of the Ballwin Community Affairs Unit at 636-207-2318 or by email sdoerr@ballwin.mo.us.