Ellisville Considers Hunting on Private Property

In the wake of a deer encounter that resulted in hospitalization and surgery for a Ballwin woman, the Ellisville City Council is considering a proposal that would allow bow hunting on some residents' private property.

At an informal work session Wednesday night, Ellisville council members discussed that possibilty following concerns about an population. The proposal also comes roughly two months after Ballwin resident after being in an Ellisville parking lot.

Councilmembers Dawn Anglin, Michelle Murray, Troy Pieper and Mayor Matt Pirrello said they would support the proposal, so long as it excluded firearms and required participants to own at least 3 acres of property, which Pirrello said would allow only a select number of residential landowners to participate. Councilmembers Clark Compton and Linda Reel were not in favor of the proposal. Councilmember Roze Acup was absent Wednesday.

Pieper, who is an insurance agent under , said that in following with other municipalities' laws on hunting on private land, participants may be required to hold an insurance policy worth up to $2 million. Pirrello said Wildwood, Chesterfield, Clarkson Valley, Manchester and St. Louis County all permit some form of hunting on private property. Ballwin is the only local municipality that does not permit hunting on private land, he said.

The council is likely to continue talks on the proposal at its upcoming .