Ortonville-Hunting in the village may now be a long shot, following a recent Michigan Supreme Court ruling.
The Michigan Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that cities have the right to ban hunting with bows and arrows, in addition to firearms, within their boundaries, despite what the Department of Natural Resources currently allows.
The high court decision may have implications locally after the council asked Village Manager Ed Coy in December to amend a current ordinance that prohibits the discharge of firearms or cartridges, except by peace officers performing their duties, within the village limits.
The council decided an ordinance prohibiting any kind of hunting within the village limits is needed after two tree stands were observed on the 48 acres of property the village owns that runs from Granger Road north to Mill Street, directly west of the Crescent Hills subdivision, and east of the H.T. Burt/Harvey Swanson complex.
‘We were waiting on this decision to decide if the ban will remain in place,? said Coy. ‘The village attorney will take a look at this case and advise us on which way it should go. We’ll look to the next council meeting on July 9 to discuss the issue.?
Erin McDonough, resource policy specialist for the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, questioned the ramifications of the decision.
‘The Michigan United Conservation Corp. is concerned about the possible implications this case will have on protecting hunting in cities, villages and other political subdivisions,? said McDonough. ‘The organization is currently working with legal counsel, the DNR and the attorney general to determine the full implications of this decision and to ensure continued hunting rights for our sportsmen.?