Oklahoma: Lexington City Council Attempting to Outlaw Discharge of Bows

The Lexington City Council will meet tomorrow, December 2, at 7:00 p.m. in the Luther Dean Memorial Council Chambers of Lexington City Hall at 111 East Broadway Street to discuss a proposed anti-hunting ordinance.

Council members will discuss and act on an ordinance adding the discharge of a bow, crossbow, compound bow and recurve bow to “offenses against the peace.”  This ordinance could ban all bow hunting and target practice within Lexington corporate limits.  Lexington currently has an ordinance prohibiting the discharge of firearms.

At a time when bow hunting and target shooting are becoming more and more popular, it is hard to understand why the Lexington City Council wants to make it a crime to practice archery.  More than 400 Oklahoma schools, ranging from elementary to high school, participate in the National Archery in the Schools Program in which students learn the history of archery, safety, techniques, equipment, mental concentration and self-improvement.  Also, Oklahoma was one of the first states to adopt the Explore Bowhunting curriculum, which teaches students the basic skills of bow hunting and an appreciation for the outdoors.  These programs are great recruiting tools and a way to preserve our hunting heritage by introducing young people to the sport.

Hunting is an important and traditional recreational activity in which more than 13 million Americans 16 years old and older participate.  Oklahomans approved the state constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish amendment in 2008 with an overwhelming 80 percent voter approval, and yet, the Lexington City Council wants to ban hunting.  Hunting continues to be one of the safest recreational activities in America, and it’s up to you to defend it.

The City Council has been discussing a hunting ban in the city limits for the past few months, as reported here.  Make your voice heard by attending this meeting and expressing your opposition to this ordinance in the public comment period.  It is critical for local sportsmen to show their support of hunting.

If you are unable to attend tomorrow’s meeting, please contact your City Council Member by visiting the City Council website or by calling (405) 527-6123 to let them know you support hunting and Oklahoma’s rich hunting heritage.