Commentary; Posted: 8/14/02

Lack of common sense a factor in hunting debate

It should be no surprise that society is often forced to create rules to govern the majority based on the activities of the few. It is often the few who spoil if for the majority.

And so it is in part with a study now in place in Forest Lake that may recommend changes in certain hunting rules to Forest Lake City Council. It is not surprising that this study has been attacked in some circles as unnecessary and arbitrary.

David Schwartz, the cityís director of public safety and police chief, is the man in charge of reviewing hunting rules and regulations in the city.

Schwartz is a hunter, sportsman and a believer in the rights of gun ownership. He is in no way hell-bent on a mission to control the guns of hunters or slap hunting bans on all areas of Forest Lake.

But he does recognize the need for some regulations. A list of hunting complaints from homeowners last fall is evidence.

We have to agree with the city official that homeowners should not have to alter their lives or have fear of being pelted by lead shot by simply being out in their yards in the fall. It is such instances that have led to citizen complaints in the past and more are sure to follow if some change in hunting rules and regulations for the fall waterfowl season are not made.

If common sense was the rule, city officials would not face the dilemma they encounter this year. But the fact is the behavior of some hunters may have an impact on what all hunters can do in the future.

It should be common sense that duck hunters should not fire weapons in the direction of homes, but it has happened. It should be common sense that hunters should stay away from areas that are dotted with homes, but thatís not always the case.

The public sessions to collect input from the public will continue. Schwartz plans to compile the input which ultimately will be forwarded to the city council with a list of recommendations. The council could take action yet this fall or continue to collect input and study the issue further.

In our opinion, it is clear that some areas of the lake may need to be declared off limits for hunting. The same may hold for densely populated areas, but large parcels of land, 10 acres or more, are not expected to see new restrictions.

Deer hunting as it exists today in the still rural parts of Forest Lake should continue as it has for years. Common sense has ruled here, too, as the deer and hunters have moved on as residential areas have developed.

We can understand the critics of the proposals who have fears over the potential loss of hunting rights. But we would hope they weigh the overall facts before using Schwartz as a dart board and the fall guy in the process. Schwartz is no euphorian out to ban hunting and guns.

What should be excused from the discussion is the anti-city criticism coming from a select few who are still bitter over the joining of Forest Lake Township and the city of Forest Lake. For these folks, the hunting debate is nothing more than an avenue to pursue their anti-city rhetoric and produce a political football for the November election.

It has nothing to do with the debate over hunting issues.

Talk to anyone living in the 800 acres west of I-35 who joined the city a decade ago and youíll find there have been no changes in terms of hunting and their lifestyles have continued much the same as they did prior to that annexation.

What must be understood is that as Forest Lake continues to grow and add more homes and businesses, some of the old ways wonít be able to continue as they have in the past.

Like the hunters who donít think before they act, this is another form of common sense that we must all come to understand and accept. ó Cliff Buchan

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