It's pretty common to see duck hunters out on rivers and lakes in boats, kayaks, or waders. But a few Jeffersonville, Indiana, residents were recently shocked to look out their windows and see a hunter in the water near the downtown waterfront.
However, city leaders doubt the activity is illegal. According to WDRB, city officials are looking into the legality of hunting so close to downtown. The city also said hunting is occurring on the water but is scaring animals and residents who live nearby.
One of those residents has lived in the area for over 40 years and has never seen a duck hunter so close to the shore. Ford Miles told WDRB, "I looked out, and I saw something bobbing in the river. I think it was last Sunday. Finally, they turned around, and I saw the motor on the back of it. So then, I realized it was some camouflage boat for hunting."
Miles wasn't the only Jeffersonville resident to see the duck hunters and raise the red flag. According to Jeffersonville City Councilman Bill Burns, there have been many complaints from multiple residents.
"A gentleman downtown here made a complaint," Burns said. "He was out walking his dogs, and he heard the gunshots that went off, and his dogs kind of got scared. So that's what alerted the homeowner." Burns feels that something needs to be done, and his concern goes beyond homeowners and their animals. He feels that pedestrians are at risk, too.
"The concern is the residential and the people that visit and the walking bridges right there. You know, hunters are pretty responsible people. But, you know, accidents do happen," Burns said.
Despite the complaints and calls for action, city officials are not entirely certain the activity is illegal, especially since the area has both residential and commercial zoning. Burns told WDRB, "Well, we haven't done a lot of research. But based on what we have seen, it's not illegal."
The City Council has turned to the city attorney to get to the bottom of the situation. The attorney is checking city rules and regulations in regard to duck hunting on the river.
"We obviously don't want to impede their rights to hunt or anything. But we just would like for them to be a little more friendly and not be right in the middle of downtown," said Burns.
Miles is interested to see if it is legal or not, but isn't too concerned. He said, "I wouldn't think you could because of the people walking up and down the side of the river."
City officials don't expect to anything to happen until January.
