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City staff: state law now allows bow hunting on private property; Peachtree City will amend local ordinance
Summary
City staff told council that recent state-law changes supersede parts of the municipal ordinance and now allow archery hunting on private property; the city will consider amending local code and may permit hunting on city-owned lands after further study.
Council discussed options to address Peachtree City's deer population after staff reported that recent changes in state law allow use of bows for hunting on private property and thereby supersede conflicting local ordinance provisions.
City Manager Justin Strickland and City Attorney Ted Meeker told council that state law permits discharge of bows on private property for hunting when state licensing requirements are met, which creates a legal preemption of the city's prohibition. Meeker said the supremacy clause analysis demonstrates the state law supersedes the local ordinance provisions that had prohibited discharging bows within city limits.
Councilwoman Brown said staff will draft ordinance amendments next year to remove language that conflicts with state law and to consider whether to permit and regulate hunting on city land in a way that gives the city more control over urban‑deer management. Staff noted hunters must hold state licenses and follow limits (for example, season limits and bag rules); staff also flagged local processing facilities available nearby.
No immediate regulatory change was adopted at the meeting; council directed staff to return with proposed ordinance language and options for permitting hunting on city property as a management tool.
