Starkville City Leaders Consider Amending Ordinance To Allow Hunting Under Certain Circumstances

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- City leaders in Starkville are considering changing an ordinance that would make it legal to hunt and discharge firearms on annexed property.

The city is looking to annex areas east of Starkville.

On some of those properties homeowners are allowed to hunt and use firearms.

However, that would go against an existing city ordinance against discharging firearms within city limits.

On Tuesday, the board of aldermen held the first of two public hearings to change or clarify the ordinance.

If approved, hunting will be allowed on areas that have at least 10 acres of land and is more than 150 feet away from a residence or occupied dwelling.

“In this case we’re trying to come into compliance with state laws and whatever state law says,” said Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill. “If it preempts us in anything we might do then we want to be in compliance. If it says that we have the latitude to do something, then we want to consider whether or not bringing annexed areas in might be something that we want to allow them to be able to continue doing that they are doing currently under a county ordinance, county statute, or the county position under state law.”

City leaders will hold another public meeting at the next board meeting, and they may also vote on the matter.