For the first time in my life I'm living in a community with an hoa (ughhh). There are approximately 240 acres of open lands wedged in between housing areas. These areas are open to everyone in the neighborhood. One particular wooded area is about 50 acres and is nowhere near houses. I've checked the hoa rules and it doesn't mention anything about hunting. There are no, no hunting signs, and I checked all the local county ordinances and it appears there is nothing illegal about hunting there and with a bow. What do you think?
This is a "progressive" community. Doubt they will say yes. Haha Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Have any stats from local PD on accidents, county biologist that can help make a case to manage populations...? I think you're gonna have an uphill fight, but should get board approval, explain safety mitigants (e.g. Shooting down from a stand, your safety gear) and your experience plus any 'experts' like the above may help. Ultimately, you could argue, there is no ordinance or HOA clause, so this would be property owner discretion, right...?
If you can't find anything that explicitly says no, then you are probably ok to hunt it. IMO I wouldn't go to the board, since they may close your loophole. Not sure about state laws on land owner permission where you are, but that may be the hard part to get around.
If the Warden says it's a legal place to hunt, and the HOA does not lay out rules for hunting I would go that route without addressing the board. If you bring it up to the board it will likely get rejected or, at a minimum, give others the idea to hunt the same potential honey hole if they give the green light.
Check city ordinances, and see if you'd be in violation of anything first. If you're out in county line you'll probably be good. With the HOA, I guarantee someone will complain if they see you dragging a deer out of the tree line. The board might be ok with it, but worst case you get fined $25. Set up a trail cam and see if it's worth your time and trouble. If theres a decent buck, might be better to ask forgiveness after the fact lol.
Some municipalities don't allow hunting in any way, shape or form. Are up in the city limits or county? That might determine if you can hunt. If it's on your "home turf," check the HOA rules. Some are really weird. I know of a guy who can't even fish in the pond in his community. My parents lived in a subdivision in Florida. Dad had a sheet-metal business. Had to park the company pickup in the garage due to commercial vehicles not to be visible from the street.
I would tell them if it's brown it's down. Next I would warn them to wear something other than brown when hiking through the woods. . All kidding aside I like the idea of asking the game warden before saying anything to the home owners association.
I've checked all county ordinances and I'm 100% legal in terms of location and weapon used. I have access to those 240 acres per my hoa contract. I picked a spot that isnt within 600 yards of any known trail. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
You can complain about what the HOA decides but that is what you get for living in a place that has a HOA.
Not real happy about the hoa thing but it was the best decision for my kids for what they are going through and the quality of the schools, some being the best in the state. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Btw. I'm not too worried about hunting this spot. Since we moved this year I've scouted a good 150 hrs on several large public pieces. I just like the idea of hunting 1 mile from home. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
At least go do a walk-thru. There may be stands already in there. Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
