Chapter 11 · Public Offenses

Article 2. Local Regulations

Sections 11-201 to 11-209 · 9 sections

11-201 Loitering and other acts in or about schools.

It shall be unlawful for any person to loiter, idle, wander, stroll or play in, about or on any public school grounds or buildings either on foot or in or on any vehicle, without having some lawful business therein or thereabout.

(Ord. 394, Sec. 1)

11-202 Disturbance of students, employees and school activities.

It shall be unlawful to annoy or disturb any students or employees of any public school or in any manner prevent the ordinary conduct of classes and other activities of any such school including sports events, plays, field trips or any other school related activity not herein mentioned.

(Ord. 394, Sec. 2)

11-203 Discharge of firearms for the taking of wildlife is prohibited.

Section 10.5 of Article 10 of the Uniform Public Offense Code is supplemented to indicate that the discharge of any firearms for the taking of wildlife, within the corporate limits of the city, is prohibited. Nothing herein shall be construed as preventing discharge of a firearm in lawful self-defense or defense of another person against an animal attack.

11-204 Exception to prohibition against discharging bow and arrow within the city.

There is hereby created an exception to the prohibition of Section 10.6 of Article 10 of the Uniform Public Offense Code that a bow and arrow only be discharged within a building or structure such that the arrow cannot escape. But such exception shall only allow the discharge of a bow and arrow for the purpose of target practice and/or the hunting of deer on specified property with acreage in excess of three (3) acres whose owner has applied for such exception and has been granted the same by the Governing Body. All exceptions shall become effective sixty (60) days prior to the commencement of the State archery deer hunting season and shall terminate upon the end of such hunting season. The sixty (60) day period is intended to allow for target practice prior to commencement of the hunting season, although such practice may continue throughout the season. All applications for an exception shall require the following:

(a)Filed with the City Clerk on or before July 1st of each year; and

(b)Written proof that all owners of adjoining property have been notified that the application for exception has been made to the city; and

(c)Aerial photograph, provided by the owner or obtained from city staff, depicting the property applying for the exception, as well as all adjoining properties; and

(d)Written proof of the acreage of the property; and

(e)Written acknowledgement by the landowner that city staff, law enforcement, and the State Wildlife official have access to the property during all hunting hours.

(Ord. 2074; Ord. 2343)

11-205 Compliance requirements for use of exception for target practice.

Any landowner who has been granted an exception pursuant to the foregoing Section 11-203 shall ensure that the following requirements are disclosed and adhered to by any person engaging in target practice on the owner’s land pursuant to the exception:

(a)The person possesses and has on his/her person, a valid photo identification and a copy of the Resolution authorizing the exception;

(b)No arrow may be discharged or projected at such an angle or distance as to land on public or private property not described in the exception;

(c)All target practice shall be conducted so that all arrows are released from a location that is elevated at least five (5) feet above the target. The target shall be mounted on, or consist of, a material dense enough so that it is impossible for an arrow to travel through the material and exit out the other side. The target and shooting lanes shall be located in such a way as to direct arrows to the interior of the property and to prevent any arrow from landing closer than fifty (50) yards to any property line identified by the exception;

(d)No target practice is permitted if the person has consumed cereal malt beverages, alcoholic liquor or any controlled substances, as defined in this Code, two hours prior to, or during, the shooting of a bow and arrow.

(e)Target practice is only allowed between the times of one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset;

(f)No one under the age of eighteen (18) is permitted to discharge a bow and arrow pursuant to the exception; and

(g)Use of Crossbows is prohibited.

(Ord. 2074; Ord. 2343)

11-206 Compliance requirements for use of exception for deer hunting.

Any landowner who has been granted an exception pursuant to the foregoing Section 11-204 shall ensure that the following requirements are disclosed and adhered to by any person hunting deer on the owner’s land pursuant to the exception:

(a)The person possesses and has on his/her person, a Deer Hunting License and a Kansas Deer Tag issued by the State of Kansas (the “State Permit”), as well as a valid photo identification and a copy of the Resolution authorizing the exception;

(b)No arrow may be discharged or projected at such an angle or distance as to land on public or private property not described in the exception;

(c)Any activity performed in conjunction with the issuance of the exception, including, but not limited to, field dressing or other handling of the deer, must occur on the property specified in the exception;

(d)The transportation of a carcass along any public right-of-way is prohibited, unless it is covered and transported in a motor vehicle.

(e)All hunting shall be conducted from an elevated tree stand that is fifteen (15) feet or more in height and faces the interior of the property identified by the exception. The tree stands and shooting lanes will be located in such a way as to direct arrows to the interior of the property and to prevent any arrow from landing closer than fifty (50) yards to any property line identified by the exception for deer hunting.

(f)No hunting is permitted if the person has consumed cereal malt beverages, alcoholic liquor or any controlled substances, as defined in this Code, two hours prior to hunting or during hunting activities.

(g)Hunting is only allowed between the times of one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset;

(h)No one under the age of eighteen (18) is permitted to discharge a bow and arrow pursuant to the exception;

(i)It is the responsibility of the bow hunter to inform City law enforcement by telephone that a wounded deer has left the property identified by the exception and to inform law enforcement of the deer’s location;

(j)All wounded deer that exit the property identified by the exception shall be retrieved by the bow hunter after law enforcement has been notified and after permission is granted from the owner of property where the deer is located;

(k)Use of Crossbows is prohibited;

(l)Deer are the only animals allowed to be hunted pursuant to the exception.

(Ord. 2074; Ord. 2343)

11-207 Deer depredation permits.

The city may issue property owners exceptions allowing the discharge of a bow and arrow for deer hunting outside of the State archery deer hunting season but such exceptions shall only become valid upon an inspection by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks determining that the property owner has a deer overpopulation, that the deer have caused property damage and that the Department recommends bow hunting to reduce the deer population and property damage. Such exceptions shall be considered on a case by case basis by the Governing Body and shall be subject to all of the requirements of Sections 11-205 and 11-206, and the penalties provided by Section 11-209.

(Ord. 2074; Ord. 2343)

11-208 Exception to prohibition against discharging bow and arrow within the city for Widow Big Knife Park.

There is hereby created an exception to the prohibition of Section 10.6 of Article 10 of the Uniform Public Offense Code with respect to a bow and arrow, but such exception shall only apply to the City owned land known as Widow Big Knife Park and only under the supervision of the Prairie Traditional Archers Club and only for as long as the Park is under lease to the Club.

(Ord. 2224; Ord. 2343)

11-209 Failure to comply; penalty.

A violation of any of the requirements imposed by this Article 2 of Chapter 11 of the City Code shall subject the landowner and/or person discharging the firearm or bow and arrow to being cited in Municipal Court for violation of this Article, which violation shall subject the landowner and/or person discharging the firearm or bow and arrow to a fine not exceeding $500 or be imprisoned not to exceed 180 days or be both fined and imprisoned. Additionally, any violation shall cause any exception or permit issued by the City to be immediately revoked, and each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues after notice has been served shall constitute an additional or separate offense. Failure to comply with the requirements of Article 2 may result in the denial of future exceptions.

(Ord. 2074; Ord. 2343)