FIREARM ORDINANCE AMENDED FOR AREA EAST OF SHERIDAN ROAD IN PLEASANT PRAIRIE
On Monday, November 2, the Pleasant Prairie Village Board approved an amendment to the Village Firearm Ordinance. The amendment added text making it illegal to discharge a firearm utilizing a single projectile in the area of the Village bordered by Sheridan Road on the west, Lake Michigan on the east, 128th Street (Illinois State Line) to the south, and the Village boundary line to the north.
As of September 1, 2015, the DNR (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources) interpretation of Wisconsin hunting regulations has expanded the areas that are permissible for hunting to include areas within the Chiwaukee Prairie and Carol Beach. The DNR, Kenosha County and the Village recently completed an updated map showing the statutorily permissible limits for hunting on DNR owned lands in this area of the Village. The map is posted in the news section at PleasantPrairieOnline.com and on the DNR website.
The amendment to the Firearm Ordinance was proposed in an attempt to answer concerns of multiple interests including sportsmen/hunters, recreational trail users, and those who live in the area. "Portions of the areas that have been opened to hunting feature recreational trails used by walkers and runners," explained Police Chief David Smetana. "There are also homes near these areas, in addition to a rail line and State highway. By limiting not hunting but the use of single projectiles discharged from a firearm, we are attempting to address DNR's desire to provide hunting in this area while protecting other recreational users of the land and those who live in and travel through the area."
Those with questions regarding hunting in the Chiwaukee Prairie and Carol Beach areas are asked to contact the DNR hotline at 1-800-847-9367 or the Pleasant Prairie Police Department at 262.694.7105.