The town of Merrillville is looking to keep hunters out of residential areas. Residents are calling on the town to take ownership of a stretch of open land in the Sandpiper subdivision off of 93rd, after a bow hunter was apparently using the site. The 10-acre property is privately owned, despite the fact that it's legally a park and drainage easement and has no road access.
Now, town council member Shawn Pettit wants the current owner to donate the land, or the town could start eminent domain proceedings. "We are going to get that property, and it's going to go into Matt [Lake's] inventory in Stormwater. It's that simple," Pettit said during Tuesday's council meeting.
But beyond that, Pettit said it may be time to put more restrictions on hunting in general. "Merrillville's getting so populated and so developed that — you know, our ordinance says 10 acres or more for a shotgun hunting — I don't think we can do that anymore," Pettit said.
He plans to discuss possible changes to the town's hunting ordinance with the town attorney and the council affairs committee.
