'Sorry for the inconvenience but we're not breaking any laws here'
YAKIMA, Wash. -- "Can you only stay in the middle of the golf course? Can you come over to my side of the fence and you can fire the geese over my head because you're firing from the golf course? What are the parameters?" asked “Betsy”.
These were safety concerns raised by one neighbor who wished to remain anonymous. She was startled when she heard a round of shots go off in her backyard on a Saturday afternoon.
"It's not that large of an area that a stray bullet wouldn't come down somewhere," said “Betsy”.
The manager said a group of five hunters shot geese on the middle of Suntides Golf Course off Highway 12 and Old Naches highway on Saturdays. Golfers were not allowed on the course during this time, but neighbors like "Betsy" were still concerned. KIMA asked what the manager had to say.
"Sorry for the inconvenience but we're not breaking any laws here," said Paul Cobleigh.
And he was right. KIMA spoke with the County Sheriff's office and found out it was legal to shoot guns in residential areas in the county. Anywhere that's unincorporated in the county, people were allowed to fire weapons in a safe manner which meant target practicing and hunting.
"The Sheriff's office recommends that shooters stay at least 400 feet away from the homes, but hunters on this golf course stay triple that distance," said Reporter.
"Betsy" said five years ago a neighbor said there was a big legal effort to get rid of that law. She hoped to see the hunters off the golf course.
"My husband is getting more and more childlike the deeper he gets into Alzheimer’s and he needs protection," said “Betsy.”
This was a state law so anyone that wanted to appeal would have to contact state lawmakers. "Betsy" was still thinking about whether she would petition this.
These were safety concerns raised by one neighbor who wished to remain anonymous. She was startled when she heard a round of shots go off in her backyard on a Saturday afternoon.
"It's not that large of an area that a stray bullet wouldn't come down somewhere," said “Betsy”.
The manager said a group of five hunters shot geese on the middle of Suntides Golf Course off Highway 12 and Old Naches highway on Saturdays. Golfers were not allowed on the course during this time, but neighbors like "Betsy" were still concerned. KIMA asked what the manager had to say.
"Sorry for the inconvenience but we're not breaking any laws here," said Paul Cobleigh.
And he was right. KIMA spoke with the County Sheriff's office and found out it was legal to shoot guns in residential areas in the county. Anywhere that's unincorporated in the county, people were allowed to fire weapons in a safe manner which meant target practicing and hunting.
"The Sheriff's office recommends that shooters stay at least 400 feet away from the homes, but hunters on this golf course stay triple that distance," said Reporter.
"Betsy" said five years ago a neighbor said there was a big legal effort to get rid of that law. She hoped to see the hunters off the golf course.
"My husband is getting more and more childlike the deeper he gets into Alzheimer’s and he needs protection," said “Betsy.”
This was a state law so anyone that wanted to appeal would have to contact state lawmakers. "Betsy" was still thinking about whether she would petition this.
Crazy yes, but not suprising in todays world that people would move next to a golf course and complain about golf balls in thier yard (well da ) . But what is suprising is that KIMA would film and waste time and money on a legal hunting trip and make it sound like these hunters were shooting and target practicing with assault riffles and bullets this is very poor reporting, or is there a hidden agenda here that if kima is to stir the pot on a legal activety that has to do with gun control, they can sell more papers. I dont wonder why. I just wonder when Yakima will get a news channel thats worth the time to watch or read. and I dont remember now if you stated the fact that the guns where shot guns and the hunters where set up with over 600yds of room to shoot to the closes structure. I guess I dont care much for the picture your trying to drawing here, and I bet no hunter or sportsman in the pacific northwest does. That would be my best guess. no harm, no close calls, no foul just a waste of time and pure hog wash !
Yes this is crazy that people make assumptions with no facts and that if people complain enough, that property owners will lose their rights, Is this Russia
I have to say after watching our yakima valley news that you would show an assault rifle a lever action rifle, but no shotgun! The hunters on the course are very responsible & they are using a weapon that is not leathal beyond 50 yards! You say you are fair & balanced but you are lacking on information & you are siding with the rest of the no gun people! This is the northwest & we have been hunting on these grounds way before this lady moved here from california! I lost my father to alzhiemers & for her to use the dementia excuse is terrible! Put him in a home where he will be safe or move into sown town!
Your story is lacking in several details. Â Is "Betsy" new to living the county? Â Does Betsy understand the difference between a "bullet" and a shotgun pellet? Â Is she just ignorant, or something more severe?