Jill Schramm/MDN Police officers Kristian Shaide, left, and Andy Mehlhoff, center, are recognized during the Minot City Council meeting Monday as recipients of the Life Saving Award. Capt. John Klug, right, vice president of the North Dakota Peace Officers Association, reads the citation prior to presenting the awards. Shaide and Mehlhoff responded to a call of a drug overdose Feb. 11. Mehlhoff delivered two doses of the antidote Narcan and the officers utilized a defibrillator and provided CPR until the ambulance arrived, saving the life of the 29-year-old woman.

An ordinance regulating bow hunting in city limits passed the Minot City Council on first reading Monday.

The ordinance creates a wildlife management program administered by the Minot Police Department in cooperation with the North Dakota Game & Fish Department. The program would allow for the police department to issue 20 deer management permits to applicants age 18 or older who have completed an archery safety course. Each permit holder may purchase up to two special deer bow season licenses from the state. After Nov. 1, permit holders may purchase from the state any of the 40 deer licenses allotted within the city that may be remaining at that time.

The season would run from Aug. 31, 2018, to Jan. 31, 2019. The council would have to designate a season and set the number of permits each year.

Minot resident Nancy Jacobson asked if hunting areas could be marked to alert residents and pedestrians.

“If someone sees a street-clothed person walking around with a high-powered bow, that’s a concern to me,” she said.

Council member Josh Wolsky responded there are logistical challenges in deer habitat areas to putting markers where people will be able to always see them.

“The idea was also brought forward if there is notification of that particular activity, there also may be attempts to disrupt that activity, which may create even a less ideal circumstance,” he said.

“I just hope notification is given to people in the area because one of my main concerns is children and citizens of Minot who are not aware of what’s happening. It could be a very dangerous situation,” Jacobson said.

The ordinance requires signed permission of a landowner, and the police chief also will review the suitability of the area proposed for hunting. The ordinance prohibits shooting across a roadway or playground; within 100 yards of a church, school or playground; or within 50 yards of a building or vehicle without permission. No arrow must land closer than 75 feet of any front-yard property line or 50 feet of any street.

The vote was 6-1, with Mayor Chuck Barney continuing to vote against in-city hunting as he has when the matter has previously been discussed. The ordinance will require a second reading before passage.