Fernbridge shooting ordinance in progress aims to promote safety

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FERNDALE – Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal is working with county supervisors on a shooting ordinance to protect Ferndale farmers, livestock and homes from being victim to irresponsible target shooting.

The issue has been ongoing near Fernbridge along the Eel River for years, as it has become a popular place to practice shooting – but dangerous for nearby locals who say they’ve had bullets “fly over their heads.”

Right now shooting along the river bar is lawful, but restrictions could be coming soon.

Sheriff Honsal tells us a draft ordinance could be ready for public comment within the next three weeks.

He says the ordinance may include prohibited shooting areas and rules – such as that you can only shoot in an area with a bank that is 20 feet high – in aim of promoting safety.

“There are people that shoot recklessly on the river bar. We have homes, we have ranches, we have animals and people that are affected by that, that reckless discharge of a firearm down there,” explained Sheriff Honsal, “Safety is always the most important thing. We have a lot of hunters here and we’re getting to be in hunting season. Shooting shot guns in the rivers, that’s not a problem, that’s never a problem – its people when they’re sighting their rifles and they’re not cognizant of a good back stop of where that bullet is going.”

If you do come across a person shooting recklessly, you should contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office.

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