It seems that some hunters are taking advantage of the situation on Chattahoochee Bend State Park property in north Coweta. And that is something Coweta commissioners believe should stop. Commissioners Dec. 16 voted to request that Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) either eliminate hunting or limit the number of hunters and hunting days on the property.

DNR had approved the new 3,000-acre state park open for hunting throughout the season without limitations as to the number of hunts or any special dates, Dist. 2 Commissioner Tim Lassetter told commissioners. Referencing his comments in a letter to DNR Commissioner Noel Holcomb, Lassetter said, “While there have only been a few incidents so far at this location, I’m concerned that the situation would have been much worse if not for the efforts of DNR staff and county staff who have kept a watchful eye on this property.”

Coweta County Sheriff Mike Yeager agreed, telling commissioners that issues with hunting had increased since the state land had opened for hunting.

“The number of complaints has gone way up,” Yeager said. “People aren’t signing in at the kiosk and people are hunting next to other people’s land. A lot of people are coming in from outside the county.”

Lassetter recommended, and commissioners agreed, to request that DNR consider either eliminating hunting in the state park site or institute a quota system to limit the number of hunters or the number of days permitted for hunting.

Four years in the making, Chattahoochee Bend was approved in July to become Georgia’s newest state park. The expansive 3,000 acre setting is located in northwest Coweta on property bordering Carroll and Heard counties.

The park will feature 11.3 miles of equestrian trails, 5.9 miles of mountain bike trails, 22.8 miles of hiking trails and a two-mile hard surface multi-use trail. For what is described as a passive park, Chattahoochee Bend will not be short on amenities. Tentatively set for Phase 1 and expected to be completed by summer 2010 are road construction, infrastructure, the park office and staff residence, canoe/kayak/boat launches and fishing piers near the north and south river-front stretches of the park and a day-use activities area that will feature a playground, seven picnic shelters with adjacent parking, a rest station and a gathering area outfitted with an interpretative kiosk.

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