A resident of Whistler, B.C., wants crossbow hunting banned in the municipality after learning that it's legal to use the weapons to hunt bears within the resort community's boundaries.

Sylvia Dolson opposes bear hunting and says it's just a matter of time before a person becomes a victim of a crossbow.

"Safety is a major concern," Dolson told CBC News. "We have all kinds of parks, hiking trails, biking trails."

Dolson discovered the legal exception after a conservation officer told her firearm use was banned, but crossbow hunting was fair game.

She is urging Whistler's municipal council to amend the law, which allows crossbow hunting as long as it's more than 100 metres from occupied buildings and 15 metres from the centre line of a road. The shooter also must have a valid hunting licence.

Unlike a standard archery bow, which is held vertically, a crossbow is mounted horizontally on a stock and fired with a trigger.

Council supports a bow-hunting ban, according to Whistler's mayor.

Local hunter opposed

"We already have bylaws that address other forms of hunting in Whistler," said Ken Melamed. "And we want to make sure bow-hunting is included in these regulations."

But one local hunting advocate says a ban is unnecessary.

"There is no evidence to support that [need for a ban]," said Clark Gatehouse, president of the Pemberton Wildlife Association.

"I haven't ever even heard of an innocent bystander being hit in all of Canada. In a lot of eastern parts of North America, bow hunters hunt in and around suburban areas because it's not dangerous."

Gatehouse said there are only a few licensed hunters who use a bow in the Whistler area. The issue is expected to come before Whistler's council within a week.

Bear hunting season begins Sept. 1.

Editor's Note: Further reading on this topic

RMOW reviewing bow hunting regulations, by Stephen Smysnuik, Pique Newsmagazine, August 4th, 2010

Bowhunting often ‘inhumane’, John Kratky, Whistler Question, Letter to the Editor, August 4th, 2010

Bowhunting not a threat to public: hunters, Jennifer Miller, Whistler Question, August 4th, 2010

In defense of hunting, Clarke Gatehouse, Whistler Question, Letter to the Editor, August 4th, 2010

Support for bowhunting ban, Patricia Dagg, Whistler Question, Letter to the Editor, August 4th, 2010

Bowhunter fires back, Curtis Christian, Whistler Question, Letter to the Editor, August 4th, 2010