The Fayette Board of Alderman repealed an ordinance that banned all hunting at D.C. Rogers Lake. The action essentially reverts the city’s code to a previous ordinance which would allow waterfowl hunting at the lake. Bowhunting will also be allowed. 

The matter had come under discussion over the last year. Previously, sportsmen have been allowed to hunt ducks and other waterfowl at the lake. 

During its regular meeting on May 19, the Fayette city council heard from parks director Benji Conrow who suggested the city revert back to the older ordinance to once again allow duck and bowhunting at the city-owned lake.

The ordinance was changed in June 2019 to ban all hunting at DC Rogers when the city had hoped to redevelop the area. Since then Fayette was denied a Recreational Trails Program grant from Missouri State Parks, rendering moot the recreation improvements at the lake. Area sportsmen have been working with the Parks Board to once again allow duck hunting at the lake during seasons which occur from November to January. Archery season for deer is open September 15 through mid-January.

City council members expressed concern for hunting at DC Rogers due to increases in camping and boating at the lake. But the waterfowl seasons occur during the winter months when activity at the lake is minimal.

The motion carried 5-0.