NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — People living in an East Nashville neighborhood said they have major concerns after they found evidence of hunters in the wooded area behind their homes.
Neighbors say they saw a tree stand and barrels of bait left in the woods near McGavock and Cooper Lane. The 20-acre lot is vacant, but privately owned, according to city records.
"This is a place that's pretty much been untouched," one neighbor, who didn't want to give his name, said. He said the stand was very close to homes in the area.
"Within 20 to 30 yards you have multiple homes," he said.
It's not illegal to hunt within Davidson County if the hunters have permission from property owners and are obeying all other regulations. In Tennessee, it is illegal to hunt on public land that is within 100 yards of somebody's home, but a State Supreme Court ruling from 2010 said that regulation did not apply to private land.
It is unclear if the lot was actually used to hunt and if so, the hunters had permission from the landowners. Still, neighbors say the stand was too close for comfort.
"It's a huge safety concern for me and all my neighbors," the neighbor said, adding that there are several families with kids who live in the area.
A neighbor took the concerns online, and after a Facebook post received hundreds of interactions, the stand and bait disappeared. Now people who live nearby say they hope any hunters stay away.
