Opening day of archery hunting in Garvin Park will remain Oct. 24 this year, but safety concerns raised from the Lyon County Parks Board as well as users of Garvin Park means the issue will once again come before the board in 2027.
Lyon County Parks Board member Judy Eling Przybilla presented the concerns to the board of commissioners on Tuesday after delivering a letter with the same concerns to board members on Sept. 16.
The Lyon County Commissioners had previously approved an early start date for archery hunting in the park of Oct. 24, 2026. Previously, the archery hunting has opened in the park on Nov. 1.
JUDY ELING PRZYBILLA spoke in front of the Lyon County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday concerning archery hunting at Garvin Park. Photo / Tara Brandl
“I am appearing before you today to request the board remind the vote you made on September 1, 2026, to change the archery deer hunting season from November 1 to begin October 24. That date was originally recommended by the park board two years ago. I would also like to inquire why the Lyon County Parks Board was not advised or consulted to review the change to the archery hunting season in Garvin Park.”
Eling Przybilla expressed concerns as the Garvin Park Halloween Trail is taking place Oct. 16-17 with a rain date of Oct. 23-24. In addition, there is a horse riding event in October.
Environmental Director Roger Schroeder did confirm that a few hunting permits have already been purchased after the Oct. 24 start date was announced. The board discussed timing for this year as well as looking toward 2027. Discussion decided that it was too late to change for 2026, but a future conversation needed to be had with the recommendation of the Parks Board so their input is considered.
“I think that at this point it is too late to make the change for this year because we’ve already given out permits,” Commissioner Gary Crowley said. “But I think we need to relook at this. I know the rest of the commissioners know how I feel about this. Why have a board if we’re not going to pretty much follow their wishes or recommendations. These people that volunteer their time on these boards, we need to respect what their wishes are. Not just for the parks, we have museum board, library board, planning and zoning; if we want to make a change as commissioners, we should really look into it and make a valid reason why it should be changed, and we should go back to the board and say, why do you want the change.”
The board requested the archery date for 2027 be reviewed in late spring or early summer and the Parks Board look to bring their recommendation at that time.
• The board also approved a total of $176,934.50 in bids for work on Garvin Park camper cabins including $89,500 to B&H Excavating LLC for earthwork; $35,694.50 to Rock Island Concrete for concrete; and $51,740 to Meier Electric, Inc. for electrical.
The bids for well drilling were tabled until the next meeting so Schroeder could bring the board information archeological work that has been done at the park and whether the well installation could be done in the area they are proposing. The well installation would be for the camper cabins and the shower building.
