JACKSON — The Northampton County Commissioners plan to take suggestions from hunters and property owners about deer hunting dogs concerns.

On Wednesday, County Manager Wayne Jenkins updated the board about the issue after Commissioner Virginia Spruill asked about the matter during the board comments section of the meeting.

Jenkins said at the last board meeting, the commissioners had instructed him to coordinate and schedule a public meeting in late February. He added the meeting would bring together property owners, hunters and hunting clubs and would deliver a general discussion as well as recommended solutions.

“I do know that local hunting clubs had a meeting last Thursday evening where they discussed it and they are aware of it,” Jenkins said. “It is now a public issue.”

He concluded that unless the board had objections, he would arrange the meeting for either the third or fourth week of next month.

“I think we all have received calls regarding that issue, but we thought it would be a good idea to have a public informational meeting,” said Commission Chair Fannie Greene.

In December, Dr. Riddick Ricks addressed the commissioners about deer dogs invading his property and causing havoc on his wildlife preserve. He urged the board to look into regulating hunting with deer dogs, but at the same time preserve the rights of hunters.