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Bill Buchner takes his French bulldog, Petey, for a walk along Lake Mohegans trails about three times a week now that spring has arrived. He hasnt considered the possibility that he might encounter hunters on his walks in the woods. But if that happened in Fairfield, however, Buchner admits he would be worried for Peteys safety.
I have no opposition to hunting, Buchner said. But it would certainly need to be someplace where dogs and walkers are not generally found.
In 2009, the town Conservation Commission agreed to change Fairfields laws regarding hunting in town-owned open spaces in an effort to curb the deer population. The changes would allow carrying firearms and hunting in those spaces with a permit issued by the commission.
But before those permits are issued, the town will need to set up a Deer Management Committee, which it has not yet done. And the open spaces would also be closed on designated hunting days.
Still, the Coalition Against Hunting in Open Spaces wants the law stricken from the books. The group of concerned residents started gathering signatures a year ago for a petition to the Board of Selectmen and the Representative Town Meeting to create a town ordinance banning hunting in Open Spaces.
Town-owned open space is used recreationally every day of the year, and should not be closed for any period to accommodate hunting activities, the petition says. It will be impossible to provide adequate notice to every person who uses these open space parcels, or to block all access points, in order to prevent risk to the public during times when hunting is allowed.
The movement gained more support last week, when June Mastonardi and Peter Hood took action. The two Fairfielders are the head of Fairfield Beach Access, a group that successfully advocated allowing dog owners to take their pets to Fairfields beaches. The two said in an email to their supporters that they decided to join fight of the Coalition Against Hunting in Open Spaces because of concerns that those same dog owners might be at risk in the summer, when they move from the beaches to other open spaces.
Fairfield Beach Access members believe that this decision not only represents an inconvenience to dog guardians, but a direct threat to the health and safety of our dogs, Mastonardi and Hood wrote.
For now, Petey is safe. So Buchner says hell continue his walks until the laws take effect. After all, until permits are issued, Lake Mohegan is still safer than a walk along the road. At least here, hes free to roam, Buchner said.
Do you think hunting should be allowed in the towns open spaces? Share your opinions in the comments below.
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