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Need Help! Local City Ordinance Planned to Ban Hunting

huntmore said:
your right they can't ban hunting, but they can restrict guns being discharged all towns can put additional restrictions
so selling the land is a good thing to the hunters
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The town can make restrictions, for instance banning firearms on town/city land, however if you can get to the state land I don't think the firearm ban would apply. That's the sitaution I have in Acton. A small plot owned by the state in the middle of a town that bans hunting and discharging firearms. Finding my way unto the property was half the fun this passed season!
 
pesqimon said:
The town can make restrictions, for instance banning firearms on town/city land, however if you can get to the state land I don't think the firearm ban would apply. That's the sitaution I have in Acton. A small plot owned by the state in the middle of a town that bans hunting and discharging firearms. Finding my way unto the property was half the fun this passed season!
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Interesting, I always thought towns could place further restrictions for gun discharge
will have to check with the Mass Wildlife with someone I know, I don't doubt you it's more for my own knowledge on what's allow and not

I lived for a while in the bordering town of Acton, Maynard so I know the atmosphere of Acton, I'm west of Fitchburg now
 
BenG said:
Is the written permission really that bad? If you have to ask for permission anyway why would it matter that it has to be written. It might be difficult to prosecute trespassers without the law.

Instead of fighting about it think of a way to compromise like archery programs through the city, police department, private organizations, etc...

If there are that many people in favor of the new legislation then there is a reason for it. It’s not all just anti hunters. You are not going to convince anti hunters to let you hunt. Focus on the people that have legitimate reasons and find a way to compromise with them so you both win.

Also, I don’t think the city selling the land is a very smart long term strategy.
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My central concern is a ban on city owned public land. We will not have access to hunt if this passes.

If written permission passes, I have no beef with that. Just preserve access to public land with reasonable approach for all to enjoy regardless of their purpose.


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huntmore said:
I agree, all land in Massachusetts is managed for hunting if not posted properly or town ordinances

I've even been informed that individuals who walk pubic land without the proper orange not hunting have been cited for safety and disrupting hunters, as much of a highly populated state Mass is very serious of allowing access to the Hunters

The Hunters here pay stamps for land acquisitions and wildlife improvement
people seem to forget the recreation land the majority of non hunters enjoy most times was purchase by the stamps hunters pay for

so it's puzzling to see you write
"I don’t think the city selling the land is a very smart long term strategy "

What is so wrong with selling the land and placing in the stewardship of the Mass Wildlife, the town can still make restricitons
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Let me clarify, I don’t think it’s smart for the city’s long term interests to sell their land to help with their budget. Short term solution to a long term problem. In regards to hunting, I agree it would be a win for the hunters if they did that.
 
BenG said:
Let me clarify, I don’t think it’s smart for the city’s long term interests to sell their land to help with their budget. Short term solution to a long term problem. In regards to hunting, I agree it would be a win for the hunters if they did that.
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...and that’s why a sensible approach makes sense. We don’t have to sell. Surrounding communities designate specific public land for hunting and mixed use. If firearms are the issue, let’s discuss, but to blatantly lock out hunters when 214 acres are available reeks of anti-hunter sentiment.

@BenG Please join me on February 5th. I need your support.


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I have shared a link to my message of gratitude and call to action. Will you please watch, share and pass the word.

In the words of Teddy Roosevelt, “Do what you can, with what you’ve got, where you are.”


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pesqimon said:
@Dale Rheaume a buddy from BHA sent me this :
https://www.thoughtco.com/hunting-accident-rates-127877

Shows some statistics about hunting accidents.

Can you also clarify what lands are at risk for closure to hunting? It seems like conservation land is already closed to hunting.
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@persqimon sorry for late reply. Thanks for the link. To answer your question, the lands at risk are owned by The City of Attleboro. There is also a non-profit organization Attleboro Land Trust which also owns land in Attleboro, and they have denied hunting access on their properties. This may be a source of confusion to some as it may be implied that the Land Trust is part of the municipal government which it is not.. OnX maps is a great tool to reference for clarification.

The 214 acres that I hunt are without question owned by the city and the residents represented by our city council. Here’s a snapshot of a portion as shown on OnX maps.
1fe2214036828c117fc83c2bf951b9fc.jpg


Currently, there is no stated ban on public land hunting in the Attleboro Ordinance. It is this draft proposal which will change that if approved.


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Apparently the Massachusetts Attorney General has intervened on behalf of outdoorsmen in other towns and cities regarding municipalities attempting to encroach on DFW’s authority to regulate hunting.

Read the attached letter from AG to Town of Westport. They were ordered to strike “written permission” from their bylaws.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1yLfv4EVD7DB1Gua9RtWma9lHfUBARc_0

I will politely share this information with Attleboro City Council in case this is a simple misunderstanding. I hate to see our elected representatives tied up on issues such as this when their time could be better served by addressing our escalating tax bills.

If your town or city in Massachusetts has similar language in it’s bylaws or ordinances, raise a complaint with the attorney general’s office.


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Dale, there are a couple of books that may help you in your presentation, The Hunter in Conservation by The Council For Wildlife Conservation and Education, Inc. and Hunting and Fishing A God Given Responsibility by Dr. Cynthia Ann Gray. The later is aimed more at those who think that hunting or fishing is killing that is against God's will or commandments. Probably not as applicable as the first book in your defense of hunting in Attleboro. Both books are available on Amazon (see below). Good luck with your presentation.

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https://www.amazon.com/Hunter-Conse...49&sr=1-2&keywords=The+Hunter+in+Conservation

https://www.amazon.com/Hunting-Fish...unting+and+fishing+a+god+given+responsibility
 
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ricky racer said:
Dale, there are a couple of books that may help you in your presentation, The Hunter in Conservation by The Council For Wildlife Conservation and Education, Inc. and Hunting and Fishing A God Given Responsibility by Dr. Cynthia Ann Gray. The later is aimed more at those who think that hunting or fishing is killing that is against God's will or commandments. Probably not as applicable as the first book in your defense of hunting in Attleboro. Both books are available on Amazon (see below). Good luck with your presentation.

View attachment 9923
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https://www.amazon.com/Hunter-Conse...49&sr=1-2&keywords=The+Hunter+in+Conservation

https://www.amazon.com/Hunting-Fish...unting+and+fishing+a+god+given+responsibility
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Thanks Ricky! I’m pleased to hear that the authors have shared proof The One has decreed our pursuit of the wild beast is ordained by divinity. Peace and God bless my brother.


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Dale Rheaume said:
Thanks BB. The battle is not yet over, and the fight continues. This one is not the first, and it will not be the last.

“Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more”


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.....and unto the breach he did charge, with grace and eloquence, armed with the passion of a true compatriot. He did go forth wielding, facts, and statistics, and the law. With a respectful demeanor he did represent, our hunting heritage, the sportsman of Attleboro, the sportsman of Massachusetts, and the sportsman of this country. Even though I am not a member of the community of Attleboro, I am a member of the community of sportsman. It was my honor to be represented by you. We all owe you our respect, and our gratitude. Well done. Thank you.
 
Indeed well done! Had to leave before the end but glad I got to see Dale bring the heat!

I dunno if some of the council members pretend not to know, but it seemed in some cases they genuinely heard things from the opposition that they did not realize. Hopefully this swayed them.

So what happened at the end?


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Kurt said:
.....and unto the breach he did charge, with grace and eloquence, armed with the passion of a true compatriot. He did go forth wielding, facts, and statistics, and the law. With a respectful demeanor he did represent, our hunting heritage, the sportsman of Attleboro, the sportsman of Massachusetts, and the sportsman of this country. Even though I am not a member of the community of Attleboro, I am a member of the community of sportsman. It was my honor to be represented by you. We all owe you our respect, and our gratitude. Well done. Thank you.
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Thanks for being there Kurt, and traveling the great distance you did with your wife. It was a pleasure to meet both of you. I’ll see you again in April for the saddle gathering.


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pesqimon said:
Indeed well done! Had to leave before the end but glad I got to see Dale bring the heat!

I dunno if some of the council members pretend not to know, but it seemed in some cases they genuinely heard things from the opposition that they did not realize. Hopefully this swayed them.

So what happened at the end?


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Sorry I missed you pesqimon at the hearing. I agree that there is likely a new fresh perspective amongst the council. We just need to win over the ones in the middle that may have been undecided.

See you in April. Looking forward to seeing you demonstrate your SRT method.


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Although the battle is not yet over, I believe all those that attended and those that provided testimony made an impression on the council.

One positive outcome was the council’s desire to bring MassWildlife into the conversation. This should only confirm to them that our statements are true and accurate, and substantiated by the experts.

Thanks to all of you for your ideas, comments and support along the way.

Stay tuned for more news from the frontline.

Here’s the link to the hearing (fast forward to 41:38). It’s a long one, but informative as well as entertaining at moments.


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