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Punkhorn hunting: Too close for comfort

10/02/09 · 10:29 am :: posted by Susan Spencer     

Click on the link to the Boot Swamp Trail, one of  several mapped trails in Brewster's 838-acre Punkhorn Parklands conservation area.  Hike along these peaceful paths, observing wildlife perform its daily dance through the wetland habitat and the surrounding woods.  If you're lucky, you may spot a doe and fawn as I once did while geocaching on one of the park's side trails.  You may pass  someone walking a dog, or a group of trail riders on horseback, but you're surrounded in quietude.

If the committee of Brewster sportsmen who presented a proposal to the conservation commission to allow deer hunting in the Punkhorn gets its way, that hike on the Boot Swamp Trail network won't be so peaceful between mid-October and the end of December.  The committee presented a request on Sept. 29 to allow archery hunting (Oct. 12 - Nov. 21) and primitive firearm hunting (Dec.14 - 31) in a section of the Punkhorn bordered by Punkhorn Road, Westgate Road and Squantum Path - the area encompassing the Boot Swamp.

An arrow can fly 400 to 500 feet, and while a muzzle-loaded, or black powder, gun doesn't have the mile-plus bullet range of a modern rifle, it can reliably shoot over 400 feet.  The proposal would require hunters to shoot downward from tree stands.  Still, the possibility of a stray bullet or arrow hitting a person or domestic animal in an area intertwined with well-loved trails is cause for concern.

About 30 people showed up at Tuesday's conservation commission hearing to voice disapproval of the plan.  The commission tabled action on it until a future meeting so it could gather more information about safety and enforcement.  If you're concerned about keeping the Punkhorn a haven of natural tranquility, let the Brewster Conservation Commission hear from you by emailing conservation@town.brewster.ma.us.

Photos, from top:

A fawn approaches in the Punkhorn

Punkhorn regulations - no hunting?

11 comments
Blog posts and comments are entirely the thoughts and ideas of the people who write them and in no way represent the views of CapeCodToday.com, eCape, Inc., or its employees or owners.

10/02/09 @ 5:44 pm
Jonathan [Member] writes:
I am also leary of that proposition.
Your comment about the animals is spot-on, too. I can relate.
I saw a huge buck today in Nickerson, on the Nook Rd. Trail near area 6. I rounded the corner on my bike and it leapt into the woods.

 [ Show all comments by this user ]
10/02/09 @ 8:14 pm
karent2 [Member] writes:
Your ignorance of the facts surrounding this proposal is clear. Archery hunting is done in close quarters and often usually right before and at sunrise and then again at sundown with very little in between. Primitive season is in the dead of winter and there probably aren't that many on the trails either. Deaths and injuries related to hunting are few on cape and comparative proof of that is the track record in the Nat. Seashore. Call for info. The Seashore has trails all throughout and there are no incedents. Compared to bike accidents in the seashore, hunting is far safer. Keep in mind, hunting is a way to control the herd too. Too many and they starve after they have completely devistated the greenery. Ask the state about the Quabbin Res. problems for info on that. It's alway interesting when a place has hunters, the hikers always ask to be allowed more room to roam. But if the hikers are there first, hunters are not allowed. The woods are for everyone. Hiking is yearround and hunting is a very short period. Learn to share.
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10/02/09 @ 8:31 pm
Susan Spencer [Member] writes:
Thanks for the comments, Karen. I've actually done archery, although obviously not very well because I've had arrows go a bit afield of the target (um, whoops). There is duck hunting near my house and I don't object to that because it's on the pond, not in the heart of a popular trail network. Thankfully, most hunters are responsible. But the consequences of accidents could be serious.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
10/02/09 @ 8:51 pm
karent2 [Member] writes:
And the consequences of areas with overpopulated deer herds is serious too. Fact is, hunters in this state have a very small amount of time to hunt. Most people hunt Saturdays due to the fact that Sunday is no hunting and then people work during the week. That leaves 6 Saturdays if the weather is decent meaning not too windy, no rain and nothing else important to do. Then, primitive allows for two more Saturdays. Is that really too much to ask out of the 52 weeks a year? I think once people actually take part in a hunting outing, they never really will understand how tough it is to actually bag something. I didn't take a shot for the first 3 years in the woods, gun OR arrow! Non hunters make it out like there is a war going on during hunting season and it's just not true.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
10/02/09 @ 11:46 pm
cricket [Member] writes:
I've had hunters shoot deer within just a couple hundred feet of my home (illegal), having trespassed to get there. It's a little hard to muster sympathy or enthusiasm for advancing their cause.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
10/02/09 @ 11:55 pm
CC Rockhopper [Member] writes:
I love it, the ladies coming to bat for the hunters,, of which are both gents and ladies. But this is not seen that often. and that of which Karent2 & Susan speak is very true. Thank you, thank you thank you .
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
10/05/09 @ 1:50 pm
xbreaka [Member] writes:
As was said earlier, deer hunting is an essential part of maintaining a healthy deer population and preventing disease and starvation. It really baffles me how people are up in arms about people hunting with bows and 1 shot muzzleloaders? Each require the game to be very close, and they will be hunting from treestands not driving across the woods. I love how the people against this conveniently forget the millions upon millions of acres hunters have preserved through the sale of licenses and things like duck stamps. It's only one month out of the year. As was said earlier, learn to share.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
10/07/09 @ 8:05 pm
karent2 [Member] writes:
I just happened to read the article regarding this issue in the CCT tonight and I find it interesting that a big fact was omitted from this story here. The proponents aren't asking for the entire Punkhorn to be opened, just 1/3 of it, 230 acres, that and another area of 80 acres eleswhere. Present all the facts for a fair conversation.
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10/07/09 @ 8:40 pm
bipr [Member] writes:
To be fair, Karen, this isn't a news story but an opinion. The news article, one of several on the topic, is referenced through a link. The reason for concern is that the Punkhorn parcel, which is identified in the blog by its boundaries, encompasses a major trail (Boot Swamp) that appears on the town website and on park information kiosks. The other proposed parcel (across Slough Road) isn't in the Punkhorn and isn't around an established trail network.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
10/22/09 @ 7:12 am
theoutdoors [Member] writes:
As an avid hunter (mostly bow), mt biker, and hiker I can understand your concern, but I can assure you that you have absolutely NOTHING to worry about during bow season. You won't even know there are bow hunters around. There is NO cause for concern over an arrow striking a human or pet as an archery hunter needs to be absolutely sure of his target before he even draws his bow.

During muzzleloader season, if you enter the woods you absolutely MUST cover yourself in orange...do the same with your pets. You will have nothing to worry about.

To the person complaining about trespassers - did you call the police or anyone to help? If you don't act on these situations, these types of hunters will continue to break laws, endanger people, and give hunting a bad name. Please - when you see hunters doing something illegal - REPORT IT!!!

Some good info: http://www.suburbandeerservice.org/problem.htm
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
10/22/09 @ 11:43 am
j*o*h*n [Member] writes:
My son already bagged his deer for the season, unfortunately he did it with a Toyota Highlander. The proliferation of deer continues to be a problem in the country. We need to cull the herd before they cull us. 1500 Bucks later.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
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About This Blog

trailhound_135  Susan Spencer likes to wander off the beaten path.  An award-winning freelance writer and photographer, she splits her time between rural and historic West Brewster and a former mill town in the rural and historic Blackstone Valley. 
  Trail Hound is a little bit about geocaching (the GPS treasure-hunt game), a little bit about running, hiking and biking, but mainly about discovering those out-of-the-way places that we – perhaps on purpose? – keep out of the visitors guides.
  Share your favorite trail tips here and be sure to visit Susan's website here.

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