I just finished reading the local paper on an article, "Dead deer and hunting near school cause concern".I almost fell off my seat!!!

Full article -

Dead deer and hunting near school cause concern
Hunting ban south of I-95 proposed by game warden
by Brian McCready

Milford - Mark Fearnley has seen the carcasses of dead deer needlessly piling up near Silver Sands State Park. He's received phone calls from parents worried about their children's safety as stray arrows shot from crossbows fly near Pumpkin Delight School.

Fearnley said in order to prevent a future disaster he is proposing the city ban all hunting south of Interstae 95. Additionally, the proposed ordinance would restrict hunting withina quarter mile from any city park, or public and private school. Farms would be exempt along with federal land areas that are already designated for hunting.

"To me it's an accident waiting to happen. It will be a kid, a jogger, or dog walker who will get hurt," Fearnley said. "I've been getting calls that I should do something."

Anyone who violates the ordinance could face fines between $100 and $1,000 and serve anywhere from 60 days to one year in prison. It's likely the ordinance, if adopted, would also have to be debated at the state level.

Fearnley, who is the city's fish and gaming constable, a position that is unpaid, has written a letter to the Board of Alderman outlining his hunting concerns.

Fearnley, a life-long hunter, says he anticipates his proposed ordinance will be vehemently opposed by hunters across the state, who will fear limitations elsewhere on hunting.

Top members of the Board of Aldermen and the Board of Education say they believe Fearnley's concerns are right on the mark, and they will seriously consider his proposed ordinance. No meeting date has been set to discuss the proposed ordinance.

Fearnley said that he has received concerned calls from parents who say their children have seen men in trees about 25 feet from Pumpkin Delight School on Art Street firing crossbows at deer.

The hunting islegal, he said, because the hunters have the permission of the landowner. Fearnley stresses that the hunters near the school are using crossbows and bows and arrows not actual guns. In order to use a gun there must be at least ten acres or more and must have permission from the landowner.

Hunting enthusiast Michael Blair, of Wallingford, who is a liasion for the Guilford Sportsmen's Association, said Fearnley's proposed ordinance seems like another attempt to needlessly target hunters. Blair said the state has some of the toughest hunting regulations in the country.

"This sounds like someone trying to take away the right of someone who owns land and deny them the ability to hunt on it," Blair said. "There are a lot of anti-hunter people in Connecticut who try numerous ways to stop hunting. Hunters don't try to stop people from golfing or boating."

He said the state uses money from hunting fees to acquire significant amounts of open space.It costs $28 for hunting and fishing licenses, and there are other costs to hunt specific animals like deer.

Fearnley says currently there is nothing he can do to prevent the hunting because the city has no limitations concerning the use of crossbows and bows and arrows on private land. He said he initially sought to ban hunting citywide, but was told that would be problematic because farmers who live in the northern section of the city have a right to protect their farms.

Fearnley said he has encountered four deer recently that have been killed right on the boundary of Silver Sands State Park, where hunting is not allowed.

Aldermanic Chairman Thomas Beirne Jr., R-5, said if it can be proven that there is a public hazard then the adlermen need to seriously consider adopting the ordinance.

School board Majority Leader Pamela Staneski, R-5, said she applauds Fearnley's proposed ordinance. She said there can't be hunters near a playground, school, or any facility where children may be.

"The first thing on the mind of everyone should be the safety of our littlest citizens and all of our citizens," Staneski said. "We need to keep everyone safe."

WTF!!! [>:]