It is not the responsibility of the nonhunter to wear blaze orange.

In light of the shooting on Christian Ridge Road in Paris that claimed the life of a vibrant 18-year-old woman, I ask all landowners to post their land. Access by permission only is the best option; this will provide landowners with a list of people on your property. Even though anyone, at anytime, can trespass, it’s time hunters take more responsibility; if they want to hunt, let them take the initiative to meet and greet landowners and ask permission.

As a former Maine Guide, I know I will take a great deal of criticism for this letter. I assess no blame, at this point, for the unfortunate recent shooting. The law enforcement community and the news have not been forthcoming with information. This is a shame; what are they investigating? What are their findings? Why is the public not demanding answers and information? I am. I want to know.

Nevertheless, let’s be honest. This is a small community, rumors perpetuate, and fear spreads like a California wildfire. I have been an outdoorsman and hunter for more than 35 years; I have had narrow escapes in the outdoors, and have dismissed them as someone using poor judgment. One becomes accustomed to such situations, and we as hunters sometimes become desensitized to gunshots in the woods.

I have spent many months as a defense contractor in Afghanistan, and know what it’s like to be fired upon. The average citizen is unfamiliar with gunfire, and are not as desensitized as some. The average citizen is neither aware of the hunting season dates, nor is it their responsibility. It is also not their responsibility to wear blaze orange.

Though many fellow hunters tell me that anyone in the woods should wear blaze orange during deer hunting season – whether they are hunters or not – it is not the responsibility of the non-hunter to brandish blaze orange. It is the responsibility of the hunter to identify their target. A $2 state of Maine hunter safety course will teach this clearly. Landowners have the right, like all Maine citizens, to feel safe and free to execute their activities regardless of season. They should feel safe at all times.

Without local landowners, there will be no hunting in the Oxford Hills. This recent incident will significantly limit hunting areas. I have spoken with many large landowners, and they have decided to post their land. They are also considering all-terrain vehicle and snowmobile bans. If I were a large landowner, I would post my land as well, with snowmobiles excepted.

With all due respect to all parties involved in the recent incident, I don’t believe the state’s definition of “hunting accident” is accurate or legitimate. If a hunter trips and their weapon malfunctions and fires, and that traveling projectile strikes another person, that’s an accident. If a hunter shoots at game, and that bullet miraculously travels through the woods and strikes another hunter or non-hunter out of sight of the shooter, then that is an accident.

Not identifying your target and all hazards behind that target, is not an accident. This should be prosecuted to the fullest extent. Again, this does not refer to the recent tragedy, because of the grotesque lack of news and updates from law enforcement and the local news. This is my opinion from what I’ve seen while hunting over the last 35 years.

I have been shot at and missed, shot at and hit. When I was hit, I was hit with birdshot in the chest; the shot never penetrated my clothing. It happened less than 1,000 yards from where Megan Ripley was killed.

Though my late father taught me the virtues of being an outdoorsman, I believe I will forego the deer hunt from this day forward, if for no other reason than my own safety and to make a stand for my friends and fellow hunters.

I will speak with local landowners and assist them in posting their land for permission-only hunting. I have hunted this area for 35 years, and this year was the only season I came home afraid due to unsound practices of other people – I will not call them sportsmen – in the woods.

It’s the responsibility of sportsmen to know, respect, and obey all hunting, fishing, boating, trapping, ATV, and snowmobiling laws. Let us assume that responsibility, and take it more seriously than ever before.

It saves lives.

Kevin Ellingwood, a former Maine Guide and veteran hunter, lives in South Paris.