Pat Beaulieu (letter, Nov. 17) and Sonya Laramee (article, Nov. 13) both seem to have an inordinate amount of problems with hunters. I own 70 acres abutting the Beaulieu farm and close to Laramee’s property, and I don’t have any of the problems they described.

I allow hunting on my land by permission, as is the law in Lewiston. If they have issues with trespassers, they should call the Lewiston Police Department, as this is a local enforcement issue. I have had children, grandchildren, horses and dogs on my farm over many years, and they didn’t wear orange in November and they didn’t get shot or shot at. The current hunting zone boundaries exist because they are readily definable, and easy to recognize.

These boundaries are good. If hunters don’t abide by them now, they won’t abide by them later, even if they are changed. Enforcement of existing regulations can cure the few problems that come up every hunting season; changes are not needed. Hunting is a sound wildlife management tool that brings economic benefits along with the sport. This needs to be recognized. Some of my neighbors hunt, some like to walk the woods, some cut lumber and firewood, and some like to farm and spread hen manure and such on their fields. Those land uses should be equally respected and protected, since they are important to the folks who pursue those activities.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

Gary Savard, Lewiston


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