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I am so disappointed in the reporting by Mr. Howell and the inciteful comments by Representative McNamara on this issue. I respect the opinions of the non-hunting public but to compare a person in the lawful pursuit of hunting to the Newtown incident is nothing more than inflamatory. Representative McNamara making the false claim that the area that these hunters are hunting / shooting from to be within 100 yards of the playground is again just inflamatory. The litter allegation is just wrong.

Yes I am a hunter, resident of Warwick and live along the coast, The waterfowl season is a 60 day season that runs from mid October through mid January. Some hunters do access these areas by foot, but most arrive by boat. They set out their decoys and pursue their hunt. Most of these people are true sportsman and cherish the pursuit of hunting and the environment. We do not hunt with rifles and we spend a great deal of money in purchasing equipment, licenses and stamps. A portion of these revenues go back to the government for the purchase of public lands for people to participate in shoreline access and other outdoor recreation. Of the 60 day season we only really experience an increase in hunting activity in the later season due to the flights of birds arriving in December and January. This activity has gone on in the Providence River, Upper Narragansett Bay and Greenwich Bay and the adjacent coves for the past 100 years. Back when Sunshine Island was not covered over by fill in the Port of Providence, but a pristine hunting area. Our concerns should be about what impact shoreline development and failing septic systems are doing to our estuaries and our quality of life, rather than a father and daughter out spending some time together.

I respect the concerns for safety, as I am a father and I respect your wishes for a peaceful day not filled with noise from gun shots. But the reality is that this is no different than the noise pollution we experience from the airport, road noise, or the police range. We live in a multi use society and need to respect one and others lawful activity. Please stop demonizing hunters.

From: Hunters’ guns now silent, but shoreline shooting raises ire

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