Brutality In Open Spaces

To the Editor:

I am writing an open letter to the residents of Newtown as you consider whether to have town-sponsored deer hunting on your protected open spaces. I am a resident of Brookfield and we have had this program for the second year in a row and, unlike Newtown, we had no debate or choice in the matter.

As someone who walks in these “protected” open spaces every day, I can tell you it is very disturbing. The deer, with which many of us enjoy sharing this space, are baited and killed by people (I hesitate to use the word hunter) who sit up in tree stands and wait for them to come to feed. The words “cull” or “harvest” are frequently used to sanitize this operation. I am very aware of the fact that there are a lot of deer in this area and many people find them disturbing to their gardens as well as consider them a major threat for Lyme disease. I, for one, believe there are alternatives to killing them and I know there are people in your town looking into those alternatives.

The officials in Brookfield who have promoted this deer hunting insist that the tree stands are far away from the trails in the parks. I don’t believe that these officials have been on the trails to see where, exactly, the tree stands are as I can see several from where I walk with my dog and many are not more than 15 or 20 feet away.

Please consider carefully whether you want this type of brutality in your open spaces in Newtown. You have the opportunity to give your thoughts and opinions to your elected officials. This is an issue that can very easily be swept under the rug and forgotten, particularly as the “hunting” season comes to a close. You are fortunate that you have a voice in the decision. Make use of this opportunity before it is too late.

Penny Schnell

2 Lambert Lane, Brookfield                                     December 3, 2009