Newtown Police, DEP Offer Safety Tips For Hikers, Hunters

By John Voket

With the variety of hiking opportunities and open space available to residents and those who visit Newtown, particularly in the fall, the Newtown Police Department is supporting the Connecticut’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which recently issued seasonal safety reminders for all outdoor enthusiasts.

Newtown Police Chief Michael Kehoe told The Bee that while a lot of visitors may think about getting out to see the foliage close up this fall, it is also important visitors to local forests and trails think about safety.

“We must remind ourselves to always wear bright colors and be defensive while enjoying the outdoors,” Chief Kehoe said. “Awareness is the key for a safe fall season. All persons whether they are venturing out for recreation or hunting must be aware of each other to avoid any mishaps.”

Susan Frechette, deputy commissioner for the DEP, pointed out that at press time, Connecticut was approaching the peak time of year for a variety of hunting activities in Connecticut.

“This is also a popular time for others to enjoy the many outdoor opportunities that our state has to offer, including hiking, biking, and paddling,” she added. “It is especially important for all outdoor users to respect the rights of others and be aware of all activities that may be occurring outdoors. Connecticut hunters have an excellent safety record and an awareness on the part of nonhunters can help in our efforts to keep hunting safe for everyone.”

Whether one’s choice of recreation involves hiking, camping, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting, or fishing, both local police and DEP representatives concur that anyone venturing outdoors should follow a few safety precautions. Basic safety tips that all outdoor users should follow include:

*When you go outdoors, let someone know where you plan to be and when you will return;

*Familiarize yourself with the area you will be using and know the activities that occur there;

*Obtain landowner permission before accessing private land;

*Wear brightly colored clothing;

*Avoid wearing gray, brown, tan, or white when hiking in or near hunting areas;

*Consider using a bell on your bike or horse during hunting season;

*If you see someone hunting, call out to them to make them aware of your location;

*Report wildlife or hunting violations to the DEP Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police at 860-424-3333.

Residents may also use the Wildlife Violation Hotline at 800-842-HELP, where callers can choose to remain anonymous and receive cash rewards for information leading to arrest and conviction of the violator. And Chief Kehoe said that ultimately, Newtown residents should call 911 when it is a matter of immediate and appropriate public safety.

According to the DEP, hunters should also follow four basic, but important, rules:

1. Assume every firearm is loaded.

2. Control the muzzle — point the firearm in a safe direction.

3. Keep your trigger finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.

4. Be sure of your target and what lies beyond.

Sportsmen must observe the fluorescent orange clothing requirements, which specify that a total of 400 square inches be worn above the waist and be visible from all sides from September 1 through the last day in February. Some exceptions do apply; they are listed in the 2010 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide.

Hunting Activities: Hunters must obtain landowner permission before hunting on private land. Hunting on public lands is allowed on most state forests and wildlife management areas and on some state parks. Detailed information about hunting seasons, public hunting areas, laws, and regulations are available in the 2010 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide available at all town halls, license agents, and on the DEP website www.ct.gov/dep/hunting.

In general, peak hunting occurs during early morning and late afternoon, primarily during the period from mid-October through mid-December. The general firearms hunting season for deer begins on November 17 this year.

The DEP offers a free, comprehensive Conservation Education/Firearms Safety (CE/FS) course for those who want to learn more about outdoor safety, hunting, and wildlife management. All first-time firearms hunters in Connecticut are required to successfully complete the 16-hour CE/FS class offered by the DEP Wildlife Division. A dedicated core of more than 300 certified volunteer instructors teach the classes, which are offered free-of-charge throughout the year.

In addition to firearms safety, laws, and regulations, all courses include topics such as outdoor survival and first aid, wildlife management, wildlife identification, and hunter ethics and responsibility. Some of the CE/FS firearms courses are also offered in a home study/internet format that includes an eight-hour field day. Separate classes are offered on bowhunting and trapping.

For a listing of available classes, visit the DEP website at www.ct.gov/dep and click on Education.