Time to take aim at poachers

It used to be ticks and poison ivy were the only things Dog and I worried about on long nature walks in Lower Makefield. Now, we worry about bows and arrows. Maybe you do, too.On Monday, instead of scanning the trees for cardinals, hawks and the rare owl, I was looking for nincompoops dressed in camouflage. Their cars were parked in plain view outside the woods.Incredibly, bow hunters are taking to tree stands on township and county-owned parkland between the Delaware River and canal. This is land frequented by birders, runners, bikers and dog walkers like me.The hunters entering the woods and open fields are darned cheerful. At least two have introduced themselves to nearby homeowners and surprised dog walkers as members of Big Oak Whitetail Management Association. That's the group officially OK'd by the supervisors to cull deer in Five Mile Woods. In chatting up residents and walkers, the hunters explain the township has contracted with paid sharpshooters to take over the deer killing next month. The township is anxious to clear as many deer by bow hunters as possible, the hunters claim. It's cheaper.The bow hunters lie - about official permission to hunt here, anyway. No one has permission to hunt on this land near the river. Township Manager Terry Fedorchak said he's investigating any connection these hunters might have with Big Oak Whitetail. He said, to date, the association members, have performed professionally and without incident at Five Mile. Fedorchak stressed that if the hunt is expanded beyond Five Mile Woods to the other park, the land will be posted "Keep Out" for the duration of the hunt. But what about now? The guys are hunting illegally on township-owned land are parking on public streets in plain view. They're not hiding, which is why a skeptic might think they have if not official permission from the township, at least some tacit approval. Not so, the manager said."Poaching is hard to control," Fedorchak said. The Pennsylvania Game Commission, not local police, is responsible for enforcing hunting laws, he added.That says to me that park users are pretty much on their own. Stay indoors or keep your eyes open and wear orange. Sing in the woods, whistle, call loudly to passersby on the other side of the field.On Saturday, Husband and I tried to discourage a bow hunter getting out of his vehicle in full camouflage with his arms loaded with gear. I pointed out the "No Hunting" sign. He was polite, but firm. We have permission to hunt at Five Mile Woods, he said, and now, we have permission to hunt here. How will you keep people safe, I asked. "I won't shoot you," the hunter said with a smile. I told him about the woman who walks two fawn-colored Rhodesian ridgebacks here. They jump like deer. I told him about the man who exercises a small pointer in the fields. That dog has a white tail like a deer. And I pointed to Dog, who doesn't look like a deer, no way, no how, but, jeez, what if you make a mistake?Hunters can tell dogs from deer, Hunter said. They get up real close to shoot, about 40 yards. And lady, "you could walk right by one of us and never know we were there." The hair stood up on my neck. On Monday, I checked the woods again. At least one hunter was back. He spoke with another dog walker in the field. Again, the hunter claimed to be with Big Oak Whitetail. The walker didn't love the idea of sharing the woods with hunters, but what can you do? The hunter "seemed professional," the walker said. Thing is, if you put an expensive tennis racket in my hand and tuck the Wimbledon plate under my arm, I might look like I know what I'm doing, too. But I haven't been on a court in 20 years, and I wasn't very good, even then. What professional would take illegal aim with a bow on land open to dog walkers, bikers, birdwatchers and kids?That kind of hunter exhibits not just poor judgment but extreme arrogance about his skill and ability to ensure others' safety. Those aren't qualities you want moving around the woods with weapons. Call me shrill. It's better than calling for an ambulance.Kate Fratti would argue that if the poachers are found to be associated with Big Oak Whitetail Management, their permits should be pulled for hunting anywhere in the township. And the supervisors should reconsider their confidence in the association.