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PTertacks Our pets don't care; they live by sun time anyway. But the upcoming increased darkness is an excellent reminder to add a flashing light, a blinker or luminous reflective collar to your pet supplies. I particularly like the clip-on small strobes. I keep one right by the door so I can pop it onto Junior's collar as he exits into the night. These bright beacons are visible for quite a distance and there are assorted styles and sizes available at the shop. Other nightsafety products include the Nite Lites collars and leashes which feature a light-retaining strip in addition to being reflective. Now is also the time to update your pet's wardrobe with a new hunter's orange collar or vest. The archery season for deer always slips in unnoticed, but it is underway right now, from October 16 to November 25, and hunting certain waterfowl and game birds is also in season. The shotgun season for deer is November 27 to December 9, followed by three weeks of muzzleloader deer hunting. For your information, I have included a table with the most significant hunting dates, which you might want to post in handy spot. But I also want to briefly review the hunting rules and regulations and include some common sense suggestions for how we can share our open spaces during the next several weeks. Both public and private lands on the island are open for hunting. Many private landowners make their properties available to hunters, so you need to assume that hunters can access any lands that are not posted. Most of the land open for hunting is owned by the Nantucket Conservation Foundation, and much of that property, over 8,700 acres, is habitat for the white-tailed deer, including popular pedestrian destinations that receive year-round use. Properties closed to hunting are conspicuously posted. To briefly review the rules, hunting is permitted from _ hour before sunrise to _ hour after sunset, except for waterfowl, which ends at sunset, and for rabbit and hare, which ends at midnight. Hunters cannot hunt on posted land without landowner permission, or hunt on Sunday. Hunting on any land not conspicuously posted is allowed except within 150 feet of a paved roadway, or within 500 feet of a dwelling in use. State law prohibits carrying a loaded shotgun in a vehicle. Any use of alcohol or intoxication while hunting is against the law. Hunters, including archers, must wear "hunter's orange" except if hunting waterfowl from a blind or boat during deer shotgun season. If you need to report a violation, contact the Environmental Police at 508-257-6932 or call the non-emergency number for the Nantucket Police, 508-228-1212, or State Police at 508-228-0706. Avoid confrontation; hunter harassment is against state law. In the coming weeks, we can share our outdoor spaces by exercising caution and following these suggestions. Stay away from wooded areas or go to the beach for your walks. Identify your pets with bright orange collars and vests. Add a loud bell or blinking light, most especially if you are out in the half-light hours around sunset or sunrise. Always walk your dog on a leash, preferably along a roadway or a bike path. Or just wait until Sunday for your outings. Halloween is next Tuesday night, and it can be a tough time for our pets. While we might enjoy the traditional activities, our pets might not share our enthusiasm for costumes, shouting youngsters, ringing doorbells and generally rowdy behavior. Certainly, the changes in routine and appearance can be upsetting to them. However, if you have the kind of pet that wants to be a part of the fun, with some advance preparation, there is no reason why they can't join in. If your pet loves to dress up, just give it time to become accustomed to its costume. If you do take your pet along to trick or treat, keep it on a short leash and be wary of unfamiliar animals. For a safe Halloween, make sure your pet is wearing a collar with current information and when at home, keep your pet safely secured in a separate room during peak activity. Put the candy out of reach and be very careful about the locations of candles and lit pumpkins. Now you're ready to Trick or Treat! I NANTUCKET 2006
HUNTING DATES |
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