It is my understanding that it is against the lawThere are laws already on the books
(Town) that cover this situation.

Questions:
Questions and observations

1. Is deer overpopulation a threat to our local ecology?
2. If bow hunting were allowed it should be restricted to a section of the LLF so as to minimize the risk to hikers, naturalists, and other non-hunters. Is the LLF big enough to accomodate this.
3. If a hunter should kill an animal (other than another human ;-) it is his/her responsibility to remove the carcass from the LLF. In my humble opinion, if a hunter kills an animal he/she should butcher and eat it - killing for sport should not be allowed in the LLF.
4. Perhaps a compromise would be to set up an archery range.

If I'm walking the Landlocked Forest with my dog, I do NOT want to worry about her getting confused for a deer. Golden retriever is similar in color and jumps around the brush the same way. I can wear an orange ski jacket but an orange collar is not enough to show up.
With all the work volunteers have done in the past few years to build bridges and clear trails as well as remove debris, shouldn't this area be preserved for Open Space and passive recreation. Bow hunting is HUNTING on Town Owned Land abutting a major interstate highway system and neighborhoods with many citizens in the open. SERIOUSLY?

Why do we want to allow this? What if someone gets hurt? Whose responsibility will that be??

People have been hunting there for years and no one has complained until now. It seems like there are a few people in town are trying to restrict others from using this land. What's next, mountain bikers.

The law is the law people.

According to our selectman there is no law against hunting with a bow.

I support bow hunting in the land locked forest.

There are very strict rules used for hunting at all, even bow hunters must pass a basic hunters safety course, there are also season for different animals and hours for hunting, bow hunters do need a closer shot (20-30 yds). If you are walking your dog through the woods you should be able to be seen and a bow will most certainly not fly in you or your dogs direction, as per regulations by the state there is no hunting before sun up or sunset. The only case I have heard that a dog got mistaken for a deer was by an off duty police officer with a gun, which is not allowed.

Even though this issue is related only to bows, isn't there a law prohibiting the discharge of firearms in Burlington? What defines a firearm? Not that I oppose hunting there, they do need to take safety into very careful consideration, seeing that there is a lot of recreational use of the parcel. Hopefully the Selectmen will weigh the potential for injury from hunting against the potential for injury caused by deer darting into the path of cars at speed on Routes 128 and 3 as well as the potential for liability against the Town in either case.

BURLINGTON RESIDENT: SERIOUSLY!!!! JUST ASKING FOR TROUBLE!!! ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111

http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/regulations/plain_language/hunting_archery.htm
but that's IF a hunter is following the regulations...no hunting in Massachusetts on Sundays so that's the day for hiking in the Landlocked Forest folks!
You also aren't supposed to transfer wildlife that you consider a nuisance but I see folks off loading chipmunks, squirrels, skunks and ground hogs in the parking area often from their 'have a heart' traps. What does the Environmental Police officer have to say about this?

"...as per regulations by the state there is no hunting before sun up or sunset." If this is indeed law it isn't being followed. There is a bow hunter that parks on rte 3 at end of gas line that is in there long before sunrise. A fellow mtn biker came across him one morning and almost had a heart attack. Regardless, I do not agree with allowing this in such a small space. Have you seen the bow/arrow they use these days? Not some old fashioned contraption. These weapons look very sophisticated and def capable of travelling longer ranges.

I can't believe the selectman have to think about this, especially Selectman Patuto a retired police officer. The parcel is being used by so many different adult and children groups. It is not safe to have people walking around with bow and arrows at the same time. I think there should be No Hunting allowed and signs should be posted around the entire parcel. So far is has not been a problem because the land was not used very much. Also, there is chance that someone who is not familiar with the local laws, may think it's OK to hunt with a gun. So if we can hunt there can we hunt at the Reservoir, or at the Vinebrook conservation area, Wildwood park or Simonds Park? In the mean time, if you go there, wear hunter orange!!

There are a lot on negitive comments towad hunters in these postings and they are completely unfair. Do some research and get a real understanding about hunting and not just view it as killing animals. As for the LLF, the tow will have to look at every angle as far as use and safety, but if it works out favorably then hunting should be allowed as it is public land.
Bow hunting relies on stealth to get close enough to an animal so mistaking a target is beyond rare. Sure there are accidents, but there are accidents in all outdoor activities and hunting is and has been very safe for a long time.

I would support hunting in the LLF and in fact I would try it myself if the town moves forward with this.

Thanks

There is a public meeting scheduled to discuss the issue of bow hunting in the Landlocked Forest on Wednesday, Nov. 14th at 7 pm in the Main Hearing Room at Burlington Town Hall (2nd floor)

Yes there is a meeting open to the public on the 14th to discus the issues at hand. There will be no vote on Wednesday night.

Long time Resident
It sounds like we are missing a great opportunity to offer the residents a citizen and family-oriented place for a beautiful walking park with gardens and granite benches. Lets invite sculptors to display their handiwork. There are all kinds of things we could do better than create a place of destruction and danger for those enjoying a walk in nature's gift to Burlington. Please choose carefully.

I am a Burlington res and I support passing bow hunting there! we need to controller the population of deer and further more we should be allowed to hunt there in the spring for Turkey we need to control the population iam sick of have my truck damage by turkeys as when they see there reflection of them self they attack my vehicle s. STOP BEING ANTI HUNTERS! let us do are part in the community like we done for years! what do you think will happen if we don't control the population car accidents will go up from them running out in the middle of the road what if you or your kids are in that vehicle oh then your gunna want are help aren't you what about when the turkey population goes up more an there chasing you around your house or down the street when your out walking or how bout. When your kids can't go out and play at night because the family of coyote s that are roaming the yard. You ANTI HUNTERS make me sick you people think it's a sport! When we do it to eat and controller the population and make are community safe so are kids can go out and play at night so you can walk your dog at night! Really think about what you people are doing beside of harassing HUNTERS!!! Sooner or later the town will be over run by these animals and we the HUNTERS why would we want to help you then? pass the law and you ANTI HUNTERS common sense would you go for a walk during hunting season without wearing Orange hat or a vest ?No you wouldn't!