Message from the Mayor: Hunting in Village parks
Posted on: October 26, 2018 - 12:44pm
Fellow Residents,
There have been two incidents in the past two days involving hunters allegedly in Hillside Woods that resulted in security measures taken at the elementary school to prevent possible injury to children. The first involved the sighting of an individual with a bow and arrow, assumed to be a hunter, entering the woods. The second, the next day, involved a report of loud noises believed to be gunshots coming from the woods. In both cases, the Police Department responded immediately, with the assistance of the Dobbs Ferry Police Department: in neither instance were any individuals sighted or apprehended. There has been an understandable swirl of concern and confusion regarding these incidents, including the question of whether hunting is permitted in the Woods.
A very quick primer on the law governing these issues. New York State sets hunting laws and regulations. Hunting with firearms is prohibited anywhere in Westchester County by State law. Hunting with bow and arrow, with the proper permits, in season and with certain restrictions on proximity to private homes and schools (at least 150 feet away from either), is permitted. The Village Park Regulations currently prohibit hunting in Village Parks just as any property owner can prohibit hunting on their own property.
Since the Village has Park regulations in place that specifically prohibit hunting in our parks, based on concerns raised last year, we decided this year to put up clear notifications indicating that no hunting was allowed. It is hard to miss these bright, florescent-colored signs. However, as this is only a regulation, it means that the Police can only ask a hunter to leave the park (unless they are in violation of State law and lack permits or are otherwise in violation of State hunting laws, in which case they can also be issued a violation). We had hoped that the clear signage would be adequate to deter this sort of sub rosa hunting. The sighting of the hunter this week leads us to believe that this is not so and that stronger enforcement mechanisms are required. We will be discussing options with the Village Attorney at the next Board meeting on November 6th to determine what sort of law and sanctions work elsewhere and which we should implement here. I have coordinated with School Board President Sundheim, School Superintendent Wilson, Police Chief Visalli and Village Counsel Whitehead and we are in consensus that the response to date was appropriate and are comfortable with these next steps.
Meanwhile, hunting of any sort remains prohibited in all Village parks and is flat-out unlawful if it involves a firearm. The Police Chief does not believe that there is any reason to be overly concerned, but he has indicated that the Department will pursue enforcement if alerted promptly. If you see hunters entering or present in any Village park, please telephone the police and report it (914-478-2344). There is no reason to intervene or confront any individual. They may very well believe they are in their rights to hunt, and you should leave it to the Police Department to explain to them otherwise.
Thank you for your attention,
Peter Swiderski