CAPE ELIZABETH — The town will hold a public forum next week on hunting regulations.

The forum, scheduled for Monday, Aug. 22, at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, is in anticipation of bow hunting season, which starts Sept. 10. 

“… (N)ow is a good time to do it,” Police Chief Neil Williams said. “We just want to inform people about the rules and regulations.”

Bow hunting is the only type of hunting allowed in town, and people are mainly hunting deer, Williams said. 

The forum will be led by Game Warden Cory Lounder and Police Capt. Brent Sinclair. The pair will begin with a 15-minute presentation and then conduct a question-and-answer forum.

Williams said the town hasn’t hosted a forum on hunting since the 1990s, and has recently been receiving many questions about state and local regulations. 

“The Town Hall gets a lot of phone calls leading up to, and during, hunting season, so we’re hoping this eliminates some of that,” he said.

Town Hall employees don’t always know the answers to questions about hunting, Williams said. The Town Council this year also made it a goal to review bow hunting policies and informing residents of their rights.

The forum is open to all residents, regardless of whether they hunt. Williams said some residents walking through the woods have seen hunters dressed in full camouflage and have been alarmed or concerned. The hope, he said, is that the forum will make residents more aware that people are hunting. 

Williams said the forum will also be used to speak with landowners who live near hunting areas so that everyone involved understands their rights.

Hunting is allowed on most town-owned open space, according to Williams. A chart indicating where hunting is allowed can be found on the town website.

Kate Gardner can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 125 or kgardner@theforecaster.net. Follow her on Twitter: @katevgardner.

Copy the Story Link